An ionic liquid (IL) (Cyphos IL-101) was immobilized on Amberlite XAD-7 using the dry impregnation method. Raw resin and extractant impregnated resins (EIR) were tested for Au(III) recovery from HCl solutions. Impregnating the resin increased sorption capacity. Au(III) was extracted by an ion exchange mechanism involving the binding of its chloro-complex [image omitted] to IL phosphonium cation. Sorption isotherms were very favorable with capacities up to 160mgAug-1 EIR in 0.01M HCl solution. Intraparticle diffusion controlled uptake kinetics. Au(III) was efficiently desorbed using thiourea (in HCl solutions). The EIR could be recycled maintaining high efficiencies for sorption and desorption for at least five cycles.