Abstract: A process of flotation of partially or fully liberated metal-bearing or industrial minerals, hydrocarbon matter, oil or bitumen from an ore includes combining an indifferent salt to a flotation system to increase efficiency of the flotation process as well as the subsequent flotation concentrate and tailings solid-liquid separation.

Abstract: A process of leaching a metal or salt thereof from a feed source includes combining an indifferent salt to a leach system to increase efficiency of the leach process as well as the subsequent leach residue liquid-solids separation. The process can include combining the feed source with a leaching reagent and an indifferent salt in a leach medium to form a feed slurry and leaching a metal or metal salt from the feed slurry in to a pregnant leach liquor followed by recovering metal salts from the pregnant leach liquor and recycling residual leach solution to form additional feed slurry. Such processes are suitable for large scale operations with high solids loading in the liquid-solids separation operations.