Mining / Flotation Chemicals

mining flotation chemicals

1,1,3-Triethoxybutane Frother (TEB)

CAS: 4739-71-3

1,1,3-Triethoxybutane (TEB) is a selective acetal-based frother widely used in flotation circuits where froth selectivity and rapid breakdown are critical. It produces a highly selective froth with minimal gangue entrainment, making it particularly suitable for differential flotation of copper-molybdenum or copper-lead-zinc systems. TEB frother enables tighter control of froth transport, reducing water recovery and improving concentrate dewatering.

mining flotation chemicals

2-Ethylhexanol (Flotation Solvent / Frother)

CAS: 104-76-7

2-Ethylhexanol is a branched-chain C8 alcohol used as a co-frother, collector solvent, and flotation aid in mineral processing. Its moderate frother activity and low water solubility make it a useful extender for primary frothers such as MIBC, improving froth stability and bubble size distribution in fine-particle flotation. It is also used as a solvent to dissolve and disperse sparingly soluble collectors (such as fatty acids and kerosene) for improved conditioning efficiency.

mining flotation chemicals

2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT)

CAS: 149-30-4

2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) is a heterocyclic collector and activator used in the flotation of copper, lead, and precious metal sulfide minerals. Its benzothiazole ring system provides strong chemisorption onto mineral surfaces, and it is particularly valued as an activator for oxidized copper and antimony minerals. MBT is also used as a co-collector with xanthates to extend collector performance on complex oxidized ores.

mining flotation chemicals

Activated Carbon (Gold CIP/CIL Grade)

CAS: 64365-11-3

Gold-grade Activated Carbon is used in Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) and Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) gold recovery circuits to adsorb gold-cyanide complexes from cyanide leach solutions. High-surface-area granular activated carbon provides efficient gold adsorption kinetics and high loading capacity, allowing gold to be concentrated for subsequent elution and electrowinning recovery. The carbon is regenerated by thermal reactivation for multiple reuse cycles, making it a key consumable in gold processing operations.

mining flotation chemicals

Anionic Polyacrylamide Flocculant (APAM)

Anionic Polyacrylamide (APAM) is a high molecular weight, negatively charged polymer flocculant widely used for flocculating positively charged mineral slurries, tailings, and process water in mining operations. Its anionic charge facilitates effective adsorption onto the surfaces of calcium and iron-containing minerals, forming large flocs for rapid sedimentation. APAM is the most commonly used grade in metallic ore tailings thickening and red mud disposal in alumina refining.

mining flotation chemicals

Butyl Diethanolamine Collector (BDEA Complex)

Butyl Diethanolamine (BDEA) collector complexes are nitrogen-containing chelating collectors used in the flotation of copper, nickel, and precious metal sulfide ores. The ethanolamine groups provide additional chelation affinity for heavy metal ions beyond the sulfide-binding group, enabling collection of both sulfide and partially oxidized mineral surfaces. BDEA complexes are particularly effective in circuits processing transitional (oxide-to-sulfide boundary) ore zones.

mining flotation chemicals

Cationic Collector Complex (Quaternary Ammonium Type)

Quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant complexes are used as collectors in reverse flotation circuits for silica removal from iron ore and phosphate concentrates, and in potash ore processing. Unlike primary amines, these quaternary compounds remain fully ionized across the entire pH range, providing consistent collector performance regardless of pulp pH. They offer strong adsorption on negatively charged silicate mineral surfaces via electrostatic interaction.

mining flotation chemicals

Cationic Polyacrylamide Flocculant (CPAM)

Cationic Polyacrylamide (CPAM) is a positively charged polymer flocculant designed to flocculate negatively charged coal fines, clay-rich slurries, and acid mine drainage. It is extensively used in coal preparation plant slime circuits where high-charge clays and organic matter require a cationic flocculant for effective dewatering. CPAM achieves rapid floc formation and superior cake moisture reduction compared to non-ionic or anionic grades in these applications.

mining flotation chemicals

Copper Sulfate (Sphalerite Activator)

