Alkali- rich porphyry has attracted extensive attention because of its unique tectonic setting, special rock type and close relationship with copper polymetallic deposits. By reviewing the related research progress of alkali- rich porphyry, this paper focuses on discussing the mineralization of alkali- rich magma and its petrogenetic and metallogenic mechanism in the Jinsha River—Honghe River alkali- rich porphyry metallogenic belt, from the comprehensive study of petrogenesis and tectonic setting, magmatic properties and source control of mineralization, etc. Systematic studies on the geology, chronology and geochemistry of ore deposits show that: ① the magmatic emplacement and mineralization ages of porphyry—skarn deposits in the Jinsha River—Honghe River alkali- rich porphyry metallogenic belt are concentrated in the range of 43~32 Ma. The ore- bearing alkali- rich porphyries belong to Eocene—Oligocene I- type shoshonitic granite porphyries, which were products of intracontinental magmatic activity induced by geodynamic processes such as large- scale strike- slip and extension in a post- collisional setting. The divergently magmatic and metallogenic events in the belt may be controlled by the divergent strike- slip movements between the Jinsha River and Ailao Mountains—Honghe River strike- slip faulting resulted from the Indo—Asian collision; ② the ore- bearing alkali- rich porphyries associated with Cu—Mo mineralization in northern section of the metallogenic belt were probably derived from the partial melting of a Neoproterozoic lower crust with the addition of enriched and depleted mantle- derived magmas. However, the ore- bearing alkali- rich porphyries associated with Cu—Au or Cu(—Mo—Au) mineralization in southern section of the metallogenic belt were probably derived from the partial melting of juvenile lower crust with variable contributions from enriched mantle- derived components; and ③ there is a positive relationship between the oxygen fugacity (ΔFMQ) and deposit size (metal tonnage) for porphyry—skarn Cu deposits. In addition to the control by oxygen fugacity, the high K2O content in the magmatic source is conducive to the formation of porphyry—skarn Au deposits. This study has important theoretical and practical significance for theoretical research and exploration of the Jinsha River—Honghe River alkali- rich porphyry metallogenic belt and even similar deposits.