Abstract According to the criteria for classification of engineering rockmass and the actual stability state of mining preparation tunnels,the engineering quality of rock mass at –302 m sublevel of Chenchao Iron Mine is determined and evaluated by qualitative and quantitative methods. The engineering quality of rockmass at low sublevels is predicted furthermore. According to the different evaluation results,different reinforcing methods are selected. The evaluated and predicted results coincide well with practical cases,and the reinforcing methods are effective.