By Patience Gondo
GOLD production at Blanket Mine fell by 20.9% to 14,767 ounces in the first quarter of 2026 due to mining constraints, limited access to high grade ore and equipment challenges.
Figures released by Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc show that output also declined by 15% from 17,367 ounces recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, extending a downward trend that began in the second half of last year.
The company said the drop in production was largely driven by mining sequence challenges, difficult ground conditions and constrained access to higher-grade ore, which affected throughput during the period.
Chief executive Mark Learmonth said the weaker performance had been anticipated and does not reflect the mine’s long term prospects.
Despite the subdued start to the year, Caledonia has maintained its full-year production guidance of between 72,000 and 76,500 ounces, with output expected to recover in the second half of 2026.
To stabilise production, the company is implementing a continuous seven-day mining shift system, fast-tracking access to higher-grade ore through contracted support and boosting processing capacity following the commissioning of an additional ball mill.
Caledonia said plant performance remained firm, with more than 202,000 tonnes milled during the quarter.
Blanket Mine produced 76,213 ounces in 2025 and remains one of Zimbabwe’s key gold operations.
The company is also advancing its Bilboes gold project, which is expected to become one of the country’s largest mines, targeting annual output of about 200,000 ounces from 2029.
The latest figures come as Zimbabwe continues to rely on gold as its top foreign currency earner, underscoring the importance of stable production in the mining sector.