Urgency of mineral processing tailings hydrotransport systems improvement at mining operations is demonstrated. A functional model of hydrotransport system is constructed; on the basis of its analysis, most power-intensive elements of the system are revealed. It is shown, that lowering slurry flow resistance of motion and increase in pipelines wearability are priority measures. Application of pipes with inner polymer coatings is proposed as a solution. Hydraulic resistance coefficient relation to Reynolds number with regard to such pipelines is presented.