Abstract: On the development and utilization of a low-grade refractory limonite in Yunnan province，direct reduction-low intensity magnetic separation experiments were carried out.The results showed that under the ore，coal，CaO mass ratie of 100∶20∶15，at the roasting temperature of 1 150 ℃ for 50 min，and primary grinding for 86.66% passing 0.045 mm，intensity for one-stage magnetic separation of 199.04 kA/m，two stage of grinding 99.73% passing 0.045 mm，intensity of second-stage magnetic separation at 111.46 kA/m，metallic iron powder with iron grade of 93.17% and recovery of 88.43% was obtained.X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis on the roasted products indicated that iron minerals were reduced into granular and regular elementary iron at 50 μm in diameter，and was easily to distinguish from gangues，thus providing possibilities to liberate from the gangue minerals.Chemical components analysis shows that the final iron products can satisfy the requirement for steel industry for low contents of impurities.

Key words: Low-grade refractory limonite, Direct reduction, Low intensity magnetic separation, Metallic iron