Abstract: Selenium is a scattered element especially associated in sulfide ores. There are few independent selenium mineral resources on earth. Selenium is mainly enriched and recovered from intermediate product or by-products of nonferrous metal metallurgy factories and chemical plants. With the development of science and technology, the use of selenium in metallurgy, chemicals, glasses, electronics and other fields is increasing, which also produces various selenium containing wastes. This paper introduces the application, production and consumption of selenium and several selenium resources including anode slime. The principles and research progress of technologies for selenium recovery and their respective advantages, disadvantages and adaptability are expounded. The directions of exploration and utilization for selenium resources are discussed.