Unstable Electricity supply facing the country saw Caledonia’s Blanket Mine gold production fall to 11 948 oz in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to 12 924 oz produced during the same period last year.
According to the group Chief Executive Officer Steve Curtis, improved drilling and blasting practices have been put in place in pursuit of improved grade control.
“Production in the first quarter of 2019 was slightly below our target and below the comparable quarter in 2018, albeit at a level which allows us to maintain our 2019 production guidance of 53 000 oz to 56 000 oz for the full year.
“Continued difficulties with unstable electricity supply and grade dilution which we experienced in 2018 had an adverse effect on production, but improved drilling and blasting practices have been put in place in pursuit of improved grade control and I am pleased to say that efforts to minimise dilution are proving successful,” he said.
He added that they are continuing to work with the Zimbabwean Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to overcome the challenges.
Curtis also highlighted that the sinking of the central shaft at the mine was progressing according to plan and that it was “only months” away from completing the shaft sinking phase of the project.
Curtis added that they are looking forward to commencing production from the central shaft from mid-2020, which is expected to deliver the company’s growth plan to achieve 75 000 oz in 2021 and 80 000 oz by 2022.
