After discussing some cases about collapse of tailings dams, the authors consider that the reasons for such damages are: bad management, flooding, seepage, and liquefaction, from which a lesson should be learned and remembered.

• 摘要从国内外几个典型尾矿坝事故分析入手，就导致尾矿坝失事的原因进行论述，认为管理、洪水、渗透及液化等是导致尾矿坝失事的主要原因，从而阐述应吸取的教训。