In order to effectively solve the problem of high concentration of residual flotation reagents in mineral processing wastewater,activated carbon and calcium bentonite were used as adsorbents respec-tively.The effects of adsorbent dosage,adsorption time,reaction temperature and initial pH value of solu-tion on the adsorption performance of butyl xanthate in wastewater were systematically investigated.The re-sults showed that the maximum adsorption capacity and removal rate of butyl xanthate by activated carbon were 6.55 mg/g and 98.32%respectively,while the maximum adsorption capacity and removal rate of butyl xanthate by calcium bentonite were 2.73 mg/g and 40.95%respectively.The structural changes of the adsorp-tion materials before and after adsorption were compared by X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR).The results showed that the removal mechanism of butyl xanthate by activated carbon and calcium bentonite was mainly physical adsorption.