For more than 50 years, Luis Montoya has served as a progressive senior exploration geologist for significant projects in several Latin American countries. Mr. Montoya is a recognized leading-specialist in porphyry copper systems and knowledgeable of high and low sulphidation environments (Au-Ag) primarily in Latin America. He has led the exploration and development of mining projects at various stages in Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Mexico. He has defined Manto-type prospects (Pb – Zn – Ag) along the Andean Geosyncline in Central America as well as supported placer gold projects in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Prior to joining DNA Gold, Mr. Montoya had extensive exploration experience and is credited with many significant discoveries.
For 25 years, Mr. Montoya oversaw and advanced projects in Peru for ASARCO Inc., including the Michiquillay porphyry copper (Cu-Mo) project, the Berenguela mine (Ag-Cu) and the Quiruvilca mine (Cu – Ag – Pb – Zn). He was also exploration supervisor and manager for offices throughout Central and South America (Managua, Nicaragua, Panama and Santiago de Chile). Mr. Montoya was credited with discovering the Cerro Chorcha porphyry copper project in western Panama and also led the discovery in northwestern Nicaragua of the La Danta porphyry copper along with the Coco Mine (Bx pipe with Au – Pb – Zn) on the northern border with Honduras. He also led the team that conducted the systematic evaluation of the Chontales – Santo Domingo gold mining district in Eastern Nicaragua and supported the work performed to define the Bonanza gold mine (vein-type).
In Chile, Mr. Montoya provided recommendations for the advancement of several mines and prospects that later became mines such as La Coipa, Marte, Lobo, Refugio, San Josè (vein Type), Amolanas, Manto Verde (Copper oxides) and the Pimento porphyry copper. Also principally in Chile, as the lead geologist for the Lowell Mineral Exploration Group, Mr. Montoya was in charge of the reverse circulation drilling program that defined the El Tesoro (Cu Ox) mine, east of Antofagsta. This project is today an open pit operation managed by Antofagasta Minerals (Luksic Group).
Next Mr. Montoya serve as the exploration manager for Acuarios Minera y Exploradora, Peru, acquired by Arequipa Resources and later on by Barrick Gold when the gold discovery of Pierina was announced. Mr. Montoya was also credited with the discovery of the Los Calatos porphyry copper (Cu – Mo) in Moquegua, southern Peru, and led the joint venture agreement with Southern Peru for drilling the Los Pinos porphyry copper east of Cañete.
From there Mr. Montoya served as exploration manager for TVX Gold, Peru and was responsible for supervising the Paron project (Au – Ag), to the east of Pierina as well the development of the Mamatla diamond drilling project(Pb– Zn – Ag) in Mexico.
As general manager for Minsur (Brescia Group) the largest tin miner in the western world, Mr. Montoya discovered the Pucamarca gold mine in Tacna, adjacent to the Peruvian-Chilean border. During this period he also supervised the diamond drilling programs at Mina Martha (Ag – Pb – Zn) leading to the discovery of the Orconcocha (Cu – Au) porphyry and Quimsachata (Cu – Au) porphyry). From there he consulted for various mining companies including Achatayhua Minerals Corp., Rial Minera s.a.c. and Cia. Minera Santa Rosa and advised various local Peruvian private gold miners.