The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has introduced new rules for determining the purity of locally purchased gold, with the changes taking effect from October 1, 2026.
Under the new regime, the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) assay will become the main and definitive method for determining gold purity and calculating payments to licensed buyers.
The water density method, which is currently used to assess purity, will only serve as an indicative test and will no longer be the final basis for pricing or payment.
GoldBod said where XRF testing is unavailable due to genuine operational or logistical challenges, or where both the buyer and seller voluntarily agree to use the water density method, the gold will be purchased at a 0.7% purity discount based on the water density result.
The Board has also introduced a ±0.1% tolerance when comparing different XRF test results for the same gold transaction.
Any difference beyond that limit will require further verification before the transaction is completed or reported to GoldBod.
GoldBod has directed all licensed buyers and aggregators to comply with the new requirements from October 1, warning that failure to do so could constitute a breach of their licence conditions and attract regulatory or enforcement action.
