Since 2016, China has launched the Deep Resources Exploration and Mining (DREAM) program, as a National Key Research and Development Program. The DREAM program has made significant progress in theoretical study and exploration research on the “Three- Rare” critical minerals, such as rare earth elements (REE), rare, and rare- scattered metals. Main advances included here are as following. ① Through a comprehensive study of the deep structure, deep processes, mineral distribution, and orebody localization, the DREAM has revealed metallogenetic epochs, deep mechanisms, and terminal metallogenic effects of some important “Three- Rare” critical mineral systems, leading to a “transparent” exploration and reserve estimate increase of ore- concentrated areas. ② The DREAM has established a “five- in- one” model for the REE mineralization and exploration in Gannan, Jiangxi Province, based on climate, landform, parent rocks, carrier minerals, and pH values of weathering crust. It has led to a major breakthrough in the discovery of new types of ion- adsorption REE deposits in weathered crust of low- grade metamorphic rocks in Gannan, Jiangxi, and significant reserve increase of REE deposits in South China. An exploration and evaluation technology system was developed based on the REE leaching phases and Gannan drill, which is environmentally friendly (green), economic, safe, and efficient. ③ In the Zhaxikang- Cuonadong ore- concentrated area, eastern Himalayas, a pegmatite Be, skarn Be- W, cassiterite sulfide Sn- W- Be, independent fluorite, and Pb- Zn vein “five- in- one” model was developed, leading to the discovery of large- scale deposits such as the Xianglin and Rina that overall reached super- large scale. This is a significant breakthrough in the exploration of critical minerals such as Be, W, and Sn, etc. in the Tethys- Himalayan metallogenic belt, a new strategic area for critical minerals. ④ The newly proposed “multi- cycle deep- recycle internal and external integration” metallogenic theory, “five story building+basement” exploration model, and geochemical exploration technologies, have promoted deep exploration of Li resources. The clay- type Li deposits are divided into two subtypes, such as the volcanic rock- and carbonate- subtypes, and carbonate clay- type Li- Ga- REE deposit is proposed as a new type deposit and important Li resource. A lepidolite Li deposit of Velasto cryptoexplosive breccia- type was determined in Inner Mongolia. Large to super- large Li deposits have been discovered in areas such as the Jiajika (western Sichuan), Dahongliutan (southwestern Xinjiang), and Xiaoshiqiao (central Yunnan). ⑤ The material basis and metallogenic mechanism had been systematically identified for the extraordinary enrichment of “Three- Rare” metals, such as In, Ge, Ga, Nb, and REE, in western margin of the Yangtze Block. A preliminary “epigenetic weathering- sedimentary- type three- rare metal mineral system” has been established. The newly proposed metallogenic and prospecting models for rare- scattered metals have led to discovery of associated/accompanying Ge resources with reserves reaching large to super- large scales.