Abstract: A process for recovering nonferrous nickel, copper and cobalt from deep sea nodules to obtain a concentrate rich in the nonferrous metals, a middlings less concentrated in the nonferrous metals and a tailings with a very low concentration of the nonferrous metals. The crushed nodules are mixed with middlings, a carbonaceous reductant and a chlorinating agent which is a mixture of sodium chloride with either calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide. In a non-oxidizing atmosphere, the mixture is roasted at a temperature about 850.degree. C. and then cooled. The roasted material is finely ground, slurried and magnetically separated into the three fractions.