The Challenge
Thearea had previously been mined with dredges that could only dredge down to 12 or 14 meters (40 to 46 feet) in depth.
Our Solution
The DSC Marlin dredges can dig deeper and pump farther than other dredges – in this case, digging down to 23 meters (76 feet) – providing their owners with a huge advantage in mining greater quantities of sand to meet demand.
DSC Dredge engineers were busy in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria, in August, starting up the country’s largest dredge to date. The 24-inch (600 mm) Marlin Class dredge from DSC features two dredge pumps – a 24-inch pump located on the ladder and another 24-inch pump located on the dredge’s stern. The dredge has a 23-meter (76-foot) digging depth capability, and is outfitted with spuds for use in waters with a strong current.
In addition to the 24-inch Marlin, a new 18-inch Marlin Class dredge also was commissioned at the same time in Nigeria. This dredge is outfitted with a submersible 18-inch (450 mm) dredge pump, and also features 23-meter digging depth capability.
The dredges are currently being used for sharp sand mining, and are able to dig in areas that other dredges cannot reach due to their extended dredging depth configurations. The demand for sharp sand to use in building roads, making concrete, and land development continues to increase in Nigeria, even with the economic challenges currently faced by the country. The Lagos area had previously been mined with dredges that could only dredge down to 12 or 14 meters (40 to 46 feet) in depth; once those dredges reached their capacity, they could no longer dredge an area. In fact, the vast majority of dredges in Nigeria can only dig to a maximum depth of 14 meters. The DSC Marlin dredges can dig deeper and pump farther than other dredges, providing their owners with a huge advantage in mining greater quantities of sand to meet demand.
Every Marlin Class dredge is specifically designed to handle a particular deposit – from sand and gravel to industrial minerals – to ensure maximum efficiency. Deep digging capability is made possible by the use of an underwater pump system with a high torque cutter drive assembly to complement the rigorous demands of the deep mining industry. Digging depths with the Marlin range from 10 meters (33 feet) to more than 61 meters (200 feet), an achievement unmatched in the dredging industry. Standard discharge sizes range from 8 inches (200 mm) to more than 24 inches (600 mm) to allow for a wide range of production and flow conditions to match specific mining operations.
DSC Marlin Class dredges are available in either a diesel- or electric-powered model to meet the customer’s specific needs. Drive systems include a Caterpillar ACERT diesel engine with inline direct marine-style transmission for dredge pump reduction, or TEFC electric motor, variable-frequency AC dredge pump motor drive and double-helical gear reducer for dredge pump reduction. All models feature a PLC operating system, velocity meter, electro-proportional hydraulic circuits, high-capacity service water system, maximizer suction dilution valves and a 3-wire mooring system. These performance features offer deep-water dredging capabilities combined with a wide array of suction and discharge sizes to maximize operating efficiencies for every customer’s operation.
