Preliminary assessment of spray coating, solution-immersion and dip coating to render minerals superhydrophobic

•A unique and novel study to present superhydrophobic coating on minerals.•Superhydrophobicity by spraying solution/emulsion of a low-surface energy material.•Superhydrophobicity by dipping particles in solution of wax/fatty acid.•Superhydrophobicity by immersing particles to emulsion of wax/fatty acid.•Coating methods improve the success of gravity concentration/sedimentation.