Abstract: With the increasing demand for zinc and the gradual scarcity of the zinc sulfide ore resources, the development and utilization of the zinc oxide ore has become a research hotspot. The main characteristics of the zinc oxide ore resources and the beneficiation, pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy processes for the exploitation and utilization of the zinc oxide ore are reviewed. The difficulties and development direction of the mineral processing of the medium and low grade zinc oxide ore, including the development of flotation reagents and the advantages and disadvantages of the pyrometallurgy are expounded. Furthermore, the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of the hydrometallurgy, including the acid process and alkaline process, for the utilization of the zinc oxide ore are emphatically reviewed, which can provide technical reference for the development and utilization of zinc oxide ore. Aiming to the development of the comprehensive utilization of zinc oxide ore, the advantages of the ammonium sulfate method in the clean and comprehensive utilization of zinc oxide ore for the realization of the extraction and utilization of the valuable components such as zinc, silicon, iron, aluminum, lead, strontium and the recycling of reaction medium were reviewed. Finally, the direction of the development and utilization of the zinc oxide ore is prospected.