Abstract: A process which allows the conversion of clay minerals of the kalonite group, to a relatively pure form of alumina and silica respectively comprising the steps of (a) heating the kaolinite group minerals to greater than 500.degree. C., which causes dehydroxylation of the crystallographic lattice and formation of an intermediate meta-kaolin; (b) reacting the intermediate with only one of a selection of reagents including acids, alkalines or metalliferous compounds followed by heating of the mixture to form an aluminium salt in solution and residue of silica; (c) separation of the aluminium salt solution from the residue of silica by filtration and further treatment of the silica residue to produce a relatively pure form of fine particled silica; (d) formation of an alum by addition of ammonium sulphate in solution to the aluminium salt solution and further treatment of the alum to produce a relatively pure form of aluminium hydroxide.