Objective The Ke'eryin pegmatite field in Sichuan Province is an important lithium concentration zone in China and one of the key survey areas in the new round of strategic breakthrough actions for mineral exploration. Research on ore−controlling factors remains insufficient, particularly regarding the controlling mechanisms of the distribution and morphological characteristics of pegmatite dikes and ore bodies, which restricts the prediction of prospecting targets and exploration of pegmatite−type lithium deposits in the region.

Methods Based on the distribution patterns and occurrence characteristics of pegmatites in the Ke'eryin area, this study analyzes their relationship with the Ke'eryin pluton and regional structures. It elucidates the ore−controlling structural characteristics of pegmatite−type lithium deposits in the Ke'eryin area, characterizes the morphology, scale, and spatial distribution of pegmatite dikes, and explores their intrinsic links with the pluton, regional tectonics, and joint−fracture systems.

Results The study results indicate that the anticlinal core and its vicinity at a certain distance from the Ke'eryin pluton are favorable metallogenic structural positions. Based on the morphological characteristics and spatial aggregation patterns of pegmatite dikes, three types of swarm−band aggregation models are proposed for pegmatites in the Ke'eryin area: parallel aggregation, en echelon aggregation, and network aggregation. The morphology, scale, and distribution characteristics of pegmatite dikes and lithium ore bodies are mainly controlled by two phases of structural joint−fracture systems: fold−related joint−fracture systems and near−ring and radial joint−fracture systems related to magmatic doming. The superposition and connection of these two phases of joints and fractures jointly provide transport and storage structures for the formation of granitic pegmatite, controlling the spatial distribution of rare metal deposits and the morphological characteristics of pegmatite dikes.

Conclusions Through the coupling of tectonics and magmatism in ore control, favorable metallogenic sites have been identified to guide lithium exploration. As a result, one large−scale and one medium−scale lithium deposit have been proven in the Ke'eryin area, and nine prospecting targets for pegmatite−type lithium deposits have been predicted, providing important theoretical basis and exploration direction for subsequent lithium exploration in this region.