Abstract: The oxidation of trivalent iron ions was utilized to extract nickel and copper from a low ice nickel matte in ferric chloride solution. In this study, the effects of the liquid-solid ratio, leaching temperature, leaching time and ferric chloride solution concentration on the leaching rates of nickel and copper were investigated by single-factor tests and orthogonal experiments. The kinetic study shows that the leaching process of nickel in ferric chloride solution is controlled by a chemical reaction, while the leaching process of copper is controlled by mixing. The calculated leaching activation energies of nickel and copper are 70.26 kJ/mol and 38.62 kJ/mol, respectively. In addition, the phase analysis of low-ice nickel and leaching residue shows that the sulfur element in low-ice nickel is oxidized to elemental sulfur when the leaching reaction occurs. Furthermore, the problem of sulfur-containing gas pollution in traditional processes is avoided.