Doucet, J & Paradis, R 2010, 'Thickening/mud stacking technology — an environmental approach to residue management', in R Jewell & AB Fourie (eds), Paste 2010: Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 3-21, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1063_1_Doucet (https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/1063_1_Doucet/) Abstract: Environmental pressures, economic consideration and ‘visual’ preoccupations have imposed on industry the need to address the issue of the disposal of their process residues with much greater attention and in the respect of the neighbouring communities. Rio Tinto Alcan who has pioneered the development and the use of Deep Thickeners for the production of paste slurries since the early 1970s, has over the years, taken a more global approach to the problem of thickening and disposal techniques and continues to maintain a very active research and development program on this topic. In designing a new paste system or retro-fitting an existing sector of a plant, Rio Tinto Alcan has realised that attention must be focused on feed material compatibility, operation simplicity, space optimisation and of course capital cost. Approaches that address these key concerns have been developed and are being outlined. They include dedicated evaluation program, specific design of thickening units and auxiliary equipment, control system, adapted removal and mud transfer system. The overall solution does include in addition the operation and management of the mud disposal site. Some insights on future developments and directions will also be presented.