Abstract: The flotation separation of copper-lead sulfide minerals is a hot and difficult point in the field of mineral processing engineering. The article focuses on the research progress of flotation inhibitors, from the four aspects of inorganic inhibitors, organic inhibitors, combined inhibitors and new inhibitors. The research results of lead inhibitors for flotation separation of copper-lead minerals are summarized. The analysis pointed out that the use of the molecular design theory of flotation reagents to develop a new type of lead inhibitor, and the use of combined inhibitors is the key research direction for the flotation separation of copper-lead sulfide minerals in the future.