CAS: 7758-98-7

Copper Sulfate is the standard activator for sphalerite in the zinc flotation stage of lead-zinc differential flotation circuits. Copper ions exchange with zinc on the sphalerite surface, creating a copper-activated surface that responds strongly to xanthate collectors, enabling high zinc recovery. It is also used to activate pyrite for gold recovery, and as a micronutrient in agricultural applications adjacent to mining operations.

mining flotation chemicals

Dextrin Depressant (Flotation Grade)

CAS: 9004-53-9

Dextrin is a water-soluble polysaccharide depressant widely used in sulfide mineral flotation to selectively depress pyrite, talc, and other gangue minerals. Unlike starch, dextrin does not require heat activation and dissolves readily in cold water, providing a convenient and effective depressant for daily flotation operations. It is particularly useful in lead-zinc and copper circuits to reduce pyrite and talc contamination in concentrates.

mining flotation chemicals

Diatomite Filter Aid (Mining Grade)

CAS: 61790-53-2

Diatomite (diatomaceous earth) filter aids are used in mineral processing and hydrometallurgy to improve filtration rates and produce clearer filtrates from fine mineral slurries and process solutions. Pre-coat filtration with diatomite allows filtration of ultrafine particles and colloidal materials that would otherwise blind standard filter media. Mining-grade diatomite is widely used in gold CIL/CIP solution polishing, cyanide leach solution clarification, and concentrate filtration.

mining flotation chemicals

Dithiophosphate Collector (Aerofloat Type)

Dithiophosphate (DTP) collectors, commonly known as Aerofloat-type reagents, are versatile sulfide mineral collectors used as primary or secondary collectors in complex mixed sulfide flotation. They offer good selectivity for copper and lead minerals while providing moderate depression of pyrite, and are particularly effective in combination with xanthates to improve concentrate grades. DTP collectors are supplied as liquid or waxy solid products.

mining flotation chemicals

Dodecylamine (DDA)

CAS: 124-22-1

Dodecylamine (DDA) is a primary amine cationic collector widely used in the flotation of silicates, quartz, and aluminosilicate gangue minerals. Its twelve-carbon chain provides the hydrophobic character necessary for effective silicate collection while remaining selective against oxide minerals at controlled pH. DDA is commonly employed in potash, iron ore reverse flotation, and feldspar separation processes.

mining flotation chemicals

Fatty Amine Collector (Ether Amine Type)

CAS: 61790-33-8

Fatty amine ether amine collectors are cationic collectors primarily used in reverse flotation of silica from iron ore and phosphate concentration circuits. They selectively float quartz, feldspar, and aluminosilicate gangue minerals while leaving iron oxide or phosphate minerals in the flotation cell. These reagents are supplied as liquid concentrates and are typically used in conjunction with starch depressants to achieve high-grade iron ore concentrates.

mining flotation chemicals

Froth Modifier (Polydodecanol Type)

Polydodecanol-type froth modifiers are used in flotation circuits to adjust froth stability, rheology, and transport properties without significantly affecting mineral selectivity. They reduce excessive froth viscosity in circuits processing clay-rich or talc-bearing ores, preventing froth overflow and concentrate losses. Froth modifiers are particularly valuable in platinum group metals (PGM) and nickel flotation where talc and other sheet silicates generate excessively stable, difficult-to-manage froths.

mining flotation chemicals

Glycol Ether Frother (DF-250 Analogue)

Glycol ether frothers of the DF-250 type are propylene glycol-based poly-ether frothers producing a narrow, controllable bubble size distribution and moderate froth persistence. They are widely employed in copper, molybdenum, and coal flotation as a substitute for brand-name frothers, offering comparable performance at competitive cost. These reagents provide consistent bubble nucleation and froth transport characteristics essential for reliable metallurgical performance.

mining flotation chemicals

Guar Gum (Mining Grade Flocculant)

CAS: 9000-30-0

Guar Gum is a natural polysaccharide flocculant and depressant derived from guar beans, used in mineral processing for selective depression of talc and other sheet silicate gangue minerals in sulfide flotation. It is also employed as a natural flocculant for tailings slurries where biodegradable reagents are preferred. Guar Gum performs effectively at low temperatures and under alkaline conditions typical in metallic ore flotation circuits.

