A method for recovering chromium from chromium-bearing material which comprises heating the material which can contain any one or combination of Co, Ni, Fe, Mo, and W with solid alkali metal hydroxide in an oxidizing atmosphere at 600.degree. C.-1000.degree. C. to form a fused material containing water soluble compounds of Cr, Mo, and W contained therein. The fused material is cooled and contacted with water to form a leach solution and a residue. The leach solution is adjusted to a pH of from about 5-8 with sulfuric acid, and a water soluble calcium salt is added. The chromium-rich liquor is then adjusted to a pH of 1-3 with sulfuric acid. Sodium metabisulfite is added to the chromium-rich liquor to reduce the chromium to the trivalent state after which the pH is adjusted to 5-8 with a base to form a precipitate of essentially all of the chromium.