Biobeneficiation of Iron Ores

Utilization of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms in iron ore beneficiation is discussed. Microorganisms such as Paenibacillus polymyxa, Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (SRB) are capable of significantly altering the surface chemical behavior of iron ore minerals such as hematite, corundum, calcite, quartz and apatite. Differing mineral surface affinities of microbial cells and metabolic products such as proteins and polysaccharides can be utilized to induce their flotation or flocculation. Mineral-specific bioreagents such as proteins are generated when bacteria and yeast were grown in the presence of hematite, corundum, calcite, quartz and apatite. This study has demonstrated the utility and amenability of microbially-induced mineral beneficiation of iron ores through bacterial and yeast cells and their metabolic byproducts.