Process for the utilization in the ceramics industry of red mud from alumina plants

In a process for manufacturing of ceramics wherein a starting mixture is formed into a green ceramic product and is subsequently fired to produce the finished ceramic product, the improvement which comprises preparing said starting mixture by mixing ingredients consisting essentially of from 51-90% dry weight basis of red mud and at least one silicate containing waste material from mining or manufacturing operations wherein the silicate content of said waste material is selected from the group consisting of at least one member of the group of inosilicates, masosilicates, tectosilicates, primary volcanic silicate rock material, surface volcanic silicate rock material, silicate residue material from oil shale processing, and loess, and said step of firing is carried out between 950 and 1,250 degrees centigrade, until the mixture is converted into a water-insoluble spinel or other double oxide ceramic product.