A method of smelting aluminum from aluminum ore wherein the powdered ore is mixed with a flux containing substantial amounts of borax, sodium bicarbonate and a copper compound, preferably copper sulphate. The mixture is placed in a suitable vessel, preferably with a rounded bottom, that can withstand high temperatures and that has an outlet hole in the bottom. The mixture of powdered ore and flux is heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the mixture and thereby produce a molten material containing aluminum. The molten material is allowed to flow out of the outlet hole and to cool outside by means of air cooling which results in the aluminum separating out. Preferably, the flux comprises about one third borax, one third sodium bicarbonate and about one third copper sulphate. A suitable ore for this method is nepheline syenite.