Dredge Robotics is continuing to transform process tank cleaning with greater efficiency, uptime and innovation.
With tanks so essential to mineral processing, it’s imperative they are kept at optimum efficiency to ensure a continued stream of high throughput – but with that process comes the build-up of sediment, mud and other residue over time.
“A typical steel plate tank that receives a high throughput can accumulate up to 6m of solids. On top of that, water is generally quite turbid so you can’t see what you’re dealing with, especially when it can be a clay-like, or even rock-like, consistency,” Dredge Roboticschief executive officer Anthony Old told Australian Mining.
That’s why maintaining process tanks is such a critical component of mining operations. While this process is traditionally conducted via scheduled shutdowns to conduct inspections, Dredge Robotics has changed the game through its advanced robotic technology that can be used while tanks are in action, enhancing productivity and reducing downtime.
As it deploys its solutions across Australia, Dredge Robotics has prompted mining companies to think differently about how they operate.
With quick mobilisation and comprehensive end-to-end solutions for clients across the mining industry, Dredge Robotics helps to ensure tanks are ready for inspection during shutdown periods, utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to offer cleaning capabilities.
“All of our robotic fleet now have systems that are utilising AI learning chips, so we are able to use sensors in the system to harvest a lot of data and analyse it in ways we were previously unable,” Old said.
“We’ve made significant investment in upscaling all our software platforms and our electrical design to accommodate those quite high-end chips. It’s starting to pay back to be able to do projects quickly.”
Dredge Robotics can also provide solutions to meet specific problems and constantly upgrade existing technology.
“We’re in a position where we can now operate our robotic systems 24–7,” Old said. “We’re in the process of implementing that for a client right now, which is another example of how working with stakeholders and clients can create something special.”
That type of creation is achieved through a research and development (R&D) department that is dedicated to helping mining operators find a much-needed edge.
“The team is incredible in terms of getting that extra one per cent out of our systems,” Old said. “I threw the challenge to them recently to see where we can push our robotics from the learnings we have over the last few years to target specific improvements.
“We can get more mud out per day for a client, which lowers their dredging costs. We’ve looked at how we can create more utilisation space in the system so we can take on rapid increases in demand.
“We have a huge number of sensors and data that comes back from the robots and the whole system end-to-end when we operate it. They’ve zoned in on that and they’ve found about 13 different metrics that they think they can adjust and play with.”
This work has tangible improvements. Some clients, according to Dredge, are looking at 15–25 per cent increases in output and productivity.
All of this work is being noticed in the industry, with Dredge Robotics’ mission to keep assets online and functional recently recognised with the Innovative Mining Solution award at the 2025 Australian Mining Prospect Awards.
But Dredge Robotics will not be resting on its laurels.
“Just like phones and cameras, you rarely release the first version and then it’s done,” Old said. “Striving to improve to make the product better is what we can achieve with constant review.
“We very much share that mentality here and we have an enthusiastic and lateral thinking team of engineers.”