The methane total oxidation was studied over high surface area mesoporous Cu-Mg-Al mixed oxide catalysts obtained from layered double hydroxides (LDHs) precursors. XRD and H-2-TPR revealed that both CuO and CuAl2O4 phases were present in the calcined catalysts. The best results were obtained with the catalysts containing 10 and 20 at.% Cu, total conversion being achieved at temperatures lower than 525 degrees C in these cases. The catalyst containing 10% Cu showed the best specific activity per unit mass of copper. The influences of the contact time and of the methane concentration in the feed gas on the catalytic performances have also been investigated. The stability of the copper-based catalysts during the catalytic test was evidenced. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.