I am salvaging a cargo of fine crus 2

[AquaQuestBob]

I am salvaging a cargo of fine crushed copper ore, with the consistency of hard clay. I have attempted an diver deployed 6 inch airlift, however the ore will not liquefy. Also the water depth is 120 feet and bottom time is limited. I am thinking of a bell shaped housing with several high pressure water jets to liquefy the ore and then pump to the barge on the surface. At that point I will have the issue of de-watering the ore.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Bob

 

[BigHarvey]

Use a dredging pump ( DOP pump for exanple ), they have water jets which will desagregate the ore and allow it to be pumped.

 

[miningman]

Many copper ores are sulphides and have a tendency to self cement over a period of time. You may wish to get some preliminary samples analysed for exactly what minerals are now within your "ore". Typically I would expect the material to be 24% copper when it was originally recovered. If you are successful in recoverring the mineral, the smelter not pay you as much as you hope for, especially if the material is now partially sulphide and partially oxides.

The specific gravity of the material may also be more than you are expecting...... again preliminary testing might be usefull.