Atico Reports Multiple Higher-Grade Intercepts up to 10.20m of 6.26% Cu, 8.50 g/t Au and 10.0m of 6.77% Cu, 3.39 g/t Au and Continues to Extend the Ore Body at El Roble Mine in Colombia
High-Grade Intercepts Provide Vital Extension to El Roble Mine Life Amidst Lingering Debt and Royalty Burdens
Atico Mining Corporation reported several high-grade underground drilling intercepts from its flagship El Roble mine in Colombia. Key results include hole ATD-0346 with 10.20m of 6.26% Cu and 8.50 g/t Au, and hole ATD-0329 with 10.0m of 6.77% Cu and 3.39 g/t Au. These results are significantly higher than the current reserve grades (2.49% Cu, 2.20 g/t Au). The drilling confirms that mineralization extends beyond the historical massive sulfide zones and remains open at depth and along strike. Management indicates the campaign will continue throughout 2026.
The news is Material - Positive because it directly addresses the company's most existential risk: the short remaining life of the El Roble mine. - Resource Replacement: With the current mine life estimated to expire in Q1 2027, these "higher-than-reserve" grade intercepts are critical for a potential resource update and mine life extension. - Operational Transition: The results validate management's strategy of moving to the upper and near-mine zones to find new ore after a difficult transition year in 2025, where production fell 32% year-over-year. - Cash Flow Potential: If these grades are incorporated into the 2026 production plan, the significantly higher copper and gold content could accelerate debt repayment for the Trafigura and Dundee facilities, which have historically strained the balance sheet. - Validation of Guidance: This news supports the 2026 guidance of 11.5M to 12.5M pounds of copper, representing a significant jump from 2025 production (9.23M lbs).
Atico Mining is a producer of copper and gold concentrates. - Flagship Project: El Roble Mine (Colombia), a high-grade underground VMS mine. - Growth Project: La Plata (Ecuador), a high-grade gold-copper-zinc-silver VMS project currently in the final permitting stage. - Strategic Status: The company is currently "mining for time" at El Roble to bridge the gap until La Plata can be brought into production.