The Guyana Gold Board (GGB) was established on May 15, 1982, pursuant to Section 3 of the Guyana Gold Board Act, Chapter 66:01 of the Laws of Guyana. The Act states: “There is hereby established the Guyana Gold Board which shall be a body corporate, and the provisions of the First Schedule shall have effect as to the constitution of the Board and otherwise in relation thereto”.
GGB was created to regulate the purchase and sale of gold in Guyana and to carry on the business of gold trading. In accordance with the Act, all gold produced in Guyana must be sold to the Board or to one of its authorised agents (licensed gold dealers).
OUR MISSION
A trusted partner with all those involved in the Gold Trading industry, displaying high professionalism and values, contributing to the development of Guyana’s economy
FAIR PRICES
The Board secures adequate supplies of gold ensuring equitable distribution at fair prices and engages in other commercial and industrial activities.
TRADING & BARTERING
Where Individuals/Businesses wish to trade or barter in gold and/or precious stones in mining districts, trader’s License must be obtained from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.
In accordance with Section 4 of the Guyana Gold Board Act, the functions of the Board are as follows:
To carry on the business of trading in gold.
To secure at all times an adequate supply of gold and to ensure its equitable distribution in Guyana at fair prices.
Subject to this Act, to purchase all gold produced in Guyana.
Subject to this Act, to sell all gold in Guyana and to sell gold outside Guyana.
To engage in other related commercial or industrial activities.
To better serve stakeholders across the country, GGB operates offices and mobile buying operations in the following locations:
Georgetown
Bartica
Port Kaituma
Marudi
Mahdia
Obligation to Sell Gold to the Guyana Gold Board
Under Section 6(2) of the Guyana Gold Board Act, Chapter 66:01, all miners (producers) who win or obtain gold during mining operations are required to sell the gold to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) or to a licensed gold dealer authorised by the Board. This must be done within 24 hours of bringing the gold to Georgetown or any other location announced by the Minister in the Official Gazette.
Keeping Gold for Personal Use
Miners who wish to keep some gold for personal use must apply to the Board for permission. The Board may allow a miner to keep a small amount for personal, non-commercial use.
For more information, please contact the Guyana Gold Board.
Under Section 7 of the Guyana Gold Board Act, Chapter 66:01, it is illegal for anyone who is not a producer (gold miner) to possess raw gold in Guyana.
Anyone who unlawfully holds gold must sell it to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) or to an authorised licensed gold dealer within twenty-eight (28) days from the date the Act came into force.
Exceptions to This Rule:
The following persons are legally allowed to possess gold:
For any questions or to report illegal gold possession, please get in touch with the Guyana Gold Board.
Gold Must Be Sold to or Purchased from the Guyana Gold Board
Under Section 8 of the Guyana Gold Board Act, Chapter 66:01, no one is allowed to sell or purchase gold from any person other than the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) or an agent (licensed gold dealer) authorised in writing by the Board. Additionally, no person is allowed to export gold without proper authorisation.
Exceptions to the Rule
The exceptions to Sections 7 and 8 of the Act are provided in Sections 9 and 10, which allow certain persons to possess, purchase, or export gold under specific conditions.
A. Licensed Gold Dealers: Authority to Purchase and Export Gold
Under Section 9(1) of the Act, persons who apply to the Guyana Gold Board in the prescribed manner may be granted authorisation to:
Such persons, once approved, are referred to as Licensed Gold Dealers.
B. Licensed Traders: Authority to Purchase Gold Through Bartering
Under Section 9(2), a person who is authorised under the Tax Act to sell, barter, or display goods for sale in a mining district may advance money or supply goods to a miner, with payment being made in gold obtained through mining activities.
Conditions for Licensed Traders (Bartering):
C. Licensed Traders: Authority to Purchase Gold
Under Section 10 of the Act, a person authorised under the Tax Act to trade in mining districts is also permitted to purchase gold directly from miners.
Conditions for Licensed Traders (Purchasing):
The trader must inform the Guyana Gold Board within fourteen (14) days of purchasing gold.
For more information on how to apply for a licence or to report concerns, please contact the Guyana Gold Board.
In accordance with Section 7(3)(a) of the Guyana Gold Board Act, Chapter 66:01, only a person holding a valid Goldsmith’s Licence issued by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) under Section 59 of the Tax Act, Chapter 80:01 is legally authorised to possess gold.
As such, the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) may sell gold directly to these licensed goldsmiths.
Required Documents for Purchasing Gold
Licensed goldsmiths must present the following documents when purchasing gold from the Guyana Gold Board:
Third-Party Authorisation
If a licensed goldsmith wishes to authorise someone else to purchase gold on their behalf, the following additional documents must be submitted:
All customers are reminded that these requirements help ensure compliance with national AML/CFT laws and regulations and support efforts to prevent illegal gold trading.
Documents for Director(s) and Beneficial Owner(s) of a Company:
In addition to the documents required for the different types of customers (whether a natural person customer, registered business, partnership or legal person customer, a person licenced to trade in valuable minerals and precious stones by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission under section 58 of the Tax Act, Chapter 80:01 is required to produce the following documents when selling gold to Guyana Gold Board:
Yes, a customer may authorise a third party to conduct business on their behalf.
In addition to the documents required for the relevant customer, the third party is required to produce the following documents:
1 Troy Ounce = 31.1 Grams
1 Troy Ounce = 20 Pennyweights
1 Pennyweight = 24 Grains
To convert:
Grams to Troy ounces – Divide by 31.10348
Grams to Pennyweights – Multiply by 0.643014
Pennyweights to Grains – Multiply by 24
The answer is the density of your gold.
Our Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and ensures accountability in all operations.
Our Management Team ensures the efficient execution of the Board’s mandate and policies.
General Manager
Administrative Manager
Finance Manager
Laboratory Manager
Senior Internal Auditor
Legal / Compliance Manager
Manager - Mobile Buying and Outlying Areas
Manager - Bartica Branch
Manager - Port Kaituma Branch
Senior Special Projects Officer
