This invention refers to a technically and economically viable process for recovery of relevant metallic and non-metallic contents from mining residues, particularly the bauxite residue, using it in its integral form. Such a process route uses energy from microwaves, assisted leaching and logic sequencing of steps that allow a technically and economically viable removal of components from the bauxite residue, particularly the residue from the Bayer process. The invention also refers to a microwave reactor that is appropriate for performing the above-mentioned process, as well as to a method for heating a mining product.