A method of heap leaching a metal from a mined ore that contains a metal sulfide-containing material, such as a copper sulfide-containing mineral. The method forms a heap of the mined ore or extends an existing heap by adding the mined ore to the heap. The method also leaches the metal from the mined ore in the heap with an acidic leach liquor and produces a pregnant leach liquor containing the metal in solution. Pyrite that is already in the mined ore generates acid and heat that facilitates leaching metal from the mined ore. The mined ore may be run-of-mine (ROM) ore that is transferred directly from the mine to the heap without changing the size of ore particles in the mined ore.