The kinetics of Argentinean asphaltite char gasification using carbon dioxide as gasifying agent was studied between 1048 and 1223 K. The chars were obtained by pyrolysis of an asphaltite in a fixed bed reactor. The relative mass change during the gasification reaction was continuously monitored using a high resolution thermogravimetric system. The starting temperature for the reaction of the char with carbon dioxide was determined at about 800 K. The influence of gaseous flow rate, sample mass, carbon dioxide partial pressure and temperature in the reaction rate was analyzed. The experimental condition under which the progress of gasification reaction is chemically controlled was established. In those conditions, an activation energy of 185 kJ mol (1) was obtained with an isoconversional method. Concerning the influence of carbon dioxide partial pressure, it was determined that pressures greater than 50 kPa do not alter the kinetics regime. Finally a reaction order of 0.5 for carbon dioxide partial pressure was determined and a global rate equation that includes these parameters was developed. Rate = d alpha/dt = (1 - alpha)(2/3) . 1.1 x 10(5) exp (-185 kJ mol(-1)/R.T).P(CO2)(0.5) (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.