Buyer guides
Buyer intelligence: assessing gold and copper suppliers in Africa
Reference guides for the point before commitment, when a supplier — or a shortlist — has to be tested against the record. Each sets out what to establish, where the evidence is held and how to read it.
Records we check at source
- BRELA
- BRS
- URSB
- PACRA
- RCCM
- ORC Ghana
- CAC
- CIPC
- Mining Cadastres
- ICGLR
All guides
Facts in each guide carry their source and date. We do not sell minerals on this site and do not rank suppliers or refineries; we verify the one you choose.
01
Verified gold suppliers in Africa
What makes a gold supplier verified, and where the records sit in Tanzania, the DRC, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Ghana.
Read 02
Copper suppliers in Zambia
PACRA, the Mining Cadastre, export permits, cathode brands and concentrate sampling — what to check before buying Zambian copper.
Read 03
Genuine copper suppliers in the DR Congo
RCCM, CAMI, export authorisation, OCC inspection and non-radioactivity certificates — how to confirm a Congolese copper seller.
Read 04
Gold refineries in Uganda
The refining sector, the Bank of Uganda programme, and the checks that apply whether you supply, buy from or run a refinery.
Read 05
How to verify a mining licence
The four things to confirm on any licence, and where each country keeps the record.
Read 06
How to verify gold deal documents
What each document in a gold deal proves, and how to confirm it with its issuer.
Read 07
Gold testing methods compared
What XRF, acid, density and fire assay each measure, their limits, and how they are combined.
Read 08
Due diligence in Africa: registry vs ground
What a company registry proves and what it does not, and how each claim is matched to the cadastre, the licence, the warehouse and the goods.
Read 09
How to choose an inspection company in Africa
Port and laboratory inspection versus buyer-side checks, when you need each, and a checklist for choosing an inspector.
Read Testing and inspection by country
The guides explain what to check. The location pages explain how we check it where the material is.
Commission an independent assessment
Brief us on the counterparty or the lot. We return a scope, a timetable and terms within 24 hours, in confidence.