In this paper, sorption capacity of Norit SX2 activated carbon, ground rice husks and C-160 ion exchange resin in relation to Cu2+ and Co2+ ions was compared. The studied sorption processes were described using Langmuir adsorption model. C-160 ion exchange resin was characterized by the highest affinity for both Cu2+ and Co2+ ions. It has been shown that rice husk and active carbon are efficient sorbents in diluted solutions. Copper recovery for activated carbon, ion exchanger and rice husk was high. The efficiency of this process was 98.1%; 92.3% and 88.9%, respectively. Reducing the volume of acid used for regeneration allowed solution to be concentrated and facilitated element recovery. Regeneration for cobalt occurred to a lesser extent.