Oct 11 2018
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc announces quarterly gold production from the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. All production numbers are expressed on a 100 per cent basis and are based on mine production data and are therefore subject to adjustment following final assay at the refiners.
Approximately 13,978 ounces of gold were produced during the Quarter, 10 per cent above production in the second quarter of 2018 and 3 per cent below production in the third quarter of 2017. Gold produced for the 9 months to September 30, 2018 was 39,559 ounces, marginally behind the 39,710 ounces produced in the corresponding period in 2017. The improvement in production in the Quarter is expected to continue into the fourth quarter. The directors of Caledonia have taken a decision to marginally reduce and narrow the range of 2018 production guidance from 55,000 to 59,000 ounces to a range of between 54,000 and 56,000 ounces. Caledonia remains on track to achieve its production target of 80,000 ounces in 2021.
As a result of the adjusted 2018 production guidance and the recent weakness in the gold price, assuming the current spot gold price is maintained for the rest of 2018 and assuming no material change in the Company’s operating costs, Caledonia expects full year 2018 adjusted earnings to be in the range of 140c to 150c per share. This is a reduction from the previous earnings guidance of 165c to 190c per share but is 3 per cent to 12 per cent higher than the earnings achieved in 2017.
Commenting on the announcement, Steve Curtis, Chief Executive Officer, said:
Production of 13,978 ounces in the third quarter of 2018 is a welcome improvement on the production levels achieved in the first two quarters of 2018. The Company expects this improvement to be maintained in the fourth quarter of 2018. Notwithstanding the improved operating performance, we believe it is appropriate to adjust and tighten our production guidance for 2018 from the previous level of 55,000 to 59,000 ounces to a slightly reduced level of 54,000 to 56,000 ounces. Along with this adjustment and in light of the weaker than budgeted gold price in recent months we have issued new earnings guidance for 2018 of between 140 and 150 cents per share.
Grade during the quarter continued to be below expected levels and remains a key area of focus for the business. I am pleased with the progress that our technical teams have made with our focus on improved mining practices to minimise dilution and I have confidence that their efforts will continue to deliver results. We remain confident in the underlying geological model for Blanket and that the longer-term potential of the ore body is robust. We expect grade to return to budgeted levels in the fourth quarter of 2018.
The sinking of the central shaft continues according to plan and within budget, we look forward to commencing production from the central shaft in 2020 which is expected to deliver the Company’s growth plan to achieve 80,000 ounces by 2021.
Source: http://www.caledoniamining.com/