Tailings & Dewatering Efficiency

Water Recovery and Dewatering Performance Start Upstream

Improve settling efficiency to increase water recovery and dewatering

The LOCUS ADVANTAGE

Enhanced flocculation and settling behavior

Increases % solids in thickener discharge

More stable thickening and separation performance

Water recovery and solids handling in tailings systems depend on how particles interact and separate. Locus Mining approaches tailings and dewatering challenges from a chemistry-first perspective. Our chemistry has shown to improve flocculation behavior, water release, and solids settling, helping operations recover more water and manage tailings more efficiently under real plant conditions.

The Challenge

Why tailings systems lose efficiency

Tailings systems are highly sensitive to slurry chemistry, particle size distribution, gangue mineralogy, and water balance. Inefficient flocculation, poor settling, and unstable thickening behavior reduce water recovery and limit dewatering performance, increasing operational complexity and cost.

How chemistry improves tailings dewatering

Locus Mining evaluates biosurfactant chemistry as a way to influence flotation-driven water recovery behavior that can affect downstream systems. This work focuses on:

Flocculation Behavior

Improves particle settling and enhances aggregation behavior

Water Release

Improves water clarity and reduces NTU in thickener overflow

System Compatibility

Integrates with existing thickening systems

Improving water recovery and dewatering performance

  • Improved water recovery in tailings systems
  • Enhanced flocculation and settling behavior
  • Increases % solids in thickener discharge
  • More stable thickening and separation performance
  • Structured trial pathway with defined evaluation metrics
  • Outcomes remain site- and circuit-dependent and require validation through testing.
Designed for measurable improvements in water recovery and solids handling

Start your evaluation today

Work with our technical team to design a disciplined trial that tests biosurfactant impacts on water recovery, entrainment, and tailings performance—without disrupting existing operations.