Abstract:To highlight the importance of tailings spatial variability and discreteness, this study specifically considered these two factors in the stability assessment of tailings dams. Traditional evaluation methods often overlook the spatial variability and discreteness of tailings, leading to inaccurate results. This study determined the required physical and mechanical parameters through field exploration and geological material testing, and established the seepage state model of the tailings dam using Geo-studio software. The stability models of different working conditions were calculated and analyzed using the Morgenstern-Price method and the simplified Bishop method under three different situations: without considering the sedimentation law and spatial variability of tailings, considering the sedimentation law of tailings, and considering the spatial variability of tailings. The results showed that highlighting the innovation points of tailings spatial variability and discreteness can more comprehensively consider the actual situation of tailings, improve the accuracy and reliability of the evaluation, and provide more effective technical support for the safety management of tailings dams.