Abstract: Iron ore,as the most important raw material of iron and steel industry,is one of the important strategic mineral resources in China. The resource reserves of iron ore is abundant in China,but more than 97% of iron ores are low grade,which can be supplied to blast furnace only after treating by mineral processing. Over the years,with the joint efforts of many mineral processing workers,China′s iron ore processing technology has made considerable progress and development. This paper reviewed the development history of China′s iron ore processing technology. The applications of the main separation technologies including single low intensity magnetic separation,single flotation,gravity separation-magnetic separation-reverse flotation,magnetization roasting followed by magnetic separation in China′s iron ore concentrators were summarized. In addition,the current processing situations of China′s typical polymetallic associated iron ores including associated rare earth/ fluorite type iron ore, associated ilmenite type iron ore,associated polymetallic sulfide type iron ore and associated ferroboron type iron ore were introduced. Furthermore,the key equipments including cone crusher,high pressure roller mill,semi-autogenous mill,vertical ring pulsating high gradient magnetic separator,high frequency vibrating fine screen and stirring mill those affected the progress of iron ore processing technology were enumerated. It′s proposed that the future development direction of China′s iron ore processing should follow the principle of "high efficiency,energy saving,low carbon emission reduction",and the strategy of "available use of inferior quality and optimal use of high quality",develop the combined process of beneficiation and metallurgy,produce large and efficient equipment, develop low temperature flotation reagents, improve the intelligent control level, and strengthen the comprehensive utilization of resources.

Key words: iron ore,mineral processing technology,efficient utilization,low-carbon,intelligent control