Taking coal, bauxite, phosphate rock, sedimentary copper and iron ores, etcas examples, this paper has demonstrated the use of palaeogeographic interpretation in prediction and exploration of sedimentary depositsThe discovery of the New Huainan Coal Field proves that a clear understanding of the palaeogeography is of great help for the discovery of new coal fields There is a close relationship between palaeogeography and types of coal fields The palaeogeographic conditions control the chemical and physical properties of coal seams as well as the economic value of coal fields  Palaeogeography has determined thedistribution of the Chinese bauxite of the terra rossa type Thedistribution of the phosphate rock also follows the palaeogeographic trend The iron deposits of Xuanlong type is mainly distributed along the old shoreline of the Sinian basin The iron deposits of Ningxiang type mainly occurs along the old shoreline or nearshore zone of the Late Devonian transgressionA clear understanding of the palaeogeography should be of paramount importance in the future exploration of the hitherto little known copper deposits In conclusion, palaeogeography can be taken as a guide to mineral exploration