In development over 70 years, magnetotelluric (MT) sounding, a high-resolution technique for subsurface electrical resistivity imaging, has been widely applied in resource exploration in the Earth. The key factors of the metallogenic system of metallic mineral deposits can be closely correlated to the electrical anomalies of the lithosphere. In this paper, we review the relationship between the electrical resistivity model of the lithosphere and the metallogenic system. At the beginning, we indicate why the electrical parameters relate to the metallogenic system in all geophysical parameters. The advantage of MT sounding in sketching an electrical resistivity model of the lithosphere is subsequently discussed, and some methods of data processing, analysis and inversion are also introduced. Furthermore, we summarize how to bridge the relationship between the electrical resistivity model of the lithosphere and metallogenic system, and analyze the influence of the rheological variation estimated from conductivity in the lithosphere on mineralization. In the end, we list some typical cases of the application of MT sounding in mineral exploration, and also give some suggestions for future work. This study is aimed at providing guidance in discussing the metallogenic system using an electrical resistivity model.

The Northeastern Hunan Province (NEH), situated within the Central Jiangnan Orogen, hosts abundant Au-polymetallic deposits. However, the coupling mechanism between the deep tectono-magmatism and Au-polymetallic mineralization remains poorly understood. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) resistivity model derived from 59 magnetotelluric (MT) stations is presented to investigate the lithospheric architecture and its relationship to Au-polymetallic mineralization. The model reveals three prominent mid-to-lower crustal conductors (3–30 Ω·m) at 15–35 km depth beneath Au-polymetallic deposits along NE faults. These anomalies are interpreted as source zones and pathways for magmatic-hydrothermal fluids during the Late Mesozoic tectono-magmatism, likely formed by the enrichment of graphite films and sulfides along faults, which thus account for the observed conductive features. Moreover, the model reveals a thinning electrical lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (eLAB) at ~80 km depth beneath the Southeastern NEH, attributed to lithospheric delamination triggered by the rollback of the Paleo-Pacific plate. This delamination facilitated the upwelling and lateral migration of asthenospheric materials, which promoted intense extension and crust–mantle interaction. Consequently, metallic elements were extensively extracted from the crust and concentrated into large-scale Au-polymetallic deposits in the NEH. Integrating with previous geochemical study, a deep-seated magmatic underplating and MASH model is proposed as key drivers of Au-polymetallic enrichment in the NEH, effectively linking deep tectono-magmatism with shallow mineralization. From a rheological perspective, three low-viscosity zones within the mid-to-lower crust likely acted as both vertical conduits and deep sources for metallogenic fluids, providing favorable pathways for their migration and accumulation.