The inclusion of gold within sulfide minerals or gangue minerals in the complex refractory gold ores leads to low gold leaching rate.The pretreatment technology can effectively release the gold,disintegrate and expose it,so that its comprehensive recovery rate is improved.5 major pretreatment processes are introduced,including ultrafine grinding process,roasting oxidation process,heat pressure oxidation process,biooxidation process and chemical oxidation process.The basic principles,process flow,research progress and industrial application status of each process are described and the advantages and disadvantages of each process are compared.The purpose is to provide theoretical basis and technical reference for the gold recovery from the complex refractory gold ores.