China's iron ore resources are abundant, but showing poor, fine, miscellaneous characteristics, more than 98% of iron ore resources need to be beneficiation processing to be effectively utilized. Grinding operation as a preparatory process for the processing and utilization of iron ore, the subsequent selection index has a pivotal role, but the energy consumption of high steel consumption, low energy utilization, especially fine grinding and ultra-fine grinding, energy consumption is higher, is not conducive to reducing the cost of beneficiation. Adding grinding aids in the grinding process is one of the effective measures to improve grinding efficiency and reduce production costs. By reviewing the current situation of research and application of grinding aids in the field of iron ore milling, the development and application of new grinding aids, the influence of grinding aids on the subsequent operations and the mechanism of grinding aids, it is pointed out that the selection and application of iron ore grinding aids need to be compatible with the nature of the ore and the grinding environment, and that the research on the development of new grinding aids and the influence of grinding aids on the subsequent operations should be strengthened with the aim of providing guidance for the selection and application of grinding aids in the field of iron ore milling. The research on the development of new grinding aids and their influence on subsequent operations should be strengthened in order to provide guidance for the selection and application of grinding aids in the field of iron ore grinding.