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Selectivity in a collector refers to its ability to preferentially coat, and therefore float, the desired mineral or minerals without also floating undesired minerals. The selective problem is complicated by the tact that in addition to gangue, most ores contain a number of sulfide minerals, some valuable and some worthless.
Xanthates possess excellent selectivity against both types of unwanted material. Since they are not adsorbed on silica or other rock-forming minerals to any appreciable extent, they yield highgrade concentrates having a minimum of gangue. Even more important, the selectivity of xanthates can be readily controlled by the proper modifying agents, thus making possible the successful separation of most combination of sulfide minerals.
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