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Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc: High Grade Drill Results at Blanket Mine

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc: High Grade Drill Results at Blanket Mine

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Better than expected grades and widths from drilling in multiple areas anticipated to boost gold resources at Blanket
ST HELIER, Jersey, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc ("Caledonia" or 'the Company") is pleased to report further encouraging high grade results from the ongoing resource expansion drill programme at Caledonia's 64% owned Blanket Mine. The programme is aimed at evaluating the continuity of the mineralised zones on the Blanket, Eroica and Lima orebodies (which comprise three of the main orebodies at Blanket Mine). The objectives of the programme are to increase the confidence levels of the existing mineral resource and to grow the mineral resource estimate below the 34 level of the mine (1,110 metres). These results follow the previously announced results on January 30, 2024.
Results from 6,976 metres of underground drilling from January 2024 to the end of April 2025 indicate that the existing Blanket and Eroica orebodies have grades and widths which are generally better than expected, while the Lima orebody is shown to continue below 22 level (750 metres). A new potential orebody has been intersected in the Blanket orebody area of the mine, with impressive grades and widths.
Table 1. Drilling Highlights**
Holes Identifier
Orebody Name
Orebody Intersection
Core Length (m)
True width (m)
Grade (g/t)
Orebody Intersection depth from surface (m)
*E.O.H (m)
From (m)
To (m)
BLK870EX2312
NEW
120.30
152.10
31.80
24 .73
6.71
895
251.1
BLK870EX2308
NEW
21.1
31.9
10.8
5.93
17.73
817.1
262.4
BLK4_5
45.1
71.4
26.3
14.71
4.71
840.4
ARS1110EX2308
BLK1FW
66.2
79.4
13.2
8.98
25.06
1 096.4
190.4
BLK1FW
82.4
85.4
3.0
2.05
21.39
1 111.2
BLK1110EX2412
BQR
56.9
64.7
7.8
5.27
13.02
1 087.7
242.8
BLK1110EX2414
BQR
84.0
91.2
7.2
4.32
8.95
1 116.0
96.0
ERC750EX2402
ERCN
366.0
375.0
9.0
6.70
7.26
998.9
425.4
ERC750EX2403
ERCN
413.4
420.6
7.2
4.75
6.15
1 039.2
454.4
*End of hole depth**The complete long hole drilling results for January 2024 to April 2025 are provided in Appendix 1
Mark Learmonth, Caledonia's Chief Executive Officer, commented:
'Our ongoing drilling campaign continues to demonstrate encouraging results, further improving our confidence in the Blanket Mine mineral resource and pointing to additional future mineral resource growth. The grades and widths we are seeing from this drilling campaign are as good as and, in some cases, considerably better than results from previous drilling campaigns, which is highly encouraging.
'We anticipate that the positive grades and widths will result in an increased overall mineral resource estimate, which in due course should result in the extension of the existing life of mine. We have invested heavily in Blanket Mine over the last seven years to increase production capacity, resulting in a mine infrastructure that can sustain production beyond the current production horizon.
"Drilling is currently focussed on the Blanket and Eroica orebodies, where crosscuts have been developed to allow optimal access to drill the deeper zones of the steeply-dipping orebodies. These results are extremely promising, and we look forward to the next phase of drilling and updating the market accordingly.'
Commentary
The drilling at Blanket Mine continues to confirm the continuation of several of the main orebodies (the Blanket, Eroica and Lima orebodies) at depth at the lowest levels of the mine and beyond. The increased density of drilling intersections from the programme is aimed at upgrading the inferred mineral resource estimate to the indicated mineral resource category or better, providing a solid resource base for life of mine planning. Grades and widths in the results from the Blanket and Eroica orebodies have been generally better than previously expected and modelled.
Further data on each drill hole is set out at Appendix 2 and pictorial representations of the holes are included below.
Figure 1. Blanket Mine Drilling – Long Section (North – South) of Blanket Mine Showing Locality of Drilling
Blanket Orebody – Strong Grades and Widths in Infill Drilling and New Orebody Discovered
