Gallium extraction studies were carried out using resin containing an hydroxamic acid functional group. Extraction was dependant on reaction time and alkali concentration. The resin did not extract aluminium. Vanadium extraction kinetics were slower than those of gallium. The gallium and vanadium separation efficiency increased with decreasing contact time with extractions of 64% and 32% respectively after 1 min. Gallium extraction was independent of alkali concentration up to 250 g dm(-3) and thereafter decreased with increasing alkali concentration. Vanadium extraction decreased with increasing alkali concentration. Cyclic batch and column studies were carried out with synthetic as well as actual Bayer liquor to test the stability and preferential extraction of gallium using the resin. It was observed that using resin partially loaded with gallium, the co-extraction of vanadium could be minimised. (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.