Due to the excellent adsorption performance and wide sources of activated carbon,it is widely applied in the gold extraction process in gold industry.The research status of the preparation,structure and performance of activated carbon materials for gold extraction is summarized.The preparation methods and activation methods of activated carbon are introduced.The activation methods mainly include physical activation,chemical activation and physical-chemical activation.The chemical activation has the best performance and is most widely used.At the same time,the application status of activated carbon for gold extraction in cyanide leaching system and non-cyanide leaching system and the application of new carbon adsorption materials in gold extraction process are described.Analysis and prospects are conducted from the aspects of universality,source,selective adsorption effect and mechanical strength of gold extraction activated carbon.