Abstract: In order to high efficiently extract copper from chalcopyrite， the parameters of chalcopyrite leaching experiment by sodium chlorite under acidic condition were studied. Meanwhile， the leaching kinetics and mechanism were investigated. The leaching results showed that the Cu extraction was up to 82.36% when the molar ratio of sodium chlorite to chalcopyrite was 6， solution pH was 4， leaching temperature and time were 55 ℃ and 0.25 h respectively. The oxidizing leaching of chalcopyrite can be obviously enhanced due to the decomposition of sodium chlorite to generate strong oxidizing substances such as ClO₂， ClO^-₃ and Cl₂ in acid solution. In addition， chalcopyrite leaching was controlled by chemical reaction， which was confirmed by the kinetics and activation energy of 42.69 kJ/mol.

Key words: Chalcopyrite, Oxidation leaching, Sodium chlorite, Activation energy