In holes BLK870EX2312 and BLK870EX2308 (holes 16 and 13 on the section below, respectively), drilling intersected a new orebody which is believed to be another subparallel orebody which would be in addition to the 6 subparallel orebodies which currently comprise the Blanket series of orebodies (together referred to as the Blanket orebody). The initial intersections into this previously unknown orebody are highly encouraging, with highlights of 31.8 metres (estimated true width of 24.73 metres) at 6.71 grammes per tonne ('g/t') gold and 10.8 metres (estimated true width of 5.93 metres) at 17.73 g/t gold.
Infill drill results into the Blanket orebody have returned, in general, better widths and grades than expected when compared to the current mineral resource estimate contained within the report entitled 'NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Blanket Gold Mine, Zimbabwe' with an effective date of 31 December 2023.
A comparison of drillhole ARS1110EX2308 with the 2023 resource model shows a similar width for Blanket 1 Footwall (BLK1FW) orebody of approximately 13 metres while the drillhole grades return a composite grade inclusive of internal dilution from 66.21 to 85.41 metres downhole of 20.64 g/t compared to a mineral resource model grade of approximately 4.64 g/t.
The Blanket 1 Hangingwall (BLK1HW), in the same drillhole ARS1110EX2308, returned a similar value of 6.28 g/t when compared to the mineral resource model grade of between 4.0 and 6.0 g/t while the true width in the drillhole of 7.14 metres is thicker than the mineral resource model width of approximately 3.30 metres.
Drill results reported in this announcement concern intersections between 26 and 34 level on the south end of the mine (Figure 2), plus intersections below 34 level in the middle portion of the Blanket orebody (Figure 3). This information will form part of the planned mineral resource update anticipated to be published by year end.
Figure 2. Blanket Orebody – Drilling from 26 Level (870 metres below surface)
Figure 3. Blanket Orebody – Drilling from 34 Level (1,110 metres below surface)
Eroica and Lima Orebodies – Solid Intersections at Eroica at 34 Level and Extension Demonstrated at Lima
Drilling commenced at Lima and initial intersections are encouraging. The likelihood of the Lima orebody (Lima main, footwall, hangingwall and intermediates) extending from 22 level to 34 level is considered to be high. The potential down dip continuation of the Lima orebody will be accessible from Eroica orebody development on 30 and 34 level with relatively minor extensions to current development.
Figure 4. Eroica and Lima Orebodies – Drilling from 750 metres (22 Level) below surface
This information will form part of the planned mineral resource update anticipated to be published by year end.
Future Exploration Plans and other Programs Ongoing
Drilling will continue to evaluate the Blanket, ARM and ARS orebodies to the 38 level (1,230 metres) and beyond.
In addition to underground exploration drilling, Blanket Mine has commenced a surface exploration project within the area held under the Blanket Mine mining lease. The program is targeting the Banded Iron Formation ('BIF') which strikes in a north-westerly direction and has been exploited at the nearby Vubachikwe and Sabiwa gold mines. The BIF extends from the southern boundary of the Blanket Mine lease area through to the northern boundary and beyond.
Initial work comprised Induced Polarisation ('IP') and Ground Magnetic ('GM') surveys over a selected area. These surveys delineated anomalous zones over a 600-metre strike length which subsequent surface reconnaissance mapping and pitting has shown to be quartz filled shear zones hosted within the BIF. Grab samples from shallow surface pits returned assay values ranging between 0.59 and 32.12 g/t from analysis at the Blanket Mine assay laboratory.
Planned activities for 2025 include:
Surface trenching at 50 metres spacing over the strike length of 600 metres.
Reverse Circulation ('RC') drilling focusing on defining the potential of shallow oxide mineral resources.
Appendix 1
Map Ref No.
Hole Identifier
Orebody Name
Orebody Intersection
Core Length (m)
True width (m)
Grade (g/t)
Orebody Intersection depth from surface (m)
End of Hole Depth (m)
From (m)
To (m)
1
ARS1110EX2305
BQR
4.80
14.40
9.60
5.10
2.48
1038
182.10
BLK1HW
94.50
105.90
11.40
5.68
4.11
1104
BLK1FW
116.10
120.90
4.80
2.35
7.21
1120
2
ARS1110EX2306
BQR
4.20
19.30
15.10
6.10
4.18
1038
174.10
BLK1HW
69.50
98.80
29.30
10.67
3.33
1083
3
ARS1110EX2307
BQR
4.55
6.85
2.30
1.44
11.93
1039
164.40
BLK1HW
24.78
32.41
7.63
4.89
4.59
1058
BLK1FW
131.30
133.10
1.80
1.26
11.85
1156
4
ARS1110EX2308
BQR
6.10
12.18
6.08
3.97
9.08
1041
190.40
BLK1HW
43.96
54.61
10.65
7.14
6.28
1076
BLK1FW
66.21
79.41
13.20
8.98
25.06
1096
