Abstract:  To construct a comprehensive anti-pollution system in mining areas, ensure the safety of soil and groundwater, and safeguard public health, it is of great scientific and practical value to investigate the release and migration patterns of heavy metals in mining areas and developing corresponding pollution assessment and numerical simulation methods. Based on sorting out existing research results, this review systematically summarizes the common experimental methods and kinetic models for studying heavy metal release from tailings and waste rocks, concludes the influence mechanisms of internal mineralogical characteristics and external environmental factors on heavy metal release behavior, and reveals the key roles of heavy metal occurrence forms, physical and chemical properties, and soil physical and chemical properties in their migration process. Meanwhile, this paper systematically reviews the common assessment methods and numerical simulation software currently used in the field of groundwater heavy metal pollution, conducts a comparative analysis of the applicable conditions and limitations of various methods and tools, and discusses the emerging application progress of machine learning technology in this field. Research shows that although existing achievements have made important progress in revealing the release and migration laws of heavy metals in the groundwater environment of mining areas and in pollution assessment and prediction, challenges still exist in comprehensively explaining the release and migration mechanisms under the coupling effect of multiple factors and realizing long-term dynamic and accurate prediction. Future studies should strengthen the combination of laboratory mechanism research and on-site monitoring, promote the in-depth integration of interdisciplinary collaboration and data-driven technologies, thereby providing more solid scientific basis and technical support for the prevention and control of heavy metal groundwater pollution and ecological environment protection in mining areas.

Key words: groundwater, heavy metals in mining areas, release and migration, influencing mechanism, pollution prediction