Verified
Rand Refinery is one of the largest integrated single-site precious metals refining and smelting complexes in the world, based in Germiston, Gauteng. Rand Refinery refines around 99% of South Africa’s mined gold, as well as large volumes from elsewhere in Africa, according to a provider record checked in August 2026.
- Registered name
- Rand Refinery (Pty) Ltd
- Type
- Private company (precious metals refining and smelting)
- Fields funded
- Chemical, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering, robotics, accounting, biotechnology, environmental science, HR and IT
- Website
- randrefinery.com
Why South Africa built its own refinery
In the early days of South African gold mining, crude bullion had to be shipped to London for refining. In 1909 the Transvaal Chamber of Mines founded the Witwatersrand Co-operative Smelting Works to treat gold- and silver-bearing by-products. On 27 November 1920, Rand Refinery Limited was registered as a private company, with shares limited to gold mining companies that were members of the Chamber of Mines.
Rand Refinery remains an independent private company whose shareholders come from across the South African gold mining industry. Rand Refinery says that ownership gives it unique insight into the needs of mines and mining houses.
From smelting to minted bars
Rand Refinery describes itself as a business that transforms metals rather than mining them. Its work covers smelting, evaluation, refining and recovery of responsibly sourced precious metals, including low-grade materials and concentrates. Rand Refinery then fabricates cast and minted bars that carry the Rand Refinery mark, and can customise legal tender coin blanks. Acting as an agent for depositing customers, Rand Refinery also offers 24-hour assaying, vaulting and logistics.
Full and partial bursaries
Rand Refinery funds a small, competitive group of university students each year. The full bursary covers chemical, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering, and robotics and advanced control, with tuition, textbooks, stationery, a laptop, accommodation and a monthly stipend. A partial bursary contributes to fees for accounting (CA stream), biotechnology, environmental science, human resources and IT students. Bursars do vacation work at the refinery and are considered for its graduate programme.
Applicants must be South African citizens aged 18 to 25 in first, second or third year, with at least 70% for the full bursary or 65% for the partial bursary, and financial need. Rand Refinery opens its round in September and closes it in December; the 2026 round closed on 20 December 2025.
How to research Rand Refinery
Read about how gold is refined to 99.99% purity and how responsible sourcing rules work. Ask Rand Refinery whether any service obligation applies before accepting.
Gauteng engineering students should also consider the SEIFSA bursary.
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