World leader
in the precious
metals sector
Switzerland occupies a leading position in the refining, processing and trading of precious metals, particularly gold. The sector is an economic driver, a major local player and an international benchmark with a reputation for excellence.
Engine of the Swiss economy
The precious metals industry is a key sector for the Swiss economy:
it fuels foreign trade, supports growth and encourages innovation.
billion Swiss francs:
annual value of gold exports (ref. 2024)
of the world’s 10
largest refineries are based in Switzerland
tonnes:
amount of fine gold imported into Switzerland each year
The Swiss precious metals industry is one of the mainstays of Switzerland’s foreign trade.
The sector ranks alongside key industries such as pharmaceuticals and watchmaking.
The sector's success is based on a cutting-edge industrial infrastructure.
Five of the world's ten most advanced gold refineries are located in Switzerland, three in Ticino and two in western Switzerland. These facilities are renowned for their technological quality, production capacity and compliance with international standards of traceability and ethical responsibility.
The sector creates strong synergies with related sectors
such as watchmaking, jewellery and banking. Watchmaking in particular, which employs over 55,000 people in Switzerland, together with the precious metals sector, constitutes a high value-added industrial ecosystem, where skills and development reinforce each other.
A sector that grows with its territory
The precious metals industry is deeply rooted in the Swiss socio-economic fabric: a widespread presence that generates employment, skills and value for the region.
direct jobs
in Switzerland
indirect jobs
in Switzerland
Hundreds of local companies involved along the value chain
The precious metals sector provides highly skilled employment
in various regions of Switzerland with high value-added jobs requiring advanced technical skills and salaries above the industry average.
The industry contributes to the country's wealth and employment stability
by employing over 2,000 people directly and approx. 10,000 indirectly.
Switzerland is home to some of the most modern refineries in the world, driving regional development through their activities.
Interaction with local authorities and adherence to Swiss standards on safety, the environment and transparency further strengthen the sector's high standing in the country.
Strategic global hub for precious metals
High standards, transparency and a strategic location make Switzerland a global reference model in the precious metals sector, notable not only for the volumes it can handle but also for the wide range of products and services it offers.
1/3
of the world’s gold
is refined in Switzerland
tonnes of gold processed
each year in Switzerland
Countries of origin
of customers
Switzerland occupies a leading position in the international trade of precious metals.
Every year, around 2,400 tonnes of gold are refined and processed in accordance with the most rigorous standards of quality and traceability, before being re-exported all over the world.
Switzerland's leadership is based on a strict regulatory framework and a long tradition of reliability and security.
Refineries and other members of the ASMP operate in accordance with international standards of ethical responsibility and sustainability, promoting responsible practices throughout the value chain.
The sector reinforces Switzerland's reputation as a benchmark
for financial institutions, governments and luxury industries.