BLK1FW
82.41
85.41
3.00
2.05
21.39
1111
5
ARS1110EX2501
ARSEWL
85.50
92.10
6.60
2.35
0.38
1110
260.30
6
BLK1110EX2410
BQR
67.50
73.90
6.40
4.19
3.61
1098
233.30
BQR
78.10
81.70
3.60
2.37
3.59
1108
7
BLK1110EX2411
BQR
60.50
61.70
1.20
0.81
5.80
1090
194.30
8
BLK1110EX2412
BQR
56.90
64.70
7.80
5.27
13.02
1088
242.80
9
BLK1110EX2414
BQR
84.00
91.20
7.20
4.32
8.95
1116
96.00
10
BLK870EX2305
BLK4_5
26.10
39.30
13.20
7.06
2.66
818
281.10
11
BLK870EX2306
BLK4_5
36.70
46.30
9.60
5.11
2.89
832
278.40
12
BLK870EX2307
BLK4_5
43.60
54.40
10.80
5.84
1.51
839
278.40
13
BLK870EX2308
NEW
21.14
31.94
10.80
5.93
17.73
817
262.40
BLK4_5
45.09
71.40
26.31
14.71
4.71
840
BLK2FW
239.50
244.80
5.30
3.57
3.78
1024
14
BLK870EX2310
BLK4_5
36.40
46.80
10.40
7.43
3.65
829
275.30
15
BLK870EX2311
BLK4_5
29.30
38.90
9.60
6.25
2.74
823
215.30
16
BLK870EX2312
BLK4_5
56.10
62.10
6.00
7.36
3.21
843
251.10
NEW
113.10
116.10
3.00
2.33
4.13
889
NEW
120.30
152.10
31.80
24.73
6.71
895
NEW
164.70
168.90
4.20
3.28
2.59
930
NEW
181.50
183.90
2.40
1.88
3.24
942
17
ERC750EX2311
ERCS
235.80
238.80
3.00
1.26
1.61
861
269.20
18
ERC750EX2314
ERC
138.30
143.10
4.80
2.20
0.71
790
ERCS
177.80
178.80
1.00
0.44
4.43
821
267.10
19
ERC750EX2315
ERCS
143.10
144.90
1.80
0.74
6.27
796
275.10
20
ERC750EX2316
No significant intersection
203.60
21
ERC750EX2317
ERCS
202.40
206.60
4.20
0.69
0.70
820
288.00
22
ERC750EX2318
ERCS
256.10
265.90
9.80
0.96
0.72
842
265.90
23
ERC750EX2401
No significant intersection
356.20
24
ERC750EX2402
ERCN
366.00
375.00
9.00
6.70
7.26
999
425.40
25
ERC750EX2403
ERCN
413.40
420.60
7.20
4.75
6.15
1039
454.40
26
LIM750EX2501
LIM
66.40
69.70
3.30
1.14
1.22
730
592.20
LIMINT
76.30
79.90
3.60
1.25
5.76
742
* ERCN – Eroica North, ERCS – Eroica South, BQR – Blanket Quartz Reef, BLK1HW – Blanket 1 Hanging wall, BLK1FW – Blanket 1 Footwall, BLK2FW – Blanket 2 Footwall, BLK4_5 – Blanket 4 and 5, ARSEWL – AR South East – West Limb, LIM – Lima Main, LIMI – Lima Intermediate, NEW – Mineralisation not correlated to known orebodies.
Appendix 2
Underground exploration drill hole; azimuth, dip, drilled length, and collar location (UTM NAD83)
Hole Identifier
Azimuth (°)
Dip (°)
Drilled Length (m)
UTM Easting (m)
UTM Northing (m)
UTM Elevation (m)
ARS1110EX2305
128.3
49.4
182.1
697 766.1
7 693 019.4
25.6
ARS1110EX2306
140.3
44.7
174.1
697 765.7
7 693 017.8
25.0
ARS1110EX2307
44.7
69.9
164.4
697 761.5
7 693 022.1
25.0
ARS1110EX2308
77.7
68.9
190.4
697 766.2
7 693 020.0
25.1
ARS1110EX2501
339.6
62.5
260.3
697 674.6
7 693 026.5
25.1
BLK1110EX2410
50.2
70.8
233.3
697 681.7
7 693 030.0
25.5
BLK1110EX2411
35.6
66.2
194.3
697 681.7
7 693 030.2
25.3
BLK1110EX2412
56.0
69.1
242.8
697 682.3
7 693 030.1
25.3
BLK1110EX2414
69.5
75.8
96.0
697 682.2
7 693 029.6
25.3
BLK870EX2305
2.9
57.1
281.1
698 042.1
7 692 510.2
263.7
BLK870EX2306
19.0
72.5
278.4
698 043.2
7 692 509.8
263.6
BLK870EX2307
49.4
77.2
278.4
698 043.3
7 692 509.5
263.7
BLK870EX2308
76.6
76.4
262.4
698 043.3
7 692 509.3
263.7
BLK870EX2310
84.7
63.1
275.3
698 043.0
7 692 509.6
263.8
BLK870EX2311
28.4
63.9
215.3
698 043.5
7 692 509.6
263.7
BLK870EX2312
88.7
57.0
251.1
698 043.3
7 692 509.1
263.8
ERC750EX2311
145.5
57.0
269.2
697 312.5
7 694 285.9
387.0
ERC750EX2314
130.8
59.5
267.1
697 313.3
7 694 286.4
387.0
ERC750EX2315
135.5
61.0
275.1
697 313.8
7 694 287.3
387.0
ERC750EX2316
112.7
65.4
203.6
697 313.4
7 694 288.3
387.1
ERC750EX2317
153.0
50.2
288.0
697 313.1
7 694 286.8
387.1
ERC750EX2318
154.1
45.9
265.9
697 313.2
7 694 286.6
387.0
ERC750EX2401
53.5
72.5
356.2
697 090.9
7 694 511.7
389.3
ERC750EX2402
78.6
70.7
425.4
697 090.8
7 694 511.1
389.5
ERC750EX2403
94.1
71.1
454.4
697 090.9
7 694 510.6
389.4
LIM750EX2501
337.4
69.6
592.2
697 324.3
7 694 849.4
389.4Enquiries:
Caledonia Mining Corporation PlcMark LearmonthCamilla Horsfall
Tel: +44 1534 679 800Tel: +44 7817 841 793
Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker)Adrian Hadden Pearl Kellie
Tel: +44 207 397 1965Tel: +44 131 220 9775
Panmure Liberum (Joint Broker)Scott Mathieson
Tel: +44 20 3100 2000
Camarco, Financial PR (UK)Gordon PooleElfie Kent
Tel: +44 20 3757 4980
3PPB (Financial PR, North America)Patrick ChidleyPaul Durham
Tel: +1 917 991 7701Tel: +1 203 940 2538
Curate Public Relations (Zimbabwe)Debra Tatenda
Tel: +263 77802131
IH Securities (Private) Limited (VFEX Sponsor - Zimbabwe)Lloyd Mlotshwa
Tel: +263 (242) 745 119/33/39
Qualified Person
