An alternative method of producing copper from copper oxides and secondary sulfides utilizes heap leaching, solvent extraction,and electrowinning. This process circumvents most or all of the crushing and grinding as well as all of the flotation, smelting and electrorefining. This approach has increased in use over the past 30 years because it is cost effective. This process is performed using sulfuric acid media for copper oxide and secondary copper sulfide ores. However, leaching chalcopyrite by conventional sulfuric acid heap leaching is difficult and generally results in low recoveries.Thus, there are opportunities to adapt some of the chemistry devel-oped for chalcopyrite concentrate leaching to chalcopyrite ore heap leaching to create more sustainable practices.