South Africa and other African countries have come to acknowledge the important contribution that gold beneficiation can make to broader socio-economic upliftment and sustainable development on the continent. In recognition of this contribution, the Gold Zone, a joint initiative between AngloGold Ashanti Limited and Rand Refinery, was established in October 2000 to assist gold jewellery manufacturers to beneficiate African gold for export.

Aimed at nurturing the ancient art of goldsmithing in South Africa, the Gold Zone’s objective is to firmly establish an internationally competitive gold jewellery manufacturing zone where pure African gold is beneficiated on an internationally competitive basis for export to global markets. Alan Mair Manufacturing Jewellers, one of South Africa’s largest manufacturing jewellers, and Intsika, gold jewellery and alloy manufacturers, are two of the first entities to reap the benefits of the Gold Zone. 

The Gold Zone, which is situated on land donated by Rand Refinery, measures 3.3 hectares and lies adjacent to the refinery’s premises.  Gold Zone tenants can benefit in the following manner from their association with the refinery:

• South Africa has a 6% tariff advantage over the European Union in respect of imports into the USA
• Financial incentives are offered by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to companies involved in the beneficiation of gold
• Internationally competitive gold loan finance rates
• Rand Refinery's state of the art security infrastructure
• Direct and secure access to gold from the refinery in the various forms required by manufacturing jewellers
• Secure export facilities of the final products via the refinery’s vaults at OR Tambo International Airport
• Low rentals calculated based on a "nil" land cost
• Low electricity and water costs
• Joint marketing of Gold Zone-produced products

Linked to the overarching objective
of the Gold Zone is an important subsidiary aim to develop jewellery manufacturing by facilitating skills development and training in manufacturing and design. Housed within the Gold Zone, Intsika is just such an initiative: providing jewellery design and manufacturing training to formerly unemployed young people from the local community. Recognising the importance of the project and its potential, Rand Refinery donated space to Intsika in the Gold Zone and continues to supply the learners with the precious metals that they need to create their pieces.

Please click here for a copy of the Gold Zone fact sheet.

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