Craig James Harvey, MGSSA, MAIG, Caledonia Vice President, Technical Services, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Craig James Harvey is a 'Qualified Person' as defined by each of (i) the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and (ii) sub-part 1300 of Regulation S-K of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Access to Blanket Mine premises is controlled by security personnel on the first gate. On the second gate, in addition to security, entry is gained by biometric entry system. Diamond drilling is performed by qualified diamond drillers under the supervision of a diamond drill foreperson. Drilled core is routinely brought to surface to the core shed where it is received and laid down. A qualified geological technician performs geotechnical logging while a qualified geologist logs the core and marks the portions for splitting. The core is split in half along the core axis using an electric core cutter equipped with a diamond saw cutter. The geologist marks the sample intervals, put tickets, insert standards and blanks. One half of the sample is put into a plastic sample bag and sealed with cable ties. The sampling information is entered into the database. The other half of the core is marked with sample intervals and sample numbers and returned to the core box and retained for future reference. The samples are put in marked grain bags and tied with cable ties.
Transportation is by road using a mine vehicle to a SADCAS accredited testing laboratory (accreditation number TEST-05 0030) in Kwekwe, some 330km from Blanket Mine. A delivery note is signed as proof of dispatch.
Gold is analysed by a 50 grams fire assay with an Atomic Absorption (AA) finish. The laboratory also has internal quality control ('QC') programs that include insertion of reagent blanks, reference materials, and pulp duplicates.
Blanket Mine inserts QC samples (blanks and reference materials) at regular intervals to monitor laboratory performance.
When results are received, the assay results are painted against the sample numbers on the core retained.
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: planned exploration programs, focuses, strategies, drilling targets and work, potential for further exploration of certain areas, potential drilling results and related expectations, costs and expenditures, including with respect to the cost of development and production, project economics, gold price assumptions, potential mineralization, projected ore grades, opportunities to add near mine and further high-grade mineral reserves and resources, expectations regarding the mine plan and extensions to it, sustaining capital and value of operations and other statements and information that is based on forecasts and projections of future operational, geological or financial results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. 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.
Exploration results that include geophysics, sampling, and drill results on wide spacings may not be indicative of the occurrence of a mineral deposit. Such results do not provide assurance that further work will establish sufficient grade, continuity, metallurgical characteristics and economic potential to be classed as a category of mineral resource. A mineral resource that is classified as "inferred" or "indicated" has a great amount of uncertainty as to its existence and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that any or part of an "indicated mineral resource" or "inferred mineral resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category of mineral resource. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into proven and probable mineral reserves.
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); 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.
For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that may affect the Company's ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, see the Company's latest 20-F and Management's Discussion and Analysis, each under the heading 'Risk Factors', available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. The foregoing should be reviewed in conjunction with the information and risk factors and assumptions found in this news release.
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.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available athttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed054d35-89fc-499a-b9e5-cf7e5ac272b8
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5492e23f-ceb9-4bfb-9fbc-818db654fa97
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Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc: High Grade Drill Results at Blanket Mine
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc: High Grade Drill Results at Blanket Mine

