Abstract: Tailings pond is an artificial hazard source with high potential energy. Once the dam breaks, it will surely threaten the safety of people regarding property and ecological environment of downstream. Due to the complexity of factors and the uncertainty of movement and retention in the downstream channel or site, it is difficult to predict the movement characteristics of tailings dam break. In this paper, based on the mechanics theory of continuous media and discontinuous media, considering the current ability of fluid-solid coupling numerical simulation, using the software such as Massflow, PFC^3D combination UAV measurement, analysis of field investigation and verification, conduct a research of simulation study on the movement characteristics of tailings dam break. It is found that the tailings movement process is different based on PFC^3D and Massflow numerical simulation. Massflow simulation results show that most of the tailings sands move along the zigzag channel downstream of the tailings pond and accumulate at the culvert where the gully meets the Zhang-Tang railway; PFC^3D simulation results show that most of the tailings sands follow the tailings ponds main body towards outburst overflow, and a few enter the zigzag channel downstream. According to the research, considering the uncertainty of geological mass and movement process, it is advisable to combine two simulation methods based on different theoretical bases for the simulation of movement characteristics, and make comprehensive analysis and prediction combining with the actual situation of tailings pond.