Project: Tropicana Gold Mine Pond Dredging
Client: Anglo Gold Ashanti
Location: Goldfields Region, WA
Sediment Removal for Bore Field Pond Restoration
At one of Anglo Gold Ashanti’s mine sites, a significant sediment build-up in the bore field pond impacted operational capacity, reducing efficiency and production. Restoring the pond to full capacity was a critical priority. APEX Envirocare was selected to dredge the pond and restore its functionality, ensuring the site could return to optimal operations.
The team at APEX Envirocare proposed a comprehensive solution using the MudCat 40E, which was capable of desludging the bore field and restoring the pond to full capacity.
- Dredged the bore field pond to remove accumulated sediment and restore full capacity.
- Utilised advanced equipment to ensure efficient and safe sediment removal with minimal disruption.
- Implemented a custom solution to handle sediment and filtrate water management effectively.
This project highlights our capabilities in delivering tailored, innovative solutions for the mining industry, ensuring the restoration of critical infrastructure and maintaining operational efficiency while minimising environmental impact.
To address the sediment removal, APEX Envirocare employed a straightforward approach. By deploying the Mudcat 40E, a remote-controlled unit operated from the pond’s edge, they reduced the need for personnel on the water and improved safety. For sediment collection, they used two large 30m GeoPro™ desludging tubes instead of several smaller ones, optimising the available space and reducing costs for the client.
To prevent leaks, the tubes were placed on a custom bund next to the pond, lined with plastic. A drainage channel, also lined with plastic and supported by sandbags, was constructed to direct the clear filtrate water back into the pond, ensuring smooth system operation.
A project-specific polymer was added to the pipeline to enhance flocculation and settling of the solids. This approach streamlined the sediment removal process and effectively managed the filtrate water, leading to a successful project outcome of having more water retained in the local ecosystem.
The use of the remote-controlled Mudcat 40E enhanced safety by reducing the need for personnel on the water. Opting for two large 30m GeoPro™ desludging tubes proved cost-effective by efficiently utilising the available space.
The setup of a purpose-built bund and drainage channel ensured proper management of filtrate water, keeping operations continuous. Adding a project-specific polymer improved flocculation and settling of solids, resulting in efficient sediment removal. Overall, this approach provided a streamlined, effective process and high client satisfaction.
