Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing selective separation of ore values by addition of an effective amount of a treatment reagent to the separation process, such as froth flotation. The treatment reagent can be added at different stages, such as to a grinding mill, conditioning tank before flotation, or in the flotation cells before, after or simultaneous to the addition of other conventional flotation reagents. By adding the treatment agent, the recovery of valuable minerals from a froth flotation process is increased. In an embodiment of the present invention, the treatment reagent is a water-soluble ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer.