VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Luca Mining Corp. ("Luca" or the "Company") (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) (Frankfurt: Z68) is pleased to report new assay results from its ongoing 2026 exploration drill program at the Tahuehueto gold-silver mine in Durango, Mexico.
The latest results are highlighted by an intersection of 18.7 metres ("m") of 6.28 g/t gold equivalent ("AuEq"**) at the Creston Vein, which returned a wider and higher-grade mineralized interval than previously anticipated in the resource model. Located close to existing underground infrastructure, the intersection is within an area scheduled for mining during the first half of 2027 and has the potential to provide additional high-grade mill feed in the near term.
Additional high-grade results from the Catorce and Santiago veins continue to demonstrate the potential for near-mine resource expansion at Tahuehueto. At Catorce, an underexplored area interpreted to represent a southern extension of the Creston Vein system, drilling returned 13.7 m of 3.33 g/t AuEq and 3.6 m of 6.67 g/t AuEq. At Santiago, drilling intersected 11.6 m of 5.21 g/t AuEq as ongoing infill and step-out programs continue to define this growing mineralized system.
Highlights
- High-grade intersection at the Creston Vein, exceeding expectations for both width and grade, in close proximity to existing underground infrastructure and areas scheduled for mining in H1 2027:
- TRT26-15:18.7 m of 6.28 g/t AuEq (2.65 g/t Au, 75.08 g/t Ag, 0.86% Cu, 4.61% Pb and 11.16% Zn) from 30.4 m including 7.8 m of 7.14 g/t AuEq (2.85 g/t Au, 83.40 g/t Ag, 1.05% Cu, 5.26% Pb and 13.51% Zn) from 30.4 m and including 7.1 m of 8.55 g/t AuEq (3.76 g/t Au, 103.83 g/t Ag, 1.09% Cu, 6.29% Pb and 14.43% Zn) from 42.0 m
- TRT26-14:1.9 m of 5.02 g/t AuEq (4.38 g/t Au, 24.72 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu, 0.59% Pb and 0.79% Zn) from 52.4 m
- Continued high-grade results from first exploration drillholes at the Catorce Block since 2008:
- DDH26-RCE-05: 13.7 m of 3.33 g/t AuEq (2.21 g/t Au, 88.80 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.48% Pb, 0.68% Zn) from 184.8 m including 0.7 m of 8.57 g/t AuEq (4.50 g/t Au, 373.00 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.29% Pb, 0.37% Zn) from 184.8 m and 2.0 m of 4.99 g/t AuEq (3.49 g/t Au, 119.35 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.69% Pb and 0.89% Zn) from 187.3 m
- The Catorce Block is located approximately 300 m from existing underground development and is interpreted to represent a southern extension of the Creston Vein within an area of structural complexity. Luca has completed seven diamond drillholes totalling 1,532 m as part of its renewed exploration program in this area.
- Continued high-grade intercepts from the Santiago vein:
- DDH26-SGO-12:11.6 m of 5.21 g/t AuEq (4.72 g/t Au, 42.47 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.04% Pb, 0.13% Zn) from 122.1 m including 1.2 m of 9.90 g/t AuEq (9.60 g/t Au, 26.00 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.03% Pb and 0.08% Zn) from 128.0 m
- DDH26-SGO-11:8.8 m of 3.09 g/t AuEq (2.61 g/t Au, 21.38 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, 0.21% Pb, 0.21% Zn) from 170.9 m including 3.1 m of 3.53 g/t AuEq (2.87 g/t Au, 24.26 g/t Ag, 0.45% Cu, 0.16% Pb and 0.16% Zn) from 176.7 m
- DDH26-SGO-10:1.3 m of 3.58 g/t AuEq (3.05 g/t Au, 25.50 g/t Ag, 0.10% Cu, 0.86% Pb, 0.54% Zn) from 161.9 m and an interval of 1.7 m of 5.40 g/t AuEq (4.72 g/t Au, 52.33 g/t Ag, 0.09% Cu, 0.25% Pb, 0.13% Zn) from 172.1 m
- Exploration continues across multiple targets at Tahuehueto, with two contracted diamond drill rigs currently on site, an additional surface rig en route and Luca's underground Termite rig supporting near-term mineral definition. To date, the Company has completed 67 underground drillholes totalling 11,450 m and 38 surface drillholes totalling 7,236 m.
