Abstract: As one of new energy mineral, lithium resources have attracted much attention. Spodumene ore is a typical pegmatite lithium ore, serves as the primary source for lithium extraction. Currently, flotation is the predominant method employed for the separation and purification of spodumene. In this paper, the properties of spodumene and its flotation reagents are systematically reviewed, focusing on the crystal structure and surface properties, as well as the action mechanisms of collectors, activators and depressants for spodumene flotation. The exposed Li⁺ and Al³⁺ on spodumene surface after comminution are responsible for the adsorption of collectors, and metal ion activators such as Fe³⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ enhance spodumene flotation mainly by increasing the adsorption sites of collectors. While depressants achieve flotation separation by hindering the adsorption of collectors on mineral surface and form hydrophilic precipitation on the mineral surface. This review aims to provide a valuable theoretical support for the efficient utilization of lithium resources by analyzing the previous researches on the flotation mechanism of spodumene. Additionally, the future directions for spodumene flotation are proposed, which provides a new idea for the development of new flotation reagents.