The aim of this work is the preparation of active carbons starling from sapropelitic coals. Firstly, a traditional route of manufacturing, coking and activation (820 degrees C) was carried out. The specific area (BET) of the activated semicokes of six sapropelitic coal samples varied from a few square meters to about five hundred (for Taimylir coal). Secondly, using Taimylir coal, a novel way of active carbon preparation was attempted combining low temperature modification and chemical activation. The modification was carried out using nitric acid-acetic anhydride mixture at room temperature and tested by swelling and weight uptake measurements. The modified coal samples were analyzed by Thermogravimetry (TGA) and FT-IR spectroscopy. The chemical activation route included impregnation by an activant (KOH) and a subsequent heating (2 hr under argon) at selected temperatures ranging from 300 to 900 degrees C. Surface areas were determined by BET and SAXS methods. The chemical modification resulted in new functional group formation and organic framework reorganization, which strongly affected the activation, as a value of 1200 m(2) g(-1) was obtained after chemical activation.