LUCA MINING ANNOUNCES COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION AT TAHUEHUETO AND PROVIDES 2025 PRODUCTION GUIDANCE
Luca Mining Corp. (LUCMF) has achieved commercial production at its Tahuehueto mine, operating consistently above 800 tonnes per day with 82% plant availability. The company has announced its 2025 production guidance, targeting 85,000-100,000 gold equivalent ounces with payable ounces of 65,000-80,000.
The company expects to generate $30-40 million in free cash flow before working capital adjustments. Luca plans to invest $27.4 million in 2025, including $23.5 million in sustaining capital and $3.9 million in exploration across its two operating mines.
At Campo Morado, operations aim to increase throughput above 2,000 tonnes per day by late 2025, with $13 million allocated to capital projects. At Tahuehueto, $10.5 million is planned for capital expenditures. The company aims to eliminate debt by July 2026 and targets becoming a mid-tier mining company with over 200,000 gold equivalent ounces annual production.
Luca Mining Corp. (LUCMF) ha raggiunto la produzione commerciale presso la sua miniera di Tahuehueto, operando costantemente sopra le 800 tonnellate al giorno con un'82% di disponibilità dell'impianto. L'azienda ha annunciato le sue previsioni di produzione per il 2025, puntando a 85.000-100.000 once equivalenti d'oro con once pagabili di 65.000-80.000.
L'azienda si aspetta di generare 30-40 milioni di dollari di flusso di cassa libero prima degli aggiustamenti del capitale circolante. Luca prevede di investire 27,4 milioni di dollari nel 2025, di cui 23,5 milioni in capitale di mantenimento e 3,9 milioni in esplorazione nelle sue due miniere operative.
Presso Campo Morado, le operazioni mirano ad aumentare il throughput sopra le 2.000 tonnellate al giorno entro la fine del 2025, con 13 milioni di dollari destinati a progetti di capitale. A Tahuehueto, sono previsti 10,5 milioni di dollari per le spese in conto capitale. L'azienda punta ad eliminare il debito entro luglio 2026 e mira a diventare una società mineraria di medio livello con oltre 200.000 once equivalenti d'oro di produzione annuale.
Luca Mining Corp. (LUCMF) ha logrado producción comercial en su mina Tahuehueto, operando consistentemente por encima de 800 toneladas por día con una disponibilidad de planta del 82%. La empresa ha anunciado su guía de producción para 2025, con un objetivo de 85,000-100,000 onzas equivalentes de oro y onzas pagables de 65,000-80,000.
La empresa espera generar 30-40 millones de dólares en flujo de caja libre antes de ajustes de capital de trabajo. Luca planea invertir 27.4 millones de dólares en 2025, incluyendo 23.5 millones en capital de mantenimiento y 3.9 millones en exploración en sus dos minas operativas.
En Campo Morado, las operaciones tienen como objetivo aumentar el rendimiento por encima de 2,000 toneladas por día para finales de 2025, con 13 millones de dólares asignados a proyectos de capital. En Tahuehueto, se planean 10.5 millones de dólares para gastos de capital. La empresa tiene como objetivo eliminar la deuda para julio de 2026 y pretende convertirse en una empresa minera de nivel medio con más de 200,000 onzas equivalentes de oro en producción anual.
루카 마이닝 주식회사 (LUCMF)는 타후에후에 광산에서 상업 생산을 시작했으며, 하루 800톤 이상 안정적으로 운영되고 있으며 82%의 공장 가동률을 기록하고 있습니다. 이 회사는 2025년 생산 목표를 발표했으며, 85,000-100,000 금 동등 온스와 65,000-80,000의 유료 온스를 목표로 하고 있습니다.
회사는 3천만-4천만 달러의 자유 현금 흐름을 창출할 것으로 예상하고 있으며, 운영 자본 조정 전입니다. 루카는 2025년에 2,740만 달러를 투자할 계획이며, 이 중 2,350만 달러는 유지 보수 자본에, 390만 달러는 두 개의 운영 광산에 대한 탐사에 사용할 예정입니다.
캄포 모라도에서는 2025년 말까지 하루 2,000톤 이상의 처리량을 목표로 하고 있으며, 자본 프로젝트에 1,300만 달러가 할당되었습니다. 타후에후에에서는 자본 지출로 1,050만 달러가 계획되어 있습니다. 이 회사는 2026년 7월까지 부채를 없애고 연간 200,000 금 동등 온스를 생산하는 중견 광산 회사로 성장할 목표를 가지고 있습니다.
