Germanium- rich Pb- Zn deposits are widely distributed in the Sichuan- Yunnan- Guizhou triangle (SYGT) area where typical carbonate- hosted post- hydrothermal Pb- Zn deposits occur. These, due to their high grade of lead and zinc, large reserves, rich in scattered elements germanium and precious metal silver, are of high economic value. For over 20 years using regional structural analysis, ore- field structural analysis, fine anatomy of typical deposits, experimental geochemistry and other systematic studies, our research team has focused on major theoretical problems. These include understanding the dynamic background of metallotectonic and its metallogenic response mechanism, the mineralization processes of mineral sources, fluid transport and ore aggregation, the mechanism of supernormal enrichment of lead, zinc and germanium, the classification of deposit type and the lead and zinc polymetallic metallogenic system. The metallogenic theory and prospecting technology research and deep exploration practice have made a series of progresses, which are mainly manifested in the following aspects: ① the ore- controlling theory of intracontinental strike- slip structure system has been proposed namely that germanium- rich lead- zinc ore was formed in the intracontinental oblique strike- slip structural system during the Indochinese collision orogeny. The combined styles of fault- fold structure and metallotectonic system have been defined, the spatial location model of tectonic graded mineralization- ore control and ore body, and the spatial location model of tectonic graded mineralization and controlling ore and ore bodies has been established; ② the mineralization processes have been identified, and the mechanisms of co- differentiation and supernormal enrichment of lead, zinc and germanium have been revealed; ③ a new type of the Huize- type rich- Ge lead- zinc deposit with a certain universality is proposed, and the metallogenic system and fluid ‘penetration’- metasomatic metallogenic model have been established. On this basis, the theory of inland strike- slip structural system controlling ore and fluid ‘penetration’- metasomatic mineralization has been proposed. Based on this theory, a series of key deep- exploration techniques suitable for such deposits have been developed and successfully applied. These research advances, including the biggest prospecting progress in the area in the past 50 years, not only provide theoretical support for the development of exploration technology and breakthrough in deep prospecting in the SYGT area, but also play an important guiding role in the research and application of similar deposits in the southwest margin of the Yangtze Block and even Tethys metallogenic domain.