Major investment analyst and influencer, Rick Rule, recently interviewed Ramon Perez, CEO and President of Luca Mining Corp. (Ticker: LUCA.v or LUCMF for US investors) in preparation for his upcoming Natural Resources Investment Symposium.
Luca is a diversified Canadian mining company with two 100%-owned producing mines in Mexico, extracting gold, copper, zinc, silver, and lead, each with significant development and resource potential. Overall, the company's production guidance for 2024 is 60,000 - 70,000 ounces of gold equivalent.
Ramon Perez brings 20 years of experience in the mining industry, with a significant focus on metals and mining, particularly in Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador. He transitioned from a fund analyst to a prominent issuer in the region, positioning him well to lead Luca Mining.
Perez highlighted key team members, including:
- Neil O'Brien: With over 12 years at Lundin Mining and current involvement with NGEX Minerals.
- Phil Brummet: Known for his work at the Candelaria project in Chile, adding valuable mine-building expertise.
- Chris Richings: With 14 years at Candelaria, now serving as VP of Technical at Luca Mining.
Luca Mining's strategy revolves around acquiring and optimizing underperforming assets, a tactic reminiscent of Lundin Mining's success. Two primary assets under this strategy are the Campo Morado Project and the Tahuehueto Gold Mine.
The Campo Morado Project exemplifies Luca's strategy. The team, recognizing its potential, implemented significant operational improvements without major capital investments. By optimizing processes, they increased copper recovery from 40% to 75%, and zinc recovery from 75% to 85%. The project's future involves increasing throughput and further exploration based on historical geophysical data, indicating substantial untapped potential.
Scheduled to reach full production next month, Luca's Tahuehueto project has about 7 million tons grading at five grams per ton of gold equivalent. The 2022 pre-feasibility study projected a post-tax NPV of $161 million at a $1,600 gold price.
Current market conditions suggest even greater potential. The mine's exploration phase is promising, with multiple veins and significant gold findings indicating a robust system.
Luca Mining's exploration plans for the second half of the year aim to uncover more high-grade ores, enhancing the project's value. The company is well-capitalized, with no immediate need for additional funds to complete its current development phase.
This interview showcases Luca Mining's strategic approach and robust asset potential, setting a promising stage for Rick Rule's 2024 Natural Resources Investment Symposium.
Full interview here:
Posted on behalf of LUCA Mining Corp.