Adsorption of surfactants is one of the important feature governing interactions between particulate matters. When interactions occur between two particulates, which differ from each other, heterocoagulation takes place. This paper explains heterocoagulation of bubbles and carbonaceous metal-bearing shale particles. Heterocoagulation was experimentally studied using zeta potential, adsorption and contact angle tests. The results indicated that heterocoagulation in the presence of ionic (anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate SDS, and cationic dodecylamine hydrochloride DDA) surfactants was feasible. Based on the results, the heterocoagulation mechanism was evaluated, and thus the mechanism of shale flotation in the presence of ionic surfactants was elucidated
