Luca Mining Corp. Expands Leadership Team to Enhance Growth and Operational Efficiency
- Luca Mining Corp. appointed Nick Shakesby as COO to enhance growth and operational capacity for the CME project.
- The company added Dr. Jose Hernandez as Vice President, focusing on metallurgical challenges and improved metal recovery.
- Leadership changes reflect Luca's commitment to growth, aiming for significant enhancements in productivity and efficiency.
Luca Mining Corp. Expands Leadership Team to Drive Growth Initiatives
Luca Mining Corp. announces the appointment of Nick Shakesby as its Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective April 1, 2026. This strategic move is aimed at strengthening the company’s operational capacity and enhancing its growth endeavors, particularly through the Campo Morado Expansion (CME) project. The CME is poised to optimize mill operations and revise the mine plan to improve recovery rates, especially for gold and silver. With a Technical Report on these developments anticipated in the latter half of 2026, Luca is setting the stage to realize significant enhancements in both productivity and efficiency.
Shakesby, with over 30 years of global mining expertise, brings a wealth of knowledge to Luca, having previously served as CEO of COMINVI S.A., the largest underground mining contractor in Mexico. His extensive experience is expected to bolster the company’s technical capabilities as it navigates complex operational challenges. Alongside him, Ramón Mendoza will assume a focused role as Chief Technical Officer, leading the CME and guiding its two-phase expansion strategy at the Campo Morado mine. These leadership changes reflect Luca’s commitment to assembling a robust team positioned to drive forward its ambitious growth strategy.
The addition of Dr. Jose Hernandez as Vice President of Metallurgy and Process Engineering further reflects Luca’s dedication to refining its operational processes. With a substantial background at Teck Resources, Hernandez will play a critical role in addressing the metallurgical and engineering challenges associated with increased metal recovery initiatives. CEO Dan Barnholden emphasizes that these enhancements to the technical team are instrumental for executing Luca's optimization goals, thus fortifying the company’s foundation for long-term success in a competitive mining industry.
In addition to these leadership transitions, Luca Mining Corp. is actively pursuing its strategic agenda focused on growth and efficiency. The company aims to leverage the experience of its new executives to execute its optimization plans effectively. This concerted effort not only positions Luca favorably within the industry but also highlights its commitment to improving operational performance at its existing mines. As the CME progresses, stakeholders keenly watch for the promised Technical Report that will detail the anticipated advancements and further solidify Luca's operational strategy.