Abstract: A process for treating a rock essentially constituted by calcium aluminophosphate, comprising the treatment of the ground rock with a concentrated sulfuric acid in stoichiometric excess with respect to calcium and aluminum, at a temperature of above about 120.degree. C., for a time between a few minutes and about 5 hours, followed by controlled water take-up. Subsequently, a residue containing substantially all the calcium and the aluminum of the rock and a solution of the acids serving to digest a tricalciumphosphate charge are separated. The process is particularly suitable for the treatment of Thies phosphate ore.