Abstract: The effct of pulp temperature change on galena flotation was studied though the single mineral flotation test with butyl xanthate (NaBX) as the collector and 4-Methyl-2-pentanol (MIBC) as the frother. Meanwhile, the effect mechanisms of pulp temperature change on recovery were investigated by infrared spectrum, Zeta potential, the collectors adsorption amount, XPS, the pulp viscosity and combined with flotation dynamics. The results indicated that pulp temperature had a significant influence on the recovery of galena flotation, and the recovery at 5 ℃ decreased by 7 percentage points compared with that at 20 ℃. The adsorption product of NaBX on the galena surface was lead butyl xanthate, and the temperature change had little effect the adsorption characteristics of NaBX on the galena surface, but the decrease of pulp temperature could weaken the oxidation degree of galena surface, reduce the amount of both the active adsorption seats and the adsorption of NaBX on the galena surface, thus the flotation effect was inhibited. When the pulp viscosity increased at low temperature, the rising speed of bubbles and the collision rate between bubbles and ore particles decreased, which could reduce the flotation effect to a certain extent. Flotation dynamics showed that the maximum recovery and flotation rate constant at low temperature (5 ℃) were lower than that at normal temperature (20 ℃).