Luca Mining Corp. (LUCMF) a atteint une production commerciale dans sa mine de Tahuehueto, fonctionnant de manière constante au-dessus de 800 tonnes par jour avec une disponibilité de l'usine de 82%. L'entreprise a annoncé ses prévisions de production pour 2025, visant 85 000 à 100 000 onces équivalentes d'or avec des onces payables de 65 000 à 80 000.
L'entreprise s'attend à générer 30 à 40 millions de dollars de flux de trésorerie libre avant ajustements du fonds de roulement. Luca prévoit d'investir 27,4 millions de dollars en 2025, dont 23,5 millions en capital de maintien et 3,9 millions en exploration dans ses deux mines en exploitation.
À Campo Morado, les opérations visent à augmenter le débit au-dessus de 2 000 tonnes par jour d'ici fin 2025, avec 13 millions de dollars alloués à des projets d'investissement. À Tahuehueto, 10,5 millions de dollars sont prévus pour les dépenses d'investissement. L'entreprise vise à éliminer sa dette d'ici juillet 2026 et vise à devenir une entreprise minière de taille intermédiaire avec une production annuelle de plus de 200 000 onces équivalentes d'or.
Luca Mining Corp. (LUCMF) hat die kommerzielle Produktion in seiner Tahuehueto-Mine erreicht und betreibt konstant über 800 Tonnen pro Tag mit einer Verfügbarkeit der Anlage von 82%. Das Unternehmen hat seine Produktionsprognose für 2025 bekannt gegeben, mit dem Ziel von 85.000-100.000 Goldäquivalent-Unzen und zahlbaren Unzen von 65.000-80.000.
Das Unternehmen erwartet, 30-40 Millionen Dollar an freiem Cashflow vor Anpassungen des Working Capitals zu generieren. Luca plant, im Jahr 2025 27,4 Millionen Dollar zu investieren, darunter 23,5 Millionen Dollar in Erhaltungsinvestitionen und 3,9 Millionen Dollar in Exploration in seinen beiden betriebenen Minen.
In Campo Morado zielen die Betriebe darauf ab, die Durchsatzmenge bis Ende 2025 auf über 2.000 Tonnen pro Tag zu steigern, wobei 13 Millionen Dollar für Kapitalprojekte vorgesehen sind. In Tahuehueto sind 10,5 Millionen Dollar für Investitionsausgaben geplant. Das Unternehmen strebt an, bis Juli 2026 die Schulden zu beseitigen und zielt darauf ab, ein mittelgroßes Bergbauunternehmen mit einer jährlichen Produktion von über 200.000 Goldäquivalent-Unzen zu werden.
- Achievement of commercial production at Tahuehueto mine with 800+ tpd throughput
- Projected $30-40 million free cash flow for 2025
- Significant production guidance of 85,000-100,000 gold equivalent ounces for 2025
- Planned debt elimination by July 2026
- Substantial capital expenditure requirement of $27.4 million for 2025
- Campo Morado operation lacks feasibility study support
- Current plant availability at Tahuehueto only at 82%
Additionally, the Company is announcing its production guidance for 2025, outlining expectations for its
Commercial Production at Tahuehueto
In March 2025, the Company has successfully achieved commercial production at its Tahuehueto mine, consistently operating at a throughput rate above 800 tonnes per day ("tpd").
Ramon Perez, President of the Company, commented "This milestone marks a significant step in the mine's development, reflecting the operational team's dedication and the effectiveness of recent optimization efforts. Achieving this sustained production level demonstrates the mine's ability to generate stable output, supporting the Company's growth strategy and long-term value creation. The Company remains focused on further enhancing efficiencies and maximizing the mine's full potential."
2025 Production and Free Cash Flow2 Guidance Highlights
For the year ahead, Luca anticipates producing between 85,000 and 100,000 gold equivalent ounces1 with payable ounces ranging between 65,000 and 80,000. Free cash flow2 before working capital adjustments is anticipated to be between
At
At Tahuehueto, the Company is prioritizing infrastructure enhancements, including the construction of a spare parts warehouse to minimize downtime and improve operational resilience. Increasing mill throughput remains a key objective, alongside continued exploration efforts to assess both near-mine and regional targets within the property's extensive epithermal vein system.
In-line with its broader financial strategy, Luca is committed to eliminating the Company's debt by July 2026. Strong operational free cash flow, combined with the potential exercise of outstanding warrants, may allow for an accelerated repayment timeline.
CEO Dan Barnholden commented, "Luca is entering an exciting phase of growth, underpinned by a commitment to operational excellence and exploration success. In 2025, we anticipate a significant increase in production, strengthened cash flow, and the advancement of highly strategic initiatives. With two operating mines generating robust free cash flow, we are well positioned to enhance our performance while identifying new growth opportunities, including potential M&A activity. Our long-term vision is to establish Luca as a leading mid-tier mining company with a production target exceeding 200,000 gold equivalent ounces annually."
