Ag-, Ce- and Ga-promoted Cu–Mg–Al hydrotalcite derived mixed metal oxides were obtained by standard coprecipitation, followed by calcination. The obtained Ag(Ce, Ga)–Cu–Mg–Al–Ox mixed metal oxides were characterized with respect to their crystalline structure (XRD, TEM), texture (BET), surface acidity (NH3-TPD), redox properties (H2-TPR), chemical surface composition (XPS), and tested in the selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia into nitrogen and water vapour (NH3-SCO). The loading of Agy-, Cey-, or Gay–Cu5–Mg66−y–Al29 (y=0–1) had a clear effect on the catalytic performances. For materials with low metal loadings (y≤0.25), the redox properties determined the catalytic performances in NH3-SCO. The formation of easily reducible CuOx played a crucial role for enhanced catalytic activity at lower temperatures, with a drop in the selectivity to N2 at higher temperatures. Higher metal loading (y≥0.5) led to the formation of surface and bulk copper oxide species, and other aggregated metal oxide phases, which enhanced the catalytic activity for Ag–Cu–Mg–Al–Ox, and diminished activity for Ce(Ga)–Cu–Mg–Al–Ox.