This contribution presents an updated view on the genesis of stratabound Zn-Pb-Ag mineralization in the Sala area, Bergslagen, Sweden. Integrated legacy and new geological, geochemical and geophysical data reveal that the deposits are hosted by a complex array of magnesian skarn-altered zones in dolomitic marble. These mineralized zones parallel early faults and metavolcanic interbeds in the host marble, and converge downwards in the stratigraphy adjacent to a 1.89 Ga calc-alkaline granite-granodiorite batholith. Prograde alteration involved formation of early barren ferroan diopside- and forsterite-bearing skarns. Mineralization is mainly associated with subsequent alteration to tremolite, chlorite, serpentine, magnetite and calcite. The hydrous associations overlap mineralogically with assemblages formed during subsequent greenschist facies regional metamorphism between 1.87 Ga and 1.8 Ga. However, ferroan diopside and forsterite are unique to the alteration system, and indicate mineralization in conjunction with an early, high T, metasomatic alteration event at 1.89 Ga. The Sala deposits can be classified as Zn skarn deposits, albeit atypical in the magnesian nature of the skarns and the lack of minerals with essential Mn. The Fe and Mn content in magnesian silicates and carbonates is however sufficient to induce clear enrichment haloes of these elements around the deposits. The magnesian nature of the skarns probably reflect formation in a shallow marine continental backarc tectonic setting, and an importance of seawater in early pre-skarn alteration stages, such as dolomitization.