Ghana Gold Board Mandates XRF Purity Testing from September 1, Tightening Compliance for Buyers
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) is set to revolutionise gold purity verification with the mandatory implementation of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology for all gold purchases from September 1, 2026. This significant regulatory shift, detailed in a compliance notice issued on August 17, 2026, will impact all gold transactions involving the Board and its licensed buyers, demanding enhanced precision and accountability across the sector.
Under the new directive, XRF assay will become the sole definitive method for establishing gold purity and determining payment for gold doré. This supersedes the water density method, which has been employed by some buyers but will no longer be recognised as a conclusive measure. Licensed buyers are now required to procure appropriate XRF devices and conduct tests at the point of purchase. Furthermore, they must ensure that personnel operating the equipment are adequately trained and that comprehensive records of all XRF measurements are meticulously maintained for each transaction.
GoldBod has stipulated that in instances where operational or logistical constraints genuinely prevent the use of an XRF device, the water density method may be used solely for indicative purposes. However, buyers utilising this provisional method must apply a minimum 0.5 percent purity discount to the obtained result. The gold will subsequently undergo a definitive assessment by GoldBod using the XRF method, which will ultimately govern the final purity determination and payment.
The regulatory overhaul extends to licensed aggregators, who are directed to acquire suitable XRF machines and deploy them to their Tier 2 and Tier 1 buyers (sub-aggregators). This measure aims to bolster the accuracy and consistency of purity testing at the source. Licensed buyers will also be required to implement a purity deviation limit when comparing successive XRF reports for the same gold or transaction. The permissible difference between two XRF reports is strictly set at plus or minus 0.05 percent. Any variance exceeding this threshold will necessitate further verification and reconciliation before the transaction can be finalised or reported to GoldBod.
The Ghana Gold Board has underscored the critical nature of compliance, warning that adherence to these new requirements is mandatory from September 1, 2026. This compliance notice will be integrated into the terms and conditions governing all issued licences. Non-compliance will be construed as a breach of licence conditions, potentially leading to regulatory and enforcement actions under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140). The Board urges all licensed buyers to proactively acquire the necessary equipment and ensure full preparedness ahead of the September 1 deadline, signalling a new era of stringent quality control in Ghana’s gold sector.
