In order to find out the occurrence status of geothermal resources in Huangniqiao area, Ninghua County, Sanming City, Fujian Province, the authors carried out geothermal exploration work in this area by using the audio frequency magnetotelluric method (AMT). Based on the analysis of the characteristics of layer structure and lithology in the work area, the fault structure distribution in the area was inferred and, according to the fault distribution characteristics, one optimized geothermal abnormal target area was delineated. Drilling shows that the well bore water-bearing formation is in good agreement with the low resistivity anomaly of AMT two-dimensional inversion. On the basis of verification, the spatial distribution model of faults in the area was constructed, and four potential fault type thermal storage areas were inferred according to AMT inversion results and fault distribution characteristics. The overall research results show that AMT method is feasible and effective for geothermal resource exploration, which can provide important reference value for the deployment of geothermal exploration in similar areas in the future.