Dry stacking is becoming a preferred method in modern tailings management due to its environmental, safety, water conservation, and operational advantages(Dry Stack Tailings, 2020).
- Water Conservation:
Dry stacking recovers significantly more water during dewatering than traditional slurry methods, greatly reducing water consumption especially vital in arid regions.
- Improved Stability and Safety
The compacted, dewatered tailings form a solid, stable mass, lowering the risk of dam failure and liquefaction during seismic activity, thereby enhancing safety for both workers and nearby communities.
- Reduced Environmental Impact
By eliminating large tailings ponds, dry stacking minimizes groundwater contamination, seepage, and land disturbance, while also allowing for easier post-mining rehabilitation with vegetation and soil cover.
- Stronger Regulatory Compliance
As regulatory demands tighten around tailings management, dry stacking enables mines to meet higher safety and environmental standards, reducing both legal and reputational risks.
- Greater Operational Flexibility
This method allows tailings to be stored on steeper or uneven terrain, lowering site prep costs and making it viable in challenging landscapes.
- Enhanced Resource Recovery
Filtration processes in dry stacking aid in reclaiming residual chemicals and metals from tailings water, improving overall resource efficiency(Tailings Management, n.d.).
Reference:
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Dry Stack Tailings: An Alternative to Conventional…. (2020, June 16). McLanahan. https://www.mclanahan.com/blog/dry-stack-tailings-an-alternative-to-conventional-tailings-management
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Tailings Management: Dry Stacking for Sustainable Mining. (n.d.). Retrieved September 4, 2025, from https://dynaproco.com/technical-support-resources/tailings-management-dry-stacking
