Exciting Gold Discoveries at Caledonia's Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe
By Africazine Staff
In a thrilling turn of events for the mining industry, Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc has announced the discovery of impressive high-grade gold mineralization at its Blanket Mine, located in the picturesque Gwanda region of Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe. This revelation comes from a robust underground drilling campaign that has captured the attention of investors and gold enthusiasts alike.
Between January and May 2025, Caledonia conducted an extensive drilling program, totaling an impressive 6,490 meters, aimed at exploring the Eroica, AR South, and AR Quartz zones within the mine. The results are nothing short of remarkable, showcasing gold intercepts that reach as high as 110.22 grams per tonne (g/t). This level of discovery not only solidifies the mine’s position in the global gold market but also excites the local and regional economy.
Mark Learmonth, the Chief Executive Officer of Caledonia, expressed his enthusiasm about the results: “We are pleased to report encouraging results from the ongoing underground drilling programme at Blanket Mine. The results from the Eroica zone confirm the extension of the high-grade zone at depth.” These findings are crucial as they provide evidence of the mine’s significant future potential.
Among the standout results is a remarkable drill hole in the Eroica zone, which reported 5.04 meters grading at 21.84 g/t, and in the AR South zone, intersected gold grading at 13.76 g/t and 17.44 g/t. However, the spotlight remains on the AR Quartz zone, where the drilling extravaganza yielded the highest grade of 1.16 meters at 110.22 g/t, showcasing the mine’s capacity for lucrative returns.
Caledonia’s commitment to enhancing its operational efficiency is evident from their desire to transform inferred resources into indicated resources for even greater output. With 25 holes drilled in the last five months, the company is poised to upgrade its resource estimates significantly.
The Blanket Mine has previously made a substantial impact, producing 75,416 ounces of gold in 2024. For 2025, Caledonia aims to maintain a production guidance between 74,000 and 78,000 ounces, highlighting the mine’s stable operational capacity.
These promising drilling results signal a bright future for both Caledonia Mining and the local economy—a win-win for Zimbabwe as it continues to capitalize on its rich mineral resources. As community development proceeds hand in hand with mining efforts, the long-term outlook for the area and its residents remains decidedly positive.
Stay tuned for more updates on what these discoveries might mean for the future of mining in Africa and the global gold market!
