Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (LON:CMCL) has commissioned a new oxygen plant at the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe.
The new plant will improve metallurgical recovery and reduce cyanide consumption at Blanket with gold recoveries expected to rise 94% from 93% this year.
Steve Curtis, the chief executive, said the plant was the latest in a series of investments to increase production and improve operating proficiency at Blanket as production rises to 80,000 ounces per annum by 2022.
"The new oxygen plant will provide up to six tonnes of improved oxygen supply to the Blanket Carbon-in-Leach plant which is expected to increase recoveries to approximately 94 per cent.
"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."