PURPOSE: To obtain a catalyst having high activity and high selectivity at low temp. and long life in the reaction to produce H-contg. gas from methanol or from a mixture of methanol with water as the source material by incorporating oxides of Ni, copper, zinc and Al into the catalyst.

CONSTITUTION: The catalyst for reformation of methanol is obtd. by adding oxides of Ni, Cu, Zn and Al. It is preferable that the catalyst has the compsn. expressed by an atomic ratio of Ni:Cu:Zn:Al=100:(10-200):(6-100):(1-50). Conditions of the reaction to reform methanol using this catalyst are preferably 0-50kg/cm2 pressure and 150-600°C temp. The catalyst is prepared by adding hydroxides or carbonates of alkali metal elements or alkaline earth metal elements as they are or in the form of soln. to an aq. mixture soln. of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Al compds. to precipitate hydroxides, and then drying and calcining the precipitate.