Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the treatment of aluminum dross oxides which contain aluminum metal, aluminum carbide, aluminum nitride and salts such as potassium and sodium chloride. The method comprises the thermal treatment of an aqueous suspension of the dross oxides with agitation in the presence of a particulate grinding medium. The method is practiced in a stirred reactor vessel which contains a bed of refractory, ceramic balls that are agitated with a slurry to provide a sufficient abrading action on the aluminum metal particles to remove the aluminum hydroxide coating and continually expose the aluminum metal for reaction with the water. This invention comprises the introduction of a purge gas into the suspension, preferably air, during its thermal treatment to reduce the formation of foam during the treatment and to assist in liberation of ammonia formed by the decomposition of the aluminum nitride.