Abstract: The effect of two grinding media, namely steel ball and zirconia ball, on the calcite surface properties and the calcite recovery in the flotation using lauryl amine was studied.The flotation result shows that in lauryl amine flotation system, the flotation recovery of grounded calcite product is higher in case of zirconia balls used for grinding than that in case of steel balls.The solution testing and surface analysis indicate that iron ions will be produced in the grinding process when steel balls used as the grinding medium, which will be further oxidized and adsorbed on calcite surface, reducing the electronegativity of calcite surface to effect a depression of calcite.

Key words: Grinding medium, Calcite, Floatation, Lauryl amine