The mechanism of copper (I) sulfide formation in the segregation process has been investigated. Synthetic model mixtures made from quartz sand, copper (II) oxide and an admixture of I-st or II-nd Group elements sulfates have been subjected to segregation tests. The products of segregation have been identified by X-ray structural analysis and microscopic observations. It has been found that copper (I) sulfide is formed only in the presence of II-nd Group sulfates, which undergo reduction to the appropriate sulfides in the segregation process and decompose with evolution of hydrogen sulfide on contact with gaseous hydrogen chloride. Thus produced hydrogen sulfide reacts subsequently with copper metal and/or Cu3Cl3 giving rise to copper (I) sulfide.