Abstract: Lead−zinc oxide ore is an important mineral resource in China, and its separation is difficult. Because of its complex mineral composition, large mud content, and fine dissemination size. Base on summarizing the surface characteristics of lead−zinc oxide ore, the mechanism and application of direct flotation of lead−zinc oxide ore such as fatty acid collector, chelating collector and amphoteric collector were summarized, as well as the mechanism and application of sulfide flotation of lead−zinc oxide ore such as sulfide−xanthate, sulfide−amine salt and sulfide−xanthate−amine salt. Finally, it was pointed out that strengthening the research on the mechanism of collectors, exploring the modification and compounding technology of collectors, and developing novel and combined collectors with high selectivity are the research focus of flotation of lead−zinc oxide ore.