69 Franks et al., 2021). Traceability of design decisions and underlying risk assumptions represent other critical challenges. Circular interventions often involve iterative modifications to tailings management strategies over time, making it essential to document why decisions were taken, under which assumptions, and based on which datasets. The absence of structured mechanisms to capture and retain this information can undermine due diligence, complicate regulatory engagement, and weaken organizational learning (Morgenstern et al., 2016). These technical and governance challenges demonstrate that the successful adoption of circular economy strategies in tailings management depends not only on innovation, but on robust engineering practice, disciplined risk management, and integrated governance frameworks. Addressing these challenges requires tools and systems capable of supporting multidisciplinary data integration, traceable decision‑making, and lifecycle‑based risk evaluation. 4. DIGITALIZATION AND INTEGRATED DATA SUPPORTING RISK-INFORMED CIRCULAR DECISION-MAKING The growing technical and governance complexity associated with circular strategies in tailings management has highlighted the limitations of traditional, document‑centered and fragmented data practices. Circular economy interventions require decisions that integrate geotechnical, operational, environmental, and governance considerations across the full lifecycle of tailings facilities. In this context, digitalization and integrated data systems have been increasingly discussed in the literature as enabling structures that support consistency, traceability, and risk‑informed decision‑making, rather than as solutions in themselves (Morgenstern et al., 2016; Franks et al., 2021). A structured and integrated data environment allows heterogeneous information generated over time, such as site investigations, monitoring records, design documentation, operational changes, risk assessments, and regulatory commitments, to be consolidated within a coherent framework. When appropriately organized, such environments facilitate the transition from fragmented information handling toward a knowledge‑based management approach, in which data are contextualized and made accessible to support engineering evaluation and governance processes (ICMM, 2020; Kinnunen et al., 2022). Within the context of circular economy strategies, this integration is particularly relevant for risk‑informed evaluation of alternatives. Decisions related to tailings reprocessing, material reuse, or changes in disposal technologies require the simultaneous consideration of material properties, deposition history, hydrogeological conditions, stability mechanisms, and regulatory constraints. The literature consistently emphasizes that the absence of integrated data structures increases the likelihood of incomplete assessments and inconsistent decisions, particularly when modifications are introduced incrementally over time (Vick, 1990; Morgenstern et al., 2016).
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