Caledonia expects new oxygen plant to improve recoveries at Blanket

Caledonia Mining Corporation announced the successful installation and commissioning of a new oxygen plant at the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe on Thursday.

The AIM-traded firm said the new oxygen plant was expected to improve metallurgical recovery and reduce cyanide consumption at Blanket.

Based on test work conducted, it anticipated that the plant would improve overall metallurgical recoveries at Blanket to approximately 94%.

Recoveries had averaged approximately 93% in 2019, Caledonia said.

“We are pleased to have successfully commissioned the new oxygen plant at Blanket and look forward to improved operating efficiencies as a result,” said chief executive officer Steve Curtis.

“This marks the latest in a series of investments to increase production and improve operating proficiency at Blanket as we continue our growth trajectory to 80,000 ounces per annum by 2022.”

Curtis said the new oxygen plant would provide up to six tonnes of improved oxygen supply to the Blanket carbon-in-leach plant, which was expected to increase recoveries to approximately 94%.

“We also anticipate that the oxygen plant will result in slightly lower operating costs as cyanide consumption is expected to be reduced as a result of the improved oxygen supply; and the operating costs of the new oxygen plant are predicted to be lower than those of the previous two tonne plant.”