Micro-topography typically modifies site conditions and reallocates biological resources within challenging environments. Different micro-topographies, such as rills and shallow gullies, are widely distributed on the slopes of weathered gangue dump due to hydraulic erosion. To ascertain if the eroded micro-topography in mining areas impacts plant colonization by affecting the soil seed bank, we chose bare slopes, rills, and shallow gullies on weathered gangue dump slopes in western Liaoning Province as subjects for investigation. The study examined the input and output characteristics and their dynamics within the soil seed bank across various micro-topographies by using soil seed germination experiment, aiming to assess the impact of different micro-topographies on plant regeneration and establishment. The results showed that: (1) The total density of soil seed bank on the weathered gangue dump slopes in western Liaoning followed the order of rill > bare slope > shallow gully, with counts of 4904.86 seeds/m², 4561.87 seeds/m² and 3395.48 seeds/m², respectively. The input of soil seed bank in different micro-topographies varied among different slope positions and vertical soil layers, with composed mainly of annual herbaceous plants. (2) The density of seedlings emergence and the number of species followed the order of shallow gully > rill > bare slope, with values of 172.74 seedlings/m², 86.41 seedlings/m², and 23.00 seedlings/m², respectively. The output of soil seed bank in different micro-topographies was higher in the downhill position than that in the uphill position. (3) The soil seed bank output rate under the three micro-topographies followed the order of shallow gully>rill>bare slope, with values of 6.55%, 3.36%, and 2.00%, respectively. The output rates of soil seed bank under different micro-topographies showed the consistency in time and space. The output rates of soil seed bank in downhill position were higher than that in the uphill positions, peaking in June. In summary, rill is conducive to the input of soil seed bank, while shallow gully favors the output. In vegetation restoration efforts, leveraging the benefits of various microhabitats can inform the design of micro-topography, thereby effectively supporting vegetation recovery on slopes of abandoned mining land.