Ghana will require artisanal gold bought by self financing aggregators to be refined locally before it can be exported from September 1, as the country moves to retain more value from its fast growing small scale mining industry.
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The new rule, issued by the Ghana Gold Board, known as GoldBod, means gold dore purchased under arrangements with approved off takers can no longer be exported in unrefined form.
GoldBod said export applications will only be considered after the gold has been refined at a refinery approved or designated by the board and all applicable charges and regulatory requirements have been met.
The directive requires self financing aggregators, which are licensed gold buyers that use their own funds to purchase gold, to amend existing off take agreements with approved buyers by August 31 to reflect the new local refining requirement.
