381 as part of water-lean, circular mine-to-mill systems. 7. CONCLUSIONS Dry stacking of filtered tailings has emerged as a central option for reducing water use and improving tailings safety in the mining industry. In Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, where hydrological regimes are highly seasonal and climate change is progressing rapidly, the potential benefits of dry stacking, such as higher water recovery, smaller surface water bodies and improved geotechnical control, are particularly attractive. At the same time, the performance of dry stacks in these environments is tightly linked to climate-driven processes, including freeze–thaw cycles, snowmelt and extreme precipitation events, as well as to evolving permafrost conditions. This paper has provided a theoretical review of the state of practice, limitations and possibilities of dry stacking under Arctic conditions, framed within the broader vision of waterless or water-lean operations from mine to mill. Current experience shows that successful dry stacking in cold climates relies on controlling moisture content within a relatively narrow window, constructing and compacting thin lifts, and designing robust drainage and geometry adapted to local climate and foundation conditions. Stability is governed by the combined effects of moisture, compaction, water management and freeze–thaw processes, which require both sound initial design and adaptive operational management. At the same time, dry stacking can contribute to circular economy and low-carbon objectives by enabling high water-recovery rates, facilitating future reprocessing and re-use of tailings, and supporting life-cycle performance improvements when compared with conventional slurry ponds. Realizing these possibilities depends on addressing key knowledge gaps related to long-term freeze–thaw behavior, climate extremes, permafrost degradation, thermo–hydro–mechanical modeling and life-cycle trade-offs. Looking ahead, climate-resilient dry stacking will require integrated approaches that couple material characterization, modelling, climate-scenario analysis and monitoring with adaptive operating strategies. A key contribution of this paper is the translation of current knowledge into an Arctic-specific, decision-support-oriented framework based on indicative design windows, stability-control factors and climate-sensitive assessment needs. Collaborative research and transparent sharing of performance data will be essential to refine design guidelines, build confidence among regulators and communities, and realize the potential of dry stacking as a low-water, low-risk and circular mine-to-mill solution. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors gratefully acknowledge Oulu Mining School and the University of Oulu for
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