What we do in Lusaka

Zambia is known for copper, but gold is produced by large mines as a by-product and by small-scale operators in several provinces. Lots offered in Lusaka range from refined bars to unmelted artisanal gold. We test them in the city and, where the seller claims to produce the gold, inspect the site that produces it.

  • [On-site gold testing](/services/gold-testing) at dealers’ premises and vaults in Lusaka
  • [Site inspection](/services/mine-warehouse-inspection) of producing operations in the provinces
  • [Company and licence checks](/locations/supplier-due-diligence-zambia) with PACRA and the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development
  • Copper alongside gold — sampling and laboratory testing of cathode and concentrate on the Copperbelt

Rules a buyer meets in Zambia

Mineral rights and trading permits in Zambia are issued by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development through its mining cadastre. A seller should hold the licence that fits its role — a mining licence if it produces, a trading permit if it deals — and an export permit for each consignment. Companies are registered with PACRA.

How a testing engagement runs

  1. Brief — send the form of the gold, where it is held in Lusaka, the approximate quantity and the date you need, by the request form or email.
  2. Scope — we confirm the tests, the tester, the date, the laboratory if fire assay is required, and what the report will contain.
  3. Attendance — our tester attends, numbers and photographs each piece and weighs it on a calibrated scale.
  4. Testing — XRF, acid and density readings are taken on each piece and recorded in front of the parties.
  5. Sealing and sampling — the lot is sealed with numbered seals; where fire assay is in scope, a sample is drawn and sealed for the laboratory.
  6. Report — the field report follows within one working day; the laboratory certificate, addressed to you, when it is issued.

What you receive

  • A field report with XRF, acid and density readings for every piece
  • Calibrated weights, piece numbers and seal numbers
  • Photographs of the pieces, the readings and the sealing, taken by our tester
  • Where in scope, a fire assay certificate from an accredited laboratory, addressed to you
  • Where requested, a valuation on the LBMA Gold Price