Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc has reported a rise in gold production at its Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe during the second quarter ended 30 June 2026, with output increasing as the company made progress in restoring access to higher grade mining areas.
The company produced 17,360 ounces of gold during the quarter, representing an 18% increase from the 14,767 ounces produced in the first quarter of 2026. Caledonia attributed the improvement to increased access to areas containing higher grade ore, which supported stronger processing performance.
Blanket Mine, located in Zimbabwe’s Gwanda district, remains one of the country’s longest operating gold mines and is a key asset within Zimbabwe’s mining sector. The mine has undergone significant investment in recent years as the company has sought to expand production capacity and improve operational efficiency.
According to Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc, average gold grades delivered to the processing plant improved steadily from the beginning of 2026. The average grade during the second quarter was recorded at 2.88 grams per tonne, while grades achieved since the start of July increased further to 3.05 grams per tonne.
The company maintained its annual production guidance for Blanket Mine at between 72,000 and 76,500 ounces of gold for 2026, with expectations that output will strengthen during the second half of the year as access to higher grade mining areas becomes more consistent.
Caledonia noted that production during the second quarter remained below the corresponding period in 2025, when the mine benefited from unusually high grades that contributed to record output levels. The company said the lower production recorded earlier in 2026 reflected planned mine sequencing and temporary constraints in accessing richer ore zones.
The improvement recorded during the second quarter forms part of an operational recovery plan aimed at stabilising production levels. The company said measures implemented to improve access to higher grade areas are beginning to deliver results, with further benefits expected as mining activities progress through the remainder of the year.
Additional initiatives expected to support production include the completion of upgrades to the mine’s elution plant, which will allow the processing of gold bearing carbon stockpiled from September. Caledonia also expects increased processing capacity following the introduction of a seven day working schedule from June 2026, which is anticipated to enable the treatment of approximately 200 additional tonnes of ore per day.
Zimbabwe’s gold sector continues to play a central role in the country’s economy, contributing export earnings, employment and investment opportunities. The sector has attracted renewed attention as Zimbabwe seeks to expand mineral production while balancing the need for greater local value addition, responsible mining practices and broader economic participation.
Caledonia’s latest production figures highlight both the opportunities and operational complexities facing mining companies in Africa’s resource economies. While improved access to higher grade deposits can support output growth, production performance remains influenced by geological conditions, infrastructure, capital investment and the broader operating environment.
For Zimbabwe, where gold remains one of the country’s largest mineral exports, developments at major mines such as Blanket will continue to be closely monitored as part of efforts to strengthen mining sector resilience and increase the contribution of natural resources to national development.
