<p>To extract metals from copper-zinc mixed sulfide concentrates at low cost under atmospheric pressure, the sulfuric acid activation-water leaching method was used to leach metals in the copper-zinc mixed sulfide concentrate. The study mainly investigated the effects of activation temperature, activation time, sulfuric acid-to-ore ratio (K), leaching time, liquid-to-solid ratio on the leaching rate of Cu and Zn in the ore. The results showed that with a sulfuric acid-to-ore ratio <i>K</i> = 1, activation of copper-zinc sulfide mineral at 200&#xa0;°C for 90&#xa0;min, and leaching for 1&#xa0;h at a liquid-to-solid ratio of 3, the leaching rates of copper, zinc, and iron reached 77.66%, 97.08%, and 48.16%, respectively. Through sulfuric acid activation, the insoluble minerals CuFeS₂, ZnS, FeS₂ in the original ore were transformed into soluble (Cu_0.47Fe_0.53)(SO₄)(H₂O), ZnSO₄, HFe(SO₄)₂·4H₂O. These water-soluble phases enter the aqueous solution through leaching. During water leaching, the iron in the leaching solution will be oxidized to Fe³⁺ by air. The Fe³⁺ in the leachate has a high potential, that could oxidize ZnS, CuFeS₂, and FeS₂ in sulfide concentrate, further promoting the leaching of copper, zinc, and iron in the mineral. The activation and leaching are carried out at atmospheric pressure. Leaching at room temperature can avoid heating large amounts of leachate, using simple equipment operation and low energy consumption. The study offers a new approach for the low-cost leaching and separation of copper and zinc from mixed sulfide ores.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>