Abstract: Tailings flocculation sedimentation is a key technology for the thickening and dewatering  mine tailings.The physical properties of the feed tailings directly affect the performance of flocculation sedimentation.To investigate the influence of the physical properties,including feed concentration,median particle size,and -38 μm particle size fraction,on the performance of flocculation sedimentation for tailings,an experimental study is conducted.The results show that for tailings with different physical properties,there exists an optimal unit consumption of flocculant.Under the optimal unit consumption the sedimentation rate of tailings is negatively correlated with the feed concentration and -38 μm particle size fraction,but positively correlated with the median particle size; the underflow concentration of tailings is positively correlated with the feed concentration and median particle size but negatively correlated with the -38 μm particle size fraction.By establishing fitting equations and analyzing the significance of various factors,the degree of the influence of the 3 factors on the performance of flocculation sedimentation was determined.It is believed that the particle size composition of tailings has a significant impact on the performance of flocculation sedimentation and is the main factor that needs to be considered in the flocculation sedimentation process.The research results provide a reference for the selection of operational parameters in the practical production of tailings flocculation sedimentation.