A blend of water and pine oil is made to foam in a tank for isolating the sulfide metals. The minerals are isolated on the premise of the distinctions of wetting properties of the metal and gangue particles.

The blend of water, pine oil, cleanser and the powdered metal is at first filled in a tank where it is transformed into foam utilizing a turning fomenter where compacted air is blown through pipe.

The sulfide metal particles are wetted and secured by pine oil and climb close by the foam as it is lighter. The gangue particles wetted by water sink to the base of the tank as water is heavier. Sulfide being more electronegative pulls in the covalent oil particles. The gangue being less electronegative is pulled in by the water. The froth containing the sulfide mineral is traded to another holder, washed, and dried.