Ghana mandates local refining of artisanal gold before export
Ghana's GoldBod will require artisanal gold dore to be refined locally before export starting September 1, tightening control over the sector.
Ghana's GoldBod has issued a directive requiring all artisanal gold dore purchased by self-financing aggregators to be refined at approved local facilities before export, effective September 1. The move effectively ends the export of unrefined dore under these arrangements.
The directive, announced on Monday, applies to gold purchased under off-take agreements with approved buyers. Aggregators must amend existing contracts by August 31 to include the local refining requirement.
GoldBod said export approvals will only be granted after confirming the gold has been refined in Ghana, refining charges settled, and all assay, regulatory, and export requirements met. The cost of refining will be borne by either the aggregator or the approved off-taker.
Non-compliance could result in sanctions, including licence revocation.
This is the latest step in GoldBod's expanding oversight of Ghana's artisanal gold sector. The board was established last year as the sole authorised buyer and exporter of artisanal gold, a move aimed at boosting output and foreign currency inflows.
Ghana, Africa's top gold producer, exported 104 metric tons of artisanal gold in 2025 and is on track to match or exceed that volume this year.