GoldBod retrieves over ¢3 million in crackdown on illegal gold trade

GoldBod has recovered GH¢3,036,990.00 in cash as part of its nationwide campaign against unlawful gold trading, according to the Board’s 2025 third-quarter report.

The intensified enforcement also led to the seizure of various foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, CFA francs, and Moroccan dirhams.

Authorities further impounded items commonly linked to illicit gold operations—gold doré, gold dust, mercury, weapons, mobile phones, and forged documents.

Investigators say foreign nationals from the United States, Morocco, and Burkina Faso have been implicated, highlighting growing cross-border involvement in illegal mining and gold smuggling activities.

The Board is also investigating whether some Tier 2 licence holders may have exploited their permits by collaborating with or shielding unlicensed traders.

GoldBod’s Legal Directorate is currently handling 20 active cases against individuals and firms accused of operating without proper licences. The cases include ten under investigation, six suspects on police bail, one on court bail, one awaiting trial, one under police enquiry, and another who has been deported.

The statutory report also shows significant progress in gold aggregation, exports, reserve accumulation, and regulatory reforms from July to September 2025.

During the period, the Board aggregated 26,153.98 kilograms of gold from the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector—valued at US$2.76 billion—as part of efforts to formalise and streamline the ASM value chain.

GoldBod additionally supported Ghana’s reserve programme by purchasing 119.78 kilograms of gold from large-scale producers for the Bank of Ghana. This acquisition, valued at US$11.82 million, forms part of the central bank’s broader strategy to strengthen its gold-backed reserves.

Exports also recorded strong performance. ASM operators exported 25,780.60kg worth US$2.71 billion, while large-scale miners exported 24,911.21kg valued at US$2.43 billion.

On regulatory operations, GoldBod said it processed 577 licences under its updated tiered system aimed at improving compliance and easing onboarding for legitimate traders.

These included 432 Tier 2 licences, 123 Tier 1 licences, and 22 approvals for self-financed aggregators.

The Board also issued two licence suspensions and revoked one licence, reaffirming its resolve to sanitise the gold trading sector and promote responsible mining practices.