"These results continue to support our view that mineralization at Tahuehueto is continuous and that the broader system remains underexplored, with significant potential for further resource growth," stated Paul D. Gray, Vice President Exploration of Luca Mining. "The standout result of 18.7 metres at 6.28 g/t AuEq from the Creston Vein exceeded our previous interpretation of the zone in both width and grade. Importantly, this mineralization is located close to existing underground development, and we anticipate being able to bring this area into production in 2027, with the potential to improve mill head grades and mining efficiency given the width of the mineralized interval.
We are also encouraged by the continued high-grade results from Catorce and Santiago, which highlight the exploration potential across multiple vein systems at Tahuehueto. Looking ahead, our program will focus on continued definition drilling at Creston, Perdido, Catorce and Santiago, as well as testing the highly prospective gap between the Creston and Santiago vein systems. We believe these efforts can both support near-term mine planning and unlock additional resource growth across the property."
Drill Results Summary
Drillholes DDH26-RCE-02 through DDG26-RCE-07 targeted mineralization previously identified within the Catorce Block, a known, but under-drilled Tahuehueto mineralized zone that is interpreted to be a southern extension of the Creston Vein System and has not seen any exploration efforts since 2008 (see Company News Release dated September 8, 2026).
Drillholes DDH26-SGO-10 through DDH26-SGO-12 targeted mineralization within the Santiago Vein through in-fill drilling bolstering 2025 drilling success in the zone (See Company News Releases dated September 8, 2025 and December 19, 2025).
To date, Luca has completed 67 underground holes for 11,450 m and 38 surface holes for 7,236 m using "HQ", "NQ" and/or "BQ" sized diamond drill core (Creston, Perdido, El Rey, Catorce and Santiago targets).
Key Intercepts
Catorce:
DDH26-RCE-05
- 13.7 metres ("m") of 3.33 g/t AuEq** (2.21 g/t Au, 88.80 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.48% Pb, 0.68% Zn) from 184.8 m including 0.7 m of 8.57 g/t AuEq (4.50 g/t Au, 373.00 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.29% Pb, 0.37% Zn) from 184.8 m and 2.0 m of 4.99 g/t AuEq (3.49 g/t Au, 119.35 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.69% Pb and 0.89% Zn) from 187.3 m
DDH26-RCE-02
- 3.6 m of 6.67 g/t AuEq (4.84 g/t Au, 98.29 g/t Ag, 0.17% Cu, 1.30% Pb, 3.49% Zn) from 195.0 m including 0.7 m of 14.86 g/t AuEq (11.20 g/t Au, 93.70 g/t Ag, 0.53% Cu, 3.68% Pb, 12.76% Zn) from 197.9 m and additional intersection of 1.3 m of 3.81 g/t AuEq (2.23 g/t Au, 17.01 g/t Ag, 0.16% Cu, 0.99% Pb, 8.29% Zn) from 205.3 m
DDH26-RCE-06
- 3.5 m of 4.19 g/t AuEq (1.41 g/t Au, 250.59 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.53% Pb, 0.20% Zn) from 168.8 m including 0.8 m of 12.91 g/t AuEq (4.17 g/t Au, 813.00 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.15% Pb, 0.37% Zn) from 170.5 m
Santiago:
DDH26-SGO-12
- 11.6 m of 5.21 g/t AuEq (4.72 g/t Au, 42.47 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.04% Pb, 0.13% Zn) from 122.1 m including 1.6 m of 8.05 g/t AuEq (7.10 g/t Au, 86.23 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.04% Pb, 0.08% Zn) from 122.1 m and 1.2 m of 8.40 g/t AuEq (7.90 g/t Au, 43.52 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 0.02% Pb and 0.11% Zn) from 126.1 m and including 1.2 m of 9.90 g/t AuEq (9.60 g/t Au, 26.00 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.03% Pb and 0.08% Zn) from 128.0 m
DDH26-SGO-11
- 8.8 m of 3.09 g/t AuEq (2.61 g/t Au, 21.38 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, 0.21% Pb, 0.21% Zn) from 170.9 m including 4.7 m of 3.47 g/t AuEq (3.03 g/t Au, 23.22 g/t Ag, 0.16% Cu, 0.27% Pb, 0.25% Zn) from 170.9 m and including 3.1 m of 3.53 g/t AuEq (2.87 g/t Au, 24.26 g/t Ag, 0.45% Cu, 0.16% Pb and 0.16% Zn) from 176.7 m
DDH26-SGO-10
- 1.3 m of g/t 3.58 AuEq (3.05 g/t Au, 25.50 g/t Ag, 0.10% Cu, 0.86% Pb, 0.54% Zn) from 161.9 m and an interval of 1.7 m of 5.40 g/t AuEq (4.72 g/t Au, 52.33 g/t Ag, 0.09% Cu, 0.25% Pb, 0.13% Zn) from 172.1 m
Production Verification Drillholes
As part of the Tahuehueto exploration program a Luca owned and operated Termite drill rig capable of drilling "BQ" sized drill core up to 100 m in length has been added to bolster near underground workings verification and mineral definition. Drill core from this drill rig are handled by the Tahuehueto exploration department and treated the same as exploration drill core (processing, logging and sampling) and is now being utilized to more accurately define the mineralized zones anticipated to be part of the near-term mine plan objectives. Drillholes TRT26-09 through TRT26-11 were drilled from Level 12 of the Tahuehueto mine and targeted the Perdido vein in areas that are scheduled to be mined during H1 2027. Drillholes TRT26-12 through TRT26-15 were drilled from Level 25 and targeted the Creston Vein in areas that are scheduled to be mined during H1 2027.
