A chelating ion-exchange phenol-formaldehyde polymer, poly(salicylaldoxime 3,5-diylmethylene) was synthesized and characterized. The sorption properties of the chelate-forming resin towards various divalent ions (Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ Zn2+ and Cd2+) were studied by a static batch equilibration technique as a function of pH and contact time. The resin exhibited high selectivity towards Cu2+ ions and showed fast rates of metal ion uptake, particularly for Cu2+ which experienced >90% uptake in less than 1 h. In a dynamic column operation, it was demonstrated that the resin can be used for effective removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions.