Digging in Bedrock
Something that is completely necessary is that holes are dug down to bedrock or the bottom of the deposit. This aspect is essential for two reasons. Most bodies of ore have a tendency of having the most amounts of values on the bottom. And second of all the high values that can be found at bedrock are usually in the irregular surface at the bedrock. Because of this, the surface also needs to be excavated with a dredge is this is feasible.
Another thing that will be needed is a sample of the bedrock; this is suggested to as to be able to see if the dredge is able to excavate that specific bedrock. Differences of elevation also need to be set up if they are present. If considerable elevation differentials take place, a comprehensive study of the bedrock condition should be done in order to come up with the correct type of plan for the mining. Exploration of bedrock elevation possibly will decrease the possible loss of high values. Assuming the complete testing of the ore body is accomplished and turns out to be acceptable, a certain type of dredge can be chosen for the assignment.
The size of the dredge will be controlled by dimension of the material, volumetric requirements of the processing plant, digging depth, and the distance amongst the mining site and the processing system. The processing system should be as close to the dredge as it can in order to reduce the HP and pipeline usage consequential from extended distances of pipeline.
Once again, if one were to believe that all these conditions are methodically reviewed, appropriate dredge size may be resolute.