In dodecylamine flotation system, depression of starch and Pb2+ plus starch on nine silicate minerals belonging to five silicate structures is tested. Through testing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and potential of silicate minerals, based on crystal chemistry characteristics of silicate minerals, depression and synergetic depression mechanisms of starch and Pb2+ plus starch on silicate minerals with different crystal structure are analyzed. It is considered that these depressions are dosly related to properties, valences, quantities, solubility and ability to combine hydroxy of surface ions of silicate minerals with different crystal structure liberated.