Abstract: Based on the new discoveries in platinum group metal prospecting in the 1990s, the authors propose a genetic classification of platinum group metal deposits, discuss the direction of prospecting platinum group metals in China and advance three platinum group metal prospecting principles, i.e.: look for basic ultrabasic type and magmatic hydrothermal type platinum group metal deposits and their related placer platinum deposits in areas of ophiolitic mélange or basic ultrabasic rocks, look for by product platinum metals in gold fileds, and look for black shale type platinum group metal deposits in areas of black shale.