The alkaline ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) leach process for extracting tungsten from scheelite (CaW04) ores has been examined for the treatment of low grade (<0.5 per cent wo,) residue dumps. the process has been considerably simplified by applying solvent extraction directly to the leach liquor.ammonium paratungstate is thereby produced in a one step process and this obviates the need to physically recover edta prior to recycling. this modified process should be an economical method of tungsten extraction.>