Aim-listed Caledonia Mining chairperson Leigh Wilson says the experience of the company’s newly appointed independent nonexecutive director John McGloin will help ensure that the robust mine development plan, which is currently under way at the Blanket gold mine, in Zimbabwe, will be successfully implemented.

“His technical background as a geologist and his practical experience in managing a gold exploration and development company adds further strength and a broader perspective to Caledonia’s board,” Wilson said in a July statement.

McGloin holds an MSc in Mining and Exploration Geology from the Camborne School of Mines, in the UK, and a BSc in Geology from the National University of Ireland, in Galway. After he graduated, he worked as a geologist and a consultant geologist where he gained experience in a range of projects and multiple jurisdictions.

“I am delighted to join Caledonia at what is an exciting time in Caledonia’s development. Caledonia has an experienced management team and a strong producing asset, which, through a robust investment plan, has exceptional expansion potential and I look forward to assisting Caledonia on the implementation of this plan,” McGloin explained in July.

He spent ten years working in London, in the UK, initially as a mining analyst and latterly as the head of the mining teams at various London-based stockbrokers. From April 2012 to April 2016, McGloin was the executive chairperson and CEO of Amara Mining, which was focused on the Yaoure gold project, in Côte d’Ivoire, in West Africa.

“I am excited at the further strategic opportunities that will arise for Caledonia as the investment programme at Blanket begins to bear fruit,” says McGloin.

Caledonia has also appointed Maurice Mason investor relations and corporate development VP.

“His appointment increases Caledonia’s capacity to evaluate new strategic developments as our cash generation begins to improve, as we continue to implement the development plan at Blanket,” Wilson noted.

Mason is a South African who is a resident in London. He holds a BSc in Engineering from the University of Natal, in South Africa, and an MBA from Henley Management College, in the UK. Mason’s career includes positions at multinational consumer goods company Unilever, brewery SABMiller and diversified mining company Anglo American.

Most recently, Mason was director of equity research for brokerage and investment banking firm Stifel Nicolaus Europe and covered mining companies listed in the UK.

Wilson points out that Blanket is about 20 months into a four-year development programme.

“[Therefore,] we expect Blanket to increase production to about 80 000 oz/y of gold and reinforce its position as a low-cost operator with excellent long-term exploration and development potential.”

In August, Mining Weekly reported that Caledonia increased production at its 49%-owned Blanket mine by 15.6% quarter-on-quarter to 12 510 oz in the three months ended June 30.

The higher output was attributed to increased tons mined and milled, and improved grade.

The new production record was largely the result of improved underground logistics and increased mine flexibility as a result of the implementation of the revised investment plan at the Blanket mine,” Caledonia CEO Steve Curtis said.

The higher grade was as planned and reflected the start of production from the AR South and Blanket orebodies below 750 m.

“In future quarters, I expect the grade will improve towards 4 g/t as production from higher- grade, deeper orebodies increases,” Curtis added.

The all-in sustaining costs for the quarter were $936/oz – 9.5% lower than the comparable quarter of 2015.

Meanwhile, the miner said a “huge amount” had been achieved at its Central shaft, with the main sinking phase now under way and completion of the Central shaft on track for mid-2018.

According to a statement by Caledonia in August, the shaft was at a depth of 170 m and would eventually reach 1 080 m, establishing Blanket as a large, low-cost operation with prospects to extend the existing mine life.