Dore Bar Trading
Gold Dore Bars: Complete Guide
Everything institutional buyers need to know about dore bar trading, purity verification, and export logistics from Uganda.
What Are Gold Dore Bars?
Gold dore bars are semi-pure gold bars produced at or near the mine site. They typically contain 60%–95% pure gold, with the remainder consisting of silver and trace base metals. Dore bars represent the first refined form of mined gold and serve as the standard intermediate product in the global gold supply chain.
For institutional buyers, dore bars offer significant advantages: lower premiums than refined bullion, direct traceability to mining cooperatives, and compatibility with refinery processing workflows worldwide.
Key Characteristics:
- Purity range: 60%–95% gold content
- Weight: Typically 1–25 kg per bar
- Form: Rough-cast, unpolished bars
- Certification: Assay certificate required per bar
Dore vs Refined Gold
| Feature | Dore Bar | Refined Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 60–95% | 99.5–99.99% |
| Price Premium | Low (2–5%) | Higher (5–8%) |
| Traceability | Mine-to-buyer | Refinery-origin |
| Processing | Requires refining | Ready for use |
| LBMA Status | Pre-Good Delivery | Good Delivery |
The Dore Bar Export Pipeline
Sourcing & Smelting
Artisanal gold from Ugandan cooperatives is smelted into dore bars at our Mubende facility under DGSM supervision.
Assay & Certification
Each bar undergoes XRF and fire assay verification. A certificate of analysis is issued per LBMA sampling protocols.
Licensed Export
DGSM-approved export with full URA customs clearance, chain-of-custody documentation, and secure logistics.
LBMA Alignment & Institutional Standards
While dore bars are not themselves LBMA Good Delivery bars, our sourcing and assay protocols align with LBMA Responsible Sourcing Guidance. Every bar we export can be traced to its cooperative of origin, and our documentation meets the standards required by LBMA-affiliated refineries for acceptance and further refining.
For Institutional Buyers
- ✓Full assay documentation per bar
- ✓OECD-compliant due diligence package
- ✓Chain-of-custody from mine to delivery
- ✓DGSM-licensed export clearance
Refinery Acceptance Criteria
- ✓Minimum 60% gold content
- ✓Certified assay certificate
- ✓Sealed packaging with tamper evidence
- ✓Export license documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical purity of Ugandan gold dore bars?
Ugandan dore bars typically range from 60% to 95% gold content, depending on the mining region and ore composition. Mubende district dore bars average 80–90% gold.
Can dore bars be shipped internationally without refining?
Yes. Dore bars are routinely shipped internationally with proper DGSM export licenses, URA customs clearance, and full chain-of-custody documentation. Receiving refineries then process them to 99.99% purity.
What documentation accompanies each dore bar shipment?
Each shipment includes: assay certificate (XRF + fire assay), DGSM export license, URA customs declaration, chain-of-custody log, OECD due diligence documentation, and insurance certificate.
How does dore bar pricing compare to spot gold?
Dore bars trade at a discount to spot gold (typically 2–5% below London Fix) reflecting the remaining refining cost. This makes them attractive to refineries and large-scale buyers.
Request Dore Bar Specifications
Receive our current dore bar inventory, assay reports, and pricing. Our compliance team responds within 4 business hours.