Caledonia Mining (LON:CMCL) is on track with its upgrade programme at the Blanket mine in Zimbabwe.
The new Tramming Loop has been completed, something that is expected to boost production towards the end of this year.
Sinking the No. 6 Winze shaft has been completed and preparations have commenced for equipping the shaft. First production from No 6 Winze is scheduled for January 2016 and is expected to reach a target rate of 500 tonnes per day in May 2017.
Surface earthworks, meanwhile, have cleared the way for cement pouring prior to sinking a new central shaft to a depth of 1,080 metres.
The new central shaft will open up resources below 750 metres to allow for further exploration and development along the known 3km Blanket strike.
Steve Curtis, chief executive, said: “The completion of the Tramming Loop and sinking of the No. 6 Winze are significant steps towards incrementally increasing production from 2016 onwards to achieve an annual rate of 80,000 ounces of gold by 2021.”