Regulators can be divided into five categories:

(1) PH regulator. It is used to adjust the pH of pulp, control the surface characteristics of minerals, the chemical composition of pulp and the action conditions of other agents, so as to improve the flotation effect. The pH value of pulp should also be adjusted in the cyanidation process. Commonly used are lime, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. In gold dressing, the most commonly used regulators are lime and sulfuric acid.

(2) Activator. It can enhance the action ability of minerals with collectors, and make the refractory minerals float by activation. Gold bearing lead copper oxide ore is activated with sodium sulfide, and then flotation is carried out with collectors such as xanthate.

(3) Inhibitors Improve the hydrophilicity of minerals and prevent minerals from acting with collectors, so as to inhibit their floatability. For example, in the process of preferential flotation, lime is used to inhibit pyrite, zinc sulfate and cyanide are used to inhibit sphalerite, glass is used to inhibit silicate gangue minerals, and organic substances such as starch and gel (tannin) are used as inhibitors to achieve the purpose of multi-metal separation and flotation.

(4) Flocculant. Fine mineral particles are aggregated into large particles to speed up their sedimentation in water; Selective flocculation is used for flocculation desliming and flocculation flotation. Common flocculants include polyacrylamide and starch. 

(5) Dispersant. Prevent the aggregation of fine mineral particles in monomer state. Its function is just opposite to that of flocculant. Commonly used are sodium silicate, phosphate, etc.

The type and dosage of flotation agent vary with the ore properties, flotation conditions and process characteristics. The prescription (or reagent system) can be provided by the test unit, and can also be changed according to the changes of the above conditions in the process of production practice