We’re excited to announce that Dredge Robotics has been named a finalist in the 2025 Australian Mining Prospect Awards, under the Innovative Mining Solution category.
Our submission, the Zero Entry Robotic Dredging System, represents a step-change in how mining and heavy industry manage water assets. Developed in Australia and launched in early 2024, the system provides a remote-controlled, no-entry solution for cleaning mine site ponds, tanks, and tailings facilities. It is designed to operate in live, production environments, removing the need for shutdowns, manual labour in confined spaces, and the extensive safety risks that come with traditional dredging methods.
Raising the Bar for Safety, Efficiency and Uptime
Conventional pond or tank cleaning in mining operations typically requires draining, downtime, and high-risk manual entry. These shutdowns are not only costly — they also expose workers to hazardous, unstable environments.
The Zero Entry Robotic Dredging System overcomes these challenges with a fully remote approach that allows for:
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No confined space entry – removing the risk to human workers
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Live dredging during operations – avoiding shutdowns and production delays
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Real-time monitoring – precision dredging using sonar and video systems
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Reduced costs – less labour, fewer equipment requirements, and better asset uptime
This solution has already been deployed successfully across multiple high-risk sites, including a notable project at the GP Pond in Kwinana, WA, where Dredge Robotics partnered with CSBP to restore the pond’s capacity without disrupting operations.
GP Pond Project: A Real-World Success Story
In 2024, Dredge Robotics removed approximately 1,800 m³ of coarse, heavy sediment from the GP Pond using our Zero Entry system. This work was carried out in an acidic, hazardous environment unsuitable for traditional methods, demonstrating not only the adaptability of our system, but its potential to solve complex operational challenges while ensuring maximum safety.
Key results:
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1,800 m³ of dense sediment removed
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90% of the pond floor cleaned
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Zero personnel entry into hazardous zones
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No operational downtime
What This Recognition Means
To be recognised as a finalist in the Innovative Mining Solution category is a proud milestone for our team. It highlights not only the potential of robotic technology in mining, but also the importance of prioritising safety, sustainability, and smarter operations across the sector.
We’d like to extend a big thank you to the Australian Mining Prospect Awards team for this recognition, and congratulations to all fellow finalists. Innovation in mining is thriving and we’re proud to be part of that momentum.
