Atico Mining Obtains Water Permit for the La Plata Project in Ecuador

Executive Summary

• The Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE) granted Atico Mining a water‑use permit for the La Plata project, covering extraction, processing, dust suppression and other industrial activities.
• The permit confirms compliance with priority guidelines, ecological flow requirements and community water rights, removing a major regulatory hurdle and moving the project to “construction ready.”
• Completion of detailed engineering designs is expected by October 2025; once all environmental licences are secured, the project will create >600 direct jobs during construction and >300 direct jobs in production.

Key Details

• Permit Scope: Allows water use for staff consumption, underground mineral extraction, processing plant operations, dust suppression on roads, and environmental mitigation measures.
• Regulatory Compliance: Reviewed by MAATE and other state agencies; confirmed no impact on local community water access or agricultural/livestock uses. Unified Water Authority verified ecological flow compliance.
• Engineering Plans: Technical design of collection, conduction, storage and discharge works (including recirculation system and ongoing water‑quality monitoring) is in progress; final submission to the Unified Water Authority expected by October 2025.
• Project Status: La Plata project now at the final stage of obtaining its environmental licence and other required permits; once received, the project will be construction ready.
• Employment Impact – Construction Phase: >600 direct jobs; 1,200–1,800 indirect jobs.
• Employment Impact – Production Phase: >300 direct jobs; 600–900 indirect jobs.

Notable Quotes

“This permit is a critical milestone that demonstrates our commitment to responsible water management and positions La Plata to move swiftly toward construction,” – Fernando E. Ganoza, CEO, Atico Mining Corporation.