Gold production for the full year ended December 31 2011 at Caledonia Mining Corporation local unit Blanket Mine jumped 102% to 35 826 ounces (oz).
Production in the fourth quarter was 10 533oz representing an 8,1% increase on the third quarter production of 9 743oz.
In a trading update, Caledonia said: Total 2011 gold production was 35 826oz, a 102% increase over the annual gold production in 2010 of 17 707oz. It has a target of an annual gold production of 40 000oz for 2012.
Caledonia said considerable work on the refurbishment of the 14, 18 and 22-level underground haulages continued throughout the fourth quarter and is expected to be completed by the end of March 2012.
It said installation of an automatic cyanide measuring and dosing system on the CIL circuit was commissioned. This installation was providing both better control over and a detectable reduction in cyanide usage per tonne of ore milled.
The group said certain rectification and maintenance work on the 825m deep No 4 Shaft commenced during November 2011.
This work is expected to be completed by the end of February 2012 and once completed will allow Blanket Mine to increase the speed of the No 4 Shaft winder, thereby increasing hoisting capacity.
We are now confident that we will be able to achieve our targeted gold production of 40 000oz for the current financial year.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Discussions with the government of Zimbabwe regarding the indigenisation of Blanket Mine continued, added Caledonia.
