Abstract
	The leaching characteristics of  chalcopyrite concentrate in acidified Fe2(SO4)3 and FeCl3 solutions in the microwave field was investigated and described in this paper.
	The chalcopyrite concentrate from Cuba was used for these experiments. The effect of microwave energy on  the material  comes across  a heating effect which can be  also used in leaching. High leaching temperature under normal condition, faster leaching time and intensive agitation without the mechanical tools are the main advantages of this method.
	The use of ferric chloride is more effective than ferric sulphate for chalcopyrite microwave leaching. When 0.5 M FeCl3 + 0.5 M HCl solution was used for leaching the highest leaching efficiency was achieved and for –80+60 ?m particles. It was near to 33 % after 2 hours of leaching. This granularity is near to flotation concentrate  and  it could be practically used. 
	Microwave leaching could be constituted phenomenal consequence in processes of obtaining non- ferrous metals in hydrometallurgy.