Large Mining Dredge in North America to Mine TiO₂ in Florida, USA for DuPont

The Dredge Division of Ellicott received an order from the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware for a large dredge to mine titanium dioxide (TiO₂) in the U.S.   DuPont is the world’s leading producer and consumer of TiO₂ and as a result of recent worldwide growing demand for this mineral has embarked on a multi-million dollar project to expand its mining operations near Maxville, Florida.

Two dredges fitted with mineral processing equipment are currently in operation at the adjacent Trail Ridge deposits. With the new dredge and associated plant, DuPont will extend the mine life to the year 2010. The dredges pump to floating concentrator plants which separate the TiO₂ and various other mineral by-products which are pumped ashore from the concentrator. It is now standard practice for the tailings to be redeposited in the previously-mined area. A carefully monitored environmental program ensures that the dredged-out area is restored as far as possible to its original elevation and contour.

The new dredge, named "SANDPIPER", will out-produce both of the existing operations combined. It will be shore-powered by a 13,800 volt trailing electric cable and will be designed to produce 2,100 tons/hr of TiO₂ ore. It will pump through 600 ft of 23 in. ID pipeline to the concentrator plant, dredging to a maximum depth of 50 ft. The 2,000 HP ladder pump and 1,450 HP basket cutter will be line-shaft-driven by direct current motors. The ladder hoist and swing winches will also be driven by DC motors. Ellicott’s DC drive systems provide ideal control of the main dredging functions while offering high efficiency and reliability. The spuds will be operated by hydraulic cylinders, and a cylinder-operated traveling spud carriage with 20-ft stroke will facilitate maneuvering.

Some of the new dredge’s main features are given in the table below.

Reprinted from Mining Journal