The lack of pump power and capabilities largely stems from the type of pumps used in gold mining. Although somewhat effective, the method has drawbacks including restrictions on production because of lack of pump power and capabilities, lack of versatility, and environmental impact concerns. One common method of underwater gold mining utilizes pumps to suck material to the surface and separate it through sluice boxes. The process can be complex on land, but the difficulty increases greatly for underwater gold mining operations. The key to gold mining is moving large amounts of material and separating the gold from the dirt. A remote-operated submersible dredge was sent to Nome, Alaska, and offered a different option for underwater gold mining.

The show 'Bering Sea Gold' on the Discovery Channel, for example, utilized specialized pump technology for its underwater gold mining challenge. A Discovery Channel camera crew records video of the remote-operated submersible dredge used for gold mining in Alaska.

What type of pump for a gold dredge