Abstract: Process for the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) and minor sulfur compounds—mainly hydrogen sulfide (H2S)—from a sour gas mixture, such as natural gas, iron ore reduction gas, etc. The process uses a continuous absorption process with an alkaline aqueous liquid mixture containing 15-40% by weight of equivalent K2CO3 and is conducted at a temperature of about 150 degrees F. to 300 degrees F. The H2S is removed from the sour gas as elemental sulfur. A high concentration (at least 10 to 1 molar ratio) of penta-valent vanadium (V+5) to H2S is maintained at a high temperature (150 to 300 degrees F.) to help minimize thiosulfate formation, raise the absorption temperature, and increase the speed of conversion of H2S to elemental sulfur. CO2 is stripped from the aqueous alkaline solution and vented directly into the atmosphere since the sulfur that usually contaminates the CO2 was removed earlier in the process as elemental sulfur.