Effect of bacterial conditioning and the flotation of copper ore and concentrate

Abstract

In this paper, the effect of bacterial conditioning on KBI Murgul (Turkey) copper concentrate was investigated by the use of Acidothiobacillus ferrooxidans (DSM 11477). The various parameters such as bacterial population, conditioning time and particle size were studied. Test results indicated the copper grade increase of about 22% in flotation copper ore through bacterial conditioning of pyrite surfaces resulting in pyrite depression.

Keywords: Chalcopyrite, bio-oxidation, bacteria, mineral surface, froth flotation