The lead adsorption from aqueous solution was studied in batch experiments using two typical Indian origin nickel lateritic ores having high (46.29%) and low iron content (28.56%) coded as NH and NL respectively. The adsorption was found to be strongly dependent on pH of the medium showing increase in uptake of Pb(II) from 11.0 to 53% and 8.2 to 44% for NH and NL samples respectively with the increase in pH in the range of 2.0-5.23. The time data generated at different temperatures for both the samples fitted well to second-order kinetic model and Elovich equation. The later is indicative of a chemisorption process. The +ve Delta H degrees values (8.90 and 10.29 kJ mol(-1) for NH and NL samples) support the endothermic nature of adsorption. The +ve Delta S degrees values (28.56 and 29.40 kJ mol(-1) K-1 for NH and NL respectively) suggest that the adsorption occurs with internal structural changes. The activation energy was estimated to be 7.6 and 3.12 kJ mol(-1) for NH and NL respectively. The thermodynamic activation parameters were also evaluated using Eyring equation. The loading capacities of NH and NL were estimated to be 44.4 and 28.45 mg g(-1) respectively under the experimental conditions: adsorbent concentration 2 g l(-1), time 30 min, temperature 308 K and pH 5.23. Data fitted well to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models for NH while in case of NL only Langmuir isotherm showed good fit. Due to high loading capacities and favorable kinetics, these materials can be utilized for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solutions. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.