A method was presented for the analysis of trace metals in iron oxide ore. The method utilized ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC)-methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) extraction procedure and analysis by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AA). Citrate at pH $8{sim}10$ for the determination of Co, Ni and Cu or tiron at pH $6{sim}7$for the determination of Mn and Cu was added as a masking agent to prevent extraction of Fe(III) into the organic phase. Reduction of solubility of MIBK in water was achieved by addition of NaCl as a salting-out agent. Back extraction of the MIBK extracts with aqueous $HNO_3$ was also studied to increase the stability of metal extracts.