The　Zijinshan　gold-copper　mine,　in　spite　of　the　low-grade　nature　of　the　ore,　has　become　one　of　the　largest　production-scale　and　most　profitable　non-ferrous　metal　mines　in　China.　The　successful　application　of　hydrometallurgy　as　well　as　proper　engineering　design　are　the　key　factors　for　large-scale　development　of　the　Zijinshan　gold-copper　mine.　In　this　contribution,　the　practical　experience　acquired　in　the　development　of　the　Zijinshan　gold　and　copper　mines　is　summarized.　This　covers　most　aspects　of　the　production　process　including　mining,　beneficiation,　ore　stacking,　heap　(bio)leaching,　carbon-in-leach,　solvent　extraction,　electrowinning,　wastewater　and　tailing　treatments.　The　authors　believe　that　this　practical　experience　will　not　only　help　to　promote　the　development　of　hydrometallurgy,　but　can　also　serve　as　a　model　for　other　gold　and/or　copper　plants　around　the　world.　©　2020,　Society　for　Mining,　Metallurgy　&　Exploration　Inc.