Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) of tantalum from fluoride solutions containing sulfuric acid using 2-octanol has been investigated in detail. Main optimal parameters of the process such as initial solution acidity, temperature, and phases mixing period were defined and tested using two types of solution obtained from digestion of tantalite or tantalum scrap. The conditions were tested using both laboratory and pilot extraction systems. The results presented could be useful for further development of the currently used method of extraction of tantalum. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.