Key Documents Required for Gold Export from Africa
African gold cannot legally reach international markets without a complete documentation package. Refineries in Dubai, Shanghai, and Zurich routinely reject shipments with missing or mismatched paperwork. Understanding these requirements protects buyers from costly delays and compliance violations.
Miner Licensing Documentation
Every export-bound batch must trace to a miner holding a valid license from the national authority: Ghana’s Minerals Commission, South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources, or South Sudan’s Ministry of Mining. Exporters must retain copies of these licenses linked to each acquisition, along with GPS coordinates of the source location.
Chain of Custody Records
Documentation must show unbroken continuity from source to export point. This includes:
- Unique batch reference numbers
- Tamper-evident seal identifiers with photographs
- Signed handover records at each transfer point
- Transport manifests with timestamps and authorized signatures
Breaks in this sequence invalidate legal export status regardless of material purity.
Accredited Assay Certificate
Fire assay certification from nationally accredited laboratories is mandatory. Ghana requires PMMC-approved facilities; South Africa mandates SABS-registered labs. The certificate must state precise weight, fineness, batch identifier, and authorized signature. XRF readings alone are insufficient for export clearance.
Government Export Permit
National authorities issue permits only after verifying assay results against physical material. Ghana’s PMMC, South Africa’s SADPMR with SARS endorsement, and South Sudan’s dual ministry system each conduct physical inspections before approval. Permits are batch-specific and time-limited—never transferable between shipments.
Air Waybill and Insurance Documentation
Cleared shipments require commercial air waybills listing consignee details, seal numbers, and precise descriptions. Mandatory insurance certificates must cover full replacement value. Upon arrival, refineries cross-check these documents against physical seals before acceptance.
Why Documentation Integrity Matters
OECD due diligence guidance and LBMA responsible sourcing standards require verifiable provenance. Buyers who accept incomplete documentation risk reputational damage, refinery rejection, and regulatory penalties. Professional exporters maintain these records systematically—not as optional extras but as fundamental to legal trade.
Since 2015, AFRICA GOLD has operated across Ghana, South Africa, and South Sudan with permanent field teams that generate and verify this complete documentation package for every consignment. Headquartered in South Africa with coordination support from the United Kingdom, the company ensures buyers receive refinery-ready material with zero documentation gaps.
Source African gold only from exporters who provide complete documentation upfront. AFRICA GOLD delivers fully certified, legally exportable gold with transparent chain of custody from licensed source to international delivery.
africa-gold.com
sales@africa-gold.com
