The Ghana Gold Knowledge Base

A GoldBod licence for businesses that collect gold from licensed small-scale miners and buyers. Self-financing aggregators use their own funds and may buy under approved off-take arrangements. See the Gold Board Act, explained.

Mining by individuals, groups, co-operatives and small companies under small-scale mining licences, which are granted only to Ghanaian citizens. Small-scale miners produced 52% of Ghana’s gold in 2025 (Ghana Chamber of Mines).

A laboratory report showing a sample’s weight, fineness and fine gold content, with the lab’s name, accreditation and a certificate number you can confirm with the lab. One of the most commonly forged documents in the trade. See How to Read a Gold Assay Certificate.

The cedi–US dollar exchange rate published by the Bank of Ghana. GoldBod uses it to convert LBMA prices into its official cedi prices.

An unrefined bar poured at a mine, containing gold with silver and other metals. Doré is typically well below 99% gold, so a doré offer at “99.9%” is a warning sign.

The amount of pure gold in a bar or sample: gross weight multiplied by fineness. A 1,000 g bar at 920.5 fineness holds 920.5 g of fine gold. This is the figure a buyer pays for.

Gold purity, usually in parts per thousand. 999.9 is refined (24-carat) gold; 916.7 is 22-carat.

The reference laboratory method for measuring gold purity. Use an accredited laboratory you appoint yourself.

The Government of Ghana’s 10% stake in every mining lease, held without contributing capital, under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006.

The common name in Ghana for illegal mining: mining without a licence, or in prohibited areas such as water bodies and forest reserves. See Small-Scale Mining and Galamsey.

The law that created GoldBod. Since 1 May 2025, buying or dealing in gold in Ghana without a GoldBod licence has been an offence.

The state body created by the Gold Board Act, 2025. It is the sole buyer, seller, assayer and exporter of gold from licensed small-scale mining, licenses gold buyers and aggregators, and sets two official gold prices each trading day. Its notices are published on the GoldBod website.

A levy on mining companies’ output, cut for gold miners from 3% to 1% in 2026.

A measure of gold purity out of 24. 24-carat is pure gold; 22-carat is 22/24, or 91.67% gold.

The benchmark gold price in US dollars per troy ounce, set twice each London business day (AM and PM) under the London Bullion Market Association. GoldBod’s official prices are based on it.

Ghana’s main mining law. It sets out mineral rights, the state’s free carried interest, royalties and small-scale mining licences.

The regulator that advises the Minister responsible for mines on granting, renewing, suspending and revoking mineral rights, and manages Ghana’s mineral resources. Confirm any licence directly with it, through the Minerals Commission website or its offices.

The mineral right to develop and operate a mine. The state holds a 10% free carried interest in every mining lease.

An agreement to buy a mine’s production rather than own the mine. For small-scale gold, foreign buyers apply to GoldBod to buy or off-take directly.

The mineral right to explore, including drilling, to find and define a deposit.

The mineral right for preliminary surveys over a large area, before detailed exploration.

Due diligence to make sure gold does not fund conflict, crime or illegal mining. International buyers follow the OECD Due Diligence Guidance; UAE refiners and dealers follow the UAE’s 2022 regulations based on it.

Ghana’s gold royalty system since the Minerals and Mining Royalty Regulations, 2025: the royalty rate rises with the gold price. See the royalty explainer.

The mineral right for small mining operations, granted only to Ghanaian citizens: individuals aged 18 and over, groups, co-operatives and companies.

An agreement that fixes a large mining investment’s fiscal terms for a set period, of up to 15 years.

The standard unit for gold prices: 31.1035 grams.