The extraction of neodymium ions from monazite leach solution was achieved by synergistic extraction via hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM). Applying the results from central composite design (CCD) experiments, further optimization experiments were carried out using response surface methodology (RSM). Validation tests revealed optimum performance at 0.1 M Cyanex 272 and 0.05 M TOPO, 4 M HNO3 as the stripping solution and flow rates of both feed and stripping solutions were 100 mL/min. The extraction of neodymium ions reached a maximum of 98%. Results indicated that the highest fractional resistance was a chemical reaction. This showed that mass transfer resistance due to chemical reaction was dominant for transport of neodymium ions through the hollow fiber supported liquid membrane system. (c) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.