Abstract: In order to quantitatively evaluate resource efficiency, this paper analyzed the law of element-flow in metallurgy manufacturing process and the influence of different element-flows on element resource efficiency, and put forward the definition of element resource efficiency for defining the saving degree of natural resources in metallurgy manufacturing process.A standard element-flow diagram of metallurgy manufacturing process was given.The influence of element-flow deviated in various ways from standard element-flow diagram on element resource efficiency was analyzed.The relationship between element resource efficiency of metallurgy manufacturing process and of its unit process was discussed.By using the data of a steel plant, the influence of iron-flow in steel manufacturing process on its iron resource efficiency was analyzed as an example.The result shows that the input of secondary resources to any unit process of a manufacturing process from surrounding increases the resource efficiency of the manufacturing process;the output of unqualified and other waste product from any unit process to surrounding decreases the resource efficiency of the manufacturing process;and the recycling of material within a unit process or from a unit process to its upper-stream unit process will not influence the resource efficiency of the manufacturing process, but will increase the energy intensity and the cost of final product.