Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo [email protected]
CALEDONIA Mining Corporation Plc has reported an 18 percent quarter-on-quarter increase in gold production at its Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe, signalling a recovery as the company regains access to higher-grade ore and remains on course to meet its 2026 production targets.
The mining group produced 17 360 ounces of gold during the second quarter of 2026, up from the first quarter, although output remained below the same period last year when the mine achieved record grades.
Caledonia said the lower year-on-year production had been anticipated, reflecting the planned mining sequence and temporary constraints in accessing higher-grade mining areas during the first half of the year.
The company, however, said measures implemented to restore access to richer ore bodies were beginning to yield positive results, with ore grades steadily improving since January.
Chief executive officer Mr Mark Learmonth said production had strengthened during the second quarter due to improved access to higher-grade mining areas.
“Production in Q2 2026 was 17 360 ounces, an improvement on the first quarter, reflecting continued improvement in access to higher-grade mining areas,” he said.
“As expected, production was lower than in the corresponding period in 2025, which benefitted from record grades. This reflects the planned mining sequence and the temporary constraints on access to higher-grade areas earlier in the year, as previously indicated.”
Mr Learmonth said the company was now seeing encouraging improvements in the quality of ore being delivered to the processing plant.
“We are now seeing improved grades in deliveries of ore to the plant, indicating that the measures we have taken to restore access to higher-grade ore are gaining traction. We are now tracking a grade of approximately three grammes per tonne and we expect to remain at that level for the rest of the year,” he said.
Caledonia expects production to be significantly stronger in the second half of the year as several operational improvements come into effect.
Among the key drivers are improved access to higher-grade mining areas, completion of the elution plant upgrade, which will allow processing of stockpiled fine-grain loaded carbon from September, and increased throughput following the introduction of a seven-day working week in June.
The company said the new work schedule has added about 200 tonnes of ore per day, boosting processing capacity.
“With the introduction of a seven-day working week and the completion of the elution plant upgrade due in the third quarter of 2026, we expect production to further increase in the second half of the year, in line with our guidance. We therefore remain confident in our full-year production guidance for 2026,” said Mr Learmonth.
The company said the operational improvements are expected to underpin stronger production for the remainder of the year as Blanket Mine continues to play a key role in Zimbabwe’s gold sector.
