A process for the production of silicon and alumina comprising the following steps: i. In an aluminothermic step, contacting an aluminium metal with - a molten slag comprising an alkaline earth metal oxide and a silicon dioxide, or - an alkaline earth metal oxide and a silicon dioxide particularly wherein the alkaline earth metal oxide comprises or essentially consists of calcium oxide, under conditions facilitating an aluminothermic reaction; thereby forming silicon and an alkaline earth metal oxide aluminate slag in separate phases; ii. separating the silicon and the alkaline earth metal oxide aluminate slag in a separation step; iii. in a conversion step, converting the alkaline earth metal oxide aluminate slag to alumina and alkaline earth metal oxide, wherein said alkaline earth metal oxide is re-fed in the aluminothermic step; characterized in that the aluminium metal of the aluminothermic step is provided by a procedure comprising the steps of - melting of aluminium scrap or a combination of different aluminium alloys to yield a primary aluminium melt, particularly at a temperature of 700 to 1000°C, more particularly 800°C to 900°C; - adjusting said primary aluminium melt to a content of - 8 to 14% (w/w) of silicon, particularly 11.5% to 12.5% of silicon, more particularly 11.8% to 12.2% of silicon, or to 12.0% of silicon - cooling said primary aluminium melt to below 660°C, particularly to 580 to 620°C, over 5 to 50 hrs, whereby a precipitate is formed, and said precipitate is separated from said aluminium melt, whereby a secondary aluminium melt is obtained which is used in the aluminothermic step - after solidification or - directly in molten form. i. In an aluminothermic step, contacting an aluminium metal with - a molten slag comprising an alkaline earth metal oxide and a silicon dioxide, or - an alkaline earth metal oxide and a silicon dioxide particularly wherein the alkaline earth metal oxide comprises or essentially consists of calcium oxide, under conditions facilitating an aluminothermic reaction; thereby forming silicon and an alkaline earth metal oxide aluminate slag in separate phases; - a molten slag comprising an alkaline earth metal oxide and a silicon dioxide, or - an alkaline earth metal oxide and a silicon dioxide particularly wherein the alkaline earth metal oxide comprises or essentially consists of calcium oxide, ii. separating the silicon and the alkaline earth metal oxide aluminate slag in a separation step; iii. in a conversion step, converting the alkaline earth metal oxide aluminate slag to alumina and alkaline earth metal oxide, wherein said alkaline earth metal oxide is re-fed in the aluminothermic step; - melting of aluminium scrap or a combination of different aluminium alloys to yield a primary aluminium melt, particularly at a temperature of 700 to 1000°C, more particularly 800°C to 900°C; - adjusting said primary aluminium melt to a content of - 8 to 14% (w/w) of silicon, particularly 11.5% to 12.5% of silicon, more particularly 11.8% to 12.2% of silicon, or to 12.0% of silicon - 8 to 14% (w/w) of silicon, particularly 11.5% to 12.5% of silicon, more particularly 11.8% to 12.2% of silicon, or to 12.0% of silicon - cooling said primary aluminium melt to below 660°C, particularly to 580 to 620°C, over 5 to 50 hrs, whereby a precipitate is formed, and said precipitate is separated from said aluminium melt, whereby a secondary aluminium melt is obtained which is used in the aluminothermic step - after solidification or - directly in molten form. - after solidification or - directly in molten form. <EOS>