Abstract: Aiming at minerals separation of fine particles, complexity and low grade, column flotation have been acclaimed owing to its several advantages such as simple structure, small footprint and ease of autocontrol, etc. Separation characteristics, performance predominance and research advances of column flotation were briefly summarized. The comparison of sorting mechanism, functions and each of performance advantages of common column flotation were outlined and discussed. It focused on process control parameters features, methods and algorithm progress of process control technologies and defects of column flotation. Eventually, future direction of development of column flotation was prospected.