Froth Flotation and Gold Extraction Manhattan Gold amp;
#0183;#32;First, refractory gold ore is ground as finely as possible usually so the individual grains are much less that 100 micrometers. The ground up ore is mixed with water to create a slurry, which is mixed with surfactants to increase the golds hydrophobicity. This mixture is placed into a tank or flotation cell filled with distilled water.