mining flotation chemicals

Isopropyl Xanthic Acid (Isopropyl Xanthate)

CAS: 140-93-2

Isopropyl Xanthic Acid (also known as isopropyl xanthate free acid) is used as an intermediate in xanthate synthesis and as a direct collector in acidic flotation circuits where the free acid form is more effective than sodium or potassium salts. It is particularly useful in acid circuit copper flotation and in the flotation of oxide ores following acid conditioning, where the pH is too low for effective use of xanthate salt collectors.

mining flotation chemicals

Kerosene (Coal Flotation Collector)

Flotation-grade kerosene is a non-polar hydrocarbon oil collector primarily used in fine coal flotation to enhance the hydrophobicity of coal particles and improve their recovery in froth flotation circuits. It selectively wets carbonaceous surfaces over mineral gangue, making it the most widely used collector in coal preparation plants worldwide. Kerosene is typically used with an alcohol-based frother to produce stable, coal-rich froths.

mining flotation chemicals

Lead Nitrate (Gold/Silver Activator)

CAS: 10099-74-8

Lead Nitrate is an activator used in gold, silver, and antimony sulfide flotation circuits to enhance the collection of native gold, electrum, arsenopyrite, and tetrahedrite. Lead ions adsorb on the mineral surface, improving collector adsorption and increasing hydrophobicity. It is particularly effective in circuits processing refractory gold ores where conventional xanthate collectors underperform, and is also used to activate depressed sulfide minerals in sequential flotation schemes.

mining flotation chemicals

Methanol (Xanthate Dissolution Solvent)

CAS: 67-56-1

Methanol is used in mineral processing as a solvent for dissolving and preparing xanthate and dithiocarbamate collector solutions, particularly where rapid dissolution at ambient temperature is required. It ensures complete solubilization of xanthate powders into concentrated stock solutions for accurate metering in automated reagent dosing systems. Methanol is also used as a reaction solvent in the on-site synthesis of xanthate reagents from CS2 and alkali metal hydroxides.

mining flotation chemicals

Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC)

CAS: 108-11-2

Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC) is the most widely used synthetic flotation frother in the mineral processing industry, valued for producing thin-walled, fast-breaking bubbles with excellent selectivity. It generates a low-viscosity froth that breaks easily, minimizing entrainment of gangue minerals and water, resulting in higher concentrate grades. MIBC is used across all major metallic ore flotation circuits including copper, gold, lead-zinc, and molybdenum.

mining flotation chemicals

Oleic Acid (Phosphate Flotation Collector)

CAS: 112-80-1

Oleic Acid is a C18 unsaturated fatty acid collector widely used in the direct flotation of phosphate rock, apatite, and carbonate-associated oxide minerals. It adsorbs on apatite and phosphate mineral surfaces through carboxylate chemisorption, rendering them hydrophobic and floatable. Oleic Acid is particularly effective in warm-water direct phosphate flotation circuits and is often saponified with NaOH before use to improve water dispersibility and conditioning efficiency.

mining flotation chemicals

Petroleum Sulfonate Collector

CAS: 68608-26-4

Petroleum Sulfonate collectors are anionic surfactants derived from petroleum refining by-products, used in the flotation of heavy metal oxide ores, phosphate rocks, and iron ores. Their mixed chain length composition provides both strong collecting ability and good selectivity over silicate gangue when used with appropriate modifiers. Petroleum Sulfonates offer a cost advantage over synthetic collectors for large-tonnage oxide mineral flotation operations.

mining flotation chemicals

Pine Oil Frother

CAS: 8002-09-3

Pine Oil is one of the oldest and most established flotation frothers, derived from steam distillation of pine wood resin. Its major active components, alpha- and beta-terpineol, produce a stable, workable froth that facilitates mineral recovery without excessive froth carry-over. Pine Oil frother is widely used in copper, gold, lead-zinc, and coal flotation operations, particularly where moderate froth stability and bubble size are required.

