Abstract: Iron ore, as a fundamental strategic resource for global industrial development, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the security and sustainable growth of the steel industry through its efficient utilization. This paper systematically reviews the endowment characteristics and utilization status of global iron ore resources, with a focused analysis on the key technological bottlenecks and future development trends in mining, beneficiation, and comprehensive utilization of China’s iron ore resources. The findings provide valuable references for promoting efficient exploitation of China’s iron ore resources. The results indicate significant global uneven in iron ore resource distribution, forming a pattern of significant separation between production and consumption. China possesses abundant reserves but suffers from poor resource endowment, with low mine operating rates in 2023 and a high proportion of small and medium-sized mines, exhibiting marked disparities in resource utilization efficiency. In mining technology, intelligent transformation has achieved phased progress, yet gaps persist in core equipment localization and full process integration. The development of deep mining technologies requires focused breakthroughs in continuous mining, hazard prevention, and paste backfilling. In iron ore beneficiation technology, a development paradigm dominated by combined separation processes has been established. Future development will focus on the integration of combined beneficiation processes and intelligent decision-making systems, enabling real-time parameter acquisition and coordinated optimization throughout the entire process. In comprehensive resource utilization, there remains potential for improvement in process optimization and resource utilization. Future development should prioritize breakthroughs in green and efficient separation technologies for associated elements, as well as cost-effective building material preparation and high-value conversion technologies for tailings. The development of China’s iron ore resources should focus on promoting intelligent and green transformation. By optimizing development mode, enhancing research and development of key technologies, and establishing a efficient development of resources - collaborative optimization of processes-comprehensive utilization promotion system, it aims to achieve efficient resource utilization and sustainable mining development, thereby providing resource security for the green and low-carbon advancement of the steel industry.