Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc Production Update & Record Annual Production at Blanket Mine
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (CMCL) reported robust performance at its Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe for Q4 2021, achieving a record annual gold production of 67,476 ounces, up 17% from 2020. The quarterly production also increased by 24% to 18,604 ounces. The company anticipates 2022 production between 73,000 and 80,000 ounces. Notably, the company has maintained a strong safety record with over 2.4 million fatality-free shifts since 2018, thanks to its dedicated workforce and the successful commissioning of the Central Shaft.
- Record total gold production of 67,476 ounces in 2021, exceeding guidance by 17%.
- Quarterly production increased to 18,604 ounces, a 24% rise year-over-year.
- Safety achievement of over 2.4 million fatality-free shifts since 2018.
- 2022 production guidance set between 73,000 to 80,000 ounces.
- None.
ST HELIER, Jersey, Jan. 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (NYSE AMERICAN, AIM & VFEX: CMCL) ("Caledonia" or the "Company") announces quarterly and annual gold production from the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe ("Blanket") for the quarter ended 31 December 2021 ("Q4 2021" or the "Quarter"). All production numbers are expressed on a 100 per cent basis and are based on the final assay at the refiners.
Highlights
- Achieved more than 2,4 million fatality free shifts since 2018
- Record total gold production during 2021 was 67,476 ounces, exceeding the Company's revised increased guidance and a 17 per cent increase on 2020 annual production
- Quarterly production of 18,604 ounces of gold; a 24 per cent increase on the 15,012 ounces in Q4 2020
- Gold production for 2022 is expected to be between 73,000 to 80,000 ounces
Commenting on the announcement, Steve Curtis, Chief Executive Officer, said:
“This has been an outstanding performance and a tremendous team effort. I would like to thank all our employees for their hard work in achieving this result and that we were able to exceed our revised annual production guidance.
“The commissioning of the Central Shaft, record gold production, along with a continued commitment to safety, all in one year, is an outstanding achievement and testament to the quality of the Caledonia technical team.
"Now that the Central Shaft is complete, the Company will also focus on other areas of its growth strategy, as we continue to evaluate investment opportunities, with a vision of becoming a multi asset gold producer.”
Enquiries:
| Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc Mark Learmonth Camilla Horsfall | Tel: +44 1534 679 802 Tel: +44 7817 841793 |
| WH Ireland Adrian Hadden/ Andrew De Andrade | Tel: +44 20 7220 1751 |
| Blytheweigh Financial PR Tim Blythe/Megan Ray | Tel: +44 207 138 3204 |
| 3PPB Patrick Chidley Paul Durham | Tel: +1 917 991 7701 Tel: +1 203 940 2538 |
| Curate Public Relations (Zimbabwe) Debra Tatenda | Tel: +263 772802131 |
1 Refer to the technical report entitled “Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Blanket Gold Mine, Zimbabwe” dated May 17, 2021 prepared by Minxcon (Pty) Ltd and filed by the Company on SEDAR on May 26, 2021. Mr Dana Roets (B Eng (Min.), MBA, Pr.Eng., FSAIMM, AMMSA), Chief Operating Officer, is the Company's qualified person as defined by Canada's National Instrument 43-101 and has approved any scientific or technical information contained in this news release.
Note: This announcement contains inside information which is disclosed in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (“MAR”) as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information
Information and statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation that involve risks and uncertainties relating, but not limited, to Caledonia’s current expectations, intentions, plans, and beliefs. Forward-looking information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “goal”, “plan”, “target”, “intend”, “estimate”, “could”, “should”, “may” and “will” or the negative of these terms or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Examples of forward-looking information in this news release include: production guidance, estimates of future/targeted production rates, and our plans and timing regarding further exploration and drilling and development. This forward-looking information is based, in part, on assumptions and factors that may change or prove to be incorrect, thus causing actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: failure to establish estimated resources and reserves, the grade and recovery of ore which is mined varying from estimates, success of future exploration and drilling programs, reliability of drilling, sampling and assay data, assumptions regarding the representativeness of mineralization being inaccurate, success of planned metallurgical test-work, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and other factors.
Security holders, potential security holders and other prospective investors should be aware that these statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources proving to be inaccurate, fluctuations in gold price, risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards, employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; political risk; risks related to natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest, public health concerns (including health epidemics or outbreaks of communicable diseases such as the coronavirus (COVID-19)); availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining or maintaining necessary licenses and permits, diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as mining occurs; global financial condition, the actual results of current exploration activities, changes to conclusions of economic evaluations, and changes in project parameters to deal with unanticipated economic or other factors, risks of increased capital and operating costs, environmental, safety or regulatory risks, expropriation, the Company’s title to properties including ownership thereof, increased competition in the mining industry for properties, equipment, qualified personnel and their costs, risks relating to the uncertainty of timing of events including targeted production rate increase and currency fluctuations. Security holders, potential security holders and other prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and various future events will not occur. Caledonia undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.
This news release is not an offer of the shares of Caledonia for sale in the United States or elsewhere. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the shares of Caledonia, in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such province, state or jurisdiction.
FAQ
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