mining flotation chemicals

Polyacrylamide Flocculant (Non-ionic)

CAS: 9003-05-8

Non-ionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a high molecular weight polymer flocculant widely used in mineral processing for tailings thickening, water clarification, and solids settling in process circuits. Its non-ionic character makes it effective across a broad pH range and with various mineral types, bridging fine particles to form large, fast-settling flocs. Non-ionic PAM is particularly suited for tailings ponds, thickener overflow clarification, and recycled water management.

mining flotation chemicals

Polypropylene Glycol Frother (PPG Type)

CAS: 25322-69-4

Polypropylene Glycol (PPG) frothers are polymeric surfactants that produce persistent, fine-bubble froths suitable for flotation of fine particles and slimes. Their molecular weight and degree of propoxylation can be tailored to control froth stability, bubble size, and selectivity for specific ore applications. PPG frothers are particularly effective in fine coal flotation and in circuits where fine-particle recovery is a priority.

mining flotation chemicals

Potassium Amyl Xanthate (PAX)

CAS: 2720-73-2

Potassium Amyl Xanthate (PAX) is a strong collector for sulfide ores, particularly effective in copper, lead, and zinc flotation operations. Its longer carbon chain compared to shorter xanthates imparts greater collecting power and improved froth stability, making it suitable for processing lower-grade and complex sulfide ores. PAX is widely employed in selective flotation circuits requiring high metal recovery.

mining flotation chemicals

Potassium Ethyl Xanthate (KEX)

CAS: 140-89-6

Potassium Ethyl Xanthate (KEX) is a standard short-chain xanthate collector used extensively for base metal sulfide flotation, particularly copper, lead, and nickel ores. Its potassium salt form offers slightly enhanced solubility and stability compared to the sodium analogue. KEX is effective across a wide pH range and commonly used as a reference collector in flotation test programs.

mining flotation chemicals

Quicklime / Hydrated Lime (pH Regulator)

CAS: 1305-78-8

Lime (calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide) is the most widely used pH regulator in sulfide ore flotation, providing alkaline conditions essential for xanthate stability, pyrite depression, and selective collector performance. It is used at high dosages to maintain flotation pulp pH between 10-12, effectively depressing pyrite and activating cyanide-based depressant systems. Lime is also used in tailings dam management for neutralization and heavy metal precipitation.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash)

CAS: 497-19-8

Sodium Carbonate (soda ash) is a mild alkaline pH adjuster and activator used in flotation circuits to raise pulp pH to the range of 8-11, particularly suited for circuits where lime would cause excessive calcium ion concentrations that interfere with collector performance. It is widely used in non-ferrous metal sulfide flotation, glass sand purification, and as a conditioning agent for fatty acid collectors in oxide and carbonate mineral flotation.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Cyanide (Flotation Depressant Grade)

CAS: 143-33-9

Sodium Cyanide is a powerful depressant for sphalerite and pyrite in differential sulfide flotation, and serves as the primary leaching agent in gold and silver cyanidation processes. In flotation, it forms stable cyanide complexes with zinc and iron on mineral surfaces, preventing xanthate adsorption and enabling selective copper or lead flotation. Its use is highly regulated and requires strict safety management systems, with comprehensive training and emergency protocols mandatory.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Dibutyldithiocarbamate (SDBC)

CAS: 136-23-2

Sodium Dibutyldithiocarbamate (SDBC) is a long-chain dithiocarbamate collector offering stronger hydrophobic collecting power than its diethyl analogue. It is particularly effective for collecting copper, nickel, and cobalt sulfide minerals, and is used in circuits processing low-grade and refractory sulfide ores. SDBC can also serve as a secondary collector in combination with xanthates to enhance concentrate recovery.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Diethyldithiocarbamate (SDDC)

