In this study, mine tailings located in different climatic regions were studied for their mineralogical, geochemical, physical properties and the tailings discharge techniques used to understand the process affecting hardpan formation. This was combined with column experiments for monitoring the transport/precipitation processes. Thickened tailings discharge in Egypt did not allow grain-size/mineral segregation and therefore the critical amount of reactive mineral phases cannot be achieved. This, with high carbonate contents and high-temperature/low-water availability did not allow...