Abstract: A large amount of tailings has been produced in mining industry，which occupy lands and pollute environment，and also induce hazard sometimes.Building materials demand is huge in China，meanwhile the natural resources has been in shortage.The utilization of tailings to produce building materials can solve the two problems mentioned above simultaneously.Cases of using active tailings to produce building materials are successful，but there are more difficulty in using inert tailings to produce building materials，and less successful cases.Successful application of inert tailings in sintered brick，autoclaved brick，concrete aggregate and aerated concrete are introduced，and progress on the utilization of inert tailings to produce building materials are reviewed and summarized.Inert tailings can be sintered or autoclaved to produce bricks of MU7.5-MU20.It can be as additive to improve the performance of the bricks，as well as fine aggregate in the production of concrete of C100.It can be autoclaved to produce aerated concrete with the highest strength 3~6 MPa.To promote the utilization of tailings，the misconception that products made from the waste are not good，should be converted.And more co-operation and coordination of different departments are needed.The research provides a reference for the utilization of inert tailings，environmental protection of the mine，and tailings management to avoid hazards.

Key words: Tailings, Resource utilization, Building materials, Environmental protection, Security Management