The Tailings Center

Established in 2020, the Tailings Center is an industry/university research and education center formed as a collaboration by the Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, and the University of Arizona. The Center focuses on education, research, and outreach devoted to tailings and mine waste.

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Did You Know?

Not all iron ore is equal: Australia's high-grade Pilbara ore (56-63% iron) can be shipped with minimal processing, while North America's taconite ore (25-35% iron) requires intensive beneficiation — and generates far more tailings per tonne shipped. at-minerals.com

Education

Short courses, graduate certificates, and workforce development focused on tailings management.

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Research

Advancing safe and responsible tailings management through rigorous academic and applied research.

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Industry Partnership

Connecting industry with leading universities to address the most pressing challenges in mine waste.

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Upcoming Events

Undergraduate Summer Sessions on Tailings Applications and Innovations

June 2, 2026

Various, Member Schools

Tech Talk | What We Don't Value, We Don't Improve: Understanding Value Around Tailings Decisions

Partners

July 23, 2026

Benjamin Cox and Ben Murphy, B2Capital

Public Webinar: Unlocking Large Tonnage Filtered Tailings Stacks

July 29, 2026

Rob Cooke, PhD , Tailings Management Consortium

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Meet Our Team

Faculty, researchers, and industry leaders working to advance tailings management.

Terry Braun

Center Director

Jean Kugel

Industry Advisory Board Chair

Kray Luxbacher

Technical Advisor

Meet the Full Team →

Research That Makes a Difference

The Tailings Center brings together world-class researchers from three leading universities to tackle the most critical challenges in mine waste management — from geotechnical stability and water management to closure planning and environmental protection.

Our work bridges academic rigor with real-world industry needs, producing research that directly informs safer tailings practices globally.

Learn About Our Research Current Projects →

Partner universities

20+

Industry partners

100+

Tech Talks & courses delivered