Abstract: A process for the recovery of precious metal values from ores whereby the ore, in particulate form is heated with a mixture of solid (dry) chloride and nitrate salts, in the absence of oxygen. The precious metal values are recovered in the form of the corresponding chlorides which are removed from the system by sublimation or vaporization. The chlorides of the precious metal values are then trapped, separated and can be reduced by conventional methods. Gold, silver and platinum are particularly amenable to recovery from complex ores by this method.