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Procurement of Flotation Reagents

Calisto Radithipa
Calisto Radithipa

Kemcore helps mining companies cut costs in their supply chains without compromising on purity or quality. Some Chinese chemical suppliers commit fraud by mixing lower quality xanthates and passing them off as pure compounds. This can negatively impact mineral recovery and profits. Kemcore uses thorough chemical analysis and quality control to ensure clients receive high quality xanthates from reliable sources.

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Protect your core values with Kemcore. Cut costs by simplifying your supply chain without compromising your standards. Purity and quality guaranteed. CASE STUDYE x a m p l e 2 : P r o c u r i n g x a n t h a t e
Overview Over the past year, the prospects for mining companies have been adversely affected by the slump in commodity prices. With waning demand, slump in commodity prices and pressure to ensure profitability at mining operations and maximising shareholder return cutting costs is the theme. A recent research by Kemcore found many mining companies are sourcing or planning to source for mining consumables such as Xanthate and mining chemicals from low cost base production countries such as China. This paper highlights leading risks with traditional Xanthate flotation reagents procurement from China risks you can avoid when you work with us. Introduction Many xanthate compounds designed for use as flotation reagents are produced in China. Xanthate sources are limited, and hundreds of trading companies compete to win customer orders. The combination of fierce competition and limited sources has led to a number of well- documented fraudulent schemes.
Xanthates in Mining Industry. Xanthates were first discovered by Zeise in 1822 and the name of Xathate is derived from the Greek work xanthos meaning yellow, as this is the color of the insoluble cuprous xanthate salt (Harris, 1988). Xathates were not fully exploited in any commercial sense until 1925, when Keller(1925) successfully introduced xanthates as mineral collectors in the froth flotation process. Today Xanthate are still widely used, especially for easy-to-treat ores where selectivity (especially against iron sulfides and penalty elements) is not an issue. They are usually supplied in the powder or pellet forms and are readily soluble in water, and could be made up to any strength for convenience in dosing. Xanthate solutions have relatively poor long-term stability and, therefore, are supplied in liquid form only when the manufacturing plant is in close proximity to the use location. Xanthates are available in a range of carbon chain lengths, generally from C2 to C5. The collecting power generally increases with increase in chain length, but the selectivity decreases. Xanthates are relatively unstable at low pH and, therefore, are not suitable for flotation in acid circuits.Each producer has its own grades for xanthate composition, including purity, which is stated as a minimum percentage up to 100 per cent, and moisture. Four types of xanthates (ethyl, butyl, propyl and amyl) are produced in various combinations with sodium and potassium, which are stabilizers in the chemical formula.5 Fraudulent Practices in Xanthate Supply Chain in China. Fraudulent trading companies establish mixing centres, disguised as warehouses, near shipping ports in locations like Qingdao. These centres mix various grades of xanthates together, blending long-chain xanthates with short-chain 80% 20% US $ 1900 US $ 1200 US$ 1520 US$ 240 Potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) Sodium ethyl xanthate(SEX) US$ 140 = 1900-1760
