Groundwater pollution in the Pingshuo mining area is strongly associated with mining activities, with heavy metals (HMs) representing predominant pollutants. To obtain accurate information about the pollution status and health risks of groundwater, 189 groups of samples were collected from four types of groundwater, during three periods of the year, and analyzed for HMs. The results showed that the concentration of HMs in groundwater was higher near the open pit, waste slag pile, riverfront area, and human settlements. Except for Ordovician groundwater, excessive HMs were found in all investigated groundwater of the mining area, as compared with the standard thresholds. Fe exceeded the threshold in 13–75% of the groundwater samples. Three sources of HMs were identified and quantified by Pearson’s correlation analysis and the PMF model, including coal mining activities (68.22%), industrial, agricultural, and residential chemicals residue and leakage (16.91%), and natural sources (14.87%). The Nemerow pollution index revealed that 7.58% and 100% of Quaternary groundwater and mine water samples were polluted. The health risk index for HMs in groundwater showed that the non-carcinogenic health risk ranged from 0.18 to 0.42 for adults, indicating an acceptable level. Additionally, high carcinogenic risks were identified in Quaternary groundwater (95.45%), coal series groundwater (91.67%), and Ordovician groundwater (26.67%). Both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were greater for children than adults, highlighting their increased vulnerability to HMs in groundwater. This study provides a scientific foundation for managing groundwater quality and ensuring drinking water safety in mining areas.

平朔矿区地下水污染与采矿活动密切相关，其中重金属（HMs）是主要污染物。为准确了解地下水污染状况和健康风险，在一年中的三个时期，从四种类型的地下水中采集了189组样品，并进行了重金属分析。结果表明，露天矿、废渣堆、河滨地区、居民区附近地下水中重金属浓度较高。除奥陶系地下水外，矿区所有调查地下水均发现重金属超标。13-75% 的地下水样品中 Fe 超出了阈值。通过 Pearson 相关分析和 PMF 模型确定并量化了 HMs 的三个来源，包括煤炭开采活动（68.22%）、工业、农业和住宅化学品残留和泄漏（16.91%）以及自然资源（14.87%）。内梅罗污染指数显示，第四系地下水和矿井水样品污染率分别为7.58%和100%。地下水中重金属健康风险指数显示，成人非致癌健康风险为0.18～0.42，处于可接受水平。此外，第四系地下水（95.45%）、煤系地下水（91.67%）和奥陶系地下水（26.67%）也被认定为高致癌风险。儿童的致癌和非致癌风险均高于成人，这凸显了他们对地下水中重金属的脆弱性增加。该研究为管理地下水水质、保障矿区饮用水安全提供了科学依据。