In the present work, a mathematical model for batch extraction of copper(II) and nickel(II) with emulsion liquid membrane from a dilute sulfate solution containing equal amounts of both metal ions using di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as extractant and hydrochloric acid as stripping agent is reported. In this research, an effective technique was developed to recover copper(II) as a target metal. The model considers a reaction front to exist within the emulsion globule and assumes an instantaneous and irreversible reaction between the solute and the internal reagent at the membrane-internal droplet interface. Batch experiments were performed for the separation of copper(II) and nickel(II) from an aqueous sulfate solution of initial concentration in the range of 100 to 75 mg/L. It was established that at pH 3.5, recovery of copper(II) and nickel(II) is 90% and 46%, respectively. The influence of copper(II) and nickel(II) concentration on the distribution coefficient at pH 3.5 are fitted by a semiempirical model, which has been used for simulation of the extraction process. The simulated curves are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.