By: African mining market

Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC has told investors that deep-level drilling at its Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe has returned better-than-expected grades and widths in key zones, bolstering confidence in the mineral resource below the mine’s current lowest levels.

The group completed 10,311.9 metres of deep drilling between March and December 2025, targeting the Blanket, Eroica and Lima orebodies. And, analysis from the Blanket and Eroica areas was described as in line with, or better than, expectations. The findings also confirm the continuation of the Lima orebody to 34 level, about 1,110 metres below surface.

Elsewhere, Eroica North Hanging Wall returned 10.80 metres at 6.54 grams a tonne, including 1.54 metres at 14.20 grams a tonne, while Lima Main returned 1.98 metres at 15.33 grams a tonne.

Chief executive Mark Learmonth said the latest results “reinforce the geological strength of Blanket Mine” and support longer-term planning.

“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,” Learmonth said.

He added: “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.”

Caledonia said the new drilling data is expected to be incorporated into an updated mineral resource and mineral reserve statement during 2026.