Abstract. The leaching of laterite containing high-magnesium content was investigated in this study. The results show that the acidity of the leach liquors from high pressure leaching of laterite containing high iron content is high enough for the leaching of high-magnesium laterite. After leaching at 70˚C, 60min and solid/liquor ratio of 10g ore/L leaching agent, the mineral containing high magnesium content was completely dissolved, and the iron minerals were essentially undissolved. The solution pH increased to 2.5 or above, which was suitable for the subsequent iron removal process.