Atico Reports Strong Copper Production, Mixed Gold Results for 2024

Atico Mining Corporation (TSX.V: ATY | OTCQX: ATCMF) has announced its operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, from its El Roble mine. The company reported a solid operational year overall, meeting production guidance for most metrics. Copper production reached the year's target, while gold production was slightly below budget due to a decrease in head grade.

Key Production Results:

* Copper production: 13.67 million pounds, an increase of 3% over 2023.
* Gold production: 9,025 ounces, a decrease of 11% over 2023.
* Average processed tonnes per day: 836, no significant change over 2023.
* Copper head grade: 2.46%, an increase of 5% over 2023.
* Gold head grade: 1.61 grams per tonne (g/t), a decrease of 15% over 2023.
* Copper recovery: 92.1%, no significant change for copper.
* Gold recovery: 63.6%, an increase of 5% for gold over 2023.

Atico's CEO, Fernando E. Ganoza, commented on the results, stating, "The Company had a solid operational year overall as we met our production guidance for most metrics. Gold production was slightly below budget, primarily due to a decrease in head grade, while copper production, our primary commodity, reached this year’s target. We expect these results to generate strong revenue and improved financial performance for the year ended 2024."

Atico also announced key milestones for the coming year, including an anticipated arbitration ruling related to a royalty dispute at the El Roble mine in the first quarter. The company plans to allocate significant effort to drilling the deposit and exploring for additional mineralization in the mine vicinity. At La Plata in Ecuador, Atico will continue to advance the project to secure the environmental license, with the goal of reaching a positive construction decision in the second half of the year.



Atico's production results indicate a mixed performance compared to previous years and industry benchmarks. While copper production increased slightly from 2023, it decreased from Q4 2023. Gold production decreased both from 2023 and Q4 2023. Copper and gold head grades also decreased from Q4 2023, while copper recovery decreased slightly from Q4 2023. However, gold recovery increased from 2023 and Q4 2023. Overall, Atico's production results in 2024 are lower than the industry averages for copper and gold production.

Atico's production results can significantly impact the company's financial performance and stock price. Higher production of copper and gold directly translates to increased revenue. Additionally, Atico's C1 cash cost per pound of payable copper produced net of by-product credits is guided to be between $1.60 to $1.70 for 2025. Lower cash costs can improve the company's profitability, while higher cash costs can negatively impact it. Investors often look at production numbers as a key indicator of a mining company's health and potential for future growth. Atico's stock price may react positively to the increase in copper production and the improvement in gold production compared to 2023.

In conclusion, Atico Mining Corporation's production results for 2024 show a mixed performance compared to previous years and industry benchmarks. While copper production increased slightly from 2023, it decreased from Q4 2023. Gold production decreased both from 2023 and Q4 2023. Copper and gold head grades also decreased from Q4 2023, while copper recovery decreased slightly from Q4 2023. However, gold recovery increased from 2023 and Q4 2023. Atico's production results can significantly impact the company's financial performance and stock price, as higher production of copper and gold directly translates to increased revenue. Investors should closely monitor Atico's progress in the coming year, as the company aims to achieve key milestones and improve its financial performance.