About · Earthly Metals
01 / 03

Bars

Bars
Cast & Minted

LBMA-grade bars refined to 999.9 fine gold — investment ready, fully documented.

Our story

A continental network built deal by deal.

Earthly Metals began with a simple conviction: African gold deserves a trade partner that respects miners, protects buyers, and upholds every regulatory standard. From a small Kampala office in 2013, we have grown into a multi-country operation that handles every step of the gold value chain.

Today we operate across ten African nations with a refinery, custody and logistics network that reaches every major trading hub. Our reputation is built on documented chain-of-custody, certified assay results and settlement that lands on time, every time.

10+
Countries
$1.4B
Transacted
350+
Mining Partners
99.99%
Refined Purity
Integrity Transparency Provenance Compliance Craftsmanship Trust Integrity Transparency Provenance Compliance Craftsmanship Trust
Our journey

Twelve years of quiet excellence

  1. 2013
    Founded in Kampala

    Earthly Metals begins as a specialised trade desk serving artisanal Ugandan miners.

  2. 2016
    Cross-border expansion

    First sourcing partnerships established in DR Congo, Tanzania and Burkina Faso.

  3. 2018
    Refinery network

    Tolling agreements signed with South African and UAE refinery partners.

  4. 2020
    Custody & vaulting

    Launched allocated custody product for institutional buyers and family offices.

  5. 2022
    ISO certifications

    Earned ISO 9001, 14001 and 22000 across our operations and trade desk.

  6. 2025
    Pan-African reach

    Trusted partners in 10+ African nations with $1.4B+ in gold transacted.

Why Earthly Metals

The gold standard for African gold trade

Six commitments that shape every deal — from the first phone call to the final settlement.

Integrity First

Every transaction documented, every counterparty verified, every promise kept.

Independent compliance review on every consignment — no shortcuts, ever.

Transparent Pricing

Live LBMA-linked rates with no hidden spread or surprise fees.

Certified Assay

Independent laboratory results back every gram we trade.

Secure Logistics

Armed, insured cross-border transport to refinery or vault.

Fair Settlement

Fast payment, clear documentation, miner-friendly terms.

Pan-African Reach

Trusted partners in 10+ countries — sourcing where the gold is.

10+ countries · 50+ partners

Continental presence

Ten markets. One trusted network.

From the Great Lakes to the Sahel, our verified supply network connects African gold to global buyers — securely, transparently, ethically.

  • Uganda
    Uganda
    Headquarters · Trade Desk
  • DR Congo
    DR Congo
    Sourcing Hub
  • Mali
    Mali
    Sourcing · Partners
  • South Africa
    South Africa
    Refinery Network
  • Burkina Faso
    Burkina Faso
    Sourcing · Partners
  • Sudan
    Sudan
    Sourcing · Logistics
  • Guinea
    Guinea
    Sourcing · Mining
  • Tanzania
    Tanzania
    Logistics Corridor
  • Côte d'Ivoire
    Côte d'Ivoire
    Sourcing · Partners
  • Zimbabwe
    Zimbabwe
    Sourcing · Partners
Earthly Metals
Network Map
  • Uganda
    Uganda
    Headquarters · Trade Desk
    Trade desk · 5,000+ kg/yr settled
    Trade DeskCustodyExport
  • DR Congo
    DR Congo
    Sourcing Hub
    2,400 kg/yr verified inflow
    SourcingAssayLogistics
  • Mali
    Mali
    Sourcing · Partners
    900 kg/yr partner sourcing
    SourcingPartners
  • South Africa
    South Africa
    Refinery Network
    LBMA-accredited refining up to 99.99%
    RefiningAssayBullion
  • Burkina Faso
    Burkina Faso
    Sourcing · Partners
    650 kg/yr partner sourcing
    SourcingPartners
  • Sudan
    Sudan
    Sourcing · Logistics
    1,100 kg/yr · bonded corridor
    SourcingLogisticsBonded
  • Guinea
    Guinea
    Sourcing · Mining
    Mine-direct · 800 kg/yr
    MiningSourcing
  • Tanzania
    Tanzania
    Logistics Corridor
    Dar es Salaam export gateway
    LogisticsExportInsurance
  • Côte d'Ivoire
    Côte d'Ivoire
    Sourcing · Partners
    500 kg/yr partner sourcing
    SourcingPartners
  • Zimbabwe
    Zimbabwe
    Sourcing · Partners
    700 kg/yr partner sourcing
    SourcingPartners
10 locations · Africa Network
10+
African Markets
12yr
On the Ground
99.99%
Refined Purity
$1.4B
Gold Transacted
24/7
Trade Desk
The team

Senior people. Local expertise.

Senior leaders who have operated, traded and refined gold across Africa for decades.

Portrait of Joel Nakato, Managing Director at Earthly Metals

Joel Nakato

Managing Director
Portrait of Patrick Lumumba, Head of Sourcing at Earthly Metals

Patrick Lumumba

Head of Sourcing
Portrait of Aisha Diallo, Compliance Lead at Earthly Metals

Aisha Diallo

Compliance Lead
Portrait of Sipho Dlamini, Refinery Partnerships at Earthly Metals

Sipho Dlamini

Refinery Partnerships
Trusted globally

Voices from our partners

Reviews from miners, traders, refiners, jewellers and investors across Africa, Europe and beyond.

Amani Okello
Amani Okello
Mine Operator

"Smoothest gold deal I've ever closed in Kampala. Payment landed before the truck did."

