Abstract: Method of operating a heap leach for leaching uranium and vanadium from a uranium-vanadium bearing ore formed into a relatively tall heap from a mixture of coarsely crushed ore and concentrated sulfuric acid which involves leaching the heap in sections with each section leached in multiple cycles following a predetermined procedure in which the heap is first leached with dilute acid followed by a strong acid application. The product effluent from the strong acid application is recycled a multiple number of times and advanced to the next section. Each section is then washed with fresh water.