Pure Xanthate Mixed PAX (Mixed Xanthate) Name Unit cost (USD/mt) Mixture ratio Mixed cost ratios (USD/mt) Potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) 1900 80% 1520 Sodium ethyl xanthate(SEX) 1200 20% 240 Total cost of mixed PAX which is sold as pure PAX 1760 Price difference of pure PAX and mixed PAX 140 = 1900-1760 Desirable High quality Froth Thick,scummy froth - with entrained insoluble minerals, the grade is invitably low and often unmarketable Low-quality xanthate recovers lower- grade concentrate, resulting in decreased yield. A precious metal recovery loss of just 0.5 - 1.0% can result in millions of dollars of lost revenue every year. At worst, production losses can cause a total plant shutdown. Disciplinary action against those responsible for procurement often follows. xanthates that are cheaper to produce because of their reduced raw material and production requirements. Popular blended combinations include Potassium amyl xanthate(PAX)mixed with sodium ethyl xanthate (SEX) at an 80/20 ratio. Sold to the customer as pure Potassium amyl Xanthate(PAX), this mixed blend earns the supplier an extra 5-10% profit. Traditional inspection methods, which test xanthate compounds using lead acetate titration, cannot detect the blend ratios of these mixed xanthate compounds. A sensitive and robust analytical method like Gas Chromatography Analysis must be employed to determine the exact composition of the xanthate compounds. Low-quality xanthate has an impact on the mining refinement process.
Conlusion. A full GC chemical analysis,can play an intergral role in ensuring quality Xanthates are supplied. This should also be complemented with a good quality control program to ensure a consistency in the supply chain. Kemcore assist mining executives in cutting costs without cutting corners! Calisto has over 10 years experience in mining- chemical sourcing, procurement, and supplier auditing. He has personally inspected over 50 chemical factories in China, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Philippines and the Czech Republic. Calisto has worked with diverse clients providing procurement strategies to facilitate cost-effective, high-quality chemical procurement. As Managing Director, Calisto drives Kemcore strategy and oversees the companys global sourcing and supply chain management platform. Calisto holds a Bachelors Degree in Commerce with a major in Finance from Bond University, Australia. References. 1) Anatomy Of A China Scam Part 1:http://www.chinalawblog.com/2012/02/anatomy_of_a_china_scam.html Part 2:http://www.chinalawblog.com/2012/02/anatomy_of_a_china_scam_part_ii_the_advice.html 2) BUY CHEMICAL PRODUCTS FROM CHINA: BEWARE OF THE PROFESSIONAL SCAMMERS PART 1:http://www.chinawhy.net/blog/Article.asp?id=112 Part 2:http://www.chinawhy.net/blog/Article.asp?id=113 3) How importers get scammed by Chinese suppliers http://qualityinspection.org/scam-by-chinese/ 4) Case Briefing- Mercury Scam http://www.chinaimportforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=106 http://scammed.chemicalblogs.com/135_be_wary_of_ordering_chemicals_from_china 5) Mining Chemicals HANDBOOK About the author. Calisto Radithipa, Managing Director +852 3478 7314 +852 944 67494 Calisto.r@kemcore.com
Kemcore International, Part of 300CC Asia Pacific Ltd. Address: Unit 7/f Alliance Comm Building, 133 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong Tel: +852 3478 7314 fax +852 3975 2800 Mob. +852 944 67494 www.kemcore.com

