Atico receives environmental licence for La Plata

Executive Summary

• Atico Mining Corp. has secured key environmental permits and authorizations for its La Plata project in Ecuador, including the Environmental Licence (EL), Waste Generator Registry, and Chemical Substances Registry.
• These regulatory milestones advance the project to a construction-ready status, with management targeting a final construction decision in Q2 or Q3 of this year.
• The permitting process involved a comprehensive environmental impact study, extensive public consultation (yielding >90% local support), and strict compliance frameworks for waste and chemical management, positioning the project to generate significant employment upon development.

Key Details

• Permits Secured: Environmental Licence (EL), registration in the Waste and Waste Generator Registry (GDPR), and Chemical Substances Registry (RSQ).
• Project Timeline: NI 43-101 compliant definitive feasibility study published August 2024; environmental consultation concluded August 2025; final construction decision expected Q2/Q3 of this year.
• Environmental & Social Compliance: EIA submitted March 2022; social consultation aligned with Ecuador's organic environmental code and the Escazu Agreement; >90% of local population supported the EL.
• Waste Management Framework: Established a fully traceable waste management system; strict technical controls for temporary storage to protect soil/water; mandatory monthly reporting to environmental authorities.
• Chemical Substance Management: Comprehensive lab tests conducted for metallurgical process; monthly reporting required for use, handling, storage, and transport; mandatory personnel training on hazards and incident response protocols.
• Employment Projections: 600+ direct jobs during construction; 1,200–1,800 indirect jobs during construction; 300+ direct jobs and 600–900 indirect jobs during commercial production.
• Project Profile: La Plata is a high-grade VMS (volcanogenic massive sulphide) project in Ecuador, positioned to become the country's second medium-scale mine.

Notable Quotes

• "The receipt of key permits and authorizations in recent periods, including the EL for the La Plata project, represents the culmination of years of dedicated effort. This includes successful exploration and resource expansion, completion of the environmental impact study in early 2023, and the publication of the NI 43-101-compliant definitive feasibility study in August, 2024. The La Plata project is nearing construction-ready status, with management advancing the remaining auxiliary permits, positioning the project to be ready for a construction decision in the second or third quarter of this year." — Fernando E. Ganoza, Chief Executive Officer