Abstract: The features of low grade refractory copper-cobalt ores from Zambia were investigated and a novel hydrometallurgical process for them was provided. The results show that the contents of Cu， Co and S in the ores are 1.270%， 0.071% and 0.022%， respectively.Copper element is mainly in the pseudomalachite ore， while only a small amount is in the malachite. Cobalt element is mainly in the cobalt-manganese and heterogenite ores. There are also a small amount of copper and cobalt found in the limonite ore and biotite crystals. Therefore，the presence of copper and cobalt elements in the ore is very complex. In the process ，the optimum leaching conditions are as follows: the ore particles less than 74μm are 70%， the temperature is 65℃， the leaching time is 4h， the pulp density is 30%， and the amount of sulphuric acid is 55kg·t^-1 ore. Under such conditions， the leaching rate of copper and cobalt can reach about 74.34% and 43.32%， respectively.The sulfuric acid consumption can be reduced more than 20% by the replacement of the raffinate. The addition of the reducing agent Na₂SO₃ or FeSO₄ can increase the cobalt leaching rate from 43% to 78%.

Key words: low grade, copper-cobalt ores, hydrometallurgical leaching, pseudomalachite, Zambia