Screening halophilic bacteria for their potential as pyrite bio-depressants in Cu-Mo bioflotation

Halophilic bacteria are adapted to high salinity environments and other extreme conditions. Halophilic bacteria produce Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) that aid them in the formation of biofilms and resist abrupt changes in salinity, pH, temperature and pressure. These EPS could have potential applications in flotation operations performed in sea water, such as the Copper-Molybdenum flotation operations in Chile. To date, there are no reports of halophilic bacteria been used in bio flotation.
Five halophilic bacteria where studied as potential pyrite bio depressants. Micro flotation experiments using Hallimond tubes, as well as hydrophobicity and adhesion experiments were performed in order to assess the potential of these bacteria in the flotation process. In this study we will show the first results of using halophilic bacteria as potential Pyrite bio depressants.