Yesterday, mid-tier gold producer Luca Mining Corp. (Ticker: LUCA.v or LUCMF for US investors) announced the successful completion of the first two stages of the Campo Morado Improvement Project (CMIP) and the start of Stage 3, aimed at further boosting metallurgical performance and operational efficiency at its Campo Morado mine in Guerrero State, Mexico.
In Q4 2023, Luca Mining partnered with Ausenco Mxico to execute a staged project designed to enhance the efficiency of the Campo Morado operation. The first stage focused on a geometallurgical program and optimizing process controls. Stage 2 emphasized sustainable operations and plant reliability. Building on these successes, Stage 3 aims to refine the plant's flow sheet, allowing the production of three high-quality, saleable concentrates of copper, lead, and zinc.
The CMIP has already yielded significant benefits, particularly in copper recovery. Year-to-date (YTD) 2024, copper recovery in bulk concentrate has reached 68.5%, compared to 44.7% in the same period of 2023—a 53% improvement. This has translated into an estimated 10% increase in revenue per milled tonne compared to last year, assuming stable metal prices.
Key planned modifications under Stage 3 include:
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Updated metallurgical sampling systems.
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Modernized reagent dosing.
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Enhanced flotation cell air flow monitoring.
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Installation of next-generation pH/ORP probes.
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New bulk rougher concentrate surge tank.
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Adjustments to the bulk regrind circuit for 2-stage regrinding.
These improvements are expected to increase the liberation of copper and lead minerals, enabling a more efficient collection of concentrates through a sequential flotation process. The company plans to test the new copper-lead separation process by year-end, with complete project implementation anticipated by Q2 2025.
Full news here: https://lucamining.com/press-release/?qmodStoryID=6639096705901100
Posted on behalf of Luca Mining Corp.