In most copper sulphide flotation processes, optimising recovery of trace elements such as gold or maximising the rejection of penalty elements such as uranium, arsenic and fluorine remains a major metallurgical challenge. This review looks at the existing and possible strategies of improving gold recovery in porphyry copper ores and rejection of penalty elements such as uranium, arsenic and fluorine in copper flotation concentrates. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.