Abstract: Methods for the manufacture of fine metal powders from metal carboxylate compounds such as metal oxalate compounds. The method includes decomposing particulates of the metal oxalate compound by heating to a decomposition temperature in the presence of a dilute hydrogen gas to decompose the metal oxalate compound, and forming a fine metal powder by heating to a higher refining temperature to remove contaminants from the metal powder. The method may include the conversion of a non-oxalate metal compound to a hydrated metal oxalate and the dehydration of the hydrated metal oxalate before decomposition to the metal. The method is applicable to the production of a wide variety of metals, and is particularly applicable to the production of rare earth metals of high purity and fine particle size.