Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo
Zimpapers Business Hub
CALEDONIA Mining Corporation Plc has reported an 18 percent quarter-on-quarter increase in gold production from Blanket Mine, with output hitting 17 360 ounces in the second quarter of 2026.
The performance reflects improving access to higher-grade mining areas after constraints earlier in the year.
In an operational update, Caledonia said second quarter production was lower than the comparable period in 2025, which benefited from exceptional grades and resulted in a record second quarter.
The 2026 performance reflects the planned mining sequence and constrained access to higher-grade areas during the first half of the year, as previously indicated.
The company noted that operational measures to restore access to higher-grade ore are gaining traction, as reflected in improving grades quarter-on-quarter.
“Grades delivered to the plant have improved steadily since January 2026,” said the company.
Chief executive officer, Mr Mark Learmonth said: “Production in Q2 2026 was 17 360 ounces, an improvement on the first quarter, reflecting continued improvement in access to higher-grade mining areas.”
“As expected, production was lower than in the corresponding period in 2025, which benefited 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.
“Encouragingly, 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 (3g/t) and we expect to remain at that level for the rest of the year.”
Caledonia expects production to be weighted to the second half of 2026, in line with guidance issued on January 14, 2026.
Key drivers for higher output in the second half, as mentioned by the company, include improved access to higher-grade mining areas, completion of the elution plant upgrade, enabling processing of stockpiled fine-grain loaded carbon from September onwards, increased throughput following the successful implementation of a seven-day working week from June 2026, adding approximately 200 tonnes per day of additional ore.
“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 these initiatives are expected to support a stronger production profile through the remainder of 2026.
