Abstract: An improved cationic froth flotation process for the separation of silicious gangue particles from oxidic iron mineral particles wherein the silicious particles are induced to float, and the iron mineral particles remain in suspension near the bottom of the flotation cell. More particularly, the invention relates to an improvement in the cationic froth flotation process by the incorporation of a small amount of a Group II metal salt as a modifier. The recovered iron concentrates obtained by the improved procedure of the invention are of a higher grade and contain lesser amounts of silicious material.