GoldBod mandates XRF testing for all gold purchases from September 1

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has directed all licensed gold buyers in Ghana to adopt X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology as the standard method for determining gold purity from September 1, 2026.

XRF is a non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials, including the purity of gold.

The directive is contained in a compliance notice issued by GoldBod on August 17, 2026, as part of its regulatory mandate over the gold trade sector.

Under the new requirement, XRF assay will serve as the standard basis for determining the purity of all gold doré purchased by GoldBod and its licensed buyers.

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GoldBod said the water density method “shall no longer constitute the definitive basis for determining purity.”

Licensed buyers have been advised to acquire suitable XRF devices, ensure their personnel are adequately trained to operate the equipment and maintain proper records of all XRF measurements.

However, GoldBod acknowledged that some buyers may face operational or logistical challenges in acquiring or using XRF equipment.

It mentioned that where a buyer is unable to use an XRF device and is compelled to rely on the water density method, the resulting purity measurement must be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Additionally, gold purchased under this method should also attract a purity discount of at least 0.5% from the purity determined through the water density test. The gold will subsequently be assessed by GoldBod using XRF, which will determine the final purity and applicable payment.

“Licensed buyers are therefore advised to acquire XRF equipment as a matter of priority to avoid discrepancies arising from the use of indicative purity measurements,” the notice said.

GoldBod has also directed all licensed aggregators to acquire appropriate XRF machines and deploy them to their respective Tier 2 and Tier 1 buyers, or sub-aggregators.

According to the Board, the measure is intended to promote accurate and consistent determination of gold purity at the point of purchase.

Licensed buyers have further been directed to apply a purity deviation limit, or splitting limit, when comparing successive XRF reports for the same gold or transaction.

The permissible differential between two XRF reports has been set at +/-0.05%.

“Any purity differential exceeding this deviation limit shall be subject to further verification and reconciliation before the transaction is concluded or reported to the GoldBod,” the notice stated.

The directive takes effect on September 1, 2026, and will form part of the terms and conditions governing licences issued to aggregators and licensed gold buyers.

COMPLIANCE NOTICE: MANDATORY USE OF XRF FOR THE DETERMINATION OF GOLD PURITY. pic.twitter.com/lrztFGt9EE

— Ghana GOLDBOD (@GhanaGOLDBOD) August 17, 2026