en.Wedoany.com Reported - Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc released its production report for the second quarter of 2026, with its Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe producing 17,360 ounces of gold during the quarter, an 18% increase quarter-on-quarter from 14,767 ounces in the first quarter, primarily due to improved access to higher-grade mining areas.

The production increase reflects a sustained improvement in the grade of ore delivered to the mill since January 2026. The average grade in the second quarter was 2.88 grams per tonne, rising to 3.05 grams per tonne so far in July. The company reaffirmed its full-year 2026 production guidance for Blanket Mine at 72,000 to 76,500 ounces (the technical report supporting this production guidance is the S-K 1300 and NI 43-101 technical report prepared by Caledonia, effective December 31, 2023).

Caledonia expects further production growth in the second half of the year, supported by continued improvement in access to higher-grade areas, the planned upgrade of the elution plant in the third quarter (which will enable processing of stockpiled fine carbon), and an additional daily processing capacity of approximately 200 tonnes of ore following the implementation of a seven-day work week since June 2026. Although second-quarter production was below the quarterly record set in the same period of 2025, the company noted that this aligns with the planned mining sequence, and the sequential improvement in grade indicates that operational measures to restore access to high-grade ore are taking effect.

Chief Executive Officer Mark Learmonth stated that second-quarter output met expectations, with the grade of ore delivered to the mill currently maintained at approximately 3 grams per tonne, a trend expected to continue for the remainder of the year. He expressed confidence in achieving the full-year production guidance.