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Utility of bioreagents in mineral processing

  • Biomineralization
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Abstract

Biological processes have recently become more attractive in hydrometallurgy and mineral processing due to their lower operating costs, potential for processing low-quality ores and flexibility. Adhesion of microbes and their metabolic products can modify the particles to render them hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Such modifications of the surface properties are used in flotation and flocculation of minerals. Microbes are also able to dissolve different precious metals from their ores. In this paper, the role of microbes and their metabolic products as surface modifying reagents in extraction processes is discussed. In addition, the ability of certain microbes to adsorb toxic metal ions or to degrade toxic chemicals discharged by industries is examined.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Langmuir Center for Colloid and Interfraces, Henry Krumb School of Mines, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    P. Somasundaran (member SME, professor) & Namita Deo (postdoctoral research scientist)

  2. Department of Metallurgy, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India

    K. A. Natarajan (member SME, professor of metallurgy)

Authors
  1. P. Somasundaran
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  2. Namita Deo
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  3. K. A. Natarajan
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Additional information

Nonmeeting paper number 99–310. Discussion of this peer-reviewed and approved paper is invited and must be submitted to SME prior to Nov. 30, 2000.

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Somasundaran, P., Deo, N. & Natarajan, K.A. Utility of bioreagents in mineral processing. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 17, 112–115 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402837

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402837

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