The article proves the promising nature of using functionalized magnetic nano particles in extraction of metals from process solutions and in treatment of industrial effluents. The experimental copper extraction from solutions using a magnetic nanosorbent made of lipoic acid-functionalized magnetite is described. Sorption efficiency is determined as function of the initial concentration of solutions as compared with non-functionalized nano-size magnetite. The copper-bearing sedimentation mechanism includes chemosorption at active centers of lipoic acid, adsorption at clean magnetite surface and re-crystallization of sorbate in intrinsic copper-bearing phases. The phase composition of copper in the sediments is examined, and the copper extractability is illustrated. The conditioning technology is proposed for copper-bearing solutions. The stage-wise use of the magnetic nanosorbent enables process solution purification up to the maximum allowable concentration at simultaneous production of a concentrate suitable for hydrometallurgical processing.