Key Design Considerations for Tailings Dewatering Integrating tailings properties with unsaturated soil mechanics for safe, efficient filtered tailings stacking. Ljiljana Josic – Senior Director, Global Capabilities, Tailings, Water and Geotechnical Engineering, AtkinsRéalis Bio Ljiljana Josic is a Senior Director, Global Capabilities of Tailings, Water, and Geotechnical Engineering/Principal Geotechnical Engineer / SME / ITRB member with over 30 years of experience in engineering consulting, research, and academia. Ms. Josic is an industry-recognized leader in tailings/ mine waste management and geoengineering, known for championing innovation, technical excellence, and best-practice design. She has been a project manager/technical lead on many domestic and international mining projects, including those in Tanzania, Pakistan, Russia, Morocco, Madagascar, Venezuela, the USA, Brazil, Guyana, and the Dominican Republic. From early-stage scoping study through design, construction, operation, closure and post-closure, she has led and supported around 100 mining projects globally, consistently applying best-in-class engineering solutions aligned with safety, environmental, and ESG standards on the projects in a variety of geologic settings, environments, and climatic conditions, including cold regions and permafrost, high rainfall and arid climates, active seismic regions, tropical soil in Africa and South America, etc. She has undertaken technical assignments for projects ranging in size from less than $100k to greater than $1B. Ms. Josic has also been involved in projects that include engagement and interaction with the public, regulatory bodies, Indigenous Communities, and other stakeholders. Ms. Josic serves on the Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB), providing independent oversight and guidance for responsible tailings facility management. Ms. Josic is the author of many technical papers and regularly presents at conferences and other technical events. She is deeply committed to advancing knowledge, standards, and collaboration across the mining sector. I also take great pride in mentoring emerging professionals and supporting the next generation of engineers and scientists. In addition, she is a member of the technical committees, including Canadian Land Reclamation (CLRA), Ontario Mining Association (OMA), Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM), Mining Association of Canada (MAC), Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS), SME, and Tailings Working groups, and contributes to creating guidelines and procedures. ABSTRACT With the increasing demand for minerals worldwide, tailings production is on an increasing trend. It has been estimated that nickel, lithium, and cobalt production need to increase by 150% to supply the electric vehicle and clean energy sector in the coming years. This significant increase in metals production will result in a corresponding substantial increase in tailings production and the need for proper management. There is a need to restore trust and confidence in the industry’s ability to safely manage tailings, as the current rate of tailings failures is unacceptable to society and industry. The analysis focuses on the adoption of various tailings dewatering techniques within the mining industry, highlighting the proportion of mines currently using or planning to implement such methods. There is increasing awareness of the advantages of dewatering, alongside a growing emphasis on socioeconomic factors, which position filtered tailings as more beneficial than traditional tailings facilities. A rising number of projects are evaluating potential risks and additional benefits related to reputation, sustainability, and responsible mining practices, thereby enhancing the likelihood of embracing dewatering technologies. Furthermore, social pressures and regulatory requirements are poised to escalate the costs associated with conventional
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