Abstract: Solution mining is a new mining method which uses chemical reaction between minerals and leaching solution to obtain useful metal and compounds. In order to show the application status of surfactants in solution mining roundly and promote the development of solution mining technology, such aspects are emphasized as the research and application of surfactants in improving ore leaching rate, the role of surfactants in bacterial leaching and the function of improving the permeability of ore heap. It is pointed out that surfactants have good effects on increasing ore leaching rate, improving surface wettability of ore and enhancing permeability of ore heap, but it is very important to determine a reasonable dosage of surfactants. Different types of surfactants have certain adaptability to different kinds of ores and leaching types. The influence of surfactants on the subsequent process of solution mining should be further explored, and the technical and economic characteristics of surfactants should be taken into account when determining the addition of surfactants. In general , surfactants have vast prospects in solution mining.

Key words: Surfactants, Solution mining, Bacterial leaching, Leaching rate, Wettability, Permeability.