This investigation examined various kinetic and equilibrium models for gold (Au) and silver (Ag) adsorption from cyanide leach solution, onto surface of granular activated carbon (GAC) with 10, 35, 70 and 100% activities. Results indicated that the initial rate for Au and Ag adsorption is similar and increases by increasing the GAC activities. Outcomes showed that the adsorption for low activity GAC is proportional to the number of adsorption sites while the rate-limiting can be chemisorption for GAC with high activity. Thus, even low amount of contaminations on the fresh GAC can significantly decrease the capacity of precious metals adsorption.