Abstract: Abstract：This paper systematically introduces the recent progress in the study of deep-penetrating geochemical migration methods and mechanisms in the international exploration community, with the focus on introducing the new models and theories of vertical migration of elements, including the “reduced chimney” model, “electrically charged storm cell” model and pump pressure effect mechanism. It summaries the main results of the deep-penetrating geochemical research, both domestically and internationally, mainly including the achievements obtained by the international collaborative research project funded by the Canadian Mining Industry Research Organization (CAMIRO), the research projects funded by the Research Centre for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration (CRCLEME) in Australia and research by other countries. On the basis of the outcomes of these research projects, the authors discuss the key factors affecting the selective leaching techniques. They think that the strategic choice of selective leaching techniques and the selective leaching of single “target minerals” are rather complex and affected by the process of soil formation and its physical-chemical factors such as pH and Eh to some extent, and additionally, they are also related to the controls on the concentration of the leachates, sampling depths and leaching conditions and process.