Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery, for re-use, of metallic conductors such as copper and aluminum from insulated cable, particularly scrap telephone cable, the process utilizing a unique combination of mechanical and chemical operations protective of both the recovered metals and the environment. The invention has particular utility in the processing of cable of the type which includes as a filler a petroleum gel or similar material employed as a moisture barrier. It is an important feature of the invention that this petroleum jelly or petrolatum can be effectively removed in a regulated solvent extraction step, the specific process being highly effective to remove such organic material essentially quantitatively from pre-chopped scrap material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the process is a continuous one, making feasible efficient, economical recovery of valuable conductors in an unoxidized state and petrolatum filler.