2025 Production Guidance
Produced Metal
Tahuehueto | Consolidated | |||
Gold production | oz | 11,000 – 13,000 | 22,000 – 26,000 | 33,000 – 39,000 |
Silver production | oz | 997,000 – 1,173,000 | 247,000 – 291,000 | 1,244,000 – 1,464,000 |
Lead production | lbs | 5,000 – 6,000 | 3,600 – 4,200 | 8,600 – 10,200 |
Zinc production | lbs | 40,000 – 47,000 | 6,000 – 7,000 | 46,000 – 54,000 |
Copper production | lbs | 8,000 – 9,000 | 1,400 – 1,700 | 9,400 – 10,700 |
Gold Equivalent production1 | oz | 54,000 – 64,000 | 31,000 – 36,000 | 85,000 – 100,000 |
Payable Metal
Tahuehueto | Consolidated | |||
Gold production | oz | 7,000 – 9,000 | 20,000 – 25,000 | 27,000 – 34,000 |
Silver production | oz | 722,000 – 889,000 | 219,000 – 270,000 | 941,000 – 1,159,000 |
Lead production | lbs | - | 3,000 - 4,000 | 3,000 – 4,000 |
Zinc production | lbs | 32,000 – 40,000 | 4000 - 5000 | 36,000 – 45,000 |
Copper production | lbs | 6,000 – 7,000 | - | 6,000 – 7,000 |
Gold Equivalent payable1 | oz | 40,000 – 49,000 | 25,000 – 31,000 | 65,000 – 80,000 |
At Tahuehueto, our processing plant has an installed capacity of 1,000 tpd, with demonstrated instantaneous production rates of up to 1,200 tpd. As operations transition into commercial production, plant availability is currently at
Free Cash Flow2
The Company anticipates generating between
2025 Budgeted Capital Expenditures and Exploration
Mine Development - Sustaining2 | Other Capital - Sustaining2 | Total Sustaining2 | Exploration | Total | ||
$ | 10 million | 3 million | 13 million | 1.3 million | 14.3 million | |
Tahuehueto | $ | 6.5 million | 4 million | 10.5 million | 2.6 million | 13.1 million |
Consolidated | $ | 16.5 million | 7 million | 23.5 million | 3.9 million | 27.4 million |
In 2025, Luca plans to invest a total of
At
At Tahuehueto, planned capital expenditures amount to
Technical Disclosure
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ramon Mendoza, P.Eng., Chief Technical Officer, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.
Production in
Production at the
About Luca Mining Corp.
Luca Mining (TSX-V: LUCA, OTCQX: LUCMF, Frankfurt: Z68) is a diversified Canadian mining company with two
The
The Tahuehueto gold-silver mine is an underground operation in Durango State, located along a trend that hosts numerous producing and historic mines. The Company has successfully commissioned its mill and is now in commercial production.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
(signed) "Dan Barnholden"
Dan Barnholden, Chief Executive Officer
For more information, please visit: www.lucamining.com
Endnotes
The Company has included certain performance measures that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The Company believes that these measures, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The non-IFRS measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of performance. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers with similar descriptions.
1 | Gold equivalent is calculated using an 90.32:1 (Ag/Au), 0.0005:1 (Au/Zn), 0.0015:1 (Au/Cu) and 0.0003:1 (Au/Pb) ratio |
2 | Non-IFRS Financial Measures |
Free cash flow
Free cash flow before working capital adjustments is a non-IFRS liquidity measure that reflects operating cash flows before changes in working capital, less capital expenditures. Management uses this measure as a key indicator of the Company's underlying liquidity, as it provides a clearer view of cash generated from core operations, excluding short-term fluctuations in working capital. This metric is used alongside related IFRS amounts when assessing available cash for decision-making purposes, including dividends and discretionary investments. It also assists management, the Board of Directors, and investors in evaluating the Company's ability to generate sustainable liquidity from operating activities.
Sustaining capital
Sustaining capital is defined as the capital required to maintain operations at existing levels. This measurement is used by management to assess the effectiveness of an investment program.
For further information on reconciliations of Non-IFRS measures, refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures section of the Company's Management Discussion & Analysis for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2024, beginning on page 26.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, estimated production guidelines for 2025 and other possible events, conditions or performance that are based on assumptions about the proposed exploration program and its anticipated results; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties, such as production rates and increases and sustaining capital expenditures; success of exploration, development, and metres to be drilled in exploration on the Tahuehueto project site. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified using words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that the Company will be able to raise additional capital as necessary; the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Tahuehueto Project can be achieved; that consistent and sustainable mill feed at
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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SOURCE Luca Mining Corp.
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