A process for treatment of an acidic solution containing ferric iron and at least one non-ferrous metal, prior to removal of ferric iron therefrom, is characterized by adding a specified amount of at least one neutralizing agent, and separating off from the solution any residue or undissolved neutralizing agent remaining after neutralization, thereby producing a solution possessing an acid consuming capacity termed "negative acidity", and still containing substantially all the dissolved ferric iron in solution, and from which ferric iron can subsequently be removed with the generation of less acid compared to that generated from solutions partially neutralized according to the prior art.