At Shell Albian Sands oilsands operation, bitumen extraction produces three tailings streams, namely coarse sand tailings, thickened tailings, and tailings from the solvent recovery unit. The three streams differ in flow rate, concentration, and particle size distribution of the solid fraction. Since 2004, these three tailings streams have been continuously discharged in the same area, the north-east corner of the External Tailings Facility where they have formed a long beach. The average fines content observed in this deposit is between 25% and 30% using 44 micron as the fines cut off. It may have the highest fines capture for an un-engineered tailings deposit in the oil sands industry. It is important to understand the depositional and hydraulic aspects associated with sub-aerial tailings placement on this beach and provide insights into the possibility of maximizing fines captured in beaches by conventional tailings operation techniques. Several years of sample profiles and testing are provided, along with general observations and potential implications for the oilsands industry.