Abstract: Due to long-term mining in a certain vanadium-titanium magnetite mining area in southwest China,there are varying degrees of heavy metal pollution problems centered around the tailings pond. In order to provide a basis for subsequent ecological restoration work,63 monitoring points were set up in the tailings pond and its surrounding areas. Based on the determination of the contents of heavy metal elements Cr,Cd,Hg,As,Pb,Ni and Cu,the risk assessment was conducted by using the ground accumulation index method,the Nemero index method and the potential ecological risk index method. Moreover,the distribution characteristics and pollution sources of heavy metals in the soil were studied by comprehensively applying the correlation,PCA/ APCS analysis and the inverse distance weight interpolation method. Research showed that:① the soil around the mining area is generally at a slight ecological risk,among which the soil ecological risk in the eastern part of the tailings pond is higher than that in other areas. ② Cu,Ni,Cr and Cd have significant homology and mainly originate from geological processes such as soel-forming parent materials,with a contribution rate exceeding 98%. Hg and As may have common industrial pollution sources,with a contribution rate exceeding 80%. Pb may be superimposed by factors such as human activities and soil-forming parent materials. 

Key words: around the tailings pond,soil heavy metals pollution,distribution characteristics,risk assessment,source analysis