Effect of Flotation Reagents on the Activity of L. Ferrooxidans

ABSTRACT

Froth flotation is the most preferred processing technique for the enrichment of low-grade sulfides. Bioleaching is an eco-friendly method for metallurgical extraction from flotation products. Flotation reagents (collectors, frothers, etc.) have various impacts on bioleaching and bacterial activities. In this investigation, the effect of a number of sulfide flotation collectors [potassium amyl-xanthate, potassium isobutyl-xanthate, sodium ethyl-xanthate, potassium isopropyl-xanthate, and Dithiophosphate (Aero3477)], and frothers (pine oil and methyl isobutyl carbinol) with different dosages is studied on Leptospirillum ferrooxidans activities. The results of various measurements indicated that these flotation chemicals can have positive or negative influences on the bacterial activities, based on their chemical compositions and/or concentrations. These results can extensively be used for the selection of flotation reagents when bioleaching is chosen as the metallurgical extraction method after flotation enrichment.

KEYWORDS:

• Bioleaching
• collector
• leptospirillum ferrooxidans
• flotation
• frother

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thank all those who contributed to this work and in particular those who provided microorganisms for this investigation from the center of research and development in Sarcheshmeh mine, Kerman, Iran. Also, we would like to thank Eng. A. Rezayi, A. Allahverdi, and Mr. Hossayni for their assistance in the mineral processing laboratory at University of Tehran. And Eng. Ghanbar zad for the AAS analyses in the geochemistry laboratory at University of Tehran. Also, the authors would like to thank Sara Makaremi for editing the manuscript.