Of particular significance, drillhole TRT26-15 intersected a wider and higher-grade interval than previously anticipated within the Creston Vein, providing additional geological information that may support the inclusion of high-grade material in the Company's 2027 mine plan.
TRT26-15
- 18.7 m of 6.28 g/t AuEq (2.65 g/t Au, 75.08 g/t Ag, 0.86% Cu, 4.61% Pb and 11.16% Zn) from 30.4 m including 7.8 m of 7.14 g/t AuEq (2.85 g/t Au, 83.40 g/t Ag, 1.05% Cu, 5.26% Pb and 13.51% Zn) from 30.4 m and including 7.1 m of 8.55 g/t AuEq (3.76 g/t Au, 103.83 g/t Ag, 1.09% Cu, 6.29% Pb and 14.43% Zn) from 42.0 m
TRT26-14
- 1.9 m of 5.02 g/t AuEq (4.38 g/t Au, 24.72 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu, 0.59% Pb and 0.79% Zn) from 52.4 m
True widths are estimated to be approximately 85-90% of drilled intervals.
Figures 1-9 present the location of the drillholes with assay results and Tables 1 and 2 provide summary analytical results and drill collar details, respectively.
About 2026 Tahuehueto Exploration Program
The Tahuehueto property comprises a large epithermal gold-silver vein system with approximately 11 kilometres of known vein strike length and numerous mineralized structures. Mineralization remains open along strike and at depth across most modeled Mineral Resource areas. The current campaigns represent the first substantive exploration drilling conducted on the property in more than 12 years, and the first since the addition of key concessions to the land package (See Company News Release dated August 28, 2025).
Luca's 2026 exploration program builds on the success of the 2025 campaign. The program is designed to expand known mineral resources, adding near-term mineable material and defining the vertical and lateral extent of mineralization, as well as to identify additional thick, high-grade breccia zones known to occur within the epithermal vein system, and test multiple underexplored vein systems.
In addition to the four veins that currently support the mineral resource, at least 14 additional prospective veins have been documented within the concession area with potential to host epithermal Au-Ag (±Cu-Zn-Pb) mineralization. In several cases, these targets may represent extensions of the existing mineralized structures.
Overall, the Company has identified more than 11 km of prospective vein structures along strike, compared to approximately 4.5 km of mineralized veins incorporated into the current mineral resource model, highlighting significant exploration upside across the property.
Assay Tables and Collar Locations
Table 1: Highlighted Diamond Drill Assay Results from TRT26-09 through THT26-15, DDH26-SGO-10 through DDH26-SGO-12, and DDH26-RCE-02 through DDH26-RCE-07.
