Luca Mining Corp - LUCMF STOCK NEWS

Luca Mining Corp. (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) has been recognized in the prestigious 2025 TSX Venture 50™ list of top-performing companies. This annual ranking evaluates companies based on three equally weighted criteria: one-year share price appreciation, market capitalization increase, and Canadian consolidated trading value.

The company achieved an impressive 77% increase in share price during 2024, with positive momentum continuing into 2025. CEO Dan Barnholden expressed satisfaction with the recognition and anticipates 2025 to be transformative as the company focuses on production growth, cash flow enhancement, and exploration programs at both operating mines.

TSX Venture Exchange President Tim Babcock highlighted the strategic importance of Canadian natural resources and high-growth innovation, emphasizing the role of TSXV in supporting companies to raise capital and scale operations, particularly in critical minerals and energy sectors.

Luca Mining Corp. (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) has achieved significant operational milestones at its two mining operations. At the Campo Morado zinc/copper/gold mine, the company reached its targeted throughput of 2,000 tonnes per day (tpd), representing a 43% increase over the previous six months. In January 2025, the Campo Morado mill processed over 62,850 tonnes of ore, with plans to increase throughput to 2,400 tpd.

At the Tahuehueto gold/silver mine, commissioning is nearing completion with mill throughput stabilizing at 1,000 tpd. Despite a planned shutdown exceeding one week in January 2025, the mill processed over 24,700 tonnes of ore. The company is currently constructing a new warehouse to ensure sufficient parts and commodity supply redundancy for commercial production.

Luca Mining Corp. (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) has been recognized in the 2025 OTCQX® Best 50, a prestigious ranking of top-performing companies on the OTCQX Best Market. The ranking evaluates companies based on an equal weighting of one-year total return and average daily dollar volume growth during 2024.

The OTCQX Best Market is known for providing transparent and efficient trading for established, investor-focused companies that meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and maintain compliance with securities laws.

CEO Dan Barnholden highlighted the company's achievement of ranking in the top 5 among 50 high-performing companies. He expressed optimism for 2025, anticipating continued growth in production and cash flow, along with planned exploration programs for both gold and base metals assets.

Luca Mining Corp. (LUCMF) has initiated its first exploration drilling campaign at the Campo Morado mine in Guerrero State, Mexico, since 2014. The program includes up to 5,000 metres of underground diamond drilling from approximately 25 holes, targeting additional mineral resources near existing production areas.

The Campo Morado Project spans over 121 square kilometers within the Guerrero Gold Belt, containing polymetallic massive sulphide deposits with zinc, copper, gold, silver, and lead mineralization. The property has an extensive historical database including over 600,000 meters of drilling data, 30,000 geochemical soil samples, and various geophysical surveys. The company has identified more than 38 exploration targets across the property.

A surface drill program is expected to begin later this quarter to test areas outside current mine workings. Production has historically come from five deposits: G9, El Largo, Reforma, Naranjo and El Rey.

Luca Mining Corp. (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) has been invited to present at the '2025 Mining Conference: Mining & Supplying Critical Minerals & Precious Metals' organized by Maxim Group The presentation is scheduled for Thursday, January 16th, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. E.T.

The conference will feature virtual conversations focusing on future trends in mining and supplying critical minerals and precious metals. According to Tate Sullivan, Senior Research Analyst at Maxim Group, the U.S. presidential inauguration on January 20th is expected to trigger changes in how mining & processing companies supply critical minerals to various countries, including China and the U.S. Sullivan also anticipates mining and royalty companies to discuss changes in demand for critical minerals and precious metals in 2025.

The conference will be hosted live on M-Vest, with attendance requiring M-Vest membership registration.

Luca Mining Corp. (LUCMF) has announced a significant debt reduction through the repurchase of its US$5.8 million convertible debenture from Urion Holdings. The transaction, executed in partnership with Jaluca , involves a total purchase price of US$7.2 million at CAD$0.4338 per share, representing a 25% discount to Luca's recent share price of $0.58.

Luca will directly purchase and cancel 43% of the debenture, reducing diluted shares by 10,285,714 (4.4%), while Jaluca will convert its 57% portion at $0.35. The company's total debt has decreased by 39% to US$11.1 million since October 2024. The transaction was funded partly through the exercise of 8.7 million warrants in December 2024, generating C$4.4 million.

Post-transaction, Luca will have 221,365,671 shares outstanding, 47,789,457 warrants, and approximately US$6.75 million in cash. The company aims to be debt-free before the end of 2025.

Luca Mining Corp. (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) announced that Calu Opportunity Fund LP, a major insider, sold 5,699,975 common shares on December 31, 2024, through the TSX Venture Exchange at an average price of $0.62 per share, generating $3,533,984 in gross proceeds. Calu intends to use $2,000,000 of these proceeds to exercise 4,000,000 warrants at $0.50 per warrant.

Prior to the transaction, Calu owned 35,000,000 common shares (approximately 17.57% of outstanding shares) and 7,000,000 warrants. Following the share sale and warrant exercise, Calu will hold 33,300,025 common shares and 3,000,000 remaining warrants. The fund has not disclosed any specific plans for future transactions, stating that future decisions will depend on market conditions and investment factors.

Luca Mining Corp. (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) has appointed Ramon Mendoza Reyes, P.Eng., as Chief Technical Officer (CTO) to oversee technical and growth initiatives. Mendoza brings over 35 years of senior mining industry experience, specializing in mine development, process improvements, and operations management. His previous role at First Majestic Silver Corp. included leading technical due diligence for mine acquisitions, directing exploration and development projects, and managing operations with over 4,000 employees. Notable achievements include doubling yearly metal output through acquisitions and developing the Ermitaño Mine project within five years from discovery.

Luca Mining (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) has granted 850,000 incentive stock options to its recently hired V.P. Exploration and two other new exploration team members. The options have an exercise price of $0.54, vest over three years, and expire in five years. The grant requires TSX Venture Exchange approval.