Water availability is beginning to impact oil sands development and as a result, several technologies to increase the percentage of recycle water are being evaluated. One such option which is being re-evaluated is the use of centrifuges to produce a dry tailings which 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 unacceptable costs. A better appreciation of the long term costs of mature fine tailings storage has prompted a reevaluation of centrifuge technology. The use of additives to improve centrifuge performance has significantly improved the results which 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 decrease the requirement to use the limited water in the Athabasca river. This paper discusses a laboratory scale study of the water chemistry and clay/silt feed properties which affect centrifuge performance, along with 20 tonne per hour pilot scale results.