Abstract: The energy structure characteristics of rich coal,poor oil and little gas,the actual situation of high external dependence of oil and natural gas,and the attention to the efficient and clean utilization of coal in China give the coal chemical industry development opportunities. As a leading technology in coal chemical industry,coal gasification technology is developing rapidly in China. With the large-scale promotion of coal gasification technology,the storage and production of coal gasification slag become larger and larger,which has caused serious environmental pollution and waste of land resources,and has adversely affected the sustainable development of coal chemical enterprises. The treatment of coal gasification slag is imminent. The background of coal gasification technology,the generation of gasification slag and its environmental problems,and the basic characteristics of coal gasification slag were introduced. The research progress on utilization of coal gasification slag at home and abroad was reviewed,including construction and building materials( aggregate,gelling material,wall material,non-burnt brick),soil and water restoration( soil improvement,water body repair),residual carbon utilization( residual carbon properties,residual carbon upgrading,cycle blending combustion),high value utilization( catalyst carrier,rubber-plastic filler,ceramic material,silicon-based material),etc. Suggestions for comprehensive utilization of coal gasification slag were proposed.The coal gasification slag is mainly composed of SiO_2,Al_2O_3,CaO,Fe_2O_3 and C. The residual carbon content of gasified fine slag is higher than that of coarse slag. The main mineral phase of coal gasification slag is amorphous aluminosilicate,which is mixed with quartz,calcite and other crystalline phase. The chemical composition characteristics are rich in silicon,aluminum,carbon resources and the special mineral phase composition is the basis for the recovery and utilization of coal gasification slag. At present,the large-scale utilization of coal gasification slag is mainly focused on construction materials and ecological treatment. However,its characteristics of high carbon content and high impurity content lead to low incorporation of construction materials,unstable quality,and serious secondary pollution caused by ecological control. The economic and environmental benefits are poor. In terms of resource utilization,combined with the characteristics of coal gasification slag resources,it has attracted extensive attention in the development and utilization of carbon materials,the preparation of ceramic materials,and the preparation of aluminum/silicon based products. Although the economic benefits are relatively significant,they are all in the stage of laboratory research or expanding test. There are many problems,such as high cost,complicated process,difficult control of impurities,small downstream market and so on,which cannot realize large-scale utilization. In order to improve the economic benefits of enterprises and solve the environmental problems of enterprises,combined with the current situation of large coal gasification slag heap,large production volume,and urgent treatment,as well as the special properties rich in aluminum,silicon and carbon resources,it is suggested that the idea of comprehensive utilization of coal gasification slag is to solve the environmental problems of enterprises mainly by scale consumption and to increase the economic benefits of enterprises supplemented by high-value utilization. It is an effective way and urgent demand to develop a comprehensive utilization technology route of coal gasification slag with simple process,strong adaptability and certain economic benefit.