The contents of Ni, Co and Cu in 63 alpine-type ultramafic rocks were determined, together with total Fe, FeO, MgO, MnO and SiO₂. The data is statistically treated to establish correlations between the variables and the results compared with those of similar published studies. The concentrations of the three trace elements are related to the mineralogical composition. Ni and Co increase from pyroxenites to peridotites and dunites, while Cu decreases in the same order. In moderately serpentinized or fresh peridotites and dunites Ni and Co show a very strong positive correlation with the sum of the ferromagnesian cations and some other weaker correlations. These correlations decrease or even disappear in serpentinites as a result of local remobilisation of the elements during the serpentinization process. Cu is not correlated with any major oxide but, in peridotites and dunites, it shows a negative correlation with the Mg (total Fe +Mn) ratio. The possibility for the Ni/Co ratio to be a source of genetic information is outlined. As a primary check this ratio, calculated from the published data for ultramafic rocks of the Bushveld layered complex, is compared with the data obtained in the present study.