Keene Gold Dredges

The suction dredge is the best method for the small miner to recover gold from underwater deposits. Dredging is a relatively inexpensive method of mining for small one or two man mining operations, and can provide reasonable returns for the hard-working miner. Keene Engineering is the world's largest manufacturer of portable mining equipment and has long been the industry standard for suction dredges.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires a free permit for all small suction dredges operating in the State of Alaska. All dredges with a nozzle opening of 6" or less are defined as "small dredges". Note that this is not the hose size that the manufacturers use to identify their dredge models, but the measured nozzle opening. The EPA allows the nozzle opening to be up to 2" smaller than the hose inside diameter. All dredges used in Alaska with a 6" or smaller nozzle opening require the EPA Small Dredge Permit