A copper concentrate obtained by flotation of a high grade copper ore containing
chalcopyrite as a main mineral constituent is leached at a temperature of 100
C. or higher, and under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure yielding a
copper leachate containing ferric ions of at least 5 g/L and sulfuric acid, and
this copper leachate is used in heap leaching or vat leaching of a low grade copper
ore, whereby a method of recovering copper economically from a material containing
copper is provided.
