Laboratory Testing
Assaying, Fire Assay, XRF Analysis, representative sampling, reports, and independent verification.
3 pillars
Gold Testing Guides & Resources
Knowledge Centre
Every important decision starts with reliable information. Explore practical guides on laboratory testing, gold buying, responsible sourcing, international trade and compliance—all built around the same independent laboratory principles that guide our work.
10 pillar guides24 published articlesWritten for buyers, exporters and industry professionals
Recommended starting point
How Gold Assaying Works
A client-focused guide to sampling, Fire Assay, XRF Analysis, laboratory controls, and the report you receive at the end.
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Choose the guide that best matches your situation.
Learning paths
Explore Knowledge by Topic
Each pillar answers a major client question and links to published articles. Every article listed here is available to read now.
Gold Purity & Buying
Fineness, karat, bullion, doré, buyer checks, chain of custody, and fraud risk.
2 pillars
Responsible Sourcing
Supplier verification, traceability, OECD due diligence, AML, conflict risk, and decision records.
1 pillar
Trade & Compliance
Gold import compliance, East Africa export documentation, shipment coordination, and trade support.
3 pillars
Glossary & Resources
Clear definitions and focused answers for the terms and questions clients encounter most often.
1 pillar
Pillar guides
In-Depth Guides for Important Decisions
Every guide combines practical advice, limitations, frequently asked questions and supporting resources to help you understand the topic before making important decisions.
01 · Gold Assaying
How Gold Assaying Works
A client-focused guide to sampling, Fire Assay, XRF Analysis, laboratory controls, and the report you receive at the end.
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02 · Testing Methods
Fire Assay vs XRF Testing
Compare accuracy, speed, sample damage, surface limitations, and the situations where each method gives the most useful answer.
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03 · Gold Purity
Understanding Gold Purity Standards
Understand fineness, karat, 9999, 999, 995, hallmarks, bullion specifications, and how laboratories report gold content.
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04 · Gold Buying
How to Verify Gold Before Buying
A practical due-diligence path covering seller records, independent testing, chain of custody, payment risk, and common warning signs.
Read pillar guide05 · Responsible Sourcing
Responsible Gold Sourcing
A practical guide to supplier checks, traceability, OECD due diligence, conflict risk, AML, and responsible purchasing decisions.
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06 · Import Compliance
Gold Import Compliance
A practical overview of importer responsibilities, customs, KYC, AML, sanctions, source records, and laboratory verification.
Read pillar guide07 · Gold Export
East Africa Gold Export Documentation
Understand export permits, invoices, certificates of origin, assay reports, customs records, and buyer review before shipment.
Read pillar guide08 · Laboratory Verification
Independent Laboratory Testing
Why independence, secure sample handling, method selection, quality control, and clear reporting matter in precious-metals decisions.
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09 · Trade Support
Trade & Export Support
Understand export agency work, documentation, performance bonds, trade guarantees, financing support, shipment advisory, and transaction coordination.
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10 · Glossary
Precious Metals Industry Glossary
Plain-language definitions for assaying, bullion, doré, cupellation, fineness, karat, LBMA, traceability, refining, XRF, ICP, and related terms.
Read pillar guidePublished articles
Practical Articles for Everyday Questions
Every resource listed below is published and available to read now.
9 published articles
Laboratory Resources
Learn how laboratory testing works, how results are interpreted and why different testing methods are used in different situations.
Published article · 13 min read
What Is a Gold Assay Test and What Do the Results Mean?
Understand what an assay measures, how Fire Assay and XRF differ, how purity is reported, and why laboratory independence matters.
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Published article · 15 min read
Gold Testing Methods: Which One Is Right for You?
Compare visual checks, magnets, hallmarks, density, acid testing, electronic tools, ultrasound, XRF, and Fire Assay by purpose and limitation.
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Published article · 11 min read
Cupellation Method for Raw Gold Evaluation: A Complete Guide
How representative sampling, fusion, cupellation, parting, weighing, quality control, and lead safety shape a raw-gold result.
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Published article · 10 min read
Questions to Ask a Gold Testing Lab Before Submitting Samples
What to ask about independence, method scope, sample preparation, custody, quality control, reporting, timing, fees, and confidentiality.
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Published article · 11 min read
Assay Lab Credibility Indicators Every International Gold Buyer Needs
How to evaluate identity, independence, personnel, method scope, custody, quality control, report clarity, security, and verifiability.
