Super paramagnetic nanosorbents coated by saponified sec-octylphenoxy acetic acid (MSCA-12) were prepared as a kind of sorbent for magnetically assisted chemical separation of lanthanum(III) ions using a equilibrium batch experiment. The effects of various parameters such as contact time, pH, ion strength, interference ions, and metal ion concentration on the adsorption was investigated. The optimal pH for La(III) ions was equilibrium pH 7.0. The adsorption isotherm followed the Langmuir model with the maximum sorption capacity of 22.0 mg.g(-1). The sorbent showed a good affinity toward La(III), and the stability of the sorbent in acidic solutions was also improved by the coating. The recovery of La(III) could be achieved using a 0.01 mol.kg(-1) HCl solution. The repeated use three times of the adsorbent was possible. The sorbent was shown to have potential in the extraction of La(III) from the lake water, ground waters, and artificial wastewater.