
Gold Dore Bar Trading
What is Gold Dore Bar?
A gold doré bar is a semi-pure alloy of gold and other metals, such as silver, copper, or sometimes small amounts of platinum or palladium. It is produced as an intermediate product during the refining of gold ore. Unlike refined gold bars (which are 99.5% to 99.99% pure), doré bars are less refined and typically contain between 50% to 90% gold, depending on the source.
Key Features of Gold Doré Bars:
- Composition:
Primarily gold + silver (most common).
May also contain copper, platinum, or other impurities.
Exact composition depends on the mine source. - Production Process:
Made during mining operations before full refining.
Created by smelting gold-bearing ore to remove bulk impurities.
Further refined to produce 999 pure gold bars. - Appearance:
Rough, unpolished look (not as shiny as pure gold).
Often irregular in shape and size.
May have a dull yellow or reddish tint due to copper/silver content. - Uses:
Sold to refiners for purification into investment-grade gold.
Sometimes used as-is in industrial applications.
Traded between miners and refiners at a discount to spot gold prices (due to impurities). - Pricing:
Valued based on actual gold content (e.g., a 70% gold doré bar is priced at 70% of the spot gold price, minus refining costs).
Refiners charge a fee to process doré into pure gold.

Difference Between Doré Bars and Refined Gold Bars:
| Feature | Gold Doré Bar | Refined Gold Bar (e.g., LBMA Standard) |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 50%-90% gold | 99.5% – 99.99% (995, 999, 9999 fine) |
| Form | Rough, uneven | Smooth, stamped, uniform (e.g., 1kg bars) |
| Market | Sold to refiners | Traded globally (bullion markets) |
| Value | Based on gold content | Based on exact purity & weight |
Who Handles Gold Doré Bars?
- Miners: Produce doré bars on-site.
- Refiners: Buy and process them into pure gold.
- Governments: Some countries impose export restrictions on doré to encourage local refining.
Gold Doré Bars in the World Market
Gold doré bars are traded globally but operate differently from refined gold due to their semi-pure nature. Here’s how they function in the world market:
1. Key Players in the Doré Market
- Gold Miners: Produce doré bars as a byproduct of mining.
- Refiners: Major companies like PAMP, Valcambi, Metalor, and Rand Refinery buy doré for processing.
- Bullion Banks & Traders: Act as intermediaries between miners and refiners.
- National Governments: Some countries (e.g., Ghana, DRC) require local refining before export.
2. Pricing & Valuation
Doré bars are not priced at full spot gold value—instead, they are sold at a discount based on:
- Gold Content (e.g., 80% gold = 80% of spot price).
- Impurities (silver, copper, etc. may have some value).
- Refining Costs (typically 1-5% of gold content value).
Example Calculation:
- If spot gold = $2,300/oz
- A 10kg doré bar (80% gold) contains 8kg pure gold (~257 oz).
- Gross Value = 257 × 2,300=∗∗2,300=∗∗591,100**
- Refining Cost (3%) = $17,733
- Net Value to Miner ≈ $573,367
3. Major Trading Hubs
| Region | Key Markets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | South Africa, Ghana, DRC | Large doré production, but some export restrictions. |
| Latin America | Peru, Brazil, Mexico | Sold to US/European refiners. |
| North America | USA, Canada | Major refiners like Asahi (US) & Royal Canadian Mint. |
| Asia | China, India, UAE | Dubai is a growing doré hub due to lax regulations. |
| Europe | Switzerland, UK | Swiss refiners dominate global processing. |
4. Export & Regulatory Challenges
- Local Refining Laws: Some countries (e.g., Ghana, Tanzania) ban raw doré exports to boost local refining.
- AML & Transparency: Doré bars are sometimes linked to conflict gold (e.g., DRC, Sudan). Buyers must follow OECD Due Diligence.
- Taxes & Royalties: Miners may face export taxes (e.g., 5-10% in some African nations).
5. How Doré Enters the Bullion Market
- Miner sells doré → Refiner or trader.
- Refiner assays & processes → Converts to LBMA-approved gold bars.
- Pure gold enters market → Sold to banks, ETFs, or jewelers.
Profit Margins: Refiners make money on the spread between doré discounts and pure gold sales.

