Caledonia Mining Corporation has strengthened the production outlook for its Blanket Mine following strong results from its deep-level drilling programme. The latest findings confirm that the mine’s main orebodies continue at depth and point to potential expansions in the resource base, giving the company confidence in sustaining and increasing gold output in the years ahead, Mining Zimbabwe reports.
By Ryan Chigoche
The results are expected to underpin future production at Blanket Mine, which delivered 76,213 ounces of gold in 2025, in line with the company’s revised guidance.
The programme, which saw 10,311.9 metres drilled between March and December 2025, showed that the Blanket and Eroica orebodies remain robust at depth, delivering grades and widths in line with—or even surpassing—expectations.
Drilling also confirmed that the Lima orebody extends to 34 Level, while the newly identified Blanket 7 (BLK7) orebody returned multiple wide, high-grade intersections. The increased density of drill intersections could allow some inferred resources to be upgraded to the indicated category, giving the mine a stronger resource base and better support for long-term planning.
Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Mark Learmonth said the findings give confidence and support the company’s long-term goals, given the investments they have made.
“The latest results from our deep drilling programme reinforce the geological strength of Blanket Mine and demonstrate the continuity of mineralisation at depth across multiple orebodies. The consistency of grades and widths we are seeing, together with confirmation of the Lima orebody to 34 Level, provides growing confidence in the scale and quality of the mineral resource below the current lowest levels of the mine,” he said.
“These outcomes support our longer-term planning efforts and highlight the value of the investments we have made, as we continue to improve mineral resource confidence and build a stronger foundation for the future of the mine and value creation for the business,” Learmonth added.
The programme’s denser drilling is already paying off. It could allow inferred resources to move into the indicated category, giving planners a firmer base for life-of-mine strategies.
Confidence in the mine’s potential is further boosted by the performance of BLK7, first reported in June, which continues to deliver strong grades across multiple horizons. Caledonia is now turning its attention to previously untested sections of the mine, where the mineralised shear zone exists but has yet to be explored.
Meanwhile, at Lima, drilling confirmed mineralisation to 34 Level across up to six separate zones. Additional infill drilling is planned to map their orientation and continuity more clearly. The results will feed into an updated mineral resource and reserve statement expected in 2026.
Looking ahead, Blanket’s ongoing success, coupled with progress on Caledonia’s Bilboes project, is set to boost the company’s position in Zimbabwe’s gold sector. Bilboes, where Caledonia holds full ownership, is projected to produce around 1.55 million ounces over its 10.8-year life, with first production expected in late 2028. Once Bilboes comes online, the company’s annual output could rise sharply, potentially making Caledonia one of the country’s top gold producers.
