Minerals bioprocessing: R & D needs in mineral biobeneficiation

Microorganisms have a tremendous influence on their environment through the transfer of energy, charge, and materials across a complex biotic mineral–solution interface. The biomodification of mineral surfaces involves the complex action of microorganism on the mineral surface. The manner, in which bacteria affect the surface reactivity and the mechanism of bacteria adsorption, is still unknown and accumulation of the primary data in this area is only starting. The bioflotation and bioflocculation processes concern the mineral response to the bacterium presence, which is essentially an interplay between microorganism and the physicochemical properties of the mineral surface, such as the atomic and electronic structures, the net charge/potential, the acid–base properties, and the wettability of the surface. There is an urgent need for developing basic knowledge that would underpin biotechnological innovations in the natural resource (re)processing technologies that deliver competitive solutions.

Research highlights
► Bioflotation and bioflocculation of metal sulfides and oxides.
► Interface science at mineral-bacteria interfaces contacted with aqueous solutions.
► Redox reactions of mineral surfaces in the presence of bacteria.
► In-situ spectroscopic measurements at mineral-bacteria-solution interfaces.