Water availability is beginning to impact oil sands development and, as a result, several technologies to increase the percentage of recycled water are being evaluated. One such option being re-evaluated is the use of centrifuges to produce dry tailings that can accommodate overburden and soil replacement. Previous evaluations of centrifuge performance to capture water from the clay and silt tailings (mature fine tailings) components demonstrated some success but, at the time, at unacceptable costs. A better appreciation of the long-term costs of mature fine tailings storage has prompted a re-evaluation of centrifuge technology. The use of additives to improve centrifuge performance has significantly improved the results that can be achieved. Aside from the obvious positive environmental benefit of reclaiming the fluid fine (mature fine) tailings, the increase in the amount of water recycled will reduce the demand for fresh water from the Athabasca River. This paper discusses a laboratory-scale study of the water chemistry and clay/silt feed properties affecting centrifuge performance, as well as the results of a 20 tonne per hour pilot.