A new emulsion liquid membrane process using 3,5-diisopropylsalicylic acid (DIPSA) and triisobutylphosphine sulfide (TIBPS) as carriers, and ammonium sulfide (NH4)(2)S as precipitant is described. The reactive nature of sulfide ions with extracted cadmium ions in the internal aqueous phase significantly increases cadmium recovery and minimizes zinc impurities. The new process is applied to the enrichment of a low concentration of cadmium ions from a solution containing a high concentration of zinc ions. Under optimum operating conditions, a single stage process produced a cadmium recovery of 98% at a cadmium sulfide content of 99.6%. The results are encouraging for potential applications in zinc hydrometallurgy for recovery of cadmium from sulfuric acid leaching solution of zinc ores. (C) 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.