Sodium Amyl Xanthate (SAX) Supplier South Africa

What Is Sodium Amyl Xanthate?

Sodium amyl xanthate (SAX) is a C5 alkyl xanthate — a dithiocarbonate salt produced by reacting amyl alcohol (n-amyl or isoamyl) with carbon disulfide in the presence of sodium hydroxide. It is one of the most widely used flotation collectors for sulphide mineral ores, offering a balance of strong collecting power and reasonable selectivity. The longer C5 alkyl chain (compared to shorter-chain xanthates like SEX or SIPX) gives SAX greater hydrophobicity and collecting strength on sulphide minerals, making it suitable for circuits treating complex sulphide ores where maximum recovery is the priority.

Flotation Performance and Selectivity

SAX is an effective collector for copper sulphides (chalcopyrite, chalcocite, covellite), galena (lead), sphalerite (zinc with activation), pyrite, arsenopyrite, and gold associated with sulphide minerals. Its relatively strong collector power can reduce selectivity against pyrite and other iron sulphides compared to shorter-chain xanthates, so it is often used in combination with depressants such as sodium cyanide, sodium metabisulphite, or lime to control pyrite flotation and improve concentrate grade. In gold circuits, SAX is a preferred collector for flotation of free gold and gold-bearing pyrite.

Supply and Dosage

Terracore Chemicals supplies SAX in pellet form in 25 kg bags and fibre drums to mining operations and reagent distributors across South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Dosage rates typically range from 20 to 200 g/t depending on the ore mineralogy and circuit design. We provide technical data sheets and can advise on collector selection and dosage optimisation for specific ore types.