Cu/Zn based catalysts for methanol synthesis derived from zincian malachite and aurichalcite precursor phases were investigated. The decomposition process of the different hydroxy-carbonates to yield the carbonate modified metal oxides (calcined precursor) was studied in detail on the basis of the results of nonisothermal kinetics modelling. It was possible to obtain different amounts of the so-called high temperature carbonate (HT-CO3) in the calcined material after calcination at the same temperature by varying the mass transfer conditions, which resulted in differences in crystallinity, IR spectra and decomposition profile. Large amounts of HT-CO3 in the calcined material seem to be detrimental, whereas only a small fraction is beneficial and effects phase stability. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.