About Us

Terms of Reference for the LBMA Referees

Its general purpose is to assist in maintaining the Good Delivery System in a number of areas, such as:

  1. The technical assessment of applicants for listing;
  2. The proactive monitoring of refiners on the List; and
  3. The provision of technical advice on a range of topics.

Its general activities are to:

  1. Manufacture and maintain a stock of gold and silver reference samples that can be used for testing a laboratory’s assaying ability;
  2. Operate an assaying laboratory equipped and staffed to allow accurate and precise assaying and chemical analysis of high-grade gold and silver alloys;
  3. Have the melting and casting facilities to allow the testing of Good Delivery bars according to the criteria established by the LBMA;
  4. Develop the programme for the Assaying & Refining Conference;
  5. Support the reference material projects (though this has its own Steering Committee); and
  6. Support/develop the Proficiency Testing Scheme.
Reporting line: Physical Committee.
Delegated authorities: Advises the LBMA Physical Committee when required.
Chair: Chair proposed by Committee and endorsed by LBMA Executive Committee.
Term of Chair/Vice Chair: Three years where by there must then be an election. Members are permitted to serve two terms.
Membership: At the discretion of the LBMA.
Observers: N/A.
Quorum for meeting: A majority of the Referees.
Decision making rules: Consensus across the Referees.
Minimum frequency of meetings: Three times a year.
Location: LBMA offices.