Solvent extraction of divalent zinc and manganese from sulphate solutions was carried out using the sodium salt of Cyanex 272. Extraction of metal ions increased with increasing equilibrium pH and extractant concentration. The extracted species were ZnA2·3HA for zinc and MnA2·3HA for manganese. One mole of hydrogen ion was released for one mole of metal extracted under the experimental conditions used in this work. The zinc and manganese loading capacity of 0.1 M Na-Cyanex 272 was determined. The influence of NaCl, NaNO3, Na2SO4 and NaSCN on the extraction of metal ions was studied. The presence of Na2SO4 in solution had a remarkable depressing effect on extraction systems. The separation factor was pH dependent.