72 CIRCULAR TAILINGS STRETEGIES 6.1 Role of Integrated Platforms in Circular Tailings Applications In practical applications, integrated platforms are used to track spatial and temporal changes in tailings properties during reprocessing campaigns, allowing continuous reassessment of geotechnical parameters and associated risks. This capability is particularly relevant in circular economy initiatives involving the re-mining and reprocessing of tailings deposits, where the original material conditions are progressively altered. During reprocessing activities, changes in density, fabric, moisture content, and drainage conditions may significantly affect shear strength, compressibility, and permeability. Integrated systems enable the structured updating of these parameters by consolidating data from field investigations, laboratory testing, operational records, and monitoring systems. This supports a dynamic characterization of the tailings mass and reduces reliance on static assumptions typically adopted in conventional designs. From a spatial perspective, such systems facilitate differentiation between disturbed and undisturbed zones within the same deposit, improving stability assessments under increasing material heterogeneity and anisotropy. Importantly, the value of these tools lies not eliminating uncertainty, but in improving its structures management through documented assumptions, iterative reassessment, and traceable decision-making. 6.2 Case Illustration: Anonymous Zinc Mining This section presents an anonymous case illustration from a zinc mining operation in Brazil, used to demonstrate the practical challenges and enabling role of integrated management systems in the implementation of circular economy strategies related to tailings and residue valorization. The case is intentionally presented without client identification and focuses on lessons learned rather than project outcomes. 6.2.1 Circular Economy Objective and Project Context The operation under analysis evaluated a circular economy initiative aimed at consuming approximately 200 kt of mineral residue in two implementation phases, with the potential for long‑term expansion. The primary objective was to reduce the accumulation of residues and, consequently, avoid future costs associated with the construction, operation, maintenance, and closure of new disposal facilities. These avoided costs were estimated to reach hundreds of millions of local currency units over the lifecycle of the operation. The initiative represented a strategic shift from a conventional disposal‑oriented approach toward a residue valorization model, integrating tailings management with industrial processing and market considerations.
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