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Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc: High Grade Drill Results at Blanket Mine

Better than expected grades and widths from drilling in multiple areas anticipated to boost gold resources at Blanket ST HELIER, Jersey, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc ("Caledonia" or 'the Company") is pleased to report further encouraging high grade results from the ongoing resource expansion drill programme at Caledonia's 64% owned Blanket Mine. The programme is aimed at evaluating the continuity of the mineralised zones on the Blanket, Eroica and Lima orebodies (which comprise three of the main orebodies at Blanket Mine). The objectives of the programme are to increase the confidence levels of the existing mineral resource and to grow the mineral resource estimate below the 34 level of the mine (1,110 metres). These results follow the previously announced results on January 30, 2024. Results from 6,976 metres of underground drilling from January 2024 to the end of April 2025 indicate that the existing Blanket and Eroica orebodies have grades and widths which are generally better than expected, while the Lima orebody is shown to continue below 22 level (750 metres). A new potential orebody has been intersected in the Blanket orebody area of the mine, with impressive grades and widths. Table 1. Drilling Highlights** Holes Identifier Orebody Name Orebody Intersection Core Length (m) True width (m) Grade (g/t) Orebody Intersection depth from surface (m) *E.O.H (m) From (m) To (m) BLK870EX2312 NEW 120.30 152.10 31.80 24 .73 6.71 895 251.1 BLK870EX2308 NEW 21.1 31.9 10.8 5.93 17.73 817.1 262.4 BLK4_5 45.1 71.4 26.3 14.71 4.71 840.4 ARS1110EX2308 BLK1FW 66.2 79.4 13.2 8.98 25.06 1 096.4 190.4 BLK1FW 82.4 85.4 3.0 2.05 21.39 1 111.2 BLK1110EX2412 BQR 56.9 64.7 7.8 5.27 13.02 1 087.7 242.8 BLK1110EX2414 BQR 84.0 91.2 7.2 4.32 8.95 1 116.0 96.0 ERC750EX2402 ERCN 366.0 375.0 9.0 6.70 7.26 998.9 425.4 ERC750EX2403 ERCN 413.4 420.6 7.2 4.75 6.15 1 039.2 454.4 *End of hole depth**The complete long hole drilling results for January 2024 to April 2025 are provided in Appendix 1 Mark Learmonth, Caledonia's Chief Executive Officer, commented: 'Our ongoing drilling campaign continues to demonstrate encouraging results, further improving our confidence in the Blanket Mine mineral resource and pointing to additional future mineral resource growth. The grades and widths we are seeing from this drilling campaign are as good as and, in some cases, considerably better than results from previous drilling campaigns, which is highly encouraging. 'We anticipate that the positive grades and widths will result in an increased overall mineral resource estimate, which in due course should result in the extension of the existing life of mine. We have invested heavily in Blanket Mine over the last seven years to increase production capacity, resulting in a mine infrastructure that can sustain production beyond the current production horizon. "Drilling is currently focussed on the Blanket and Eroica orebodies, where crosscuts have been developed to allow optimal access to drill the deeper zones of the steeply-dipping orebodies. These results are extremely promising, and we look forward to the next phase of drilling and updating the market accordingly.' Commentary The drilling at Blanket Mine continues to confirm the continuation of several of the main orebodies (the Blanket, Eroica and Lima orebodies) at depth at the lowest levels of the mine and beyond. The increased density of drilling intersections from the programme is aimed at upgrading the inferred mineral resource estimate to the indicated mineral resource category or better, providing a solid resource base for life of mine planning. Grades and widths in the results from the Blanket and Eroica orebodies have been generally better than previously expected and modelled. Further data on each drill hole is set out at Appendix 2 and pictorial representations of the holes are included below. Figure 1. Blanket Mine Drilling – Long Section (North – South) of Blanket Mine Showing Locality of Drilling Blanket Orebody – Strong Grades and Widths in Infill Drilling and New Orebody Discovered In holes BLK870EX2312 and BLK870EX2308 (holes 16 and 13 on the section below, respectively), drilling intersected a new orebody which is believed to be another subparallel orebody which would be in addition to the 6 subparallel orebodies which currently comprise the Blanket series of orebodies (together referred to as the Blanket orebody). The initial intersections into this previously unknown orebody are highly encouraging, with highlights of 31.8 metres (estimated true width of 24.73 metres) at 6.71 grammes per tonne ('g/t') gold and 10.8 metres (estimated true width of 5.93 metres) at 17.73 g/t gold. Infill drill results into the Blanket orebody have returned, in general, better widths and grades than expected when compared to the current mineral resource estimate contained within the report entitled 'NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Blanket Gold Mine, Zimbabwe' with an effective date of 31 December 2023. A comparison of drillhole ARS1110EX2308 with the 2023 resource model shows a similar width for Blanket 1 Footwall (BLK1FW) orebody of approximately 13 metres while the drillhole grades return a composite grade inclusive of internal dilution from 66.21 to 85.41 metres downhole of 20.64 g/t compared to a mineral resource model grade of approximately 4.64 g/t. The Blanket 1 Hangingwall (BLK1HW), in the same drillhole ARS1110EX2308, returned a similar value of 6.28 g/t when compared to the mineral resource model grade of between 4.0 and 6.0 g/t while the true width in the drillhole of 7.14 metres is thicker than the mineral resource model width of approximately 3.30 metres. Drill results reported in this announcement concern intersections between 26 and 34 level on the