6. Risks in Doré Trading
- Fraud Risk: Fake doré bars (tungsten-filled) have been reported.
- Price Volatility: Miners face gold price fluctuations before refining.
- Political Risk: Export bans or sudden taxes can disrupt trade.
Gold Doré Bar Refining Process & Regulations
Gold doré bars are semi-pure and must undergo refining to remove impurities (silver, copper, platinum, etc.) before they can be traded as investment-grade bullion. Below is a detailed breakdown of the refining process and key regulations affecting doré bars.
1. Gold Doré Refining Process
Step 1: Sampling & Assaying
- Sampling: A small piece is cut from the doré bar and analyzed.
- Assaying: Fire assay (cupellation) or X-ray fluorescence (XRF) determines exact gold content.
- Impurity Analysis: Checks for silver, copper, platinum, palladium, and hazardous elements (e.g., mercury).
Step 2: Melting & Initial Purification
- Smelting: The doré bar is melted in a furnace (~1,100°C).
- Fluxing Agents (borax, soda ash, silica) are added to separate impurities into slag.
- Dore Metal (gold + silver mix) is poured into anodes for electrolysis.
Step 3: Electrolysis (Miller or Wohlwill Process)
A. Miller Process (Chlorination – for high-purity gold)
- Chlorine gas is bubbled through molten doré.
- Impurities (silver, copper) form chlorides and separate.
- Result: ~99.5% pure gold (needs further refining for 9999 purity).
B. Wohlwill Process (Electrolytic – for 99.99% gold)
- Anodes of impure gold are placed in gold chloride & HCl solution.
- Pure gold deposits on cathodes (stainless steel).
- Result: 99.99% pure gold (LBMA standard).
Step 4: Silver & PGMs Recovery
- Silver is recovered from slimes via silver electrolysis or chemical precipitation.
- Platinum & palladium (if present) are extracted using solvent extraction or ion exchange.
Step 5: Casting into Pure Gold Bars
- Molten gold is poured into moulds (1kg, 100oz, 400oz LBMA bars).
- Stamped with purity (999.9), weight, and refiner’s hallmark.

2. Key Regulations for Doré Bars
A. Export & Import Laws
| Country | Regulation | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana | Must refine locally (no raw doré exports) | Miners must sell to Ghanaian refiners. |
| Tanzania | 1% royalty + export ban on unprocessed gold | Encourages local refining. |
| DRC | Conflict mineral laws (OECD due diligence) | Buyers must prove gold is conflict-free. |
| UAE (Dubai) | Loose regulations (major doré hub) | Attracts African/Latin American doré. |
| USA | IRS Form 1099-B for large gold sales | Miners must report transactions. |
B. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & Conflict Gold Rules
- OECD Due Diligence: Refiners must trace gold back to mine source.
- LBMA Responsible Sourcing: Refiners must audit suppliers for child labor, conflict funding.
- Dodd-Frank Act (US): Bans conflict gold from DRC & adjoining regions.
C. Taxes & Royalties
- Mining Royalties: Many countries charge 3-10% on doré sales.
- VAT/GST: Some nations tax doré exports (e.g., 5% in Peru).
- Withholding Taxes: Miners may pay 10-15% on doré sales abroad.
3. Risks in Doré Refining & Trade
- Fraud: Fake doré bars (tungsten-filled) can fool assays.
- Theft & Smuggling: Doré is often smuggled to avoid taxes.
- Environmental Laws: Cyanide/mercury use in refining is restricted in some countries.
AAJP Global Services as a Gold Doré Bar Provider
AAJP Global appears to be a company involved in the sourcing, trading, and/or refining of gold doré bars. While specific details about the company may vary, here’s a general breakdown of what a gold doré provider typically does and what you should verify when dealing with such firms.
1. What Does AAJP Global Services do as Gold Doré Provider?
A company like AAJP Global likely operates in one or more of the following roles:
Supplier/Trader: Sources doré bars from mines and sells them to refiners.
Refiner: Processes raw doré into pure gold (if they have refining capabilities).
Exporter/Importer: Facilitates cross-border doré trade (subject to regulations).
- Key Services They we Offer:
Doré bar sourcing (from Africa, Latin America, etc.) - Assaying & quality verification before shipment
- Negotiating refining contracts
- Ability to supply large quantities of Gold Dore Bar through a long term purchasing Agreement
- Secure Vaults storage and secure consignment handling through renown security companies worldwide
- Export/import documentation & compliance

We have vetted by physically visiting the mine sites and conducting on-the-ground due diligence. Our internal procedures, security protocols and logistical/transactional insurances all mean that we can offer doré bar product in varying quantities and under our own export licenses, with complete confidence.
AAJP Global Services is a company specifically formed with the intent to engage in the trading of physical commodities with Transparency, Trust, Integrity, and Responsible Procurement on a global level. Dust consists of fine particles of gold and they are originated naturally or by machining.
Conclusion:
Gold doré bars are a crucial but less transparent part of the gold supply chain. They trade at discounts and require refining before entering the official bullion market. Switzerland, UAE, and the USA are major processing hubs, while Africa and Latin America are key producers.
Gold doré refining is a complex, highly regulated process that transforms semi-pure gold into LBMA-standard bars. Switzerland, UAE, and the USA dominate refining, while Africa and Latin America face strict export rules. Miners must navigate taxes, AML laws, and refining costs to maximize profits.
Please contact us for further more information’s in regard with the Gold Dore Bar trading process on commodities@aajpglobal.com



