Abstract: the massive discharge and accumulation of gold tailings not only wastes resources and occupies land area, but also causes certain harm to environment and human beings. Gold tailings not only contain non-ferrous metals such as gold, silver, copper, lead, and non-metallic minerals such as quartz and feldspar, but also contain a large number of silicon aluminum oxides and silicate materials, which have the value of recycling and extensive industrial use. Starting from the composition and harm of gold tailings, this paper summarizes two directions for the resource utilization of gold tailings. One is to recover valuable components from tailings by roasting, leaching and flotation. The other is to use tailings to process and produce various industrial materials. Finally, the paper summarizes the existing problems and future technology development direction in the utilization of gold tailings.