Retrospecting the history of discovery, exploration and exploitation for the main and east ore body in Bayan Obo, this paper summarizes the research and industry practice on beneficiation and hydrometallurgy of Bayan Obo rare earth mine. It also overviews the research and development course of rare earth functional materials, points out that the research and comprehensive utilization of Bayan Obo rare earth resource interrelates with the generation and development of rare earth industry in China, and proposes some problems that need to be further understood in the current and future development of rare earth industry.

Bayan Obo  /  resource  /  rare earth utilizing  /  recognition of rare earth