GoldBod extends dealership license deadline to June 21

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has officially extended the deadline for small-scale mining companies and gold dealers to apply for licenses under the new regulatory framework to June 21, 2025.

The extension follows a formal petition from the National Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association, Ghana, which requested additional time for its members to gather the necessary documents to comply with the revised gold dealership licensing requirements.

The initial deadline had been set for May 21, 2025, after a previous three-week extension granted by GoldBod.

The new licensing regime follows the revocation of all gold trading licenses previously issued by the now-defunct Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, as part of sweeping reforms under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

These reforms are aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight in Ghana’s gold trade and ensuring transparency in the small-scale mining sector.

In a statement on Thursday, May 22, GoldBod confirmed the extension of the deadline but warned that it will not be extended further after the due date.

The Board stressed that after June 21, only holders of GoldBod licenses will be permitted to purchase, sell, or deal in gold.

Use of licenses issued by the former PMMC or the Ministry will be prohibited beyond the deadline.

According to them, a breach of this directive will be treated as a punishable offense under Act 1140.

Additionally, GoldBod clarified that the export function attached to licenses issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has ceased to be valid as of May 22, 2025.

A part of the statement reads, “Upon consideration of several petitions from stakeholders, the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) wishes to inform the general public, that the deadline for the transition to the new gold trading license regime, has been extended from 21st May, 2025 to 21st June, 2025. Consequently, any person who hold a license issued by the defunct PMMC and/or the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources can continue to purchase and deal in gold with the said licenses until 21st June, 2025.”

It continues, “It must be emphasized, that even though a person may apply for a GoldBod license beyond the new non-extendable deadline of 21st June, 2025, only holders of a GoldBod license will be allowed to purchase, sell or deal in gold after this date. The use of a license issued by the defunct PMMC and/or the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to deal in gold is hereby prohibited beyond the new non-extendable deadline of 21st June, 2025. A breach of this directive shall constitute a punishable offense under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (ACT 1140).”

GoldBod encouraged all dealers and mining companies to comply with the new directive ahead of the non-extendable deadline, warning that failure to do so will attract legal consequences.