Palmer, J 2019, 'Operational strategies to improve paste plant performance', in AJC Paterson, AB Fourie & D Reid (eds), Paste 2019: Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 127-137, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1910_06_Palmer (https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/1910_06_Palmer/) Abstract: Paste thickening represents a proven and effective method for the safe disposal of tailings and maximises water recovery. The optimum density for disposal is often at the limits of that achievable in commercially available thickeners. This paper looks at the options available to increase paste density to meet the disposal requirements and to stabilise paste properties through blending filtered tailings with thickened tailings, supported by experimental data and case studies. Keywords: innovations in conventional, paste and filtered tailings deposition