Abstract: To determine the adsorption form of xanthate on malachite surface，the residual concentration method was employed to study the adsorption and desorption properties of butyl xanthate on malachite surface.Results show that，butyl xanthate adsorption on the surface of malachite reach saturation requires mixing time of 3 min，4 min for desorption balance.Butyl xanthate adsorbed on the mineral surface with conditions of sodium sulphide dosage of 100 g/t，pH of 9，50 ℃.Infrared spectrum analysis show that hydrophobic materials such as xanthate copper is generated on the malachite surface，and adsorption form is mainly chemical adsorption of ion exchange adsorption.

Key words: Malachite, Desorption, Infrared spectroscopy, Ion exchange adsorption