Abstract: The process for recovering metals of the 1.sup.st, 2.sup.nd, 4.sup.th, 5.sup.th, 6.sup.th, 7.sup.th and 8.sup.th sub-group of the periodic law from solutions of their salts, particularly from solutions containing hydrochloric acid contemplates as the first process step a neutralization (1) for precipitating the metals from their acid metal salt solutions in the form of hydroxides or carbonates. The precipitate is pressed (4), and via conduits (9, 10) finally divided metal of the metal having been present as a salt as well as a carbon source originating of waste materials, particularly in form of ground heat setting synthetic plastics materials such as phenolic resins, amine formaldehyde resins, epoxide resins, polyesters, and also CaCO.sub.3 is added. All components of this mixture must be used in a fine-grained state and preferably with a maximum particle size of 0.5 mm.

Abstract: In a method of recovering heavy metals from filter residues containing metal oxides, metal hydroxides or metal carbonates, the residues are dried and reduced during heat supply in the presence of carbon-containing reducing agents. The metal-containing filter residues having a water content of 30 to 80% are dried in a three-compartment rotary drier (triplex drier), wherein a product having a grain size of 0.1 to 5 mm and a packing density of 0.4 to 1.2 kg/l results, which, after the addition of the carbon-containing reducing agents, is introduced into a crucible furnace at a filling height of 0.4 to 1.5 m. It is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the metal to be recovered. The filling height is kept approximately constant during the volume reduction of the material to be reduced occurring at an increased temperature by refilling the batch.