Abstract: In order to explore the route to the development of a coal preparation power and the evaluation index system involved, the paper starts first with an elaboration and analysis on the concept and connotation of the objective to be attained, and then points out the problems faced by China′s coal preparation sector in the fields of applied basic theory, key and core technologies, development of applied technologies, structure of human resources, and capital input for sci-tech research. It is held that the main way to attain the goal involves five aspects: availability of key and core technologies, fostering the development concept of putting standards and intellectual property rights above everything else, optimization of structure of human resources, execution in a best way of technical upgrading of old coal preparation plants, and making endeavors to open up the way to go global. In order to better reflect the comprehensive competitiveness of the coal preparation business, and considering the difficulty in data access as well as the feasibility and operability, an evaluation index system is proposed for the development of a coal preparation power according to the principles of developing a coal preparation power featuring high content of technology and high standard. The proposed system covers 7 level-Ⅰindicators, 20 level-Ⅱand 27 level-Ⅲ indicators. The level-Ⅰ indicators are plant management, human resources, environmental friendness, technology innovation capability, competitiveness of enterprises, foreign trade and business, and essential policy-related factors. The study made in the paper points out the way for the coal preparation sector to realize high-quality development and helps the country to stride forward from a strong nation to a big power in terms of strength in coal preparation.