Inorganic particle polymer hybrids and uses thereof

A method for flocculating mature fine tailings in a suspension thereof, the method comprising:

• adding an anionic polymer flocculant to the suspension of the mature fine tailings, and
• adding a charged particle-polymer hybrid flocculant comprising charged core particles having an average size between about 340 nm and about 750 nm and each having a polymer polymerized thereon to the suspension of the mature fine tailings;
• wherein the anionic polymer flocculant and the charged particle-polymer hybrid flocculant are separate, and wherein the anionic polymer flocculant is added to the suspension of the mature fine tailings before, or at substantially the same time as, the charged particle-polymer hybrid flocculant is added to the suspension of the mature fine tailings.