Characteristics　of　Zijin　copper　ore　bioleaching　by　Acidianus　brierleyi　were　studied.　Experriments　estimated　the　effects　of　initial　pH,　inoculum　and　solid　concentration　on　fraction　of　leached　copper,　experimental　data　showed　that　the　optimal　operating　conditions　were　pH　2.0,　10%　inoculum　and　5%　solid　concentrations.　The　mechanism　of　bioleaching　of　Zijin　copper　ore　by　Acidianus　brierleyi　was　discussed,　the　bioleaching　of　Zijin　copper　ore　by　Acidianus　brierleyi　was　the　result　of　a　complex　process　of　direct　microbial　attack　and　chemical　oxidation　by　the　ferric　iron.　The　bioleaching　capability　of　Acidianus　brierleyi　(65°C)　with　the　Zijin　copper　ore　was　strong,　1.7　times　as　high　as　that　of　Thiobacillus　ferrooxidans　(31°C).　Acidianus　brierleyi　has　a　promising　perspective　of　industrial　application.