A process of dewatering an aqueous suspension employing a flocculating
system comprising treating the suspension with a flocculating amount of a
first flocculant and a dewatering amount of a second flocculant, and
subjecting the suspension to mechanical dewatering to form a cake,
wherein the first flocculant brings about flocculation and assists
thickening of the suspension and the second flocculant further dewaters
the suspension, characterized in that the second flocculant is a
water-soluble or water swellable polymer that is mixed into the
suspension in the form of aqueous composition comprising dissolved or
hydrated polymer having a Brookfield viscosity of above 30,000 cps
(measured at 20.degree. C.).