south end of the mine (Figure 2), plus intersections below 34 level in the middle portion of the Blanket orebody (Figure 3). This information will form part of the planned mineral resource update anticipated to be published by year end. Figure 2. Blanket Orebody – Drilling from 26 Level (870 metres below surface) Figure 3. Blanket Orebody – Drilling from 34 Level (1,110 metres below surface) Eroica and Lima Orebodies – Solid Intersections at Eroica at 34 Level and Extension Demonstrated at Lima Drilling commenced at Lima and initial intersections are encouraging. The likelihood of the Lima orebody (Lima main, footwall, hangingwall and intermediates) extending from 22 level to 34 level is considered to be high. The potential down dip continuation of the Lima orebody will be accessible from Eroica orebody development on 30 and 34 level with relatively minor extensions to current development. Figure 4. Eroica and Lima Orebodies – Drilling from 750 metres (22 Level) below surface This information will form part of the planned mineral resource update anticipated to be published by year end. Future Exploration Plans and other Programs Ongoing Drilling will continue to evaluate the Blanket, ARM and ARS orebodies to the 38 level (1,230 metres) and beyond. In addition to underground exploration drilling, Blanket Mine has commenced a surface exploration project within the area held under the Blanket Mine mining lease. The program is targeting the Banded Iron Formation ('BIF') which strikes in a north-westerly direction and has been exploited at the nearby Vubachikwe and Sabiwa gold mines. The BIF extends from the southern boundary of the Blanket Mine lease area through to the northern boundary and beyond. Initial work comprised Induced Polarisation ('IP') and Ground Magnetic ('GM') surveys over a selected area. These surveys delineated anomalous zones over a 600-metre strike length which subsequent surface reconnaissance mapping and pitting has shown to be quartz filled shear zones hosted within the BIF. Grab samples from shallow surface pits returned assay values ranging between 0.59 and 32.12 g/t from analysis at the Blanket Mine assay laboratory. Planned activities for 2025 include: Surface trenching at 50 metres spacing over the strike length of 600 metres. Reverse Circulation ('RC') drilling focusing on defining the potential of shallow oxide mineral resources. Appendix 1 Map Ref No. Hole Identifier Orebody Name Orebody Intersection Core Length (m) True width (m) Grade (g/t) Orebody Intersection depth from surface (m) End of Hole Depth (m) From (m) To (m) 1 ARS1110EX2305 BQR 4.80 14.40 9.60 5.10 2.48 1038 182.10 BLK1HW 94.50 105.90 11.40 5.68 4.11 1104 BLK1FW 116.10 120.90 4.80 2.35 7.21 1120 2 ARS1110EX2306 BQR 4.20 19.30 15.10 6.10 4.18 1038 174.10 BLK1HW 69.50 98.80 29.30 10.67 3.33 1083 3 ARS1110EX2307 BQR 4.55 6.85 2.30 1.44 11.93 1039 164.40 BLK1HW 24.78 32.41 7.63 4.89 4.59 1058 BLK1FW 131.30 133.10 1.80 1.26 11.85 1156 4 ARS1110EX2308 BQR 6.10 12.18 6.08 3.97 9.08 1041 190.40 BLK1HW 43.96 54.61 10.65 7.14 6.28 1076 BLK1FW 66.21 79.41 13.20 8.98 25.06 1096 BLK1FW 82.41 85.41 3.00 2.05 21.39 1111 5 ARS1110EX2501 ARSEWL 85.50 92.10 6.60 2.35 0.38 1110 260.30 6 BLK1110EX2410 BQR 67.50 73.90 6.40 4.19 3.61 1098 233.30 BQR 78.10 81.70 3.60 2.37 3.59 1108 7 BLK1110EX2411 BQR 60.50 61.70 1.20 0.81 5.80 1090 194.30 8 BLK1110EX2412 BQR 56.90 64.70 7.80 5.27 13.02 1088 242.80 9 BLK1110EX2414 BQR 84.00 91.20 7.20 4.32 8.95 1116 96.00 10 BLK870EX2305 BLK4_5 26.10 39.30 13.20 7.06 2.66 818 281.10 11 BLK870EX2306 BLK4_5 36.70 46.30 9.60 5.11 2.89 832 278.40 12 BLK870EX2307 BLK4_5 43.60 54.40 10.80 5.84 1.51 839 278.40 13 BLK870EX2308 NEW 21.14 31.94 10.80 5.93 17.73 817 262.40 BLK4_5 45.09 71.40 26.31 14.71 4.71 840 BLK2FW 239.50 244.80 5.30 3.57 3.78 1024 14 BLK870EX2310 BLK4_5 36.40 46.80 10.40 7.43 3.65 829 275.30 15 BLK870EX2311 BLK4_5 29.30 38.90 9.60 6.25 2.74 823 215.30 16 BLK870EX2312 BLK4_5 56.10 62.10 6.00 7.36 3.21 843 251.10 NEW 113.10 116.10 3.00 2.33 4.13 889 NEW 120.30 152.10 31.80 24.73 6.71 895 NEW 164.70 168.90 4.20 3.28 2.59 930 NEW 181.50 183.90 2.40 1.88 3.24 942 17 ERC750EX2311 ERCS 235.80 238.80 3.00 1.26 1.61 861 269.20 18 ERC750EX2314 ERC 138.30 143.10 4.80 2.20 0.71 790 ERCS 177.80 178.80 1.00 0.44 4.43 821 267.10 19 ERC750EX2315 ERCS 143.10 144.90 1.80 0.74 6.27 796 275.10 20 ERC750EX2316 No significant intersection 203.60 21 ERC750EX2317 ERCS 202.40 206.60 4.20 0.69 0.70 820 288.00 22 ERC750EX2318 ERCS 256.10 265.90 9.80 0.96 0.72 842 265.90 23 ERC750EX2401 No significant intersection 356.20 24 ERC750EX2402 ERCN 366.00 375.00 9.00 6.70 7.26 999 425.40 25 ERC750EX2403 ERCN 413.40 420.60 7.20 4.75 6.15 1039 454.40 26 LIM750EX2501 LIM 66.40 69.70 3.30 1.14 1.22 730 592.20 LIMINT 76.30 79.90 3.60 1.25 5.76 742 * ERCN – Eroica North, ERCS – Eroica South, BQR – Blanket Quartz Reef, BLK1HW – Blanket 1 Hanging wall, BLK1FW – Blanket 1 Footwall, BLK2FW – Blanket 2 Footwall, BLK4_5 – Blanket 4 and 5, ARSEWL – AR South East – West Limb, LIM – Lima Main, LIMI – Lima Intermediate, NEW – Mineralisation not correlated to known orebodies. Appendix 2 Underground exploration drill hole; azimuth, dip, drilled length, and collar location (UTM NAD83) Hole Identifier Azimuth (°) Dip (°) Drilled Length (m) UTM Easting (m) UTM Northing (m) UTM Elevation (m) ARS1110EX2305 128.3 49.4 182.1 697 766.1 7 693 019.4 25.6 ARS1110EX2306 140.3 44.7 174.1 697 765.7 7 693 017.8 25.0 ARS1110EX2307 44.7 69.9 164.4 697 761.5 7 693 022.1 25.0 ARS1110EX2308 77.7 68.9 190.4 697 766.2 7 693 020.0 25.1 ARS1110EX2501 339.6 62.5 260.3 697 674.6 7 693 026.5 25.1 BLK1110EX2410 50.2 70.8 233.3 697 681.7 7 693 030.0 25.5 BLK1110EX2411 35.6 66.2 194.3 697 681.7 7 693 030.2 25.3 BLK1110EX2412 56.0 69.1 242.8 697 682.3 7 693 030.1 25.3 BLK1110EX2414 69.5 75.8 96.0 697 682.2 7 693 029.6 25.3 BLK870EX2305 2.9 57.1 281.1 698 042.1 7 692 510.2 263.7 BLK870EX2306 19.0 72.5 278.4 698 043.2 7 692 509.8 