Abstract: Bentonite is a kind of clay with saponite type minerals as its main component and belongs to smectite family.Xinjiang smectite ore deposit is the world second largest, only next to that in the U.S and the only large saponite (lithium-magnesium saponite) deposit with industrial value in China.Bentonite has special physical and chemical properties and technical performance and therefore, has gained a wide application in chemicals, building, paper making, medicine, environment protection and cosmetics.The paper highlights the status quo of its research, exploitation, utilization and technology for its comprehensive utilization and the development prospect.

Key words: Bentonite, Xinjiang bentonite resource, Application