Luca Mining Corp. provided an update on the optimization program at its wholly-owned Campo Morado polymetallic mine in Guererro, Mexico. Summary: The optimization program, known as the Campo Morado Improvement Project (CMIP), was formulated in fourth quarter 2023 with the aim of significantly improving operational performance with a comprehensive strategy between the mine and mill.

Key features of the program include effective mine-to-mill planning, new procedures for ore blending, increased metallurgical test work, optimized grinding and reagent dosing for improved recoveries, and phased equipment upgrades for mine and mill. The results to date have been excellent, and include higher metallurgical recoveries and concentrates, and phased equipment upgrades for Mine and mill. The results todate have been excellent, and include high metallurgical recoveries and concentrated grades, especially for copper in the bulk concentrate, which are reflected in increased revenues.

Plant performance in Fourth Quarter 2023 met or exceeded expectations, particularly in the bulk circuit where copper recovery increased from less than 48% to over 70%. Most notably, the operation increased copper recovery dramatically, by over 20%, whilst improving concentrate grades to over 14%. Additional equipment was added to the mine to improve operational consistency, and in the plant a number of initiatives were completed, including adjusted reagent dosing schemes, and upgraded process control instrumentation.

Currently the operation produces a zinc concentrate, and a mixed (bulk) copper-lead concentrate.