Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing cuprous chloride from chalcopyrite by means of a cupric chloride leach utilizing particular processing conditions in order to obtain relatively high cuprous chloride concentrations. The processing conditions are maintained so as to conduct the leach in accordance with the general reaction:(3X+12Y)Cu.sup.++ +CuFeS.sub.2 +8YH.sub.2 O.fwdarw.(4X+12Y)Cu.sup.++ +XFe.sup.++ +(2X-2Y)S.degree.+2YSO.sub.4 =+16YH.sup.+ +(1-X)CuFeS.sub.2under reaction conditions such that "X" is maintained from about 0.35 to about 0.9, "Y" is maintained from about 0.075 to about 0.35 and the sum of 3X+12Y is initially greater than 3.