Process for preparing highly purified silicon and optionally aluminum and
silumin (aluminum silicon alloy) in the same cell, wherein silicate and/or quartz
containing rocks are subjected to electrolysis in a salt melt containing fluoride,
whereby silicon and aluminum are formed in the same bath, and aluminum formed,
which may be low alloyed, flow to the bottom and is optionally drawn off, and deposit
formed on the cathode is removed from the cathode and crushed, optionally together
with the remaining electrolysis bath, concentrated sulfuric acid and then hydrochloric
acid and water are added to the crushed material, liberated Si-grains float to
the surface and are taken out and treated further as desired.