Atico Mining Corporation Announces Positive Drill Results
Atico Mining Corporation (TSX.V: ATY | OTCQX: ATCMF) is thrilled to announce that their drilling program at the El Roble mine has yielded remarkable results, extending the ore body and highlighting the mine's growth potential. This program, with a focus on areas previously mined, was executed as part of the strategy to increase the tonnage and enhance resource assessments.
Drilling Highlights from El Roble Mine
The 2025 drilling results have been nothing short of impressive, with reports showing significant intercepts including an interval of 8.70 meters at 11.44% copper and 14.65 g/t gold, along with another of 6.16 meters at 13.32% copper and 2.79 g/t gold. Across 19 drill holes, ore grade intercepts have also been identified ranging from widths of 1.2 to 16.7 meters. This finding underscores the potential for new discoveries and the capacity for further expansion of the ore body with additional drilling, as a new sulfide body was located near the primary ore body.
CEO Commentary on the Progress
Fernando E. Ganoza, CEO of Atico Mining, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the ongoing drilling campaign, stating, "The drill program in the El Roble vicinity continues to reveal the exceptional potential of the deposit, uncovering new mineralization and effectively extending existing massive sulphide bodies. The latest assay results bolster our confidence that high-grade copper and gold mineralization persists within and beyond the traditionally defined mineralized shell, open at depth and along strike. Our drill campaign is set to carry on throughout the upcoming year."
Exploring New Frontiers in Mineralization
The primary aim of the 2025 underground drilling initiative is to identify and define zones of mineralization within the major historic massive sulphide body that previous operators had overlooked, thereby expanding the historically established resource base and discovering new massive sulfide bodies. Initial findings from the drill program, which commenced in early 2023, have resulted in an additional 885.6 meters of drilling to uncover further potential.
About the El Roble Mine
Atico's El Roble mine is a notable underground operation with a nominal processing capacity of 1,000 tonnes per day, extracting valuable copper-gold concentrate. Since Atico took command of the mine, having established control in late 2013, they have significantly improved capacity, raising it from an initial 400 tonnes per day.
The mine is reported to have Proven and Probable reserves of 1.00 million tonnes that grade at 3.02% copper and 1.76 g/t gold, based on a cut-off grade of 1.3% copper equivalent as of September 30, 2020. Importantly, mineralization is open at depth and along strike, prompting plans for further exploration to ascertain the limits of the deposit.
Advancements in Exploration
Expanding on their strategic asset, Atico has identified a prospective stratigraphic contact between volcanic and sedimentary rocks, traced over a span of 10 kilometers by their geological team. This contact is recognized as a significant control on VMS mineralization, with numerous target areas identified as prospective for VMS type mineralization to date. The current surface drill program is thorough, focusing on these targets in hopes of discovering additional reserves.
Corporate Vision and Future Development
Atico Mining Corporation continues to be a forward-thinking player in mining, with a commitment to exploring, developing, and processing copper and gold resources in Latin America. With robust cash flows from the El Roble mine operations and ongoing developments at the La Plata VMS project in Ecuador, Atico is strategically positioned to seize further opportunities in advanced-stage mining projects.
As the company looks to the future, they remain proactive in assignment and exploration, aiming to bolster their portfolio with promising acquisitions that enhance shareholder value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main findings from the latest drills at El Roble Mine?
The latest drilling results indicated high-grade intercepts, including 8.70 meters of 11.44% copper and 14.65 g/t gold.
What is the capacity of the El Roble mine?
The El Roble mine has a nominal processing capacity of 1,000 tonnes per day.
How has Atico Mining improved the El Roble mine since acquiring it?
Since taking control in November 2013, Atico has increased the mine's processing capacity from 400 tonnes per day to the current capacity of 1,000 tonnes per day.
What plans does Atico Mining have for 2025?
Atico plans to continue its drilling campaign throughout 2025, focusing on mineralization within and around the historic sulfur body.
What is the future outlook for Atico Mining Corporation?
Atico is focused on identifying and acquiring new opportunities while developing its ongoing projects to increase resource longevity and economic viability.
