Principal uses:
As a collector, the selectivity of sodium ethyl xanthate is the
most strong in xanthate line. It is widely used in the preferential
flotation of fine flotability or complex sulfide minerals. It is
also used in the flotation of copper, lead oxide ores in
conjunction with vulcanizing agents. It is also used as precipitant
in hydrometallurgical processes(eg. the refining of zinc
electrolyte) and as sulfidation promoter of rubber.
