The behavior of the tailings was characterized through geotechnical investigations, including field and laboratory tests. In the initial stability analysis, the necessary length of the structural zone (compacted tailings) was determined to mitigate liquefaction risks, concluding that it should extend at least 250 m for the analyzed case. The research employed numerical modeling using the finite element method to simulate the static behavior of these materials, utilizing the NorSand model to analyze the uncompacted tailings.
Two scenarios for the uncompacted tailings were analyzed: the first with a moisture content equal to that from the filtration process (20%) and another with drying to the optimal moisture content (16%). The results of the simulations indicated that for the first case the increase in saturation due to the tailings self-weight, generated excess of pore water pressures and static liquefaction of the uncompacted tailings, so the management of the moisture content of the non-structural zone is of great importance, making it necessary to reduce moisture content to the optimal value to prevent stability risks without significantly increasing costs.

These findings emphasize the practicality of uncompacted tailings for reducing operational costs, highlighting the importance of proper moisture management to ensure safe and stable FTSF performance. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into engineering practices in tailings management, especially regarding sustainability and enhancing mining operations’ safety.