Abstract: The invention is drawn to a continuous process for the recovery of alumina from ores by mixing with an alkali bisulfate, calcining below 450.degree. C. to form the corresponding double salt, washing with water, and separating the insoluble residue from the solubilized aluminum, precipitating impure aluminum, resolubilizing aluminum with sodium hydroxide to form soluble sodium aluminate and separating it from the insoluble impurities, treating the resulting solution to form aluminum precipitate, separating the aluminum and calcining it to form alumina.