Low-grade refractory rhodochrosite ores are difficult to be utilized by traditional beneficiation process owing to their complex characteristics. In this study, preconcentration-neutral suspension roasting-magnetic separation process was firstly proposed, and the thermodynamics, kinetics, phase and microstructure evolution of mineral reaction during rhodochrosite roasting were systematically studied. The results show the raw ore was preconcentrated by high intensity magnetic separation. The suspension roasting was carried out under optimum conditions. After magnetic separation, the magnetic separation concentrate with 24.30% manganese grade and 59.61% manganese recovery was obtained. Manganese ore was transformed from MnCO3 to MnO during roasting. The thermal decomposition reaction of manganese ore conformed to random nucleation and subsequent growth model. The original minerals was destroyed due to the cracks caused by the decomposition of carbonate in rhodochrosite ore, which was conducive to the full dissociation of useful minerals and gangue mineral, and further improve the separation and enrichment effect. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.