An improved process and composition for the extraction of metal from a metal-laden ore, soil or rock is provided. A liquid, three-component aqueous lixiviant comprises water, an alkali metal salt and a low pH acidic composition. A four-component aqueous lixiviant comprises water, a low pH acidic composition, an alkali metal salt and an acid having a pH value less than 2. Both lixiviant compositions are efficient for extracting metal into a pregnant liquid solution. The pregnant solution is treated by known conventional means, such as filtration, centrifuging or electrolysis to remove the extracted metals. The three-component and four-component aqueous lixiviants of the present invention are non-toxic, meaning, not an irritant or deleterious to humans or the environment and perform, as well as, or better than known toxic cyanide lixiviants. The aqueous lixiviants of the present invention effectively and efficiently extract gold, silver, platinum and other metals from ore laden soil or rock with efficiencies greater than 90%.