Abstract: An electrolyte process for the recovery of nickel or zinc from solutions wherein the anions are substantially purely chloride comprises introducing the solution into a cathode compartment of an electrolytic cell which is divided into three compartments namely an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and an electrolyte compartment therebetween, the anode compartment being defined by a porous diaphragm of low permeability which separates the anolyte from the electrolyte, the anolyte comprising a solution containing anions which have an oxidation potential sufficiently high to ensure that substantially only the decomposition of water takes place at the anode under operating conditions and wherein the cathode compartment is defined by a diaphragm of relatively high permeability.