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Procurement of Flotation Reagents

  • 1. Protect your core values with Kemcore. Cut costs by simplifying your supply chain without compromising your standards. Purity and quality guaranteed. CASE STUDYE x a m p l e 2 : P r o c u r i n g x a n t h a t e
  • 2. Overview Over the past year, the prospects for mining companies have been adversely affected by the slump in commodity prices. With waning demand, slump in commodity prices and pressure to ensure profitability at mining operations and maximising shareholder return cutting costs is the theme. A recent research by Kemcore found many mining companies are sourcing or planning to source for mining consumables such as Xanthate and mining chemicals from low cost base production countries such as China. This paper highlights leading risks with traditional Xanthate flotation reagents procurement from China risks you can avoid when you work with us. Introduction Many xanthate compounds designed for use as flotation reagents are produced in China. Xanthate sources are limited, and hundreds of trading companies compete to win customer orders. The combination of fierce competition and limited sources has led to a number of well- documented fraudulent schemes.
  • 3. Xanthates in Mining Industry. Xanthates were first discovered by Zeise in 1822 and the name of Xathate is derived from the Greek work xanthos meaning yellow, as this is the color of the insoluble cuprous xanthate salt (Harris, 1988). Xathates were not fully exploited in any commercial sense until 1925, when Keller(1925) successfully introduced xanthates as mineral collectors in the froth flotation process. Today Xanthate are still widely used, especially for easy-to-treat ores where selectivity (especially against iron sulfides and penalty elements) is not an issue. They are usually supplied in the powder or pellet forms and are readily soluble in water, and could be made up to any strength for convenience in dosing. Xanthate solutions have relatively poor long-term stability and, therefore, are supplied in liquid form only when the manufacturing plant is in close proximity to the use location. Xanthates are available in a range of carbon chain lengths, generally from C2 to C5. The collecting power generally increases with increase in chain length, but the selectivity decreases. Xanthates are relatively unstable at low pH and, therefore, are not suitable for flotation in acid circuits.Each producer has its own grades for xanthate composition, including purity, which is stated as a minimum percentage up to 100 per cent, and moisture. Four types of xanthates (ethyl, butyl, propyl and amyl) are produced in various combinations with sodium and potassium, which are stabilizers in the chemical formula.5 Fraudulent Practices in Xanthate Supply Chain in China. Fraudulent trading companies establish mixing centres, disguised as warehouses, near shipping ports in locations like Qingdao. These centres mix various grades of xanthates together, blending long-chain xanthates with short-chain 80% 20% US $ 1900 US $ 1200 US$ 1520 US$ 240 Potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) Sodium ethyl xanthate(SEX) US$ 140 = 1900-1760
  • 4. Pure Xanthate Mixed PAX (Mixed Xanthate) Name Unit cost (USD/mt) Mixture ratio Mixed cost ratios (USD/mt) Potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) 1900 80% 1520 Sodium ethyl xanthate(SEX) 1200 20% 240 Total cost of mixed PAX which is sold as pure PAX 1760 Price difference of pure PAX and mixed PAX 140 = 1900-1760 Desirable High quality Froth Thick,scummy froth - with entrained insoluble minerals, the grade is invitably low and often unmarketable Low-quality xanthate recovers lower- grade concentrate, resulting in decreased yield. A precious metal recovery loss of just 0.5 - 1.0% can result in millions of dollars of lost revenue every year. At worst, production losses can cause a total plant shutdown. Disciplinary action against those responsible for procurement often follows. xanthates that are cheaper to produce because of their reduced raw material and production requirements. Popular blended combinations include Potassium amyl xanthate(PAX)mixed with sodium ethyl xanthate (SEX) at an 80/20 ratio. Sold to the customer as pure Potassium amyl Xanthate(PAX), this mixed blend earns the supplier an extra 5-10% profit. Traditional inspection methods, which test xanthate compounds using lead acetate titration, cannot detect the blend ratios of these mixed xanthate compounds. A sensitive and robust analytical method like Gas Chromatography Analysis must be employed to determine the exact composition of the xanthate compounds. Low-quality xanthate has an impact on the mining refinement process.
  • 5. Conlusion. A full GC chemical analysis,can play an intergral role in ensuring quality Xanthates are supplied. This should also be complemented with a good quality control program to ensure a consistency in the supply chain. Kemcore assist mining executives in cutting costs without cutting corners! Calisto has over 10 years experience in mining- chemical sourcing, procurement, and supplier auditing. He has personally inspected over 50 chemical factories in China, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Philippines and the Czech Republic. Calisto has worked with diverse clients providing procurement strategies to facilitate cost-effective, high-quality chemical procurement. As Managing Director, Calisto drives Kemcore strategy and oversees the companys global sourcing and supply chain management platform. Calisto holds a Bachelors Degree in Commerce with a major in Finance from Bond University, Australia. References. 1) Anatomy Of A China Scam Part 1:http://www.chinalawblog.com/2012/02/anatomy_of_a_china_scam.html Part 2:http://www.chinalawblog.com/2012/02/anatomy_of_a_china_scam_part_ii_the_advice.html 2) BUY CHEMICAL PRODUCTS FROM CHINA: BEWARE OF THE PROFESSIONAL SCAMMERS PART 1:http://www.chinawhy.net/blog/Article.asp?id=112 Part 2:http://www.chinawhy.net/blog/Article.asp?id=113 3) How importers get scammed by Chinese suppliers http://qualityinspection.org/scam-by-chinese/ 4) Case Briefing- Mercury Scam http://www.chinaimportforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=106 http://scammed.chemicalblogs.com/135_be_wary_of_ordering_chemicals_from_china 5) Mining Chemicals HANDBOOK About the author. Calisto Radithipa, Managing Director +852 3478 7314 +852 944 67494 Calisto.r@kemcore.com
  • 6. Kemcore International, Part of 300CC Asia Pacific Ltd. Address: Unit 7/f Alliance Comm Building, 133 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong Tel: +852 3478 7314 fax +852 3975 2800 Mob. +852 944 67494 www.kemcore.com