The Ashele Cu-Zn deposit in Xinjiang is a typical volcanic massive sulfide deposit. In recent years, mineral exploration has been extended to the depth and the periphery. The traditional geophysical and geochemical exploration methods are not effective in mineral exploration as the small thickness and large buried depth of the orebody. It is urgent to find a quick and effective mineral exploration method. This paper introduces the application of short wave infrared (SWIR) technique in the exploration of the Ashele Cu-Zn deposit. The results show that the muscovite closely related to orebody or mineralization has an Al—OH absorption peak position of less than 2 205 nm and is characterized by Al-rich; and that the chlorite closely related to orebody or mineralization has Fe—OH absorption peaks concentrating at 2 250 nm and shows Mg-rich characteristics. The crystallinity of muscovite increases gradually from the south to north, indicating that the hydrothermal fluid (mineralization center) was mainly from the north. The SWIR can identify the alteration minerals quickly and effectively, which is useful to determine the alteration mineral assemblages and reveal the regularity of alteration zoning. The wavelength of absorption peak of muscovite and chlorite and crystallinity of muscovite can be used as new prospecting symbols of the Ashele Cu-Zn deposit.