Abstract: In the digital era with highly developed Internet and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, intelligent plant has become the emblem of the times. Against this backdrop, intelligent coal preparation plant emerges as the times demand. The paper starts with an interpretation of the definition of "smart coal preparation" and its characteristics, and then goes to elaborate on the key technologies the application of which needs to be tackled, such as the industrial big data, machine vision, and product quality online inspection. The key links in development of a smart coal preparation plant are highlighted from the perspectives of system robustness, security and building of a workforce of talents. Finally, it is pointed out that the developing trend of a smart coal preparation plant is directed toward the following five aspects: intelligentization of process equipment, making technical breakthrough in sensing and detection system and systematic upgrading of intelligenization level, and intelligentization of business group and related sectors.