Abstract: The Daping gold deposit, situated at the southern end of the Ailaoshan gold metallogenic belt, is a typical large-scale shear zone-hosted gold deposit. However, the role of ore-controlling faults in governing gold mineralization and enrichment within the ore field remains poorly understood, which has constrained its exploration breakthroughs in recent years. Consequently, a detailed investigation into these structures holds considerable significance for regional metallogenic interpretation and mineral exploration. Based on an integrated study of ore-controlling faults and mineralization characteristics, this study analyzes the nature, evolution, and distribution of the faults, and clarifies their intrinsic control on the spatial distribution and enrichment of gold mineralization. The results indicate that the Daping gold deposit formed during sinistral shearing of a ductile to ductile–brittle shear zone and was closely associated with dilational sites generated by episodic relaxation and slip during shear deformation. Steeply dipping ore veins trending NWW show a higher probability of hosting mineralization compared to those trending NW, although the specific location of veins exerts a more significant control on ore formation than their orientation alone. The principal ore veins are markedly heterogeneous along both strike and dip, and contain multiple thickened ore shoots that are arranged in a sub-equidistant, funnel-like pattern extending laterally toward the southeastern deeper levels, forming several mineralization steps in cross section. Ore-enriched segments are preferentially developed within gradient zones characterized by abrupt vein-thickness variations, indicating that transitional zones between structural dilation and closure constitute favorable sites for ore accumulation. Further analysis suggests that the currently mined depth in the Baishapo ore block corresponds only to the upper mineralization step of the Maomushu ore block, implying substantial exploration potential at depth. This study not only deepens the understanding of the relationships between ore-controlling structures and gold enrichment, but also provides an important geological basis for optimizing deep and peripheral exploration targets in the mining district.