HOSTAFLOT® 7257

Replaces SIPX
Collector to Float
Copper and
Molybdenum with
improved cost
performance
CASE HISTORY

Benefits CLARIANT MINING SOLUTIONS

performance and value delivered.

Large copper and molybdenum producers switched to Clariant’s 2750 Technology Forest Blvd.
The Woodlands, TX 77381
HOSTAFLOT® 7257 from a competitor’s hazardous SIPX isopropyl USA
xanthate collector with the following results: Phone +1 800 456 5514
www.clariant.com/mining

 Maintained equivalent recovery rates of copper and molybdenum COPYRIGHT ©

CLARIANT INTERNATIONAL LTD 2018
 Customers saved hundreds of thousands of dollars annually
 Improved the customers’ handling and worker safety significantly
 Is a liquid, water soluble, and non-flammable
 Eliminated the xanthate dilution process and the high cost of
contaminated package disposal

Background

Sodium isopropyl xanthate (SIPX) and sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX)

are commonly used as primary and secondary collectors to float the
sulfides of valuable elements like copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, gold,
and silver. However, these collectors are hazardous when workers handle,
dispose, and store these flammable chemicals. In addition, because
xanthate is hazardous, the chemical negatively impacts the environment
and sustainability efforts. This industry challenge prompted Clariant to
find an alternative solution to xanthate-based collectors.

Clariant surveyed large copper and molybdenum operations companies

worldwide who desired to replace their xanthate collectors in order to
determine the needs of producing a xanthate collector replacement. In
Chile, two companies trialed Clariant’s new HOSTAFLOT 7257 collector as
a xanthate replacement. One company used our product as a primary
collector while the other used the product as a secondary collector.
Before the trials, both mining companies expressed similar objectives for
switching to a xanthate alternative. The new collector needed to address
several significant drawbacks associated with xanthate, including a)
eliminating the time and money spent for daily xanthate solution
preparation; b) expense to warehouse the hazardous and flammable
product; c) disposal of contaminated packaging; and d) addressing
contaminants often contained in xanthate packages.

Clariant Mining Solutions set out to develop a liquid collector replacement

that would deliver equivalent copper and molybdenum recovery levels as
the operations’ current collector. The new collector needed to deliver
CLARIANT MINING SOLUTIONS
comparable performance, at similar dosage rates, and yield a better price. performance and value delivered.

2750 Technology Forest Blvd.

Performance and Value Delivered The Woodlands, TX 77381
USA

Phone +1 800 456 5514

Using representative field ore samples provided by the mines, Clariant‘s www.clariant.com/mining
test engineers developed and conducted in-house lab experiments with the COPYRIGHT ©
CLARIANT INTERNATIONAL LTD 2018
goal of creating a new liquid collector that exhibited the same mineral
collection performance as SIPX.

Multiple formulations from Clariant’s specialized HOSTAFLOT collector

series were put through extensive in-house lab trials to customize the right
collector specific to the mines’ feed material. An in-depth analysis
confirmed that Clariant’s HOSTAFLOT 7257 produced the same copper
and molybdenum recovery levels, as well as identical copper concentrate
grade, to those cultivated by a xanthate collector. Additionally,
HOSTAFLOT 7257 provided a 12-15% better cost performance at the same
dosage.

Following the in-house lab trials, HOSTAFLOT 7257 was sent to each
company to perform lab trials to confirm the results. A post-trial lab
analysis from the mining companies showed similar results. Clariant’s
success led to a full-scale field trial of HOSTAFLOT 7257.

At the flotation cells, HOSTAFLOT 7257 dosage rates were set to mirror
that of the SIPX collector. Since recovery levels vary with the feed
material, Clariant and mine engineers established the correct dosage at 10
to 30 grams/ton of ore processed. The company that employed
HOSTAFLOT as the secondary collector injected the standard primary
collector at a dosage rate of 40 grams/ton.

Clariant successfully met the established collector and cost performance

goals, making HOSTAFLOT 7257 a preferred sulfide collector for these
two companies. By switching to HOSTAFLOT 7257, these companies,
based on their annual collector consumption, are projected to save
hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Additionally, by eliminating
daily preparation and the costly disposal of xanthate packaging, these
companies anticipate an additional cost incentive.

CLARIANT MINING SOLUTIONS

For these copper and molybdenum ore mining operations, the liquid performance and value delivered.
HOSTAFLOT 7257 collector: 2750 Technology Forest Blvd.
The Woodlands, TX 77381
USA
 Delivers similar recovery levels at the same dosage as SIPX
 Provides a 12-15% better cost performance than SIPX, resulting in Phone +1 800 456 5514
www.clariant.com/mining
hundreds of thousands of dollars savings
 Improves worker safety and offers safer handling by eliminating COPYRIGHT ©
CLARIANT INTERNATIONAL LTD 2018
daily preparation of xanthate
 Because it does not require daily dilution, companies will save time
and money
 Improves environmental effects and sustainability efforts

This information corresponds to the present state of our knowledge and is intended as a general description of our products and their
possible applications. Clariant makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the information’s accuracy, adequacy, sufficiency or
freedom from defect and assumes no liability in connection with any use of this information. Any user of this product is responsible for
determining the suitability of Clariant's products for its particular application.*Nothing included in this information waives any of Clariant’s
General Terms and Conditions of Sale, which control unless it agrees otherwise in writing. Any existing intellectual/industrial property
rights must be observed. Due to possible changes in our products and applicable national and international regulations and laws, the
status of our products could change. Material Safety Data Sheets providing safety precautions, that should be observed when handling
or storing Clariant products, are available upon request and are provided in compliance with applicable law. You should obtain and
review the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet information before handling any of these products. For additional information, please
contact Clariant.

*For sales to customers located within the United States and Canada the following applies in addition: NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTY IS MADE OF THE MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE OF
ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE.
Copyright © Clariant International Ltd, 2017.