Sodium Diethyl Dithiophosphate Supplier South Africa

What Is Sodium Diethyl Dithiophosphate?

Sodium diethyl dithiophosphate (Na-DEDTP) is a dialkyl dithiophosphate collector carrying two short ethyl groups on the phosphorus centre. As a sodium salt it is supplied as an alkaline aqueous solution that is fully water-miscible and can be dosed directly without dissolution. Its short ethyl chain lengths give it selectivity characteristics similar to diethyl DTP acids — inherently more selective against pyrite than longer alkyl chain DTPs — while remaining effective for copper, lead, zinc, and PGM sulphide collection. It is widely used in PGM flotation in South Africa as part of xanthate/DTP collector combinations.

PGM and Base Metal Circuit Performance

In PGM flotation, sodium diethyl dithiophosphate is used alongside PIBX or SIBX in collector blends designed to maximise pentlandite and copper sulphide recovery while controlling pyrrhotite and chromite flotation. The DTP component contributes selectivity and helps recover PGM minerals in locked and oxidised states that xanthates alone may not collect. In base metal circuits, it is effective for chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite flotation, providing selectivity against pyrite that is useful in circuits without heavy lime addition.

Supply Details

Terracore Chemicals supplies sodium diethyl dithiophosphate in 200 L drums and IBCs. Its liquid form enables direct pump dosing, and its alkaline pH makes it compatible with alkaline flotation circuits without pH adjustment at the addition point. Technical data sheets and blend recommendations for specific circuits are available.