A fully automated semi-commercial flotation column incorporating state of the art instruments was designed to study the amenability of flotation column for the beneficiation of different minerals. In the present study, beneficiation of sillimanite was investigated by installing the flotation column in the flotation circuit of Orissa Sands Complex, Indian Rare Earths Limited, Chatrapur, Orissa. The effect of process parameters on sillimanite grade and recovery was investigated. At optimum conditions, the flotation column was operated continuously with a feed rate of one ton per hour and demonstrated the efficiency of the technology for the beneficiation of sillimamte. The results show that a concentrate assaying 96% sillimanite at 90% recovery can be obtained in a single column flotation stage. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.