Gold refineries in Accra play a crucial role in Ghana’s gold industry, processing raw gold from miners into high-purity bars for local and international markets. These refineries perform a range of major and minor operations to ensure quality, compliance, and market readiness.
Major Operations of Gold Refineries in Accra
1. Gold Assaying and Testing
- Before refining, refineries test the purity of raw gold using methods like:
- X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) – Determines gold content quickly.
- Fire Assay – The most accurate method for determining gold purity.
- Nitric Acid Test – Checks if gold is genuine or mixed with other metals.
- Example: PMMC (Precious Minerals Marketing Company) in Accra is known for conducting strict gold assaying before approving sales or exports.
2. Gold Smelting and Refining
- Raw gold often contains impurities like silver, copper, or zinc. Refineries melt the gold and remove these impurities through:
- Electrolytic Refining – Purifies gold to 99.99% fine gold.
- Aqua Regia Process – Uses chemicals to separate gold from impurities.
- Example: Gold Coast Refinery Ltd in Accra specializes in high-purity refining, making gold suitable for international trade.
3. Production of Gold Bars and Jewellery
- After refining, refineries convert pure gold into bars, coins, or jewellery.
- Some refineries mint custom gold bars with serial numbers for investors and banks.
- Example: Asanska Jewellery Ltd produces gold bars and custom jewellery for local and international clients.
4. Export Processing and Documentation
- Refineries help gold dealers and mining companies process legal export documents for international sales.
- This includes:
- Issuing export licences.
- Ensuring compliance with Ghana Minerals Commission regulations.
- Providing assay reports required for customs clearance.
- Example: Sahara Royal Gold Refinery assists businesses with secure gold export services.
Minor Operations of Gold Refineries in Accra
1. Gold Buying and Trading
- Some refineries buy raw gold from artisanal and small-scale miners.
- They also trade refined gold on local and international markets.
- Example: PMMC acts as both a gold refinery and a government-approved buyer.
2. Gold Recycling
- Used gold (e.g., old jewellery, scrap gold) is refined and reprocessed into new products.
- This helps reduce reliance on mining and promotes sustainability.
- Example: Some local jewellers send scrap gold to refineries for purification and reuse.
3. Quality Control and Certification
- Refineries test gold batches for consistent purity.
- Certified gold is stamped with official refinery marks before sale.
- Example: Gold Coast Refinery is ISO-certified, ensuring its gold meets international standards.
4. Secure Gold Storage
- Some refineries offer vault storage for banks, investors, and gold traders.
- Secure storage prevents theft and ensures gold is protected until sale.
- Example: High-end refineries in Accra provide secure safekeeping for bulk gold reserves.
Conclusion
Gold refineries in Accra play a critical role in Ghana’s gold industry, handling everything from assaying and refining to trading and export processing. If you are looking to refine, buy, or export gold, working with a certified refinery like PMMC, Gold Coast Refinery, or Sahara Royal Gold Refinery ensures quality and legal compliance.
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