The LBMA

The LBMA Good Delivery List: The Gold Standard for Your IRA

By Liberty Gold Silver

With gold trading above $3,300 per ounce as of June 2025, and central banks acquiring more than 1,000 tonnes annually for three years running, the physical integrity of assets has never been more critical. When investing in a Gold IRA, you are securing your future with tangible wealth. However, security requires verification.

At Liberty Gold Silver, we rely on the LBMA Good Delivery List—the global benchmark for integrity, purity, and ethical sourcing in the bullion market.

The Assurance of Quality

To understand the quality of your investment, you must understand the industry's primary gatekeeper.

Defining the Standard

The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) acts as the international trade authority for the wholesale over-the-counter (OTC) gold and silver markets. While formally established in 1987, its lineage dates back to the 18th century, maintaining London’s status as the world’s primary bullion hub. Headquartered in London yet globally influential, the LBMA governs the strict quality controls that allow bullion to trade freely between governments, central banks, and institutional investors.

The Good Delivery List

The Good Delivery List (GDL) is the core of the LBMA’s quality assurance. It is a rigorously maintained register of accredited refiners. As of February 2025, the list includes only 66 gold refiners and 82 silver refiners worldwide.

The Definition: "Good Delivery" status guarantees that bars meet precise specifications regarding fineness (purity), weight, dimensions, and appearance.

The Impact: For investors, this list separates investment-grade bullion from unverified metal. It ensures the liquidity and authenticity of assets held within a retirement account.

Earning and Maintaining Status

Securing a spot on the Good Delivery List is not a simple administrative task; it is an exhaustive vetting process testing a refiner's financial health, technical capability, and market history.

Strict Criteria

Refiners must adhere to the LBMA Rulebook. To be considered for accreditation, a refiner must demonstrate:

History: A minimum of three years of operation with a proven track record.

Stability: Evidence of significant tangible net worth to ensure they can honor market commitments.

Capability: The technical ability to refine gold to .995 fineness (or higher) and silver to .999, alongside strict adherence to weight and dimension protocols.

Volume: High annual production thresholds to prove they are active, large-scale market participants.

Proactive Monitoring

Accreditation is not permanent. The LBMA employs a Proactive Monitoring (PAM) system, subjecting refiners to regular assays and operational audits. If standards slip—whether in chemical purity or financial standing—the refiner is removed. For instance, in late 2024, entrants like Shenzhen Yuexin Precious Metals and Istanbul Gold Refinery were added only after passing these checks, proving the list is an active mechanism of quality control.

Why This Matters for Your Gold IRA

At Liberty Gold Silver, we use the LBMA Good Delivery List as a primary filter for quality control.

Protecting Your Investment

The IRS mandates specific purity levels for Gold IRAs (typically .995 for gold). LBMA Good Delivery bars often exceed these minimums, offering .9999 purity from premier refiners like PAMP SA, Valcambi SA, Royal Canadian Mint, and Heraeus. Sourcing exclusively from these accredited entities ensures your assets are universally recognized and easily liquidatable.

Responsible Sourcing

Modern investors demand ethics alongside purity. The LBMA enforces a mandatory Responsible Sourcing Programme.

Integrity: Good Delivery refiners must prove their supply chains are free from conflict financing, money laundering, and human rights abuses.

Traceability: This aligns with demands for transparency, ensuring retirement savings do not support illicit activities.

Our Promise: We use this framework to provide gold that combines financial security with moral integrity.

Common Questions

Is all gold in a Gold IRA required to be LBMA-approved? While the IRS sets purity standards (e.g., .995 for gold), it does not explicitly mandate LBMA accreditation. However, Liberty Gold Silver prioritizes LBMA-approved bullion because it serves as the ultimate verification of quality. This ensures your assets are accepted globally without the need for costly re-assaying upon liquidation.

How can I verify a refiner is on the LBMA list? The LBMA maintains a publicly accessible database on their official website. Investors can cross-reference the hallmarks on their bars—such as those from Metalor Technologies or Rand Refinery—directly against the current Good Delivery List.

Does the LBMA guarantee ethical sourcing? Yes. The LBMA’s Responsible Sourcing guidance is based on OECD Due Diligence Guidance. All Good Delivery refiners are audited annually by independent third parties to ensure they are not sourcing metal from conflict-affected or high-risk areas.

Who are the major LBMA-approved refiners? The list features the world's most prestigious mints and refineries, including PAMP SA (Switzerland), Valcambi SA (Switzerland), Royal Canadian Mint (Canada), Asahi Refining (USA/Japan), and Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo (Japan).

Conclusion

At Liberty Gold Silver, we believe financial security is built on verified quality. By exclusively offering physical gold and silver from LBMA-approved refiners, we ensure your Gold IRA adheres to the highest global standards. In a market where trust is the currency that matters most, the Good Delivery List is your guarantee of excellence.

Ready to secure your retirement with LBMA-approved precious metals? Contact Liberty Gold Silver today for a consultation.