Early explorers to West Africa noted the incredible wealth of gold ornaments worn by tribal leaders, and were eager to establish trade with them. As early as the 10th century, gold au purchasers bought gold and gold dust from Ghana, Mali and Songhai and imported it to Europe by caravan.

In 1471, Portuguese explorers discovered alluvial gold deposits in the mouth of the Pra River, and the West African coast quickly became a prosperous destination for Portuguese entrepreneurs and gold dust buyers. The Portuguese were soon followed by English, Spanish, Dutch, Danish and French mining companies and alluvial gold purchasers. Placer deposits were dispersed in river gravel throughout the coastal region. It is estimated that from 1471 to 1880, more that 14.4 million ounces, representing more than 443 tons of gold were produced, leading to the area being named the Gold Coast.
The gold trade was brisk in the 15th and 16th centuries, declined in the 18th century with the advent of the slave trade, and revived in the 19th century when slavery was abolished and commercial mining of gold was established. Between 1901 and 1957, the Gold Coast was declared an official colony of Great Britain, which invested a substantial amount of capital into the infrastructure of the region in the forms of railways, ports, and hydroelectric projects to facilitate mining and transport of alluvial gold and gold dore’ to buyers in Europe.

Currently West Africa is one of the fastest growing gold producing regions in the world. Gold au purchasers are a driving force behind foreign and local exploration in the region, which is estimated to contain some of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in the world. Over the last ten years, numerous junior and independent gold mining exploration companies have produced significant amounts of alluvial gold dust and gold dore’ in Ghana and Mali. Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Senagal are moving into the gold mining industry as well. Good geology, modernization of mining codes, technological improvements, and government support in the region have created a boon for alluvial gold dust and gold dore’ buyers.

Mining companies and brokers with alluvial gold to sell can click here for a purchase quote