Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of a silylchromate catalyst comprising the steps of: 1. depositing silylchromate on a support at a deposition temperature of at least 55° C. during a deposition time of less than 6 hours, 2. reducing the supported silylchromate by addition of a reducing agent at a reduction temperature of at least 15° C. during a reduction time of less than 1.5 hours; and 3. drying of the reduced silylchromate at a temperature of at least 25° C. during a drying time of less than 8 hours. The invention also relates to a process for the production of an ethylene homopolymer or an ethylene copolymer in the presence of the silylchromate catalyst obtained with the process according to the invention.