Biobenefication of Mineral Resources – Microbe-Mineral Interaction

Abstract

Biological processes in mineral processing are beneficial alternative for traditional physicochemical beneficiation methods. They create possibilities to process ores of lower quality as well processing wastes containing useful metals. They also support environmenal protection minimizing negative influence of mining activity. Biobenefication cover processes of bioflotation and bioflocculation which are selective separation of mixture components under influence of adhesion of bacteria cells on mineral surfaces. The effect of these processes are modification of mineral surface and selective dissolution of mineral components, bioaccumulation of dissolved metal ions and creation or conversion of various mineral forms. The paper presents wide review of world scientific literature connected with topic of applying bacteria in mineral engineering. The examples of using certain microorganisms to certain mineral raw materials were provided.