Supplying African Gold to Refineries — What Refineries Want

The world's largest gold refineries — from Dubai's Emirates Gold to Switzerland's Valcambi — process thousands of tonnes of raw gold every year. A significant and growing portion of that feed material comes from Africa, particularly from the artisanal and small-scale mining sector in the DRC. But these refineries are not simply open to any supplier who shows up with gold. They have strict, non-negotiable requirements. This guide explains exactly what they look for — and how Congo Gold Connect helps African gold meet those standards.

Why Refineries Source from Africa

Africa holds roughly 40% of the world's known gold reserves. The Democratic Republic of Congo alone produces an estimated 15–30 tonnes of artisanal gold annually from its eastern provinces — most of it 22–23 karat alluvial gold that, after smelting and refining, reaches 99.5–99.99% purity. For refineries, African alluvial gold offers a reliable, high-purity raw material at competitive prices. The challenge has always been the supply chain — sourcing it with the documentation and compliance standards that international refineries demand.

What Refineries Require from African Gold Suppliers

1. Independent Assay Certificate

This is non-negotiable. Every shipment must come with a third-party assay certificate from an accredited laboratory — not an assay performed by the seller. The certificate must confirm:

• Gold purity in karats and fineness (e.g., 22K / 916 fineness)
• Exact weight in troy ounces and grams
• Form of gold (dust, nuggets, dore bars)
• Name and accreditation of the testing laboratory

Refineries will conduct their own assay upon receipt, but the independent pre-shipment certificate is required before they will accept or price the shipment.

2. Chain of Custody Documentation

Refineries — especially those in Dubai and Switzerland — must demonstrate OECD Due Diligence compliance for their own certifications and audits. This means every lot of gold must have traceable origin documentation, including:

• Country and region of origin (e.g., Ituri Province, DRC)
• Miner identity or cooperative registration
• DRC government mineral export permit
• Certificate of origin
• Transit documentation (Uganda customs clearance)

3. Conflict-Free / OECD Compliance

Since the OECD published its Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, refineries in Europe and the UAE have been required to screen their gold sources. Suppliers must be able to demonstrate that:

• Gold was not extracted using forced or child labour
• Payments did not flow to armed groups operating in the DRC
• Supply chains have been audited and documented

Congo Gold Connect operates exclusively with verified, compliant mining cooperatives in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, providing a full OECD-aligned due diligence file with every shipment.

4. Minimum Purity — 22 Karat or Higher

Most major refineries will accept DRC alluvial gold from 22K (91.6% pure) upward. Lower purity material is generally not accepted for direct refinery supply — it may be redirected to secondary smelters. DRC alluvial gold from well-sourced deposits consistently tests at 22–23K, making it highly suitable for direct refinery supply.

5. Consistent and Reliable Supply

Refineries value predictability above almost everything. A one-time seller with 500g of gold is not an attractive proposition for a major refinery. They want suppliers who can deliver regularly — monthly or quarterly — with consistent quality and documentation. This is where Congo Gold Connect provides significant value: by aggregating supply from multiple verified mining cooperatives, we can offer refineries consistent monthly volumes.

6. Commercial Documentation

Each shipment must be accompanied by proper commercial paperwork:

• Commercial invoice (stating agreed price, weight, purity, seller and buyer details)
• Packing list
• Bill of lading or airway bill
• Insurance certificate for precious cargo
• Any required import declarations for the destination country

The Supply Chain That Refineries Trust

The gap between raw gold in a DRC mine and a delivered, documented, compliant shipment at a Dubai refinery is substantial. Bridging that gap is precisely what Congo Gold Connect does. Our role is to consolidate gold from verified sources, apply rigorous quality control and assay testing, prepare the full documentation package, arrange secure logistics via Entebbe Airport, and deliver to the refinery with everything they need to receive and price the shipment.

Pricing: How Refineries Buy

Refineries typically buy at a discount to the XAU/USD spot price, reflecting their processing cost and margin. For 22K DRC alluvial gold, this is typically 92–95% of spot, applied to the confirmed assayed weight. The exact percentage depends on the volume, consistency of supply, and the refinery relationship. Congo Gold Connect negotiates these terms on behalf of sellers, leveraging established relationships with refinery buyers in Dubai.

How Congo Gold Connect Prepares Your Shipment for Refineries

1. Source verification — confirm origin documentation from cooperatives
2. Independent assay — third-party testing at accredited lab
3. Documentation package — compile full OECD-compliant file
4. DRC export permit — government clearance via Ministère des Mines
5. Secure transport — road to Kampala, secure cargo to Entebbe Airport
6. Refinery introduction — delivery to Dubai refinery with pre-agreed pricing