ABSTRACT This study reports on the recovery of copper, zinc, and iron from the copper smelting slag (CSS) of Saindak Copper and Gold Project, Baluchistan, Pakistan using novel deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and Sulfuric acid. Sorbic acid, citric acid, and urea were each mixed with tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) to prepare three DESs. Leaching experiments were performed in batch mode under a constant stirring speed of 300 revolutions per minute (rev min−1) and contact time of 2 h, under different liquid to solid ratios (L/S 1.5–3) and different temperatures (60–90°C). Results showed that the DES2 (TBAC & citric acid) recovered about 77% copper, 49% zinc, and 1% iron among other two prepared DESs at 3 L/S and 90°C. Sulphuric acid recovered 94% copper, 2% zinc, and 4.7% iron under the same conditions. The same DES also showed selectivity in the recovery of copper, as compared to iron.