Co-combustion of coal and natural gas is a promising technology in the production of active lime. For this technology, proper fuel proportion of coal and natural gas (α) is one of the key parameters that requires significant thought. By means of numerical simulation, contrast studies on co-combustion with five different fuel proportions were carried out. This paper firstly puts forward the models used to describe the system based on the actual conditions. Then, numerical simulation results were analysed in detail to illustrate the co-combustion process and the velocity and temperature distribution in the kiln. Finally, comparisons of high temperature region, char conversion, length of calcining zone, CO and NOx emission and total heat transfer rate to the material bed were made in order to make a decision on fuel proportion. Synthetically considering, α=30% is a balance between benefits and costs for the rotary lime kiln studied.