Raw gold refers to unrefined gold in forms like:

• Gold dust: Fine particles from alluvial mining.

• Gold nuggets: Natural solid pieces.

• Gold dore bars: Semi-pure bars (60–90% gold) produced by artisanal miners or small-scale operations.

Primary Sources:

• • Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM): Accounts for ~20% of Africa’s gold production (e.g., Ghana, Mali, Tanzania, DRC, Burkina Faso).

  • Informal networks: Often traded through local brokers or markets.

Highly regulated and often restricted. Most African countries ban unauthorized export of unrefined gold.

Export typically requires:

• Government licenses.
• Proof of ethical sourcing (anti-money laundering/KYC checks).
• Payment of royalties/taxes.

Caution: Illegal trade is rampant and linked to smuggling, conflict financing, and money laundering.

Critical steps:

1. 1. Assay test: Measure purity (e.g., XRF analyzer, fire assay, Acid Test).

   2. Density test: Gold is dense (19.3 g/cm³); fakes (e.g., gold-plated tungsten) fail.

   3. Reputable intermediaries: Use licensed brokers or refiners.

• Red flags: Prices “too good to be true,” sellers avoiding verification.

• Fraud: Counterfeit gold (e.g., metal alloys, gold-coated scrap).

• Legal issues: Confiscation if lacking export permits.

• Safety: Physical danger during illicit transactions.