In order to control the production of acid mine drainage (AMD) on source, the weathering process of pyrrhotite in natural conditions was simulated in laboratory. The mechanism of AMD production and corresponding affecting factors were then determined. Experimental results show that FeSO4, Fe2(SO4)3 and FeO(OH) are the oxidation products of pyrrhotite in air condition, that FeSO4, Fe2(SO4)3 and FeS2 are the main products of biological oxidation, and that the large amounts of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans existing in the tailings accelerates the weathering of pyrrhotite.