It was also presented by Leppinen (1990) using surface analyses that dixanthogen as multilayers covered on monolayer ferric ethyl xanthate (Fe(EX)3), depending on the collector concentration. The conclusion drawn by Miller et al. (2002) and Du Plessis (2004) indicated that dixanthogen formation was found above a certain potential, while ferric xanthate species was responsible for creating the hydrophobic pyrite surface state at a low potential in the absence of oxygen. Therefore, the surface xanthate adsorption layer indicated in the present study might also be attributed to the formation of ferric xanthate compounds. The adsorption of xanthate species is in line with its high recoveries of pyrite in the flotation test work.