What we do in Nairobi

In Nairobi the first question is often not the fineness of the gold but whether it is there at all, and who holds it. Our engagement therefore starts with the custodian: we confirm with the vault or storage operator, through contact details we source ourselves, that the gold is held, in whose name and in what quantity. Then our tester attends, tests and seals it.

  • [On-site gold testing](/services/gold-testing) in vaults, dealers’ premises and at the airport
  • [Document authentication](/services/document-authentication) of vault receipts, export documents and assay certificates
  • [Licence and company checks](/locations/supplier-due-diligence-kenya) with the Business Registration Service and the State Department for Mining
  • Fire assay by an accredited laboratory; the certificate names you as client

Rules a buyer meets in Kenya

Under the Mining Act 2016 and its regulations on dealings in minerals, buying and selling gold in Kenya requires a dealer’s licence, and exporting it requires an export permit for the consignment. Gold produced in Kenya comes mainly from the west of the country, around Migori and Kakamega; gold said to originate elsewhere should arrive with import documents that can be confirmed.

How a testing engagement runs

  1. Brief — send the form of the gold, where it is held in Nairobi, 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