The covered area is an important exploration region for the new round of mineral discovery breakthroughs. The cover layer acts as a barrier to geophysical anomalies, presenting challenges in delineating exploration selection areas, defining mineral target zones, and locating deep mineral bodies. Based on mineral exploration theory, this paper analyzes the physical characteristics of the cover layer and the difficulties in mineral exploration by reviewing literature and combining it with practical experiences in covered areas. It systematically summarizes the current status and development trends of geophysical and geochemical exploration techniques in mineral discovery applications within covered areas, aiming to provide references for strategic actions in the new round of mineral discovery breakthroughs. The research indicates that the difficulty of mineral exploration in covered areas is not only related to the thickness of the cover layer but also closely linked to the physical characteristics of the cover layer and hydrogeological conditions. Accordingly, the covered area is classified into eight types: low-resistivity thin cover area, low-resistivity thick cover area, water-rich low-resistivity thick cover area, low-resistivity ultra-thick cover area, desert cover area, volcanic rock cover area, thrust fault cover area, and composite cover area. Among these, the low-resistivity thick cover area, water-rich low-resistivity thick cover area, and low-resistivity ultra-thick cover area present greater challenges for mineral exploration. The study shows that China has widely tested and applied geophysical and geochemical exploration techniques in thin cover areas, achieving significant results, and has also accumulated some experience in mineral exploration in thick cover areas, initially establishing various exploration technical systems for different mineral types in different covered areas. However, the challenges of delineating mineral target zones and detecting deep mineral bodies remain unresolved. Looking ahead, research on precise detection technologies that penetrate thick cover layers will be a key development direction, with geophysical electromagnetic methods and stimulated electric/magnetic field detection technologies expected to advance rapidly. The diversification of geological information collection methods across air, ground, and well platforms, along with the integration of comprehensive information processing and artificial intelligence in mineral prediction, will become an inevitable trend. The integration of geological and geophysical research on controlling mineral structures and mineralization models in covered areas will play an increasingly important role.