Abstract: A method for the determination of trace tantalum in uranium compounds such as UO_2, U_3O_8, UF_6or UF_4 is developed. The sample is converted to UO_2(NO_3)_2 and evaporated to near dryness, then add0.5 ml 3 mol·l~(-1) HNO_3--0.2 mol·l~(-1) HF solution to dissolve the trace tantalum. After that the tanta-lum is separated from uranium with TBP levextrel resin chromatography and the tantalum is determinedwith horizontal ICP/AES. With a sample of 0.3 g, the determination limit of tantalum is 0. 5×10~(-6), the recovery is in the range of 88%--106%, the relative standard deviation RSD is≤10%.This method is simple and rapid.