Mining & Mineral Processing Chemicals
Flotation collectors, frothers, and process chemicals for gold, copper, zinc, and base metal recovery, supplied in bulk from South Africa to mining operations worldwide
Terracore Chemicals is a mining chemicals supplier based in South Africa, supplying flotation collectors, frothers, and process chemicals to mineral processing operations across the region and worldwide. As a dedicated mining chemicals supplier, we stock a full range of reagents used across the flotation and extraction stages of mining operations — from xanthate and dithiophosphate collectors to hydroximic acid collectors for oxide ores, frothers, and cyanide for gold leaching.
Our reagent portfolio, built specifically for copper, gold, zinc, lead, nickel, and base metal sulphide flotation circuits, is backed by full technical documentation and Certificates of Analysis on every product. Cyanide supply is handled in line with the International Cyanide Management Code. Whether you’re a plant metallurgist sourcing a single reagent or a procurement team building a full flotation reagent supply chain, working with an established mining chemicals supplier means consistent quality, reliable lead times, and bulk or drum quantities shipped to mining operations across Africa and internationally. Looking for a different product line? See our full range of chemical divisions.
Our Reagent Categories
Seven reagent families covering the full flotation and extraction process, from collectors through to leaching chemicals and process aids.
Xanthate Collectors
The workhorse sulphide flotation collectors — sodium and potassium xanthates across amyl, butyl, ethyl, and isopropyl grades.
9 ProductsDithiophosphate & Thiophosphate Collectors
Selective collectors for copper, gold, and complex sulphide ores, used alone or blended with xanthates.
9 ProductsHydroximic Acid Collectors
Selective collectors for oxide copper, rare earth, and oxide mineral flotation.
3 ProductsSpecialty & Xanthogen Formate Collectors
Alternative collector chemistries for specific ore types and selective separation duties.
3 ProductsFrothers
Stabilises flotation froth for consistent bubble size and mineral recovery.
1 ProductLeaching, Depressants & Process Chemicals
Reagents for gold leaching, sulphide depression, activation, and general process/pH control.
10 ProductsProcess & Recovery Aids
Activated carbon for gold recovery and drilling/process minerals used in support of mining operations.
2 ProductsUnderstanding Our Reagent Categories
A closer look at each reagent family we carry as a mining chemicals supplier — what each one does, and which ore types and flotation stages it’s used for.
Xanthate Collectors
Xanthates are the most widely used flotation collectors in the industry, and any established mining chemicals supplier will carry a full range of grades. Terracore Chemicals supplies sodium and potassium xanthates across amyl, butyl, ethyl, and isopropyl chain lengths — including SAX, SBX, SIBX, SIPX, SEX, PAX, PBX, PEX, and PIBX. These collectors attach to sulphide mineral surfaces during flotation, making them hydrophobic so they can be recovered in the froth. Xanthate choice depends on ore type, required collector strength, and selectivity — longer-chain xanthates like SAX are stronger but less selective, while shorter-chain grades like SEX offer more selective recovery in complex ores.
Dithiophosphate & Thiophosphate Collectors
Dithiophosphate and thiophosphate collectors offer more selective flotation than xanthates alone, and are often blended into a flotation circuit to fine-tune recovery on copper, gold, and complex sulphide ores. Our range includes Ammonium Dibutyl Dithiophosphate, Dianiline Dithiophosphoric Acid, Sodium Diethyl, Diisoamyl, and Diisobutyl Dithiophosphate, Sodium Diisobutyl Monothiophosphate, and specialty blends including Dithiophosphate 25, 25S, and BS. These reagents are typically used in cleaner and scavenger flotation stages, where over-collection needs to be avoided and selectivity between valuable and gangue minerals matters most.
