Placer Gold Dredging Using an Excavator and Floating Processing Plant

This report provides information on a method of placer gold dredging. This dredging method differs from conventional bucket line gold dredging in that it uses a combination of land-based and floating dredging equipment. An excavator is used for digging the gravel, and a floating processing plant is used to process the gravel and stack tailings. Using this combination of equipment offers many advantages. The cost of mining placer gravel is extremely economical; we have calculated mining costs at 90 cents per loose yard of gravel processed. This mining method also has environmental advantages. Total reclamation of the mined area is achievable and inexpensive. All water used in processing the gravel is recycled, so that there is no discharge of effluent to the watercourse. The method has limitations. Only certain types of placer reserves can be mined. For example, the ground must be thawed to bedrock depth, and have a higher water table or the ability to hold a pond. Design details and specifications for the equipment used in the mining system are discussed. General design information is given for each of the components used in the dredging system. We have provided detailed…

Publisher

Government of Yukon

Resources

3

Catalogue metadata updated

2026-08-26