A generative principle was applied to FeCl3 leaching of galena for the first time in this study. It has been confirmed that a certain quantity of electrical energy, as well as the leached products, could be obtained during the leaching process. The factors affecting the power output, such as electrode structure, temperature, agitation, solution compositions and concentration, and the connections between catholyte and anolyde compartments were investigated by a dual cell system. The experiments indicated that the interior resistance of the leaching system and the activation of the electrode are of key importance. Agitation speeds have little influence over a certain value. The effects of ferric chloride concentration in the leaching are similar to the traditional leaching. The activation energy was determined to be 14.96 kJ mol(-1) for FeCl3 leaching of galena under the present conditions. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.