Abstract: The northwestern segment of Sanjiang region (Three rivers) is part of the well-known Sanjiang nonferrous and precious metal mineralization belt.However, the backward geological work in the past had seriously affected our knowledge about the metallogenic setting and mineral potential in the segment.In recent years, as implementation of the a ssessment of mineral resources supported by China Bureau of Geological Survey, the situation has been largely changed.Combining with geology, geophysics, geochemistry and multi-factor analysis, this paper summarizes the metallogenic characteristics and ore prospecting potential in the northwestern segment of the Sanjiang metallogenic belt.Also, the paper discusses geological setting and classifies metallogenic systems and types through in troducing typical ore deposits and new advances in prospecting.On the basis of all these, three ore-forming prospective areas and ten metallogenic prognosis areas have been determined, and prospecting potential of copper, lead-zinc and silver deposits have been evaluated as well.