Zimbabwe-focused gold mining company Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (TSE: CAL) today published a production update for the second quarter 2019 on its Blanket Mine project in Zimbabwe.
The Company stated that 12,712 ounces of gold were produced during Q2, which represented a 6.4% rise on the 11,948 ounces for Q1.
Caledonia Mining retained its full year guidance of 53,000 – 56,000 ounces despite H1 output standing at just 24,660 ounces; this was 3.4% lower than last year’s volume of 25,582 ounces.
The Company currently holds a 49% in Blanket Mine, but has penned a conditional agreement to expand this to 64%. It said it remained on target to reach its 80,000 ounces per annum target for 2022.
Caledonia Mining comments
In more detail, the Company’s statement enclosed the following information,
“Caledonia’s primary asset is a 49 per cent interest in the Blanket gold mine in Zimbabwe. In November 2018, Caledonia announced that it had signed a legally binding agreement to increase its shareholding in Blanket to 64% subject to the receipt of, amongst other things, regulatory approvals. Caledonia’s shares are listed on the NYSE American (symbol: CMCL) and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: CAL) and depositary interests representing the shares are traded on London’s AIM (symbol: CMCL).”
“As at March 31, 2019, Caledonia had cash of approximately US$9.7 million. The Company plans for Blanket to increase gold production from 54,511 ounces in 2018 to approximately 75,000 ounces in 2021 and approximately 80,000 ounces by 2022,” the Company said.
Responding to the update, Company CEO Steve Curtis, commented,
“Production in the second quarter of 2019 was slightly below our target but ahead of the comparable quarter in 2018 (Q2 2018: 12,657), and still at a level at which we remain comfortable with our 2019 production guidance of 53,000 to 56,000 ounces for the full year. I am pleased to report that our efforts to improve grade control have delivered results in the quarter although this remains a significant area of focus.”
“We expect to complete the shaft sinking phase of the central shaft project later this month, which will be a significant milestone for our business. We look forward to commencing production from the central shaft during H2 2020 which is expected to deliver the Company’s growth plan to achieve 75,000 ounces in 2021 and 80,000 ounces by 2022.”
Investor notes
The Company’s shares were down 0.13% or 0.01 CAD to 7.99 CAD a share on its last close 10/07/19 16:00 GMT.
Elsewhere in the mining and minerals sector, recent updates have come from; Regency Mines Plc (LON: RGM), Acacia Mining PLC (LON: ACA) Arc Minerals Ltd (LON: ARCM) Thor Mining PLC (LON: THR) Premier African Minerals (LON: PREM), Pathfinder Minerals (LON: PFP) and AfriTin Mining Ltd (LON: ATM).
