Non-aqueous solvent extraction is best characterized by higher bitumen recovery and minimal water consumption. In this study, single- and multi-stage counter-current solvent extractions of bitumen from Xinjiang oil sands were investigated. The particle size distributions of original oil sand samples, suspended particles, and extracted sands were analyzed. The results indicate that oil sand particles should be broken down to a size range of less than 450 pm and the median particle diameter should be approximately 268 mu m. Bitumen recoveries for both the two- and three-stage counter-current processes are more than 93.5%, and the two-stage process is more effective for recovering bitumen than the single- and three-stage extractions based on a series of evaluation methods. The majority of the suspended solid particles are under 21 mu m, and the residual solvent can be efficiently recovered through heating. The multi-stage counter-current solvent extraction has beneficial effects on the exploitation and utilization of Xinjiang oil sand ores.