The hornfels thermal metamorphism is well developed in the Jiama copper polymetallic deposit. Based on stratigraphic contact relationship and rock fabrics, the authors infer that the protoliths of hornfels were sandy slates and carbonaceous slates, evidenced by comparative study of petrochemical and geochemical features. The authors built a model for the Jiama copper polymetallic deposit, which indicates the sequence of mineralization in the ore deposit and comparatively explains the roles of the thermal metamorphism and hydrothermal alteration in hornfels type mineralization.