The kinetic studies of sorption and reduction of gold(III) chloride complex ions on activated carbon Norit ROX 0.8 were carried out. Experiments were performed at different initial concentrations of gold(III) chloride complex ions, agitation rates, temperature as well as initial mass of the adsorbent. SEM, XRD and XPS analyses have confirmed the presence of metallic gold on the activated carbon surface. XPS analysis showed that reduction of gold(III) ions is accompanied by the oxidation of phenolic hydroxide superficial groups. Kinetic equation of a first-order reaction was found as suitable for process description.