In order to solve the problem of slow settling of iron tailings in Benxi, the appropriate flocculant was selected through flocculant optimization test, and the influence of slurry concentration, flocculant unit consumption and slurry pH on flocculation settling was investigated through single factor test. The micro-structure of the settling was observed, and the settling rules of iron tailings were summarized. The results show that the natural settling basically end at 600 min, and after reach the settling critical point, the sediments go through the main consolidation stage and secondary consolidation stage. The main consolidation stage end at 2000 min, the secondary consolidation stage end at 3500 min, and the clarification area height then remain stable. The flocculation effect is the best when the flocculant is APAM, the slurry concentration is 15 %, the flocculant unit consumption is 20 g/t and the slurry pH=9. The solid content ratio in 10 min under this condition is 233.13 mg/L, and the settling ratio in 10 min is 67.15 %.