CAS: 148-18-5

Sodium Diethyldithiocarbamate (SDDC) is a selective dithiocarbamate collector used in the flotation of copper, nickel, and precious metal sulfide minerals. It exhibits strong chelating properties with heavy metal ions, making it highly effective for activating and collecting oxidized and mixed oxide-sulfide ores. SDDC is also used as a secondary collector to improve recovery in copper and gold circuits at lower reagent dosages.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Ethyl Xanthate (SEX)

CAS: 140-90-9

Sodium Ethyl Xanthate (SEX) is one of the most widely used collectors in copper and base metal sulfide flotation. Its short ethyl carbon chain provides good selectivity against pyrite under controlled pH conditions, making it ideal for selective copper flotation circuits. SEX dissolves readily in water and is compatible with a broad range of pH modifiers and frothers.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Fluoride (Feldspar Flotation Activator)

CAS: 7681-49-4

Sodium Fluoride is an activator used in the flotation of feldspar, quartz, and other silicate minerals, particularly in HF-based flotation circuits for the beneficiation of feldspar-quartz sand mixtures. Fluoride ions selectively activate feldspar surfaces over quartz, enabling their differentiation using amine collectors. Sodium Fluoride is also used as a pH modifier and activator in fluorite and phosphate ore flotation, and as a corrosion inhibitor in processing equipment.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Fluorosilicate (Fluorite Depressant)

CAS: 16893-85-9

Sodium Fluorosilicate is an inorganic reagent used in mineral flotation as a depressant and pH modifier, particularly effective in scheelite and fluorite separation circuits. It selectively depresses fluorite in the presence of scheelite, enabling enrichment of scheelite concentrate with reduced fluorite dilution. Sodium Fluorosilicate is also used in the glass industry and as a hardening agent for concrete, providing multiple application pathways for mining chemical suppliers.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP)

CAS: 10124-56-8

Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) is an inorganic polyphosphate dispersant and depressant used in flotation circuits to prevent slime aggregation and depression of calcium-bearing gangue minerals such as calcite and apatite. It chelates calcium and magnesium ions from the slurry, reduces water hardness effects on collector efficiency, and disperses fine clay particles that would otherwise coat mineral surfaces. SHMP is widely used in fluorite, scheelite, and iron ore flotation.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Isoamyl Xanthate (SIAX)

CAS: 7009-95-2

Sodium Isoamyl Xanthate (SIAX) is a medium-chain xanthate collector offering a balance between collecting power and selectivity for sulfide mineral flotation. It is particularly effective for copper, lead, and zinc ores where moderate selectivity over pyrite is required. SIAX is often used in combination with shorter-chain xanthates to optimize collector performance across variable ore grades.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Isobutyl Xanthate (SIBX)

CAS: 25306-75-6

Sodium Isobutyl Xanthate (SIBX) is a powerful sulfide mineral collector widely used in copper and gold flotation circuits. It offers superior collecting power for chalcopyrite, bornite, and gold-bearing sulfide ores, delivering high recovery rates at low dosage. SIBX is supplied as a pale yellow powder or pellet and is readily soluble in water for easy preparation of collector solutions.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Metabisulfite (Cyanide Detoxification Agent)

CAS: 7681-57-4

Sodium Metabisulfite (SMBS) is the primary reagent used in the SO2/air cyanide detoxification process (INCO process) for treatment of gold mine tailings and process effluents containing free and weak-acid-dissociable cyanide. In the presence of copper catalyst and air, SMBS oxidizes cyanide to cyanate and thiocyanate, reducing cyanide concentrations to meet regulatory discharge standards. It is also used as a reducing agent in flotation circuits for cyanide destruction prior to tailings disposal.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Oleate (Flotation Grade)

CAS: 143-19-1

Sodium Oleate is an anionic fatty acid salt used as a collector in the flotation of iron ore, phosphate, and oxide mineral systems. It adsorbs onto the surface of iron oxide, carbonate, and phosphate minerals through chemisorption, providing an effective hydrophobic coating for flotation. Sodium Oleate is commonly used in direct and reverse flotation circuits for hematite, magnetite, and phosphate beneficiation.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Silicate (Flotation Depressant Grade)

