The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), through its Office of Precious Minerals (OPM), has introduced new regulations to strengthen transparency, accountability, and government oversight of the gold trade.
The Minister of Mines and Energy, R. Matenokay Tingban, said, the new measures include the introduction of a Gold Traceability System, designed to improve monitoring of the gold sector, combat illicit mineral trafficking, and promote responsible, and transparent mineral governance.
Under the directives the Office of Precious Minerals issued, licensed Class ‘B,’ and Class ‘C’ gold miners, dealers, brokers, and mining agents, will be required to comply with the new traceability requirements.
A key component of the initiative is the mandatory use of Gold Traceability Vouchers, which will take effect on October 1, 2026.
According to a July 21 directive issued to Class ‘B,’ and Class ‘C’ miners, dealers, and brokers, all gold transactions must be properly documented using official traceability vouchers obtained from the Office of Precious Minerals.
The vouchers are intended to establish a clear record of gold purchases, sales, and transfers, allowing authorities to track the movement of gold from mining sites through the domestic market, and ultimately to export.
Under the new regulations, miners, dealers, and brokers will be required to maintain completed Gold Traceability Vouchers as part of their official business records.
Gold dealers seeking government approval to export gold will also be required to submit the relevant traceability vouchers as part of their export documentation.
In addition, all license holders must present completed traceability vouchers when applying for the renewal of their Class ‘B,’ Class ‘C,’ Dealer, or Broker licenses.
The Ministry said, the Office of Precious Minerals, and the Bureau of Mines, will conduct periodic compliance inspections to ensure that participants in the gold sector adhere to the new requirements.
As part of preparations for the implementation of the system, the Ministry has scheduled mandatory training sessions for licensed gold dealers, and brokers on the proper completion, and use of the Gold Traceability Forms.
According to an August 4 memorandum issued by the Office of Precious Minerals, licensed gold dealers are required to attend a training session on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
Licensed gold brokers will attend a separate training session on Friday, August 14, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m.
The Ministry has emphasized the need for invited participants to be attendance at the training sessions, which is mandatory, and warned that excuses for absence will not be accepted.
Officials said, the training is intended to ensure that licensed stakeholders fully understand the procedures for completing, and using the Gold Traceability Forms before the system becomes mandatory in October.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen regulatory oversight, discourage illicit gold trading, and reinforce commitment to responsible mineral development.
The government has urged licensed miners, dealers, brokers, agents, and other stakeholders in the gold sector to fully cooperate with the new measures.
