Ghana Gold Board mandates XRF assay for gold purity

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has announced that X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) assay will become the mandatory standard for determining gold purity in all purchases across Ghana, effective September 1, 2026.

This directive replaces the traditional water density method as the definitive basis for assessing the purity of gold doré. Under the new regulations, licensed buyers must acquire XRF equipment, train personnel, and maintain systematic records of measurements for every transaction. GoldBod has also directed licensed aggregators to provide XRF machines to their sub-aggregators to ensure accuracy at the source.

While the water density method may still be used as an indicative measurement in cases of genuine logistical constraints, it will no longer serve as the final basis for payment. In such instances, buyers are expected to apply a minimum 0.5 percent purity discount to the water density result, with GoldBod performing a final assessment using XRF technology. Additionally, the Board has established a purity deviation limit, requiring that the difference between successive XRF reports for the same transaction remains within plus or minus 0.05 percent.