Nonferrous metal mineral resources are limited and non-renewable resources, and the lifeblood of the nonferrous metal mining enterprises. In the light of the total situation and characteristics of exploiting nonferrous metals resources at present in China and from the angles of the theories of sustainable development, circular economy, region economy and the view of scientific development, this paper puts the emphases on the discussions and analyses on the guidelines and principles that should be followed in exploiting nonferrous metal mineral resources, aiming at providing theoretic some guidance for the nonferrous metal mining enterprises to set down the strategies of exploiting resources.