Abstract: Nonferrous metal powder or nonferrous metal powder mixtures are made by reacting a metal compound in an aqueous medium with an aqueous sugar or starch solution with stirring and optionally at an elevated temperature and the precipitated metal powder is separated. The nonferrous metal oxide or hydroxide in a concentration between 20 and 400 g/l (calculated as metal) is treated in the aqueous medium at a pH-value above 3.2 and at a temperature between 20.degree. and 160.degree. C. and the virtually oxide free nonferrous metal powder which is precipitated is separated. Oxides or hydroxides of the metals Cu, Ag, Ni, Co, Sn, Pb, Sb, As, or Bi are used.