Effect of calcium minerals reactivity on fatty acids adsorption and flotation

•Calcite and apatite recovery was related to the amount of fatty acid adsorption.•Oleate and linoléate adsorption was measured by colorimetric, XPS and IR methods.•Fatty acid adsorption increases with calcium mineral dissolution at pH 9.•Magnesium and sulphate impurities may increase calcite dissolution.•Slightly higher recovery with linoléate than oleate although their adsorption is similar.