Porphyry Cu deposits, globally the main sources of Cu and Mo, have great economic value and are a significant exploration target for mining companies. This study reviews the research progress in evaluation of mineralization potential of the porphyry deposits and position of mineralization center from both whole- rock geochemistry and mineral chemistry perspective, and summarizes the corresponding exploration indicators in order to promote the prospecting and exploration efficiency of such deposits. Previous studies showed that the fertile porphyries are usually water- rich and oxidized, intermediate to felsic in composition, and are characterized by presence of amphibole- magnetite- titanite assemblages with adakitic rocks affinities (such as with high Sr, low Y and Yb contents, and negligible Eu anomalies). The whole- rock Al2O3/TiO2, Sr/Y, La/Yb, V/Sc and Sr/MnO ratios can be used to indicate the magma fertilities. Besides the Cu contents and Cl/F ratios of the biotite, special textures of the quartz (like UST, and quartz eye, etc.) are also important indicators for the evaluation of the porphyry Cu mineralization potential. Recently, geochemical compositions of the accessory minerals like zircon, apatite, and titanite are widely used to assess the magma temperature, pressure, oxygen fugacity, water content etc. to estimate magma fertility. Furthermore, some whole- rock geochemistry and mineral chemistry parameters are also sensitive indicators of magmatic metallogenic specificity. The unique alteration- mineralization- element zoning patterns of porphyry deposits are the basic criterion for mineral exploration. The characteristic minerals developed in different alteration zones, such as rutile in the potassic zone, chlorite and epidote in the propylitic zone, and sericite in the phyllic zone, in- situ composition analysis and/or short- wave infrared spectroscopy can not only clarify the exploration direction, but also help to determine the location of the main ore body. Considering the obvious differences in the composition of the parental magma, the depth of porphyry emplacement, the nature of the host rock and the model of the alteration zoning in different deposit districts, different prospecting indicators should be integrated to improve the ability and efficiency of new deposit discovery.