Abstract: A method is provided for recovering metal compounds and metals from ores, concentrates, alloys and other metal containing materials. The material containing said metals is leached in an aqueous solution of nitric acid at atmospheric pressure and temperatures which may vary from ambient to the atmospheric boiling point. An inorganic salt is admixed or formed in the solution to raise the atmospheric boiling point of said solution. The solution is heated to evaporate the water and to increase the concentration of the salt. The atmospheric boiling point of the solution increases with an increase in the salt concentration and causes an evolution of nitric acid or nitrogen containing gas and the sequential precipitation of metal compounds as the boiling point of the solution increases. The solution is filtered after each sequential precipitation to recover the metal compound or mixture of metal compounds which have precipitated as aforesaid.