Caledonia Mining Corporation Blanket Mine Q3 Production Update and Revised Guidance for 2026
Lower expected production raised unit-cost guidance, while some capital spending shifted into 2027 without materially reducing project scope.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Summary
Caledonia Mining Corporation (CMCL) reduced its 2026 Blanket Mine production guidance after quarterly gold output fell to 17,030 ounces. Q3 output compared with 19,106 ounces a year earlier; nine-month production fell to 49,158 ounces from 58,846. Compressor delays restricted deeper mining, while equipment commissioning difficulties retained approximately 1,100 ounces of gold in the plant.
2026 production guidance is now 69,000–72,500 ounces, versus 72,000–76,500 previously. On-mine cost guidance rose to US$1,700–US$1,900 per ounce sold, and all-in sustaining costs to US$2,650–US$2,850. Group capital expenditure guidance fell to US$94.3 million from US$103.3 million, primarily through spending deferred to 2027, without a material reduction in project scope. Caledonia expects approximately 19,800–23,300 ounces in Q4, supported by additional compressors, retained-gold recovery and processing improvements.
How this balance works
Rhea-AI gives every point it takes from this document a weight. Minor counts 1, Moderate 3 and Major 9, so one Major point outweighs several Minor ones. The bar adds up the weights on each side, and when neither side holds more than 65% of the total the balance reads Mixed.
It reads the document as published, with the same rules for every company, and it does not look at what the market expected or at how the stock traded, so a point can be objectively good on a day the stock falls.
Rhea-AI Sentiment measures something else, the tone of the wording.
Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works
Positive
- Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Q4 Blanket production is expected at approximately 19,800–23,300 ounces as operational improvements take effect.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Additional compressors: two deployed; Caledonia anticipates normalised production during Q4.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Retained-gold recovery is expected from mid-October, following commissioning of increased elution capacity.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Lima processing of additional ore from the seven-day shift system is expected to benefit Q4 production.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Improved mining flexibility and increased access to higher-grade areas are expected to benefit Q4 production.
7 minor points
- Minor pointAccumulated carbon processing covers 58.04 tonnes containing approximately 1,166 ounces, averaging 625.0 grammes per tonne.
- Minor pointQ3 tonnes milled increased to 215,539 from 212,504 in Q3 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month tonnes milled increased to 625,904 from 619,174 in 2025.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Blanket sustaining capital guidance reduced to US$44.0 million from US$48.0 million.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Bilboes growth capital guidance reduced to US$43.0 million from US$48.0 million.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Operational initiatives are expected to support higher and more consistent production in 2027.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Management expects no adverse effect on internal cash-flow contributions toward Bilboes development funding.
Negative
- Major point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.2026 Blanket production guidance cut to 69,000–72,500 ounces from 72,000–76,500 ounces.
- Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.On-mine cost guidance increased to US$1,700–US$1,900 per ounce sold from US$1,600–US$1,800.
- Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.All-in sustaining cost guidance increased to US$2,650–US$2,850 per ounce sold from US$2,500–US$2,700.
- Moderate pointQ3 gold production fell to 17,030 ounces from 19,106 ounces in Q3 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month gold production fell to 49,158 ounces from 58,846 ounces in 2025.
7 minor points
- Minor pointQ3 grade declined to 2.67 from 3.00 in Q3 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month grade declined to 2.65 from 3.16 in 2025.
- Minor pointQ3 recovery declined to 92.2% from 93.3% in Q3 2025.
- Minor pointNine-month recovery declined to 92.3% from 93.7% in 2025.
- Minor pointCompressor delivery and deployment delays restricted production; two remaining compressors are being transported to the mine.
- Minor pointEquipment commissioning difficulties temporarily retained approximately 1,100 ounces of gold in the metallurgical plant.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Capital spending, primarily 132kV power line components, is now expected in 2027 rather than 2026.
News Explained
The release also identifies accumulated activated carbon containing approximately 1,166 ounces of gold for processing as part of Q4 recovery initiatives, in addition to the approximately 1,100 ounces temporarily retained in the plant.
