Dan Barnholden, CEO of Luca Mining (TSX.V:LUCA) (OTCQX:LUCMF) (FSE:TSGA), joins me to review the strategy and benefits of their 2 recent acquisitions, that expand and transform Luca beyond their 2 currently producing assets – the Campo Morado and Tahuehueto mines, located in the prolific Sierra Madre mineralized belt in Mexico.
On September 21, the Company announced it had entered into a definitive share purchase agreement with Capstone Copper Corp., to acquire 100% of the Cozamin Mine in Zacatecas, Mexico for total upfront consideration of $290 million, and up to an additional $95 million in deferred and contingent consideration.
Transaction Highlights:
More than doubles near-term production, with the combined company expected to generate net revenue of approximately $598 million in 2027(1), versus Luca’s 2025 net revenue of $177 million and operating cash flow of approximately $223 million in 2027(3), versus Luca’s 2025 operating cash flow of $37 million.
Highly accretive to Luca’s operating cash flow per share (“CFPS”), with consensus estimates indicating a 93% increase from $0.22/sh(2) to $0.42/sh(2, 3) with the addition of Cozamin.
Increase in free cash flow per share, with consensus estimates indicating an approximate $139 million(2), or $0.28/sh(2), improvement in unlevered free cash flow in 2027, from ($12 million)(2), or ($0.04/sh)(2), to $127 million(2), or $0.24/sh(2), with the addition of Cozamin(3).
Adds a proven, cash-generating operating asset with 20 years of continuous production and a historical reserve-based mine plan extending to 2030.
Established and permitted operation with longstanding community agreements and significant existing infrastructure, including the recently completed paste backfill and filtered tailings systems.
Strategic fit in Luca’s existing Mexico focused portfolio with opportunity to leverage existing local Mexican operating expertise, permitting knowledge, and stakeholder relationships.
Potential for mine life extension, resource upside, and operational optimization supported by a large historical resource base, extensive exploration opportunities across known mineralized systems and multiple underexplored targets, increased use of longhole mining, and Luca’s planned increased investment in exploration and resource definition following closing.
Expands Luca’s exposure to copper, positioning the Company to benefit from anticipated long-term copper demand growth while retaining significant exposure to silver and precious metals.
Potential to restart the existing zinc flotation circuit, providing operational flexibility to respond to improving zinc market conditions.
Strengthens Luca’s ability to internally fund growth, with incremental cash flow from Cozamin expected to support future investment in the recently announced El Barqueño project, the Campo Morado Expansion, and other strategic initiatives.
Enhanced scale and capital markets presence backed by strategic investors, supported by greater scale, stronger cash flow, and addition of several key strategic equity shareholders including Capstone ($15 million), Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. ($25 million), and Taurus Mining Finance Fund No.3 ($15 million), with a $75 million equity, initially backstop provided by Trafigura Pte Ltd., but transferred over to Goldgroup Mining Inc.
Goldgroup Mining will have a 19.9% ownership interest in Luca on a non-diluted pro forma basis, after this transaction closes in late October.
On September 17, the Company announced a definitive asset purchase agreement with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, to acquire 100% of the El Barqueño property. An initial payment of $10 million on closing of the Transaction to be satisfied through the issuance of common shares of Luca, and a deferred consideration of up to $30 million through milestone-linked payments.
The El Barqueño property covers over 32,000 hectares, is accessible by paved and secondary roads, and is located in the State of Jalisco, Mexico approximately 100km west of Guadalajara city and proximate to the municipality of. The Project is host to a historical (2025) mineral resource estimate of 399,265 ounces of gold equivalent at 1.47 g/t AuEq classified as indicated, with an additional 650,046 ounces of gold equivalent at 1.43 g/t AuEq inferred.
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If you have any question for Dan regarding Luca Mining, then please email those into me at Shad@kereport.com.
In full disclosure Shad is a shareholder of Luca Mining at the time of this recording and may choose to buy or sell shares at any time.
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