Effect of Partial Removal of Xanthate Collector on Size of Material Floated

Measurements of the quantity of xanthate abstracted from mineral surfaces and put into solution by an increase in the hydroxyl ion concentration were made. A residual xanthate concentration of 59.6 ppm was found in one case at a pH of 11.8. The abstracted xanthate is capable of acting as a collector on fresh mineral surfaces under proper conditions. It was learned that as the hydroxyl ion increased and the xanthate abstracted, the coarse particles lose their floatability first. A volume weight relationship based on percentage coverage was established and seems to offer a reasonable explanation of the cause of observed results.