Switzerland is known for its expertise in the refining of precious metals, particularly gold. Here are some of the most well-known gold refineries in Switzerland:
- Valcambi SA - Located in Balerna, in the canton of Ticino, Valcambi is one of the largest gold refineries in the world. It is owned by Indian company Rajesh Exports Limited and has a refining capacity of over 1,600 tonnes of gold per year.
- Argor-Heraeus SA - Based in Mendrisio, also in the canton of Ticino, Argor-Heraeus is a joint venture between German company Heraeus and the Austrian Mint. It has a capacity of around 400 tonnes of gold per year.
- PAMP SA - Headquartered in Castel San Pietro, in the canton of Ticino, PAMP (Produits Artistiques Métaux Précieux) is part of the Swiss-based MKS PAMP Group. It has a refining capacity of around 450 tonnes of gold per year.
- Metalor Technologies SA - Based in Neuchâtel, in the canton of the same name, Metalor is a privately-owned Swiss company with a refining capacity of around 350 tonnes of gold per year.
- Cendres + Métaux SA - Located in Biel/Bienne, in the canton of Bern, Cendres + Métaux is a family-owned Swiss company with a history dating back to 1883. In addition to its gold refining activities, it also produces dental alloys and other products.
- Emirates Gold DMCC (Switzerland) - Based in Geneva, this refinery is a subsidiary of Emirates Gold DMCC, which is based in Dubai. It has a capacity of around 100 tonnes of gold per year.
- Heraeus SA - Located in Sion, in the canton of Valais, Heraeus is a subsidiary of the German company Heraeus. It has a refining capacity of around 150 tonnes of gold per year.
- T.C.A S.A. - Based in Neuchâtel, in the canton of the same name, T.C.A (Technique Cendres et Alliages) is a privately-owned company that specializes in the refining of precious metals, including gold. It has a capacity of around 60 tonnes of gold per year.
- MKS (Switzerland) SA - Headquartered in Geneva, MKS is a global precious metals and financial services company. It has a refining capacity of around 100 tonnes of gold per year.
- Philoro Edelmetalle AG - Based in Zurich, Philoro is a precious metals trading and refining company. It has a refining capacity of around 20 tonnes of gold per year.
- Rand Refinery (Switzerland) AG - Located in Lausanne, in the canton of Vaud, this refinery is a subsidiary of Rand Refinery, which is based in South Africa. It has a capacity of around 100 tonnes of gold per year.
- Hensel Recycling (Switzerland) AG - Based in Baar, in the canton of Zug, Hensel Recycling is a German-owned company that specializes in the recovery and refining of precious metals from electronic scrap and other sources. It has a capacity of around 15 tonnes of gold per year.
- Metalor Refining Group - With headquarters in Neuchâtel, Metalor is a global precious metals refining company with operations in a number of countries, including Switzerland. Its Swiss refineries are located in Neuchâtel and Marin, in the canton of Neuchâtel, and in Le Locle, in the canton of Jura. Metalor's total refining capacity is not publicly disclosed, but is thought to be in the region of several hundred tonnes of gold per year.
- C. Hafner GmbH + Co. KG (Switzerland) - Based in Zurich, this refinery is a subsidiary of the German company C. Hafner. It specializes in the refining of precious metals and has a capacity of around 30 tonnes of gold per year.
- Argentor Essayeurs SA - Headquartered in Geneva, Argentor is a precious metals trading and refining company that also operates a laboratory for the analysis of precious metals. It has a capacity of around 10 tonnes of gold per year.
- Vlaminck SA - Located in Lausanne, Vlaminck is a Swiss refining company that has been in operation since 1953. It specializes in the refining of gold and other precious metals, as well as the production of investment bars and coins. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- Englehard-Clal SA - Based in Geneva, Englehard-Clal is a joint venture between German company BASF and French company Pechiney. It has a capacity of around 100 tonnes of gold per year.
- S.B. S.A. - Headquartered in Geneva, S.B. (Société de Banque Suisse) is a private bank that also operates a precious metals refining and trading division. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- Heraeus Electro-Nite International SA - Located in Ecublens, in the canton of Vaud, Heraeus Electro-Nite is a subsidiary of the German company Heraeus. It specializes in the production of sensors and measuring instruments for the steel and aluminum industries, as well as the refining of precious metals. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- Umicore SA - Based in Balerna, in the canton of Ticino, Umicore is a global materials technology and recycling company that also operates a precious metals refining division. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- Al Etihad Gold Refinery DMCC (Switzerland) - Located in Mendrisio, in the canton of Ticino, Al Etihad is a subsidiary of the Dubai-based Al Etihad Gold Refinery. It has a refining capacity of around 100 tonnes of gold per year.
- Swiss Metal Assets SA - Based in Lausanne, Swiss Metal Assets is a precious metals trading and investment company that also operates a precious metals refinery. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- Raffinerie de Cressier SA - Located in Cressier, in the canton of Neuchâtel, this refinery is primarily focused on the production of fuels and lubricants, but also produces specialty metals such as gold and silver. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- Fonderie 47 SA - Headquartered in Geneva, Fonderie 47 is a company that specializes in the production of luxury items made from recycled AK-47 rifles. As part of its production process, it melts down the rifles and refines the gold into investment-grade bars. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- Gold Avenue SA - Based in Geneva, Gold Avenue is a precious metals trading and investment platform that also operates a precious metals refinery. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- Comptoir Lyon-Alemand Louyot SA - Based in Geneva, Comptoir Lyon-Alemand Louyot (CLAL) is a precious metals trading and refining company with a history dating back to 1867. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- Novae AG - Located in Schaffhausen, in the canton of the same name, Novae is a privately-owned Swiss company that specializes in the refining of precious metals, including gold. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- Aurubis AG (formerly Metallo-Chimique SA) - Based in St. Imier, in the canton of Bern, Aurubis is a German-owned company that produces copper and other metals, as well as refining precious metals such as gold and silver. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. (Switzerland) - Headquartered in Neuchâtel, Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo is a Japanese company that operates a precious metals refining and trading division in Switzerland. Its refining capacity is not publicly disclosed.
- AGR Matthey - With headquarters in Mendrisio, AGR Matthey is a joint venture between the Asahi Refining Group (AGR) and the Swiss company Matthey SA. It specializes in the refining of precious metals, including gold, and has a refining capacity of around 100 tonnes of gold per year.
It's worth noting that the refining capacities listed for each refinery are approximate and may fluctuate over time. Additionally, some of these refineries may have a broader focus beyond just gold refining.
Author: Pooyan Ghamari Economie Visionner and CEO of A Land Group
