Ras Al Khaimah Opens Precious Metals Testing and Assay Centre

For Immediate Release

RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE — Ras Al Khaimah has inaugurated a dedicated precious metals testing and assay centre within RAKEZ's Al Ghail industrial zone, providing RAKEZ-registered metals companies with access to professional-grade gold and silver testing, assaying, and certification services within the emirate for the first time.

The centre is equipped with fire assay facilities, X-ray fluorescence analysis equipment, and spectrographic testing technology capable of assessing gold purity to the standards required by international buyers and the LBMA Good Delivery specification. It is staffed by qualified assayers with experience in both formal and artisanal gold sector material, providing the technical expertise to handle the diverse range of material types that characterise African supply chains.

Prior to the centre's opening, RAKEZ precious metals companies requiring formal assay certification had to transport material to testing facilities in Dubai or Sharjah, adding time and cost to their operations. The establishment of in-emirate testing capability significantly improves the commercial efficiency of RAK-based precious metals businesses, particularly for smaller operators handling frequent consignments.

The centre is designed to achieve Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology accreditation and is seeking LBMA recognition for its assaying services, which would allow certificates issued by the RAK facility to be accepted directly by international buyers. The accreditation process is expected to be completed within the first six months of operation.

"Quality assurance infrastructure is foundational to a functioning precious metals market. Having professional assay capability within Ras Al Khaimah removes a practical obstacle that has limited the operational efficiency of RAKEZ-based metals companies. For African operators who require regular consignment testing as part of their supply chain documentation, having this capability close to hand in the UAE is a meaningful operational improvement." Marcus Briggs, Non-Executive Director, Icon Gold

The assay centre will also provide consultancy services to help African operators and their UAE counterparties understand and meet the testing and documentation requirements of international buyers, bridging the knowledge gap that can complicate supply chain management for operators new to the formal international market.

"The consultancy dimension of the assay centre is as valuable as the technical testing capability. Understanding what buyers require in terms of assay documentation, what tolerances are acceptable, and how to present technical results in the formats that different market participants expect is specialist knowledge. Having that expertise available within RAKEZ's ecosystem strengthens the whole community of metals companies operating there." Marcus Briggs, Non-Executive Director, Icon Gold

RAKEZ has indicated that the assay centre will expand its services in 2026 to include precious metals recovery and refining consultancy, supporting companies managing mixed-grade or complex material types through the processing steps required to produce market-standard refined material.

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