Abstract: Mill tailing (41% passing 0.074 mm) in Bayan Obo plant tailing dam of Baosteel is rich in rare earth ores.The main rare earth ore is bastnaesite with grade of 6.00%.In order to exploit the rare earth ores from the tailings，flotation tests are carried out.The results indicate that it is feasible for recovery of rare earth ores by the flotation.Rare earth concentrate with REO grade of 22.23% and recovery of 72.21% is obtained through process of one roughing，three cleaning，one scavenging，and middles back to the flow-sheet in turn，under the grinding fineness of 98% 0.074 mm and pulp pH of 9，using sodium silicate and oxalic as modifier，8# reagent as collector，2# oil as frother.The flotation test achieves ideal index and can be as a basis for rare earth recovery from Bayan Obo tailings.

Key words: Bayan Obo tailings, Rare earth, Bastnaesite, Flotation