Ghana is set to tighten regulations on the export of artisanal gold, with the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) directing that certain gold doré must be refined locally before it can be exported from September 1, 2026.
The directive applies to gold doré purchased by self-financing aggregators under arrangements with approved offtakers. GoldBod says the material must first be processed at a refinery approved or designated by the Board before an export application will be considered.
According to the new arrangement, GoldBod will only approve exports after confirming that the gold has been refined in Ghana, refining charges have been settled and all required assay, regulatory and export conditions have been met. The cost of refining will be borne by either the aggregator or the approved offtaker.
Self-financing aggregators have also been instructed to amend their existing offtake agreements by August 31 to incorporate the local refining requirement. GoldBod has warned that failure to comply could result in sanctions, including the suspension or revocation of licences.
The policy forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to increase local value addition in the gold sector instead of exporting gold in a less-refined form. GoldBod exported 104 metric tonnes of artisanal gold in 2025 and is on course to match or exceed that figure this year.
