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

To assess the potential of halophilic bacteria metabolites as pyrite biodepressants in flotation using sea water as medium. Halomonas boliviensis, Marinobacter spp, Halobacillus sp, Marinococcus sp and Halomonas eurihalina were tested for their production of metabolites. Biodepression also occurs although in a much lesser extent than when using bacteria as bioreagents. Flotation of pyrite was most reduced under presence of Halomonas boliviensis extract. Yield of hydrophobic metabolites decreases in artificial sea water. Bacterial metabolites contribute to the observed biodepression activity of the bacterial cells although not the mayor contributors.