Hole From (m) To (m) Interval* Au (g/ Ag (g/ Cu (%) Pb (%) Zn (%) AuEq
(m) t) t)
** (g/
t)
TRT26-09
No Significant Mineralization
TRT26-10
No Significant Mineralization
TRT26-11 29.8 32.5 2.7 0.24 33.45 0.09 1.32 3.15 1.27
TRT26-12 41.3 42.9 1.6 0.85 38.31 0.57 1.15 5.46 2.61
TRT26-13 53.1 56.1 3.0 1.41 4.97 0.04 0.09 0.13 1.52
TRT26-14 26.4 27.3 0.9 2.42 10.70 0.09 0.08 0.22 2.65
41.7 45.6 3.8 1.31 21.56 0.20 1.01 1.17 1.99
52.4 54.2 1.9 4.38 24.72 0.24 0.59 0.79 5.02
TRT26-15 30.4 49.1 18.7 2.65 75.08 0.86 4.61 11.16 6.28
Including
30.4 38.1 7.8 2.85 83.40 1.05 5.26 13.51 7.14
42.0 49.1 7.1 3.76 103.83 1.09 6.29 14.43 8.55
And
49.7 50.3 0.6 2.15 20.30 0.11 0.96 1.41 2.77
DDH26-SGO-10 161.9 169.8 7.9 1.69 14.43 0.05 0.35 0.33 1.98
Including
161.9 163.2 1.3 3.05 25.50 0.10 0.86 0.54 3.58
164.2 165.3 1.2 2.51 13.90 0.08 0.18 0.27 2.78
And
172.1 173.7 1.7 4.72 52.33 0.09 0.25 0.13 5.40
DDH26-SGO-11 61.5 64.6 3.1 0.10 75.70 0.11 2.13 1.02 1.41
115.5 116.0 0.5 1.36 7.90 0.06 0.13 0.21 1.54
And
170.9 179.8 8.8 2.61 21.38 0.25 0.21 0.21 3.09
including
170.9 175.6 4.7 3.03 23.22 0.16 0.27 0.25 3.47
176.7 179.8 3.1 2.87 24.26 0.45 0.16 0.16 3.53
DDH26-SGO-12 114.0 115.7 1.7 8.19 80.35 0.19 0.41 0.53 9.33
122.1 133.7 11.6 4.72 42.47 0.02 0.04 0.13 5.21
including
122.1 123.7 1.6 7.10 86.23 0.02 0.04 0.08 8.05
126.1 127.4 1.2 7.90 43.52 0.02 0.02 0.11 8.40
128.0 129.2 1.2 9.60 26.00 0.01 0.03 0.08 9.90
DDH26-RCE-02 183.6 206.6 23.0 1.32 32.91 0.12 0.82 1.70 2.10
Including
186.3 189.1 2.8 0.77 25.87 0.06 1.66 2.14 1.60
195.0 198.6 3.6 4.84 98.29 0.17 1.30 3.49 6.67
Including
197.9 198.6 0.7 11.20 93.70 0.53 3.68 12.76 14.86
And
205.3 206.6 1.3 2.23 17.01 0.16 0.99 8.29 3.81
DDH26-RCE-03 158.2 160.6 2.4 0.31 86.17 0.01 0.22 0.02 1.26
DDH26-RCE-04
No Significant Mineralization
DDH26-RCE-05 184.8 198.5 13.7 2.21 88.80 0.02 0.48 0.68 3.33
Including
184.8 185.4 0.7 4.50 373.00 0.01 0.29 0.37 8.57
And
187.3 189.3 2.0 3.49 119.35 0.02 0.69 0.89 4.99
DDH26-RCE-06 168.8 172.3 3.5 1.41 250.59 0.01 0.53 0.20 4.19
Including
170.5 171.3 0.8 4.17 813.00 0.01 0.15 0.37 12.91
And
184.0 187.8 3.8 0.64 29.55 0.04 1.73 9.46 2.51
DDH26-RCE-07
No Significant Mineralization
*True widths are estimated to be approximately 85-90% of drilled intervals.
**AuEq equation is: AuEq = Au + (Ag*0.0107) + (Cu%*0.8073) + (Pb%*0.1323) + (Zn%*0.1370), considering actual reported metallurgical recoveries of Au 84%, Ag 85%, Cu 78.3%, Pb 71.6% and Zn 48%, at $3,800 US$/oz Au, 40 US$/oz Ag,10,582 US$/Tonne Cu, 1,896 US$/Tonne Pb and 2,930 US$/Tonne Zn.
