Bioflotation of pyrite with Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

Bioflotation of pyrite with bacteria Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in the presence or absence of potassium ethyl xanthate was studied on a pure pyrite through microflotation and electrophoretic light scattering measurements. The experimental results showed that in the absence of xanthate, pyrite flotation is slightly enhanced by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. However, with xanthate as a collector, pyrite flotation is strongly depressed after being exposed to the bacteria. The longer is the time when the pyrite is exposed to the bacteria, the stronger the depression is. The mechanism of the depression might be due to the formation of the biofilms of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans on pyrite surfaces, preventing the adsorption of xanthate on pyrite surfaces in the form of dixanthogen or xanthate ions.