A process for the hydrometallurgical recovery of metal value, particularly copper, from copper-containing sulphide materials in which the material is conventionally ground and reacted with a solution containing less than 3 moles per litre of chloride ion, and optionally as little as 15 g/litre, together with sulphate ions with continuous oxygen injection and vigerous agitation. The reacting may be carried out at a pH in the range of 0.5 - 4, at moderate pressure as low as atmospheric pressure and at a moderate temperature below the boiling point of the solution such as 85°C.