263.6 BLK870EX2307 49.4 77.2 278.4 698 043.3 7 692 509.5 263.7 BLK870EX2308 76.6 76.4 262.4 698 043.3 7 692 509.3 263.7 BLK870EX2310 84.7 63.1 275.3 698 043.0 7 692 509.6 263.8 BLK870EX2311 28.4 63.9 215.3 698 043.5 7 692 509.6 263.7 BLK870EX2312 88.7 57.0 251.1 698 043.3 7 692 509.1 263.8 ERC750EX2311 145.5 57.0 269.2 697 312.5 7 694 285.9 387.0 ERC750EX2314 130.8 59.5 267.1 697 313.3 7 694 286.4 387.0 ERC750EX2315 135.5 61.0 275.1 697 313.8 7 694 287.3 387.0 ERC750EX2316 112.7 65.4 203.6 697 313.4 7 694 288.3 387.1 ERC750EX2317 153.0 50.2 288.0 697 313.1 7 694 286.8 387.1 ERC750EX2318 154.1 45.9 265.9 697 313.2 7 694 286.6 387.0 ERC750EX2401 53.5 72.5 356.2 697 090.9 7 694 511.7 389.3 ERC750EX2402 78.6 70.7 425.4 697 090.8 7 694 511.1 389.5 ERC750EX2403 94.1 71.1 454.4 697 090.9 7 694 510.6 389.4 LIM750EX2501 337.4 69.6 592.2 697 324.3 7 694 849.4 389.4Enquiries: Caledonia Mining Corporation PlcMark LearmonthCamilla Horsfall Tel: +44 1534 679 800Tel: +44 7817 841 793 Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker)Adrian Hadden Pearl Kellie Tel: +44 207 397 1965Tel: +44 131 220 9775 Panmure Liberum (Joint Broker)Scott Mathieson Tel: +44 20 3100 2000 Camarco, Financial PR (UK)Gordon PooleElfie Kent Tel: +44 20 3757 4980 3PPB (Financial PR, North America)Patrick ChidleyPaul Durham Tel: +1 917 991 7701Tel: +1 203 940 2538 Curate Public Relations (Zimbabwe)Debra Tatenda Tel: +263 77802131 IH Securities (Private) Limited (VFEX Sponsor - Zimbabwe)Lloyd Mlotshwa Tel: +263 (242) 745 119/33/39 Qualified Person Craig James Harvey, MGSSA, MAIG, Caledonia Vice President, Technical Services, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Craig James Harvey is a 'Qualified Person' as defined by each of (i) the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and (ii) sub-part 1300 of Regulation S-K of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933. Quality Assurance and Quality Control Access to Blanket Mine premises is controlled by security personnel on the first gate. On the second gate, in addition to security, entry is gained by biometric entry system. Diamond drilling is performed by qualified diamond drillers under the supervision of a diamond drill foreperson. Drilled core is routinely brought to surface to the core shed where it is received and laid down. A qualified geological technician performs geotechnical logging while a qualified geologist logs the core and marks the portions for splitting. The core is split in half along the core axis using an electric core cutter equipped with a diamond saw cutter. The geologist marks the sample intervals, put tickets, insert standards and blanks. One half of the sample is put into a plastic sample bag and sealed with cable ties. The sampling information is entered into the database. The other half of the core is marked with sample intervals and sample numbers and returned to the core box and retained for future reference. The samples are put in marked grain bags and tied with cable ties. Transportation is by road using a mine vehicle to a SADCAS accredited testing laboratory (accreditation number TEST-05 0030) in Kwekwe, some 330km from Blanket Mine. A delivery note is signed as proof of dispatch. Gold is analysed by a 50 grams fire assay with an Atomic Absorption (AA) finish. The laboratory also has internal quality control ('QC') programs that include insertion of reagent blanks, reference materials, and pulp duplicates. Blanket Mine inserts QC samples (blanks and reference materials) at regular intervals to monitor laboratory performance. When results are received, the assay results are painted against the sample numbers on the core retained. 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: planned exploration programs, focuses, strategies, drilling targets and work, potential for further exploration of certain areas, potential drilling results and related expectations, costs and expenditures, including with respect to the cost of development and production, project economics, gold price assumptions, potential mineralization, projected ore grades, opportunities to add near mine and further high-grade mineral reserves and resources, expectations regarding the mine plan and extensions to it, sustaining capital and value of operations and other statements and information that is based on forecasts and projections of future operational, geological or financial results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. 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. Exploration results that include geophysics, sampling, and drill results on wide spacings may not be indicative of the occurrence of a mineral deposit. Such results do not provide assurance that further work will establish sufficient grade, continuity, metallurgical characteristics and economic potential to be classed as a category of mineral resource. A mineral resource that is classified as "inferred" or "indicated" has a great amount of uncertainty as to its existence and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that any or part of an "indicated mineral resource" or "inferred mineral resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category of mineral resource. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into proven and probable mineral reserves. 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); 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. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that may affect the Company's ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, see the Company's latest 20-F and Management's Discussion and Analysis, each under the heading 'Risk Factors', available on the SEDAR+ website at or on EDGAR at The foregoing should be reviewed in conjunction with the information and risk factors and assumptions found in this news release. 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. Photos accompanying this announcement are available athttps://

