Carbon and oxygen isotope studies of the host and gangue carbonates of Mississippi Valley-type zinc-lead deposits m the San Vicente DisVfct hosted in the Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic dolostones of the Pucar~ basin (central Peru) were used to constrain m~:lels of the ore formation. A mixing model between an incoming hot saline slightly acidic radiogenic (Pb, Sr) fluid and the native formation water explains the overall isotopic variation (813C = -11.5 to +2.5%o relative to PDB and 8180 = + 18.0 to +24.3%o relative to SMOW) of the carbonate generations. The dolomites formed during the main ore stage show a narrower range (813C = -0.1 to + 1.7%o and 8180 = + 18.7 to + 23.4%o) which is explained by exchange between the mineralizing fluids and the host carbonal;es combined with changes in temperature and pressure. This model of fluid-rock interaction explains the pervasive alteration of the host dolomite I and precipitation of sphalerite I. The open-space filling hydrothermal white sparry dolomite and the coexisting sphalerite II formed by prolonged fluid-host dolomite interaction and limited CO 2 degassing. Late void-filling dolomite III (or calcite) and the associated sphalerite III formed as the consequence of CO 2 degassing and concomitant pH increase of a slightly acidic ore fluid. Widespread brecciation is associated to CO 2 outgassing. Consequently, pressure variability plays a major role in the ore precipitation during the late hydrothermal events in San Vicente. The presence of native sulfur associated with extremely carbon-light calcites replacing evaporitic sulfates (e.g., 813C = - 11.5%o), altered native organic matter and heavier hydrothermal bitumen (from - 27.0 to - 23.0%o 813C) points to thermochemical reduction of sulfate and/or thiosulfate. The 813C- and 81SO-values of the altered host dolostone and hydrothermal carbonates, and the carbon isotope composition of the associated organic matter show a strong regional homogeneity. These results coupled with the strong mineralogical and petrographic similarities of the different MVT occurrences perhaps reflects the fact that the mineralizingprocesses were similar in the whole San Vicente belt, suggesting the existence of a common regional mineralizing hydrothermal system with interconnected plumbing.