The introduction of cyclonic circulation method is one of the most important developments in column flotation technology in the last years. In this study, effect of a cyclonic flotation column on the flotation performance of a siliceous phosphate ore was evaluated by the experiments on circulation pressures and circulation methods. The feed and flotation products were characterized by size fraction, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. The results showed that both of the P2O5 grade and recovery of the concentrate increased with circulation pressure under the condition of cyclonic circulation. Under the optimal circulation pressure 0.24 Mpa, Flotation comparison results at different circulation methods showed that the P2O5 recovery for cyclonic circulation reached 86.03%, which was increased by 4.9 percentage points comparing with that of direct flow circulation. The size analysis of the products demonstrated that cyclonic circulation method promoted the recovery of fine particles. Theoretical analysis results show that centrifugal force field can reinforce the mineralization of fine particles as well as decrease the lower limit for efficient flotation. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.