The article discusses the results of a comparative critical analysis ofthe opinions among domestic and foreign researchers (in which no consensus has been reached yet) as to equal or different profitability (relative to cost value) of the products of combined multi-product processing of multi-component mineral raw materials. The special conditions under which profitability of all products is equal, and is otherwise different were revealed. We demonstrate that a specific product of combined processing may in a number of cases remain economically efficient even if its individual profitability is negative.