<p>Compacted filtered tailings stacks (CFTS) are a safer alternative to conventional slurry disposal of iron ore tailings in impoundments because the dewatered tailings are compacted to prescribed engineering specifications. This requires a thorough control of compaction moisture content to ascertain the compaction characteristics in a range that produces an acceptable mechanical performance. Still, there is a lack of studies concerning the effect of compaction moisture content on the mechanical response of compacted iron ore tailings for CFTS. Thus, the present research assesses the mechanical response of compacted iron ore tailings-binder blends (binder amount of 6%), focusing on the influence of key variables and emphasizing the molding moisture content. The binder is a mixture of metakaolin (precursor) and hydrated lime (activator); a complete factorial design approach was used to define the studied dosages. The research program encompassed ultrasonic pulse velocity, unconfined compression, and triaxial compression tests, which enabled the understanding of the effects of dry density, curing period, and molding moisture content on the response of iron ore tailings-binder mixtures. In general, the test data showed that, within a specific range, the moisture content had a minor influence on the overall mechanical response of the iron ore tailings-binder blends; that is, varying the moisture content from 8 to 15% did not majorly affect the strength and stiffness characteristics of the stabilized tailings, ascertaining the resilience of iron ore tailings mixed with a binder for CFTS. In contrast, the curing period and the dry density were more influential.</p>