Ghana’s efforts to add value to its gold resources and promote responsible mining received a major boost following a new international partnership involving Africa’s leading gold refiner, Rand Refinery, Gold Coast Refinery (GCR), and the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
The strategic partnership, announced in Johannesburg on January 20, 2026, brings together two London Bullion Market Association (LBMA)–accredited institutions—Rand Refinery and Gold Coast Refinery—to support GoldBod’s mandate of locally refining artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold in line with globally recognised standards.
GoldBod has welcomed the collaboration, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening Ghana’s gold value chain while enhancing transparency, traceability, and responsible sourcing practices across West Africa.
Under the agreement, Gold Coast Refinery, located in Accra, will refine up to 1,000 kilograms of ASM gold dore per week sourced through GoldBod. The arrangement ensures that all refining processes meet international assaying and quality benchmarks, helping to formalise and professionalise the ASM sector.
Established in 2016, Gold Coast Refinery currently has an annual refining capacity of more than 80 tonnes of gold, with room for future expansion. The partnership with Rand Refinery will provide technical, operational, and commercial oversight, enabling GCR to refine ASM gold locally while fully complying with the London Bullion Market Association’s stringent responsible sourcing requirements.
Speaking on the agreement, Rand Refinery’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ean Subramanian, described the partnership as a major milestone for responsible gold refining in Africa. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working closely with GoldBod and Gold Coast Refinery to build a strong framework that guarantees Ghana’s gold meets international standards for ethical production and supply chain integrity.
The collaboration is expected to deepen local value addition, reduce raw gold exports, and position Ghana as a regional hub for responsible gold refining.