Hydroximic Acid Collectors
For oxide copper, rare earth, and oxide mineral flotation, hydroximic acid collectors are the standard choice where xanthates and dithiophosphates are largely ineffective. Terracore supplies Alkyl, Salicyl, and Benzoyl Hydroximic Acid for operations processing oxidised ore bodies — a growing requirement as easily accessible sulphide deposits are depleted and mines move into oxide and transition zones. As a mining chemicals supplier working across multiple ore types, we stock these alongside our sulphide collector range so operations with mixed ore bodies can source everything from one supplier.
Specialty & Xanthogen Formate Collectors
Beyond the standard xanthate and dithiophosphate families, some ore types call for alternative collector chemistries. Isopropyl Ethyl Xanthogen Formate, Butyl Thioglycolate, and Sodium Thioglycolate are supplied for operations needing selective separation on specific mineral assemblages where standard collectors underperform. These specialty reagents are typically used in combination with primary collectors rather than as a standalone flotation chemical.
Frothers
Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC) is the industry-standard frother used to stabilise flotation froth, control bubble size, and support consistent mineral recovery across copper, gold, zinc, and coal flotation circuits. Terracore Chemicals supplies MIBC in bulk to mining operations that need a dependable frother supply alongside their collector reagents — many of our customers order both from a single mining chemicals supplier to simplify procurement and logistics.
Leaching, Depressants & Process Chemicals
Beyond flotation collectors, Terracore supplies the process chemicals mining operations need for leaching, depression, activation, and pH control — including Sodium Cyanide and Thiourea (a cyanide alternative) for gold and silver leaching, Sodium Metabisulphite, Sodium Hydrosulphide, and Sodium Sulfide as sulphide depressants, Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate as a common sphalerite flotation activator, Sodium Fluoride and Sodium Fluorosilicate for process control, and Phosphorus Pentasulfide. Sodium Cyanide supply is restricted to licensed operations with valid end-user documentation, in line with South African regulation and the International Cyanide Management Code. As a full-range mining chemicals supplier, we aim to cover both the flotation and extraction stages of your operation.
Process & Recovery Aids
Activated Carbon is a core input for gold recovery circuits, used in carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and carbon-in-leach (CIL) processes to adsorb dissolved gold from cyanide leach solution. Barium Sulfate (barite) is supplied as a drilling fluid weighting agent, used to control hydrostatic pressure in mining and exploration drilling operations. Both sit outside the flotation reagent range but are commonly sourced from the same mining chemicals supplier to simplify procurement across a site’s full operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a mining chemicals supplier actually supply?
A mining chemicals supplier like Terracore Chemicals provides the reagents used across mineral processing — flotation collectors (xanthates, dithiophosphates, hydroximic acids), frothers, and process chemicals such as cyanide for gold leaching and depressants for sulphide flotation. Most operations source these from a single supplier to simplify logistics and technical support.
Do you supply mining chemicals to buyers outside South Africa?
Yes. While Terracore Chemicals is based in South Africa, we export flotation reagents and process chemicals to mining operations across Africa and internationally, with bulk and drum shipping options available.
Can I get a Certificate of Analysis with my order?
Yes — every product we supply is shipped with a Certificate of Analysis and, where applicable, a technical spec sheet, which is standard practice for any reputable mining chemicals supplier.
Is Sodium Cyanide available to any buyer?
No. Sodium Cyanide supply is restricted to licensed mining operations with valid end-user documentation, in line with South African regulation and the International Cyanide Management Code.
All Mining & Mineral Processing Products
37 products across 7 categories
Xanthate Collectors (9)
Dithiophosphate & Thiophosphate Collectors (9)
Hydroximic Acid Collectors (3)
Specialty & Xanthogen Formate Collectors (3)
Frothers (1)
Leaching, Depressants & Process Chemicals (10)
Process & Recovery Aids (2)
Why Source Reagents From Terracore
Bulk & Drum Supply
Flexible order quantities from trial drums to full container loads.
Technical Documentation
COAs and spec sheets available for every reagent.
Export-Ready Logistics
Shipping to mining operations across Africa and international markets.
Need a Flotation Reagent Quote?
Tell us your ore type and reagent requirements — we’ll respond with pricing and specifications.
Request a Quote