980 3. Laboratory and field work must be integrated: laboratory results were used to define an operating window, which was then validated and refined in industrial trials under real pipeline and stope conditions. 5.3 Collaborative innovation and trusted partnership A key success factor was the collaborative way in which Nexa and Sika structured the programme. Rather than a one-off product trial, the work was framed around shared objectives and a joint technical roadmap. This allowed rapid feedback between plant operations, laboratory work and modelling, and provided credible data for internal decision making and external reporting. Such partnerships illustrate how suppliers can act as technology partners, contributing expertise and tools that help mines meet ESG and productivity targets, in line with the Congress’ call for cross-sector collaboration. 6. CONCLUSIONS The optimization of CPB at Cerro Lindo mine shows that: 1. Significant reductions in cement and water use, around 25 % and 7 % respectively, are achievable in sulfide-rich tailings by combining detailed characterization, laboratory mix design and polymerbased rheology control. 2. These optimizations can be implemented within existing CPB plant and pipeline infrastructure, while maintaining or improving pumpability and UCS at design ages. 3. The resulting improvements translate into material sustainability gains, together with greater underground tailings utilization. 4. It has been demonstrated economical savings due to cement reduction through admixture used. 5. Finally, the case underlines the importance of collaborative innovation between mining companies and technology providers to deliver faster, smarter and more responsible mining solutions that can be replicated at other operations. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors acknowledge the operational and technical teams at Nexa Resources Cerro Lindo for their support during sampling, laboratory testing and industrial trials, and the broader Sika Mining community for technical input and data analysis. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the companies involved. REFERENCES Aguilar Sánchez, I., Bellver Baca, M.T., Barahona, W., Arcila-Gut, S., Erismann, F., Avilés, E., Weinkauf, A., Hansson, M. and Contador, R., (2024). Enabling sustainability in mining case study: mine backfill. In: Paste 2024: Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings. Perth: Australian Centre for Geomechanics, pp. 373–384. ASTM International, (2021). ASTM D4832 – Standard Test Method for Preparation and Testing of Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM) Test Cylinders. ASTM International, (2021). ASTM D6023 – Standard Test Method for Unit Weight, Yield, Cement Content, and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM). Chen, Q., Zhu, L., Wang, Y., Chen, J. and Qi, C., (2022). The carbon uptake and mechanical property of cemented paste backfill carbonation curing for low concentration of CO₂. Science of the Total Environment. 852, 158516.
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