The Qaidam Basin, located on the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, is a typical inland petroliferous and evaporite basin. Its Cenozoic tectonic evolution and evaporite mineralization processes exhibit a significant spatiotemporal coupling relationship. Based on geological surveys, drilling data, isotopic geochemistry, and previous research results, this study systematically analyzes the control mechanisms of tectonic activities from the Paleogene to the Quaternary on the source, migration pathways, reservoir space, and subsequent alteration and preservation of saline minerals from the perspective of the "source–migration–reservation–alteration–preservation" mineralization system. The Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Qaidam Basin is subdivided into three stages: the Paleogene fault–depression transition period (65–23 Ma), the Neogene compressional uplift period (23–2.6 Ma), and the Quaternary basin–mountain coupling period (2.6 Ma–present). The results indicate that the coupling of tectonics, sedimentation, and climate dominated the entire process of evaporite mineralization: the Paleogene basement faulting formed secondary depressions that provided sources and space for the initial accumulation of saline minerals; the Neogene compression formed anticlinal structural belts, which served as key pathways for the migration and enrichment of deep brines; and the eastward migration of the Quaternary depositional center, combined with an extremely arid climate, jointly facilitated the final formation of super-large potash and lithium salt deposits such as the Qarhan Salt Lake. Through comparison with typical global salt basins, this study enhances the understanding of evaporite mineralization patterns on the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and provides a theoretical basis and target recommendations for deep brine exploration.