Abstract: The large bulk key metallic mineral resources in China is in a low average grade.Coupled with sustainable growth in demand of mineral resources and constant pursuit for comprehensive utilization ratio of resources in recent years，tailing particles become more and more fine and tailing emissions continue to be grown.As a result，tailing has become a major hazard source of metal mines in our country.Currently，the disposal of whole-tailings basically includes over-ground stockpiling at lower concentration and underground filling.However，there are many problems in preparation and delivery of tailings in lower tailings concentration.With the consideration of safe production and environmental protection，pasty tailings stockpiling and whole-tailing paste filling will be the most effective and promising methods.Due to the low sedimentation velocity and poor permeability of whole-tailing with ultrafine particle，dewatering and thickening become difficult.So dewatering and thickening rapidly for whole-tailings with ultrafine particles is the key technology for preparation of whole-tailings paste.The development status of whole-tailings particles' migration behavior during whole-tailings paste preparation is outlined，including whole-tailings particle sedimentation，flocculation sedimentation，particle migration as well as sedimentation mechanism.Finally，the problems in and trend of development are analyzed.

Key words: Preparation of whole tailings paste, Particle sedimentation, Flocculation sedimentation, Sedimentation mechanism, Particle migration