Key Figures
- Q3 gold production
- 17,030 ounces
- Q3 2026; Q3 2025: 19,106 ounces
- Nine-month gold production
- 49,158 ounces
- Nine months ended September 30, 2026; prior-year period: 58,846 ounces
- FY 2026 production guidance
- 69,000–72,500 ounces
- Blanket; previously 72,000–76,500 ounces
- On-mine cost guidance
- US$1,700–US$1,900 per ounce sold
- FY 2026; previously US$1,600–US$1,800 per ounce sold
- AISC guidance
- US$2,650–US$2,850 per ounce sold
- FY 2026; previously US$2,500–US$2,700 per ounce sold
- Group capital expenditure guidance
- US$94.3 million
- FY 2026; previously US$103.3 million, with the reduction reflecting timing of expenditures
Key Terms
assays technical
all-in sustaining cost financial
ni 43-101 regulatory
qualified person regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
SAINT HELIER, JE / ACCESS Newswire / October 9, 2026 / Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc ("Caledonia" or "the Company") announces gold production from the Blanket Mine ("Blanket") in Zimbabwe for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 ("Q3 2026" or the "Quarter"). The Company also provides revised guidance for the year ending December 2026 ("FY 2026") in respect of production, costs and capital expenditure for Caledonia and its group of companies (the "Group").
All production numbers are expressed on a 100 per cent basis and are subject to final assays by the refiner.
Production Summary
- Gold produced in the Quarter: 17,030 ounces (Q3 2025: 19,106 ounces)
- Gold produced in the 9 months ended September 30, 2026: 49,158 ounces (9 months ended September 30, 2025: 58,846 ounces)
| Q3 2025 | Q3 2026 | 9 months 2025 | 9 months 2026 | |
| Tonnes Milled | 212,504 | 215,539 | 619,174 | 625,904 |
| Grade (BUH) | 3.00 | 2.67 | 3.16 | 2.65 |
| Recovery % | 93.3 | 92.2 | 93.7 | 92.3 |
| Ounces Rec | 19,106 | 17,030 | 58,846 | 49,158 |
Gold production in the Quarter was adversely affected by a shortage of compressed air at certain high-grade, high-volume mining areas and a temporary increase in the gold inventory in the metallurgical plant.
Mining activity in September was increasingly focused on the deeper 30 and 34 levels (990 and 1,110 meters below surface, respectively). Four additional compressors had been procured to facilitate mining at these deeper levels, and indeed the increased amount of development following the appointment of contractors earlier in the year. However, there have been delays in the delivery and deployment of the four new compressors which has severely adversely impacted production at this crucial high-grade mining area.
Two of the new compressors have now been deployed and the last two have now been released from the port and are being transported to the mine. Accordingly, it is anticipated that normalised production will be achieved during Q4.
In September, equipment was introduced to improve efficiency, recovery and security in the gravity gold circuit, which recovers the free-gold. Approximately 45-50 per cent of Blanket's gold is free-gold which is recovered from the gravity circuit. Difficulties encountered in the commissioning of the new equipment meant that approximately 1,100 ounces of free-gold were retained in the metallurgical plant. The retained gold should be recovered over a period of time, commencing mid-October, after the increased elution capacity has been commissioned.
Revised Production Guidance
Due to the lower than anticipated production in the Quarter, management reduces production guidance for Blanket for FY 2026 from a range of 72,000 to 76,500 ounces to a range of 69,000 to 72,500 ounces.
The lower production guidance for FY 2026 implies production at Blanket in the last quarter of 2026 ("Q4 2026") of approximately 19,800 to 23,300 ounces.
Production in Q4 2026 is expected to benefit from:
- Increased compressed air capacity, following the commissioning of additional compressors;
- The recovery from mid-October of approximately 1,100 ounces of gold temporarily retained within the metallurgical plant following the commissioning of the new elution vessel;
- The processing at the Lima satellite plant of additional ore arising from the seven-day shift system;
- Improved mining flexibility and increased access to higher-grade mining areas; and
- Increased elution capacity and improved recovery performance, including the processing of 58.04 tonnes of accumulated activated carbon, which contains approximately 1,166 ounces of gold at an average grade of 625.0 grammes per tonne
These initiatives are consistent with the operational improvement programme outlined previously by management.
The operational initiatives currently underway are expected to provide the foundation for higher and more consistent production in 2027.
Mark Learmonth, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"Production in the third quarter was below our expectations, principally due to insufficient compressed air capacity in deeper, higher-grade mining areas and the temporary retention of gold within the processing circuit. We are addressing these issues through the installation of additional compressor capacity and the commissioning of increased elution capacity.
"We expect production in the fourth quarter to benefit from improved access to higher-grade mining areas, the recovery from mid-October of approximately 1,100 ounces of gold retained within the metallurgical plant and the processing at Lima of additional ore arising from the seven-day shift system. These measures also support our plans for 2027 and are intended to support more consistent production, improved grade and lower unit costs.
