Abstract: The paper introduces such prominent features of Chinese tantalum and niobium resources as less singular deposits，more associated deposits，low ore grade，closely associated with other minerals，highly concentrated regional distribution of tantalum and niobium deposits and so on. According to the difference of the density between tantalum and niobium minerals and other minerals as well as the dissemination size of ores，the recovery process of tantalum and niobium minerals are summarized. For ores with high density in tantalum and niobium minerals and a coarse-grained dissemination level，the gravity separation as the main way is generally accepted. For ores with high density in various minerals and a coarse-grained dissemination level of tantalum and niobium minerals，a joint process of gravity separation，magnetic separation and electric separation is mostly adopted. For ores with high density in various minerals and fine dissemination of tantalum and niobium minerals，the flotation process is given the priority.

Key words: Ta-Nb ores, Gravity separation, Magnetic separation, Flotation