Effect of ball milling treatment on the hydrochloric acid leaching performance of black dross was investigated to recover alumina. Ball milling time and speed showed limited effect on the leaching behavior of the alumina in the mechanically dross. Under the optimum mechanical activation condition (for 1h at 700 rpm), the leaching of alumina in hydrochloric acid solution was significantly affected by leaching time and reaction temperature. MgO was completely dissolved in most of the leaching conditions, while a small amount of Ca, Fe, Si and Ti oxides was dissolved. Although 80% of alumina was dissolved, the dissolved minor components such as Ca, Fe, Mg, Si and Ti oxides should be separated to recover pure alumina solution.