"Although we have revised our guidance for 2026 to reflect the third-quarter performance, Blanket remains a robust and cash-generative operation. We remain focused on delivering a stronger performance in the fourth quarter and implementing the operational improvements required to support production and cash generation in 2027."
Updated 2026 Guidance Including Cost and Capex
As a result of the above, FY 2026 production, cost guidance and capex is re-guided as follows:
Production
- Blanket's gold production guidance revised to 69,000-72,500 ounces (previously 72,000-76,500 ounces).
Costs
- On-mine cost per ounce sold revised to US
$1,700 -US$1,900 per ounce sold (previously US$1,600 -US$1,800 per ounce sold), reflecting lower expected production volumes. - All-in sustaining cost ("AISC") guidance revised to US
$2,650 -US$2,850 per ounce sold (previously US$2,500 -US$2,700 per ounce sold).
Capital Expenditure
In order to best allocate capital and match expenditure to expected cash flows, capex guidance for the Group in FY 2026 has been reduced to US
- US
$44.0 million of sustaining capital expenditure at Blanket (reduced from$48.0m ), - US
$3.5 million of growth capital at Blanket (unchanged), - US
$43.0 million of growth capital expenditure at Bilboes (previously$48.0m ) and - US
$3.8 million of exploration at Motapa (unchanged).
Management believes this revised guidance for FY2026 will have no adverse effect on the Group's ability to utilise internal cash flows to contribute towards the funding of the Bilboes development project.
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.
Enquiries
| Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc Mark Learmonth Camilla Horsfall | Tel: +44 1534 679 800 Tel: +44 7817 841 793 |
| Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker) Adrian Hadden Pearl Kellie | Tel: +44 207 397 1965 Tel: +44 131 220 9775 |
| Camarco, Financial PR (UK) Elfie Kent | Tel: +44 20 3757 4980 |
| Curate Public Relations (Zimbabwe) Debra Tatenda | Tel: +263 77802131 |
IH Securities (Private) Limited (VFEX Sponsor - Zimbabwe) | Tel: +263 (242) 745 119/33/39 |
Note: The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information under 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: the procurement and commissioning of additional compressors and that this will ensure that the planned level of mining activity can be achieved, the Company's new full year gold production guidance for 2026; the expected benefits from: increased compressed air capacity, following the commissioning of additional compressors, the recovery from mid-October of approximately 1,100 ounces of gold temporarily retained within the metallurgical plant, the processing at the Lima satellite plant of additional ore arising from the seven-day shift system, the improved mining flexibility and increased access to higher-grade mining areas, and the benefits of increased elution capacity and improved recovery performance; the expectation that operational initiatives currently underway will provide the foundation for higher and more consistent production in 2027; and that the measures will support more consistent production, improved grade and lower unit costs. 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: the successful and timely implementation of planned operational initiatives; equipment availability and reliability; mine sequencing; ground conditions; labour availability and productivity; plant performance; the timely commissioning of planned processing plant improvements; 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.
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.sedar.com 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.
SOURCE: Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What is Caledonia Mining's revised 2026 Blanket gold production guidance?
Blanket's revised 2026 production guidance is 69,000–72,500 ounces, down from 72,000–76,500 ounces. The revised range implies approximately 19,800–23,300 ounces in Q4 2026. Production figures are reported on a 100 per cent basis and remain subject to final assays by the refiner.
What are Caledonia Mining's revised 2026 cost forecasts?
On-mine cost guidance is US$1,700–US$1,900 per ounce sold, and all-in sustaining cost guidance is US$2,650–US$2,850 per ounce sold. The previous ranges were US$1,600–US$1,800 and US$2,500–US$2,700, respectively. The higher on-mine cost forecast reflects lower expected production volumes.
How is Caledonia Mining allocating its revised 2026 capital expenditure budget?
The revised budget allocates US$44.0 million to Blanket sustaining capital, US$3.5 million to Blanket growth capital, US$43.0 million to Bilboes growth capital and US$3.8 million to Motapa exploration. Blanket growth capital and Motapa exploration guidance are unchanged.
Will Caledonia Mining's revised guidance affect funding for Bilboes development?
Management believes the revised 2026 guidance will have no adverse effect on the Group's ability to use internal cash flows to contribute toward funding the Bilboes development project.