Granite tailing sand (GTS) was used to prepare mortar. The influences of binder-sand ratio, polyvinyl alcohol latex powder ( PVAP) and polyvinyl alcohol fiber ( PVAF) on the adhesion property of mortar were studied. The relationship between mortar failure mode and tensile adhesion strength was analyzed, and its micro-mechanism was studied by SEM. The results show that the adhesion property of the mortar is improved by single-doped with PVAP or PVAF, and be optimal when PVAP and PVAF are mixed-doped. When the binder-sand ratio for mortar is 1 ∶ 2, PVAP is 0. 9% (mass fraction) and PVAF is 1. 5% (volume fraction), the adhesion property of mortar is optimal, and the 28 d tensile adhesion strength is up to 1. 75 MPa. The failure mode of mortar is affected by the tensile adhesion strength. The failure mode is mostly interfacial failure when PVAP and PVAF are not added. The failure mode is mostly matrix failure when PVAP and PVAF are mixed-doped. The failure mode is mostly interface-matrix failure when PVAP or PVAF is single-doped.