Abstract: A novel collector, alkyl hydroxamic acid sulfonate (MES), was synthesized using the inexpensive and widely utilized raw materials of fatty acid methyl ester sodium sulfonate and hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The flotation performance and adsorption mechanism of individual minerals were investigated using Fourier−transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Zeta potential analysis, and X−ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of micro−flotation test revealed that compared to oleic acid, scheelite exhibited better selectivity than calcite and fluorite. At a pH of 10.0 and a dosage of 30 mg/L, the recoveries for scheelite, calcite, and fluorite were 85.9%, 62.8%, and 53.5% respectively. Batch flotation test outcomes demonstrated that for actual ore with a feed grade of 0.27%, the tungsten concentrate grade obtained using MES was higher than that achieved with oleic acid. Under the flotation conditions of pulp pH=10.0, sodium silicate dosage at 1000 g/t, and MES dosage at 720 g/t, the tungsten concentrate grade was measured at 1.40% with a recovery rate of 78.89%. Contact angle test results indicated the contact angle increased with the increase of MES dosage, consistent with findings from the single mineral flotation concentration experiment. Zeta potential and FTIR analyses revealed an increase in the electronegativity of scheelite after MES treatment, and characteristic peaks corresponding to −CH₃, −CH₂, O=C−NH, and −SO₃H in MES appeared on the surface of scheelite, indicating firm adsorption by MES onto its surface. Additionally, XPS analysis confirmed that MES chemically reacted with the Ca and W atoms through −CONHOH and −SO₃H, forming M−MES(M=Ca, W) complexes adsorbed onto scheelite surfaces.