Purpose <p>The exponential growth of the market for lithium-ion batteries has resulted in expansion of mining activities for lithium on a global scale. However, the detailed consequences of exposure to heavy metals introduced by lithium mining on ecosystem processes are still not well understood.</p> Methods <p>We investigated the diversity and composition of bacteria and their potential interactions in response to a multi-metal contamination gradient in area potentially affected by the largest lithium mine in China.</p> Results <p>The pollution level of Cd, indicated by Nemerow pollution index, is two orders of magnitude larger than that of other heavy metals. Contamination with multiple heavy metals decreased the microbial diversity and altered community structure. As the potential microbial bio-remediators of multi-metal contamination in soils, habitat generalists (genera which were found in all soil samples) were more resistant to contamination than specialists (genera which were found in some soil samples).</p> Conclusions <p>Our results provide information for potential microbial bio-remediators of multi-metal contamination in soils. Future studies are needed to explore the potential application of resistant in remediation of contaminated lands affected by lithium-mining activities.</p>