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Published article · 12 min read
Cupellation Accuracy in Fire Assay: What Affects Your Gold Results?
How sampling, inquartation, temperature, cupel condition, oxidation, parting, weighing, quality control, and calculation influence a result.
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Published article · 14 min read
Precious Metal Analysis: Methods, Accuracy, and What to Expect
A method-selection guide covering analytical question, sample form, Fire Assay, XRF, instrumental techniques, reporting, and uncertainty.
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Published article · 11 min read
How Refiners Use Assay Certificates to Confirm Gold Composition
How refiners review supplier data, lot identity, sampling, incoming tests, composition, payable terms, reconciliation, and final settlement.
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Published article · 12 min read
Why Independent Assay Lab Results Are More Credible
Why impartiality, controlled sampling, documented methods, quality checks, and transparent reporting matter when parties have competing interests.
Read article7 published articles
Buyer Resources
Learn how to verify sellers and material, recognise common warning signs, interpret pricing evidence and approach gold purchases with stronger due diligence.
Published article · 14 min read
How to Find Legitimate Gold Sellers in East Africa
A buyer-focused framework for checking company records, mineral licences, seller behaviour, independent assays, payments, and export documents.
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Published article · 12 min read
Red Flags to Watch When Buying Raw Gold in East Africa
A buyer checklist for pricing pressure, seller identity, document consistency, material verification, payment controls, and export records.
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Published article · 15 min read
How to Use Assay Reports to Negotiate Gold Prices
A practical explanation of how assay, verified weight, payable terms, deductions, and market references connect during price discussions.
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Published article · 11 min read
How Professional Gold Buyers Use Assay Labs to Prevent Fraud
How controlled sampling, staged testing, custody, report verification, payment conditions, and retained evidence reduce transaction risk.
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Published article · 11 min read
Due Diligence Checklist for Buying Gold in Sub-Saharan Africa
A structured checklist covering buyer purpose, seller authority, source, material, documents, payment, logistics, compliance, and stop conditions.
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Published article · 10 min read
24 Karat vs 999 Fine Gold: What's the Real Difference?
How the 24-part karat system relates to parts-per-thousand fineness, and why nominal labels still require a measured basis.
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Published article · 11 min read
Karat vs Fineness: What's the Difference in Gold Purity?
A plain-language conversion guide for karat, fineness, percentage, nominal grades, rounding, and assay reporting.
Read article4 published articles
Export Resources
Understand the documents, licences and compliance questions that can affect precious-metals exports and international transactions.
Published article · 13 min read
Gold Export Licensing in Africa: A Complete Guide
A jurisdiction-first framework for exporter authority, consignment permits, valuation, royalties, customs records, logistics, and destination checks.
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Published article · 12 min read
AML Compliance for US Gold Importers From Africa
A risk-based overview of customer due diligence, beneficial ownership, source of funds, transaction monitoring, sanctions, records, and import declarations.
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Published article · 13 min read
Tanzania Mineral Export: Rules, Permits, and Compliance Guide
A practical framework for confirming exporter eligibility, permit type, valuation, royalties, inspection, customs information, and destination documents.
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Published article · 11 min read
Gold Trade Documents: What Every Buyer and Seller Needs
How to organise identity, authority, material, assay, contract, invoice, payment, export, transport, insurance, customs, and receipt records.
Read article4 published articles
Responsible Sourcing
Explore practical guidance on due diligence, conflict-aware sourcing, ESG review and responsible engagement with artisanal gold supply chains.
Published article · 11 min read
Conflict-Free Gold Sourcing: What Buyers Need to Know
How buyers can use risk-based due diligence to examine source, route, counterparties, human-rights concerns, payments, and supplier controls.
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Published article · 12 min read
OECD Due Diligence for African Gold Supply Chains Explained
A practical explanation of the OECD five-step framework, red flags, supplier engagement, risk mitigation, audits, and reporting.
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Published article · 11 min read
How ESG Officers Verify Responsible African Gold Sourcing
How ESG teams connect environmental, social, governance, traceability, supplier, grievance, and performance evidence.
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Published article · 11 min read
Artisanal Gold Mining in Africa: Challenges, Scale, and Solutions
A balanced view of livelihoods, informality, mercury, safety, environment, market access, formalisation, and responsible buyer engagement.
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