Numerical simulation of fluid migration during the ore-forming process of the Carboniferous exhalation- sedimentary (Sedex) massive sulfide deposits in the Tongling district shows that fluid and thermal activities in lying-wall rocks were limited to a small area around the main draining passage, which led to weak mineralization and alteration in the lying-wall rock. Temperature and fluid fields indicate that mineralization and alteration in the lying-wall rock of the Sedex-type deposits are usually weaker than those of volcano-hosted massive sulfide deposits. Fluid migration involves the following processes: seawater penetrating and leaching the lying-wall rocks, then mixing with ascending hydrothermal fluids in the main draining passage, and finally jetting into seafloor. Although fluid activity-influenced area is rather small, the content of metals leached out from the lying-wall rocks is high enough to form large-scale ore deposits. Tensional contemporaneous faults accompanied with strong heat flows controlled the formation and distribution of Sedex deposits. The tensional tectonic regime on the northern margin of the Yangtze block during the Hercynian provided Sedex deposits with a prerequisite geodynamic condition. Numerical simulation of fluid migration during the ore-forming process of the Carboniferous exhalation-sedimentary (Sedex) massive sulfide deposits in the Tongling district shows that fluid and thermal activities in lying-wall rocks were limited to a small area around the main draining passage, which led to weak mineralization and alteration in the lying-wall rock. Temperature and fluid fields indicate that mineralization and alteration in the lying-wall rock of the Sedex-type deposits are usually weaker than those of volcano-hosted massive sulfide deposits. Fluid migration involves the following processes: seawater penetrating and leaching the lying-wall rocks, then mixing with ascending hydrothermal fluids in the main draining passage, and finally jetting into seafloor. Although fluid activity-influenced area is rather small, the content of metals leached out from the lying-wall rocks is high enough to form large-scale ore deposits. Tensional contemporaneous faults accompanied with strong heat flows controlled the formation and distribution of Sedex deposits. The tensional tectonic regime on the northern margin of the Yangtze block during the Hercynian provided Sedex deposits with a prerequisite geodynamic condition.