Global Markets Dip as Traders Gauge Fallout From U.S. Strikes on Iran
Global Markets Dip as Traders Gauge Fallout From U.S. Strikes on Iran

New York Times

time7 hours ago

  • New York Times

Global Markets Dip as Traders Gauge Fallout From U.S. Strikes on Iran

Stocks edged lower and oil prices climbed in Monday trading in Asia, reflecting investor concern over potential economic fallout from the U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. Futures contracts for the S&P 500, indicating how the index might perform when markets open in New York, slipped by about 0.3 percent. The price of West Texas Intermediate, the benchmark for U.S. crude, gained roughly 3 percent. Gold, a traditional safe-haven asset, also rose. Markets in Asia, the first to open after the strikes in Iran, were down. Stocks in Taipei, Taiwan, fell more than 1 percent. Benchmark indexes in Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea also dipped. Traders were waiting for clearer indications of whether there would be an escalation in conflicts in the Middle East — particularly any moves by Iran to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical transit point for global oil supplies. Last year, about 20 million barrels of oil were shipped through the waterway each day, representing about 20 percent of the world's total supply. Most of that oil was bound for Asia. Places like Japan and Taiwan rely on the Middle East for almost all of their crude oil imports, meaning that any disruption to traffic through the strait could inflict a large economic blow. China is the largest purchaser of Iranian oil. Oil prices, hovering around $76 a barrel, are expected to enter the $80 range, but if the risk of Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz is seen as increasing, they will rise even further, said Takahide Kiuchi, executive economist at Nomura Research Institute. In that case, 'the Japanese economy could be exposed to downside risks that exceed those of the Trump tariffs,' he said. Other analysts expect fallout from the U.S. strikes to be relatively short-lived. The oil market is better equipped to respond to shocks than it has been in the past because of spare capacity held by exporters, according to Daniel Hynes, a senior commodity strategist at ANZ Research. Geopolitical events involving producers can have a big impact on oil markets, but in recent years, prices have tended to quickly retreat as risks ease, Mr. Hynes said. Daniel Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, said there could be more volatility in stock movements this week. But, he said, the market may view the Iran threat as 'now gone.' In that case, he said, 'the worst is now in the rearview mirror.' Joe Rennison contributed reporting from New York.

Chinese Cobalt Prices and Stocks Spike After Congo Extends Ban
Chinese Cobalt Prices and Stocks Spike After Congo Extends Ban

Bloomberg

time7 hours ago

  • Bloomberg

Chinese Cobalt Prices and Stocks Spike After Congo Extends Ban

Cobalt prices and stocks surged in China after the Democratic Republic of Congo extended its export ban to September, constricting supplies of the raw material used in alloys and batteries. The country, which supplies about three-quarters of the world's cobalt, said over the weekend that the suspension would continue 'due to the continued high level of stock on the market.' It follows an initial four-month halt that began on Feb. 22.

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