Ministry of Mines, Energy & Rural Electrification

Solomon Islands Government

Ministry of Mines, Energy & Rural Electrification

Gold Dealers Licence

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification may issue a Gold Dealer's Licence to any licensed bank in the Solomon Islands or to an individual who is over 21 years old, is a citizen of the Solomon Islands, has not been convicted for an offence involving dishonesty or fraud and is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence who the Board is of the opinion that they understand the provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act well enough to be able to carry out the obligations imposed under the Act.

  • Prerequisites +

    In order to lodge an Application for a Gold Dealers Licence, Applicants are required to fill in the appropriate application form and to make a payment to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

    pdf Gold Dealers Licence Application Form (145 KB) Standard Forms

    A valid Application constitutes a completed Application Form that meets all requirements (see Step 2 below for a checklist) and a receipt from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury indicating payment of fees.

    Applications are processed in the order that they are officially received by the Director of Mines.

    A Gold Dealer's Licence shall be valid for one year from the date of issue and may be renewed on payment of the prescribed fee.

    A Gold Dealer's Licence is not transferable.

    The Minister may grant a Gold Dealer's Licence to a government agency with Terms and Conditions that he or she deems fit.

    A Gold Dealer's Licence may at any time be cancelled by the Minister on the licensee being convicted of any offence which, in the opinion of the Minister, renders the licensee unfit to hold the licence.

  • Application Requirements Checklist +

    Filled Application Forms and proof of payment of appropriate fees (the receipt from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury) need to be lodged at the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Executive Secretary's (EPS) Office.

    Application Requirements Checklist

    Applications for a Reconnaissance Permit are made to the Director of Mines by filling out the appropriate form and must also include the following:

    • Applicants name, age, nationality and business address as required by form - in the case of an application by a corporate body, the registered name and address of the body must also be provided
    • Any additional information that the Director requires
    • Evidence of payment of application fees

    Contact the EPS

    Applications that are lodged that do not meet the threshold requirements will not be considered.

  • Director Submits Application to Board +

    Applications can be hand-delivered to the Executive Personal Secretary's (EPS) office or to the Director of Mines. After an Application is processed, the Director of Mines will receive it, date it and pass it on to the Mines & Minerals Board with recommendations from his office.

    Mines & Minerals Board Contact the EPS Contact Director of Mines

    The Director of Mines and his Officers will prepare Applicants documents and Licence and submit them to the Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification.

    Requirements: a current Police Clearance and SBD $2,000.00 fee are required for this application process.

  • Minister Decision +

    The Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, upon receiving the Applicants documents and recommendations from the Director of Mines, will make a decision on award of the Licence.

    A Gold Dealer's Licence includes details such as the number and date of issue, the name of the gold dealer and his/her contact details (including any registered business address), the period for which it is granted and the terms and conditions upon which it is granted.

    Contact the Director of Mines

  • Gold Dealer's Licence Granted +

    Gold may be exported by a holder of a Gold Dealer's Licence or any person who can provide proof that they purchased gold from a Licensed Gold Dealer. Please contact us for more information.

    Any person who has purchased gold from a dealer and wishes to export gold must first apply to do so to the Director of Mines. If the Director approves the application he shall issue a certificate authorising the export. When gold has been exported by that person, written details of the gold exported must be provided  to the Director.

    Each consignment of gold that is exported by a Licensed Gold Dealer must be recorded by the dealer in a registry and must include the following details :

    • A unique reference number for the consignment
    • A description of the gold exported
    • The weight of gold exported
    • The date of export
    • The name or flight number of the exporting vessel or aircraft
    • The cost of freight, insurance and other charges relating to the export
    • The name and address of the consignee, and following refining and sale outside Solomon Islands :
      • The refinery certificate number
      • The cost of refining
      • The weight in grams of gold and any other metals recovered after refining
      • The amount of foreign currency realised by the sale of the consignment

  • Export of Gold +

    Gold may be exported by a holder of a Gold Dealer's Licence or any person who can provide proof that they purchased gold from a Licensed Gold Dealer. Please contact us for more information.

    Any person who has purchased gold from a dealer and wishes to export gold must first apply to do so to the Director of Mines. If the Director approves the application he shall issue a certificate authorising the export. When gold has been exported by that person, written details of the gold exported must be provided  to the Director.

    Each consignment of gold that is exported by a Licensed Gold Dealer must be recorded by the dealer in a registry and must include the following details :

    • A unique reference number for the consignment
    • A description of the gold exported
    • The weight of gold exported
    • The date of export
    • The name or flight number of the exporting vessel or aircraft
    • The cost of freight, insurance and other charges relating to the export
    • The name and address of the consignee, and following refining and sale outside Solomon Islands :
      • The refinery certificate number
      • The cost of refining
      • The weight in grams of gold and any other metals recovered after refining
      • The amount of foreign currency realised by the sale of the consignment

  • Rights and Obligations of Licence Holders +

    Rights of a Licensed Gold Dealer

    Provided that both purchases and sales are carried out at the registered place of business of the Licensed Gold Dealer, the holder of a Gold Dealer's Licence, together with his//her servants and agents, has the right to the following :

    • Purchase gold from either the holder of an Alluvial Miner's Permit, or from another Licensed Gold Dealer
    • Sell gold to any person within Solomon Islands
    • Export gold

    Obligations of a Licensed Gold Dealer

    • Licensed Gold Dealers are required to maintain a balance capable of weighing up to 500 grams to the nearest 0.1 grams and to provide proof to the Director of Mines that the balance is accurate.
    • All gold purchased by the Licensed Gold Dealer must be recorded in numbered receipts and all purchases of gold by a dealer must be recorded in a register which must include the following details :
      • Receipt number and date of purchase
      • Name and address of the seller and his Alluvial Miners Permit number or Gold Dealer's Licence number, whichever is the case
      • The weight of the gold purchased
      • The purchase price paid to the seller
    • Each sale of gold be a dealer must be signed by the dealers employee or agent and must also be recorded in a register which must include the following details :
      • The date of the sale
      • The name and address of the purchaser
      • The weight of gold sold
      • The price paid by the dealer
    • A Licensed Gold Dealer must have their Licence available at all times at their registered place of business and shall make it available upon request by the Director of Mines or any authorised inspectors.
    • A gold dealer who used the purchased gold in the manufacture of any items for trade or other purposes must keep a record of all such activity.

    Any person who makes a false entry or otherwise contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction before a magistrate to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment.

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