Future Tails is leading the way in global tailings management through a partnership between The University of Western Australia, Rio Tinto and BHP.
Future Tails is leading the way in global tailings management through a partnership between The University of Western Australia, Rio Tinto and BHP. Together we contribute to the thinking, research, training, education and practice in tailings management, working towards a global vision of a future with zero catastrophic tailings failures.
Future Tails will provide training programs to build talent and capability at a range of levels; technical references that summarise leading tailings analysis, design, operation and management; and research to address deficiencies in the knowledge and understanding of fundamental geotechnical engineering issues.
As the mining industry responds to concerns about the risks associated with tailings management, and the recently released Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) initiative, Future Tails seeks to influence, inform and, where necessary, adapt to these advancements.
What we offer
Training and courses
Explore education, training, continuing professional development and micro-credentials to improve capability and expertise in tailings management. Select from four levels of training for executives, technical personnel, engineers and operational staff in Australia and internationally.
Research
Future Tails research generates knowledge that can be transferred to new technologies and processes, and be incorporated into training for the next generation of geotechnical engineers. Specific areas of research include static liquefaction, filtered and dry stacked tailings, and numerical modelling for dam break studies.
Technical references
A consolidated industry reference book will draw together information on best practice technologies. Governance of safe and effective management of tailings is being developed, with pared-down versions relevant to line managers responsible for tailings management.
- Coming soon
News and events
ACG Paste 2027
25–27 May 2027: We are delighted to announce that Paste 2027 will be held in Quebec City, Canada.
Read moreRegistrations for 2026 micro-credentials are now open
The next round of micro-credentials start on 13th July 2026: Risk Evaluation for Tailings Engineering, Tailings Roles and Responsibilities, and Tailings Testing- An Introduction.
Read moreUWA partners with BHP and Rio Tinto to improve mining tailings management
A new initiative that aims to improve global tailings management has been launched through a partnership between The University of Western Australia, Rio Tinto and BHP.
Read more
Partnerships
Future Tails is leading the way in global tailings management through a partnership between The University of Western Australia, Rio Tinto and BHP.