Abstract: In order to resolve the problem that molybdenite is difficult to be recovered through conventional flotation，The growth， breakage and restructuring of the agglomerates was investigated thoroughly through characterization of agglomerate size and fractal dimension，and based on hydrophobic agglomeration， the flotation of agglomerated molybdenite fines was conducted. The results shown that the growth of agglomerate depended on the stirring speed， the higher the stirring speed， the stronger was the stirring strength， more rapidly the agglomerate grown. In addition， kerosene dosage could increase the agglomerate strength remarkably to withstand high stress shear， the higher the kerosene dosage， stronger stirring strength and less time was need to cause the breakage and restructuring of the agglomerates. The average fractal dimension of agglomerates was strongly affected by stirring speed and kerosene dosage， the higher the stirring speed， the larger the kerosene dosage， more regular the agglomerates. Compared to conventional flotation， floc-flotation increased the floatability of molybdenite substantially. The floc-flotation of molybdenite fines closely correlated with the strength of mechanical conditioning in hydrophobic agglomeration， the higher the stirring speed， less time was needed to achieve the maximum floatability. Kerosene could increase the floatability of agglomerate significantly.

Key words: Micro-finemolybdenite, Hydrophobic agglomeration, Agglomerate size, Agglomerate fractal dimension, Floc-flotation