This paper describes in detail the effect of some factors on adsorption of Me

NH3 and CO2 from ammoniacal solutions by lignite when Cu

Ni and Co ions exist separately or simultaneously. A preliminary study is carried out on the adsorption mechanism. The adsorption by lignite is mainly physical on its surface

and chemical on the carboxylic and phenolicgroups of its humic acid. The order of affinity for lignite adsorption is NH3>Ni>Co>Cu

while the order of absorption capacity is Cu>Co>Ni> NH3. When stripping

the order is NH3>Ni>Co and Cu. Metals are fully recovered by stripping. Ammonia adsorbed by lignite from Me2+-NH3-NH4+-H2O is found easy to volatilize

only a small part remaining at 120℃. Carbon dioxide in solution is adsorbed physically on lignite

in amounts of less than 1% under ordinary hydrometallurgical conditions.