Abstract: In order to study the mechanical properties of tailings aggregate concrete, uniaxial compression tests were carried out on concrete with four kinds of lead-zinc tailing sand, and the acoustic emission signals during compression were obtained, and the damage evolution characteristics of the material were evaluated based on the acoustic emission signals. The results show that the deformation process of concrete specimens can be divided into four main stages: elastic, plastic, fracture and residual deformation. With the increase of replacement ratio of lead-zinc tailing sand, the compressive strength increases and becomes stable after more than 30%. The relation curve between damage factor and strain was obtained by acoustic emission test. The structural damage of ordinary concrete is mainly in the plastic deformation stage while the structural damage of tailing sand modified concrete is mainly in the plastic and fracture failure stage. A certain proportion of lead-zinc tailing sand helps to accelerate the formation of hydrated gels, thus enhancing the strength and deformation properties.