Caracal Gold PLC (LSE:GCAT) said it has extended its initial mining plan for the Kilimapesa Hill deposit in Kenya after hitting consistently high grades.
Around 360 tonnes per day (tpd) are currently being processed at average gold grades from 3.39 grams per ton (g/t) to 4.92 g/t, but the plan is to get this quickly up to 500 tpd, said Robbie McCrae, Caracal chief executive in a statement.
As a result of the grades being mined, the initial plan has been expanded to over 180 days of delivery of high-grade material to the milling plant, while exploration to define the full potential of the high-grade zone is ongoing.
Caracal noted that tonnages mined recently have improved to over 400 tpd from the high-grade zone with recoveries at 75%.
Plant availability during the recent period was only 75% after being hit by a heavy rainstorm.
McCrae added: "It has been 20 days since we started mining and processing ore from the Kilimapesa Hill high-grade zone and the team are pleased with the results across the board from the exploration to the mining and to the processing.
“At the milling plant, the focus Is to increase the tonnage from 360 tpd to 500 tpd over the next few weeks.”