CAS: 1344-09-8

Sodium Silicate is a versatile inorganic depressant and dispersant widely used in flotation circuits to depress gangue silicate minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and aluminosilicates, while allowing the target minerals to float. It also functions as a slime dispersant, preventing slime coating on mineral surfaces that would otherwise impair collector adsorption and selectivity. Sodium Silicate is available in various SiO2:Na2O modulus ratios suited to different flotation applications.

mining flotation chemicals

Sodium Sulfide (Oxide Ore Sulfidizer)

CAS: 1313-82-2

Sodium Sulfide is a sulfidizing agent used to convert the surface of oxidized copper, lead, and zinc minerals into sulfide-like surfaces, making them responsive to xanthate and dithiocarbamate collectors. This process, known as sulfidization, is fundamental to the flotation of oxide copper ores (malachite, azurite) and mixed oxide-sulfide ores where conventional xanthate collectors alone are insufficient. Sodium Sulfide enables recovery of oxide minerals that would otherwise be lost to tailings.

mining flotation chemicals

Starch Depressant (Iron Ore Grade)

CAS: 9005-25-8

Modified corn or cassava starch is used as a selective depressant for iron oxide minerals (hematite, magnetite) in reverse silica flotation circuits. The starch adsorbs preferentially on iron oxide surfaces, preventing their flotation with cationic amine collectors while allowing silica and silicate gangue to be floated away. Starch depressant is the cornerstone reagent in the Brazilian iron ore industry and is widely adopted in iron ore beneficiation plants globally.

mining flotation chemicals

Sulfonated Oleic Acid (Modified Fatty Acid Collector)

Sulfonated Oleic Acid is a chemically modified fatty acid collector that combines the collecting properties of oleic acid with the water-solubility advantages of a sulfonate group. The sulfonation imparts higher water solubility and cold-water dispersibility compared to unmodified oleic acid, making it more effective in flotation circuits operating at ambient or low temperatures. It is used in carbonate, phosphate, and iron ore flotation as a high-performance alternative to conventional fatty acid collectors.

mining flotation chemicals

Sulfuric Acid (Flotation Grade)

CAS: 7664-93-9

Sulfuric Acid is used in flotation circuits to lower pulp pH, activate mineral surfaces, and prepare reagent solutions. In acid circuit flotation, it activates sulfide minerals such as chalcocite and native copper by removing oxide surface films, improving xanthate adsorption and collector response. It is also used to dissolve and prepare alkaline reagent solutions such as xanthates and frothers in concentrate and tailings processing.

mining flotation chemicals

Tall Oil Fatty Acid (TOFA)

CAS: 61790-12-3

Tall Oil Fatty Acid (TOFA) is a natural mixed fatty acid collector derived from pine wood pulping processes, widely used in the flotation of iron ore, phosphate, scheelite, and other oxide minerals. Its mixture of oleic and linoleic acids provides broad-spectrum collecting ability for carbonate and oxide mineral surfaces. TOFA is a cost-effective alternative to pure oleic acid and is favored in large-tonnage iron ore and phosphate beneficiation plants.

mining flotation chemicals

Thionocarbamate Collector (Z-200 Type)

Thionocarbamate collectors, represented by the Z-200 family, are highly selective copper collectors that provide excellent discrimination between chalcopyrite and pyrite in alkaline and mildly acidic flotation circuits. They are particularly valued in porphyry copper operations where minimizing iron sulfide dilution in the concentrate is critical to smelter penalties. Thionocarbamates are effective at low dosages and may be used alone or blended with xanthates.

mining flotation chemicals

Zinc Sulfate (Sphalerite Depressant)

CAS: 7733-02-0

Zinc Sulfate is the primary depressant for sphalerite (zinc sulfide) in differential lead-zinc flotation circuits, allowing selective flotation of lead minerals while zinc remains in the pulp for later recovery. When used in combination with sodium cyanide or sodium sulfite at alkaline pH, it forms stable zinc-hydroxide surface complexes that effectively prevent xanthate adsorption on sphalerite. Zinc Sulfate is essential in the classical lead-zinc selective flotation flowsheet.