We present a simple and efficient method for the fabrication of magnetic Fe2MO4 (M:Fe and Mn) activated carbons (Fe2MO4/AC-H, M:Fe and Mn) by impregnating the activated carbon with simultaneous magnetic precursor and carbon modifying agent followed by calcination. The obtained samples were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and the catalytic activity in heterogeneous Fenton oxidation of methyl orange (MO) was evaluated. The resulting Fe2MnO4/AC-H showed higher catalytic activity in the methyl orange oxidation than Fe3O4/AC-H. The effect of operational parameters (pH, catalyst loading H2O2 dosage and initial MO concentration) on degradation performance of the oxidation process was investigated. Stability and reusability of selected catalyst were also tested. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.