Abstract: The reserves, production and exports of China's magnesite rank first in the world, and thus producing a large amount of magnesite tailings during the development and utilization of magnesite mining. The mineral and chemical composition of magnesite tailings were introduced in outline, and the comprehensive utilization of magnesite tailings was summarized in detail, including building materials (cement, concrete, expansion agents, wall materials and glass-ceramics), refractories (magnesia, forsterite and converter protecting modifier for slag splashing), chemical products (magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium salts), and environmental agents (water treatment agents, flue gas purifying agents and soil remediation agents). Furthermore, the existing problems were pointed out in the comprehensive utilization of magnesite tailings, and suggestions for its future development were put forward accordingly.