Potassium Amyl Xanthate (PAX) Supplier South Africa

What Is Potassium Amyl Xanthate?

Potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) is a C5 potassium xanthate collector — the potassium salt analogue of sodium amyl xanthate (SAX). PAX is produced by reacting amyl alcohol with carbon disulfide in the presence of potassium hydroxide. The potassium salt form has marginally different physical properties (solubility, stability) compared to its sodium counterpart, but both provide equivalent collector performance in flotation circuits. PAX is among the strongest xanthate collectors commercially available and is widely used as the primary or sole collector in circuits treating complex polymetallic sulphide ores.

Performance in Gold and Base Metal Circuits

PAX provides strong collection of chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite (with activation), gold-bearing pyrite, arsenopyrite, and free gold in flotation circuits. Its high collector strength makes it the preferred choice for ores with low sulphide liberation or difficult-to-float minerals where weaker collectors yield inadequate recovery. In gold circuits, PAX is frequently used as the primary collector in bulk sulphide flotation, often in combination with dithiophosphate co-collectors or frothers such as MIBC. Its strong collecting power requires careful pH and depressant management to maintain selectivity.

Supply Details

Terracore Chemicals supplies PAX in 25 kg bags and 200 kg fibre drums with short lead times for Southern African mining operations. Full technical documentation is available, including SDS and application data sheets.