The first part o f this paper deals with technology issues. These ye megorised as ( i) fundamental aspects. specifically susoension characteristics and dewatcrinn mechanisms along with process modelling and control; ( ii) pre-treatment procedures, both physical and chemicd, that optimise the dewatering characteristics, ( iii) types of dewatering devices based on centrifuges, vacuum and pressure filters with particular reference to various combined field approaches using two or more complentary. driving forces to achieve better performance. The second part of the paper ( attributed principally to the fim-named author) deals with related R & D issues. namely economic assessments and justification for particular R & D strategies, including benchmarking and operational factors that apply in industrid environments Dewaterine operation and R & D needs are also analysed from the perspective of matching and integration into overall proccss flowsheets, and in the context of alternative processing or utilisation strategies which avoid the dewaering step. The analysis concludes with a discussion on effective identification and utilisation of existing knowledge, and the R & D management process. Although the paper draws heavily on experiences relating to the coal industry, much of the material is relevant to fine suspensions in general.