Sodium ethyl xanthate is used in the mining industry as flotation agent for recovery of metals, such as copper, nickel, silver or gold, as well as solid metal sulfides or oxides from ore slurries. This application was introduced by Cornelius H. Keller in 1925. Other applications include defoliant, herbicide, and an additive to rubber to protect it against oxygen and ozone.
In 2000, Australia produced up to 10,000 tonnes of sodium ethyl xanthate and imported about 6,000 tonnes, mostly from China. The material produced in Australia is the so-called liquid sodium ethyl xanthate that refers to a 40% aqueous solution of the solid. It is obtained by treating carbon disulfide with sodium hydroxide and ethanol. Its density is 1.2 g/cm and the freezing point is −6 °C.