As one type of efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective mining method, the heap bioleaching is widely explored and utilized for recovering low-grade copper sulfide (chalcopyrite, etc.). However, the proliferation and apoptosis of dominant leaching bacteria, e.g. Acidthiobacillus ferrooxidans, in stacked heap pads commonly results in a dynamic bacterial community that evolves continuously This unclear genetic-scale microbial succession easily leads to low leaching reaction efficiency, undesirable reaction passivation and poor heap bioleaching operation. This paper provides a systematic review of bacterial succession and the intervened mechanism in chalcopyrite bioleaching, with a focus on genetic insights of: 1) leaching bacteria types, 2) direct/indirect/direct-indirect bioleaching mechanisms, 3) passivation and chemical controls, 4) bacterial succession performance, and 5) molecular genetics features and detection. Besides, this paper meticulously reviews and summarizes typical potential stimulations and enhanced bioleaching methods. The genetic sequencing methods, such as 16S rDNA and Hi-C, have been shown to hold desirable prospects for improving bioleaching reactions and delaying the formation of passivation substances like jarosite.