Located in the northwestern part of the Gangdise polymetallic belt of Tibet, the Galale Cu-Au deposit discovered in recent years is a typical magnesian skarn-type deposit. Based on large-scale geological mapping together with previous studies, the authors systematically analyzed geological features and ore-controlling factors of the Galale Cu-Au deposit. The main strata outcropped in this area consist of dolomite and dolomitic limestone of the Lower Cretaceous Jiega Formation underlain by interbedded sandstone, siltstone and rhyolitic-dacitic volcanic rocks of the Lower Cretaceous Langjiu Formation. There are at least three phases of deformation: the first period formed NW-trending folds and NE-striking tensional cross faults, the second one formed NE-trending folds, NE-striking longitudinal compression faults and small-sized tensional cross faults in NW direction, and the third period formed nearly NS-trending normal faults. According to the temporal succession, the intrusive rocks in the mining area include porphyritic quartz diorite of late Yanshanian period, diorite-porphyrite, quartz diorite, granodiorite and granitic porphyry. The typical magnesian skarn was formed near the contact zones between quartz diorite, granodiorite and dolomite, dolomitic limestones of the Jiega Formation, and the skarn was formed in two periods: the skarn of early period is composed of olivine, humite, a small amount of spinel, garnet and diopside, whereas the wet skarn of late period is composed of serpentine, phlogopite and a small amount of epidote, superimposed upon the stem skarn or existent at the outside, forming many lithologic zones, such as olivine+spinel+humite±garnet±phlogopite zone, phlogopite+serpentine±olivine±garnet ±diopside zone, serpentine+phlogopite+epidote±diopside zone, and serpentine±phlogopite of marble zone. The orebody is mainly hosted in the serpentine+phlogopite zone, which is mostly in the form of stratiform, stratoid, massive and other irregular structures. Moreover, the main metallic minerals are magnetite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, natural gold and so on, accompanied by silicification, chloritization and carbonation. The mineralization in this area is closely related to the emplacement of granodiorite and quartz diorite, controlled by NE, NW-trending folds and related faults. The skarns are controlled by potential lithologic characters such as lamellar dolomite and sandy dolomite of middle Jiega Group, with the orebody located in the skarn zones of high permeability.