In many operations, the equipment is pumping at a rate of about 5 to 10 percent solids versus water, and the heavier gold will often fall out of suspension because of lack of suction power.Īnother option does not involve a centrifugal, positive displacement or vortex design, but instead a hydrodynamic pump that utilizes fluid dynamics. As a result, the pump suction significantly decreases. A conventional centrifugal pump has a small tolerance between the impeller and the volute, limiting what can pass through the pump without getting clogged at the impeller.Īdditionally, the constant bombardment of abrasive solids on the impeller affects the tolerances. Most operations use centrifugal pumps deployed in an ejector-jet setup, which allows the pumping system to move large solids without clogging and destroying the pump. The lack of pump power and capabilities largely stems from the type of pumps used in gold mining. Although somewhat effective, the method has drawbacks including restrictions on production because of lack of pump power and capabilities, lack of versatility, and environmental impact concerns.

One common method of underwater gold mining utilizes pumps to suck material to the surface and separate it through sluice boxes. The process can be complex on land, but the difficulty increases greatly for underwater gold mining operations. The key to gold mining is moving large amounts of material and separating the gold from the dirt.

A remote-operated submersible dredge was sent to Nome, Alaska, and offered a different option for underwater gold mining. The show 'Bering Sea Gold' on the Discovery Channel, for example, utilized specialized pump technology for its underwater gold mining challenge. A Discovery Channel camera crew records video of the remote-operated submersible dredge used for gold mining in Alaska.

How to build a gold dredge