The adsorption density of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) at the quartz-solution interface was determined as a function of the collector concentration and pH both in the absence and in the presence of Ca**2** plus ions. Desorption of CTBA at different pH values wasl also studied. The results have been correlated with the flotation behaviour of quartz as determined by Hallimond tube tests carried out at some fixed flotation time. The rapid increase in the flotation rate of quartz observed a pH 10 was found to coincide with hemi-micelle formation as concluded from the adsorption studies.