Bio-flotation of Egyptian siliceous phosphate ore using Bacillus cereus

Abstract

In recent years mining industry has been facing several problems that influence it. The former aspect compels the mining industry to process low grade ores, fine mineral particles and flotation tailings to produce material suitable for a global market. So it has become very important to develop appropriate and environmentally friendly technologies able to replace the conventional techniques used for the mineral beneficiation. The bio-beneficiation process using microbes adapted from the surface of the rock is the method for choice to removal of undesirable gangue minerals from the desired valuable phosphate (apatite) minerals. Through this study, a concentrate with 18.5% P2O5 and 33.03 % sio2has been obtained from a binary mixture having11.65% P2O5 and sio2 40.98 %. On applying the optimum conditions on natural phosphate ore containing 21.89%, a concentrate with 27.2 % P2O5 has been obtained on using bioflotation process with Bacillus cereus bacteria.