Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC), as a versatile organic sulfur compound, has expanded its applications from traditional mineral processing to environmental protection, metallurgy, and other fields. This article analyzes the practical effectiveness of DDTC across different industries through specific case studies.

Applications in Mineral Flotation

In copper ore flotation, DDTC serves as a highly efficient collector, increasing copper recovery rates by 15–20 percentage points. At a large-scale copper mine, replacing traditional xanthates with DDTC improved concentrate grade from 20% to 25% while reducing reagent consumption by 30%. Its unique advantages include:

• High selectivity for sulfide copper minerals

• Stable froth performance, facilitating operational control

• Adaptability to various complex ore types

Applications in Metallurgy

In hydrometallurgy, DDTC is utilized for:

1. Precious metal extraction: As a precipitant for gold and silver, achieving recovery rates >99%

2. Wastewater treatment: Effective removal of heavy metal ions (e.g., Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺), reducing concentrations to below 0.1 mg/L in treated water

3. Electrolytic refining: Improving cathode deposit quality while lowering energy consumption

Innovations in Environmental Remediation

In recent years, DDTC has achieved breakthroughs in the following environmental applications:

• Soil remediation: Stabilization treatment for heavy metal-contaminated soil

• E-waste recycling: Selective recovery of valuable metals from circuit boards

• Industrial wastewater advanced treatment: Combined with membrane technology to achieve near-zero heavy metal discharge

The application value of DDTC continues to expand with technological advancements. Through ongoing innovation and development, it is expected to play an even greater role in resource recycling and environmental pollution control.