Léa Mbeki
Léa Mbeki
Trader

"Their assay results match independent labs every time. That's the trust we need."

Karim Diop
Karim Diop
Exporter

"From sampling to shipment in 11 days. Documentation was flawless for customs."

Naledi Khumalo
Naledi Khumalo
Investor

"Allocated bullion, audited vault, transparent fees. Exactly what an investor wants."

Issa Ouédraogo
Issa Ouédraogo
Miner

"Fair pricing for artisanal output. They respect the work and pay the value."

Tariq Hassan
Tariq Hassan
Refiner

"Their doré quality is consistent — we tole their material with confidence."

Fatou Camara
Fatou Camara
Co-op Lead

"They onboarded our cooperative properly. Real KYC, real respect, real results."

Joseph Mwakikagile
Joseph Mwakikagile
Buyer

"Logistics was the part I feared most. They handled the entire corridor securely."

Aya Koffi
Aya Koffi
Jeweller

"Refined granules arrived on schedule, weight perfect to the milligram."

Tendai Moyo
Tendai Moyo
Family Office

"We've moved our gold allocation to their custody — clean reporting and clear title."

Andreas Keller
Andreas Keller
LBMA Refiner

"Their doré meets our intake spec every shipment. Zero rework, zero surprises."

Oliver Whitfield
Oliver Whitfield
Bullion Dealer

"A rare African counterparty that answers on London hours. Settlement is textbook."

Klara Weiss
Klara Weiss
Precious Metals Trader

"Pricing discipline you rarely see off-market. Their spreads are honest."

Matteo Ricci
Matteo Ricci
Vicenza Jeweller

"Consistent 999.9 granules for our casting line — a supply we can actually plan around."

Camille Laurent
Camille Laurent
Family Office

"Vault reporting is auditor-grade. Our clients see title and tonnage in real time."

Diego Fernández
Diego Fernández
Private Investor

"Allocated grams in a Swiss vault within two weeks of first contact. Impressive."

Sanne de Vries
Sanne de Vries
Logistics Partner

"Chain-of-custody paperwork is the cleanest we handle out of the continent."

Lucas Janssens
Lucas Janssens
Antwerp Trader

"They understand European compliance. OECD alignment is baked in, not bolted on."

Beatriz Álvares
Beatriz Álvares
Retail Bullion

"Small bars, big service. Our Lisbon shop trusts every shipment blind."

Emre Yılmaz
Emre Yılmaz
Grand Bazaar Refiner

"Istanbul demand is relentless — they've never missed a weekly allocation."

Amani Okello
Amani Okello
Mine Operator

"Smoothest gold deal I've ever closed in Kampala. Payment landed before the truck did."

Léa Mbeki
Léa Mbeki
Trader

"Their assay results match independent labs every time. That's the trust we need."

Karim Diop
Karim Diop
Exporter

"From sampling to shipment in 11 days. Documentation was flawless for customs."

Naledi Khumalo
Naledi Khumalo
Investor

"Allocated bullion, audited vault, transparent fees. Exactly what an investor wants."

Issa Ouédraogo
Issa Ouédraogo
Miner

"Fair pricing for artisanal output. They respect the work and pay the value."

Tariq Hassan
Tariq Hassan
Refiner

"Their doré quality is consistent — we tole their material with confidence."

Fatou Camara
Fatou Camara
Co-op Lead

"They onboarded our cooperative properly. Real KYC, real respect, real results."

Joseph Mwakikagile
Joseph Mwakikagile
Buyer

"Logistics was the part I feared most. They handled the entire corridor securely."

Aya Koffi
Aya Koffi
Jeweller

"Refined granules arrived on schedule, weight perfect to the milligram."

Tendai Moyo
Tendai Moyo
Family Office

"We've moved our gold allocation to their custody — clean reporting and clear title."

Andreas Keller
Andreas Keller
LBMA Refiner

"Their doré meets our intake spec every shipment. Zero rework, zero surprises."

Oliver Whitfield
Oliver Whitfield
Bullion Dealer

"A rare African counterparty that answers on London hours. Settlement is textbook."

Klara Weiss
Klara Weiss
Precious Metals Trader

"Pricing discipline you rarely see off-market. Their spreads are honest."

Matteo Ricci
Matteo Ricci
Vicenza Jeweller

"Consistent 999.9 granules for our casting line — a supply we can actually plan around."

Camille Laurent
Camille Laurent
Family Office

"Vault reporting is auditor-grade. Our clients see title and tonnage in real time."

Diego Fernández
Diego Fernández
Private Investor

"Allocated grams in a Swiss vault within two weeks of first contact. Impressive."

Sanne de Vries
Sanne de Vries
Logistics Partner

"Chain-of-custody paperwork is the cleanest we handle out of the continent."

Lucas Janssens
Lucas Janssens
Antwerp Trader

"They understand European compliance. OECD alignment is baked in, not bolted on."

Beatriz Álvares
Beatriz Álvares
Retail Bullion

"Small bars, big service. Our Lisbon shop trusts every shipment blind."

Emre Yılmaz
Emre Yılmaz
Grand Bazaar Refiner

"Istanbul demand is relentless — they've never missed a weekly allocation."

Ready when you are

Speak with a gold trade specialist today.

Whether you're buying, selling, refining or storing — our Kampala desk is open. Get a transparent quote in minutes.