Sodium isopropyl xanthate (SIPX)

Description

Used to separate valuable minerals from gangue during flotation.

• Collectors:

Sodium isopropyl xanthate (SIPX) is a yellowish, water-soluble powder or pellet widely used as a flotation collector in the mining industry, particularly for the recovery of sulfide ores like copper, lead, and zinc. It is an organosulfur compound with strong chemical reactivity, functioning by making mineral surfaces hydrophobic to enhance separation. SIPX is highly effective, cost-efficient, and moderately selective, but it is also chemically unstable and decomposes to release carbon disulfide (CS₂), requiring careful handling and storage.