Table 2: Drill Collar Locations and Details for Released Results
Hole UTM WGS84 Z14 Elevation Azimuth Dip Final Depth
ID (m) (m)
Easting Northing
TRT26-09 337777 2813025 1,509.80 150 -6 50.0
TRT26-10 337791 2813018 1,512.53 147 -25 42.0
TRT26-11 337792 2813018 1,512.58 131 -16 40.0
TRT26-12 337424 2812589 1,212.74 300 20 43.8
TRT26-13 337424 2812589 1,212.74 307 -15 76.5
TRT26-14 337424 2812589 1,212.74 318 -15 71.5
TRT26-15 337424 2812589 1,212.74 322 14 88.5
DDH26-
SGO-
10 338645 2813491 1,813.53 294 -53 201.0
DDH26-
SGO-
11 338645 2813491 1,813.53 298 -58 216.0
DDH26-
SGO-
12 338645 2813491 1,813.52 294 -40 163.5
DDH26-
RCE-
02 337099 2812432 1,318.00 265 -65 225.0
DDH26-
RCE-
03 337099 2812432 1,318.00 283 -56 195.0
DDH26-
RCE-
04 337099 2812432 1,318.00 303 -49 195.0
DDH26-
RCE-
05 337099 2812432 1,318.00 281 -69 219.5
DDH26-
RCE-
06 337099 2812432 1,318.40 280 -62 204.0
DDH26-
RCE-
07 337099 2812432 1,318.00 303 -66 211.5
About Luca Mining Corp.
Luca Mining (TSX-V: LUCA, OTCQX: LUCMF, Frankfurt: Z68) is a diversified Canadian mining company with two 100%-owned producing mines within the prolific Sierra Madre mineralized belt in Mexico which hosts numerous producing and historical mines along its trend. The Company produces gold, copper, zinc, silver and lead from these mines that each have considerable development and resource upside.
The Campo Morado polymetallic VMS mine is an underground operation located in Guerrero State within a 121 square kilometer land package. It produces copper-zinc-lead concentrates with precious metals credits. It is currently undergoing an optimization program which is already generating significant improvements in recoveries, grades, efficiencies, and cashflows.
The Tahuehueto Mine is a large property of over 100 square kilometres in Durango State. The project hosts epithermal gold and silver vein-style mineralization. Tahuehueto is a newly constructed underground mining operation producing primarily gold and silver. The Company has successfully commissioned its mill and is now in commercial production.
Analytical Method and Quality Assurance/Quality Control Measures
All drill core splits reported in this news release were analyzed by Bureau Veritas of Durango, Mexico, utilizing the Multi-Acid digestion ICP-ES 35-element MA300 analytical package with FA-430 30-gram Fire Assay with AAS finish for gold on all samples. Au over-limits from FA-430 are re-analyzed by FA530 30-gram Fire Assay with Gravimetric finish. Ag over-limits from ICP MA300 analytical package are re-analyzed by FA530 30-gram Fire Assay with Gravimetric finish. Similarly, Cu, Pb and Zn over-limits from ICP MA300 analytical package are re-analyzed by ICP Multi-Acid digestion MA370 package. All core samples were split by core saw on-site at Luca's core processing facilities at the Tahuehueto Mine. Once split, half samples were placed back in the core boxes with the other half of split samples sealed in poly bags with one part of a three-part sample tag inserted within. Samples were collected by Bureau Veritas at the Tahuehueto Mine site and transported to Bureau Veritas' Durango Laboratory, where samples are prepared to a 250-gram pulp and analyzed for Gold by Fire assay with pulps shipped to Bureau Veritas's Analytical laboratory in Vancouver, B.C., for final ICP chemical analysis. A robust system of standards, 1/4 core duplicates and blanks were implemented in the 2024-2026 exploration drilling program and is monitored as chemical assay data become available.
Qualified Person
The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Paul D. Gray, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration at Luca Mining. Mr. Gray is a Qualified Person for the Company as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
(signed) "Dan Barnholden"
Dan Barnholden, Chief Executive Officer
For more information, please visit: www.lucamining.com
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, conditions or performance that are based on assumptions about the proposed exploration programs and its anticipated results; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties; success of exploration and development; anticipated time and results of forthcoming reports on the Tahuehueto mine; capital requirements; future production expectations and results thereof. 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 mine can be achieved; that consistent and sustainable mill feed at Tahuehueto mine will be achieved; the continuity of the price of gold and other metals and economic and political conditions. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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.
Contact Information: Sophia Shane, Director of Corporate Development, sshane@lucamining.com, +1 604 306 6867; Maximillian Myers, Manager Corporate Development & Investor Relations, mmyers@lucamining.com