GoldBod extends gold trading licence deadline to June 21
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has extended the deadline for gold traders to transition to its newly introduced licensing regime by one month, following strong appeals from stakeholders across the gold value chain. Initially set for May 21, 2025, the new deadline is now June 21, 2025.
In an official press statement dated Thursday, May 22, 2025, GoldBod announced that the extension would allow individuals and entities currently operating under licences previously issued by the defunct Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to continue trading legally until the revised cut-off date.
The move is part of GoldBod’s broader effort to fully implement the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), which centralizes and modernizes the regulation of gold trading and export, particularly within the small-scale mining sector. From June 22, 2025, only entities that have secured a valid licence directly from GoldBod will be legally authorized to engage in the purchase, sale, or export of gold in Ghana.
“It must be emphasised that even though a person may apply for a GoldBod licence beyond the new non-extendable deadline of June 21, 2025, only holders of a GoldBod licence will be allowed to purchase, sell or deal in gold after this date,” the statement emphasised.
The Board warned that any trader or company operating with a legacy licence beyond the new deadline would be in breach of Act 1140 and subject to prosecution.
Effective immediately, GoldBod has also stripped export privileges from all licences issued by the now-defunct PMMC and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. This change, which took effect on May 22, 2025, marks a significant shift in regulatory authority over gold exports.
“All persons who hold a licence to purchase and deal in gold issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources should take note that the export function of their licences has ceased to be valid, effective today, May 22, 2025,” the Board declared.
From this point forward, only GoldBod—recognized as the singular corporate authority under Act 1140—is permitted to export gold on behalf of the small-scale sector, reinforcing the government’s commitment to bringing transparency and compliance to Ghana’s gold trading landscape.
The extension comes as a relief to many in the sector, particularly small-scale traders and aggregators who had expressed concern over the limited time initially provided for transitioning to the new system. Several associations had formally requested a grace period to ensure a smoother compliance process and avoid disruptions to trade.
Stakeholders are now advised to accelerate their applications for the GoldBod licence to avoid legal complications post-deadline. The Board has reiterated that June 21 is a final, non-negotiable date.
For additional guidance or application support, traders are encouraged to visit the Ghana Gold Board’s offices or access resources through its official website.
