Abstract: In the disintegration of at least one chromium source selected from the group consisting of a SiO.sub.2 -containing chromite and a chromium-containing residue with an alkali compound at a temperature above about 800.degree. C in the presence of atmospheric oxygen and a lime-free diluent, followed by leaching of the mixture with at least one of water and/or a chromium (VI)-containing aqueous solution, the improvement which comprises including in the mixture to be disintegrated an aluminum compound and at least sufficient alkali to form alkali chromate and to convert the SiO.sub.2 into an alkali-aluminum silicate corresponding to the formula nMe.sub.2 O . mSiO.sub.2 . Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, wherein Me is at least one of sodium and potassium, 0.8 .ltoreq. n .ltoreq. 1.2 and 1.3 .ltoreq. m .ltoreq. 4.3.