A novel process has ,been developed whereby oily sludges produced as, an, undesirable, by-product of bitumen extraction from oil sands can be treated to recover residual organics, heavy. metal in minerals, and amorphous solids for potential commercial exploitation followed by consolidation of the coarser solids to, form wet aggregates. These aggregates may be suitable as fertilizer for fertilizing farmland, making a fertile base for landscaping, or as a natural fertilizer.