A solid phase extraction method for the determination of gold(III) at trace levels by flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS) was developed. The method was based on retention of gold as chloro complexes through the Amberlite XAD-2000. The effect of some analytical parameters including hydrochloric acid concentration, sample volume, sample and eluent flow rates, eluent volume, eluent concentration and interfering ions on the recovery of gold(III) was investigated. The retention of gold(III) from 1.5 mol l(-1) HCl solution and the recovery of gold with 0.07 mol l(-1) NH3 solution were quantitative (>or=95%). The relative standard deviation (RSD) was calculated as 3.2% (n = 10). The detection limit for gold was 2 microg l(-1). The accuracy was checked with the determination of gold spiked an artificial seawater and a pure copper samples.