In October 2012, an evaluation using potential ecological hazard risk index was carried out on soil heavy metal pollution around Ag-Sb deposit tailing areas in northeastern Guangdong. Results indicate that (i) soil heavy metal pollution is mainly Cd-Ni compound pollution, including Cd content 0.31-2.66mg/kg (average content is 1.11 mg/kg), the situation of exceeding standard is serious (the rate of exceeding standard is 100%); the total potential ecological hazard risk index (RI) is between 50 and 300, and it is moderate pollution; (ii) in soil heavy metal content, only Ni and Cu are positively correlated. Since there is certain degree of Ni pollution in this deposit, the synergetic effect of Cu and Ni may deteriorate Ni pollution.