In a year defined by surging profits and a deepened commitment to local ownership, Caledonia Mining Corporation’s 2025 Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) Report reveals a transformative period for the Blanket Mine and the surrounding Matabeleland South province.
The headline figure for local residents is a staggering US$1,4 million distributed the previous year.
This windfall is part of a broader “indigenisation” model where 36% of the mine is owned by Zimbabwean entities, including a 10% stake for the local community and another 10% for the mine’s employees.
Financially, the mine is booming.
Caledonia reported a gross profit of US$76.9 million in 2024.
Beyond direct dividends, the company’s “Zimbabwe first” procurement strategy saw US250 million to going Zimbabwean suppliers over the last nine years.
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However, the report is not without its somber notes.
CEO Mark Learmonth expressed deep regret over the loss of a colleague in a blasting-related accident during the third quarter.
While the total injury frequency rate (TIFR) improved to 3.47 per million man-hours, the fatality served as a “stark reminder” of the inherent risks in underground mining.
In response, the mine has moved to eliminate capped fuses in favor of electronic detonators to “design risk out” of operations.
For the people of Sitezi, the impact of the mine is visible in bricks and mortar.
In 2025, Caledonia completed the handover of Sitezi Secondary School, transforming an under-resourced facility into a modern hub with Starlink internet and new science laboratories.
Nearby, the Sitezi Clinic saw the completion of a “waiting mothers’ shelter,” providing a safe space for expectant women to stay while awaiting skilled maternal care — a critical intervention in a region where maternal mortality remains a challenge.
The mine is also looking toward a greener future.
Its 12.2 MW solar plant now provides approximately 20% of Blanket’s total power, reducing reliance on the unstable national grid and carbon-heavy thermal power.
In response to regional droughts, the mine successfully recycled over one million cubic metres of process water, significantly reducing its pull from the Blanket Dam.
As Caledonia evolves into a multi-asset producer with the Bilboes and Motapa projects on the horizon, the 2025 report suggested that the “Gwanda Model”—of shared ownership and localised economic impact—will be the blueprint for its future across Zimbabwe.
For now, the people of Matabeleland South can look at their new schools, clinics, and dividend checks as tangible proof that their mineral wealth is finally working for them.