Desilting Solutions was engaged by Rio Tinto to desilt the tailwater pond at Arrow Dam, the bauxite plants main water supply. With the coming of the wet season the silt may have posed an environmental risk and hence removal was a priority.
Due to the remote location, crocodile infested waters and a delicate liner to the pond, an unmanned submersible dredge was decided upon, and Desilting Solutions was engaged.
Works commenced in 40-degree heat, and although preparatory works by the mine had not been completed Desilting Solutions was able to manufacture an on-board sprinkler system which kept the dredge motors cool whilst the dredge sucked its way into deeper waters.
Spoil management was achieved using a 1000 cubic meter GeoTube with the dredge pumping the slurry over 300m to the GeoTube location.
Works were completed just prior to the wet setting in, with Desilting Solutions demobilising from Weipa to Ipswich without incident.
