Low-grade　copper　ore　with　high　fines　content　is　required　for　agglomeration　because　of　the　low　permeability　of　the　ore　bed　during　acid　heap　leaching.　However,　few　binders　are　effective　in　keeping　agglomerates　stable　in　acidic　solution.　In　this　study,　the　effect　of　geopolymerization　on　the　particle　size,　compressive　strength,　acid　resistance,　and　microstructure　of　fine-sized　copper　ore-based　agglomerates　formed　by　drum　agglomeration　was　examined.　In　addition,　the　performances　of　the　feed,　agglomerates,　and　coarse-grained　ore　in　the　column　leaching　process　were　examined.　The　results　showed　that　the　agglomerates　had　a　larger　particle　size　after　the　agglomeration　process.　Further,　the　agglomerates　had　high　strength　and　acid　resistance　because　of　the　formation　of　geopolymer　gel　by　the　geopolymerization　process.　Column　leaching　experiments　revealed　that　the　agglomerates　had　good　stability,　a　looser　bed,　and　better　permeability　in　the　column,　whereas　leaching　of　the　feed　in　the　column　was　difficult　because　of　the　low　permeability　of　the　feed.　Moreover,　the　leaching　rate　of　agglomerates　formed　by　geopolymerization　was　significantly　higher　than　that　of　the　coarse-grained　ore.　The　proposed　method　for　the　production　of　fine-sized　copper　ore-based　agglomerates　by　geopolymerization　has　potential　application　in　heap　leaching.　©　2020　Elsevier　Ltd