The ability of five different ligands to solubilize α-FeO(OH) (goethite), ThO2.2H2O and γ-UO3 was investigated at pH 3, 5 and 7: the hydroxamates acetohydroxamate (AHA), glutarodihydroxamate (GDA), rhodotorulate (RA), desferoxamine B (DFO) and the dicarboxylate iminodiacetate (IDA). Solubilization in the absence of ligand and solubilization by DFO (pH 5) as a function of time was also investigated. RA was the most effective at solubilizing α-FeO(OH) at all three pH values and ThO2.2H2O at pH 5 and 7. IDA solubilized most ThO2.2H2O at pH 3. GDA was the least effective ligand for α-FeO(OH) and ThO2.2H2O. Most γ-UO3 was solubilized by DFO (pH 3 and 5) and GDA (pH 7). AHA was the least effective. For dissolution over time, solubilization of α-FeO(OH) appears to be a diffusion-controlled process, whilst for ThO2.2H2O and γ-UO3 it is controlled by first-order chemical kinetics.