Atico Continues to Expand Footprint with High Grade Copper-Gold Intercepts Reporting 34.1g/t Au, 112 g/t Ag and 11% Cu over 3 meters at La Plata Project, Ecuador
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Atico Continues to Expand Footprint with High Grade Copper-Gold Intercepts
Reporting 34.1g/t Au, 112 g/t Ag and 11% Cu over 3 meters at La Plata Project,
Ecuador
Vancouver, January 26, 2021 -- Atico Mining Corporation (the “Company” or “Atico”)
(TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF) is pleased to report on the last results of its 2020 drilling
program at the La Plata precious metals-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (“VMS”) project
in Ecuador. These results continue to report very encouraging intercepts of volcanic massive
sulfides while the new 2021 drill campaign begins in Ecuador.
La Plata Drilling Highlights Include:
Hole From
(m)
To
(m)
Interval
(m)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Zn
(%)
CMLP-20-146 64.44 74.75 10.31 2.79 43.04 2.65 0.91
Including 69.69 71.64 1.95 6.14 182.08 7.77 2.68
and 85.05 98.75 13.70 4.49 35.09 1.10 6.35
Including 93.15 96.75 3.60 11.35 88.5 1.85 7.50
CMLP-20-150 91.45 102.00 10.55 13.19 76.84 5.51 4.47
Including 94.47 97.49 3.02 34.1 111.5 11.33 3.49
True widths are dependent on uncertainties in the local strike and dip of the mineralization and are
estimated to be between 76% and 83% of the drill intercept.
• Drill holes CMLP -20-146 & CMLP-20-150 were both drilled outside of the existing
resource polygon. Drilling was performed to test the “Guatuza extension” of the North
Block as it shows continuity of the mineralization of the North block in the direction of the
Guatuza zone.
• Drill holes CMLP-20-165 & CMLP-20-167 which were exploratory holes drilled between
the South and the North Block, reported additional intercepts which demonstrates the
continuity of massive sulfides mineralization between the two known blocks.
Joseph Salas, Atico’s V.P. Exploration mentioned “ With the 2021 drilling campaign restarted
this month, we are excited to continue this program with two rigs and look forward to testing
the new target areas we identified in proximity to the La Plata mineralized footprint.”
VMS footprint continues to expand around the North Block
Diamond drill holes CMLP -20-146 and CMLP -20-150 confirmed c ontinuity of high-grade
intercepts as the drilling progressed in the North Block towards the Guatuza zone. This newly
discovered continuity is now called the “Guatuza Extension” of the North Block. Even though
these latest results are less remarkable than what we are used to seeing at this project, they still
confirm that mineralization within the VMS lenses continue and repeat as we progress north.
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The Guatuza zone will require more drilling during the 2021 campaign to fully understand the
scale and geometry of this discovery.
Hole CMLP-20-146 shows two long intercepts of 10.3 and 13.7 meters of volcanic massive and
semi-massive sulfides which represents the much larger footprint of the northern blo ck that is
fragmented by a post-mineral dyke. Each of these intercept s host a core zone of high-grade
polymetallic VMS mineralization. This hole started reporting interesting mineralization at 35
meters from surface and confirmed continuity of the North Block lens as the mineralized body
approaches the surface towards north.
Hole CMLP-20-150 hosts a high-grade gold-copper interval, reporting 34 g/t Au and 11% Cu
over 3 meters within a larger 10.55-meter intercept. This intercept also represents strong copper
and gold continuity as we progress northward towards the Guatuza Extension zone.
Successful conclusion of the 2020 drilling campaign
The 2020 La Plata exploration program was a success. It was intended to infill the south and
north blocks of the La Mina area while upgrading the known mineralized resources from the
inferred category. Atico also added strategic step out drill holes, which are planned to increase
the known resources of the two main VMS lenses.
The recent drilling gives Atico’s geology team a higher degree of confidence that VMS
mineralisation is present between the three lenses (South, North and Guatuza). Today’s
laboratory results are reporting these additional zones of mineralization located between those
three previously identified blocks. Additional drilling will continue in these target areas starting
this month as part of the 2021 exploration campaign to try to increase the polygon size.
Drill Program Assay Results:
Intercept*
Hole ID Azimuth
(°)
Dip
(°)
Total
Length
(m)
From
(m)
To
(m)
Interval
(m)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Pb
(%)
Zn
(%)
CMLP-20-116* 299 -71 364.64 344.4 352.78 6.38 3.32 24.88 0.45 0.54 4.89
including 346.4 348.00 1.60 8.54 64.00 0.62 1.50 8.29
CMLP-20-138 264 -67 351.08 No significant intercept
CMLP-20-139 90 -59 120.00 96.60 101.40 4.78 0.62 2.83 0.83 0.05 0.04
CMLP-20-140 90 -38 128.15 No significant intercept
CMLP-20-141 301 -54 116.32 55.40 59.10 3.70 1.09 16.09 0.51 0.19 1.74
and 63.30 67.42 4.12 0.98 11.84 0.89 0.07 0.84
CMLP-20-142 90 -61 144.25 82.45 83.48 1.03 6.31 24.00 0.43 0.31 36.29
and 103.90 104.69 0.79 5.66 93.00 4.36 0.83 6.65
CMLP-20-144 90 -41 120.15 No significant intercept
CMLP-20-145 360 -90 60.04 No significant intercept
CMLP-20-146 45 -75 140.95 36.76 37.17 0.41 21.7 324.0 4.31 7.32 24.10
and 64.44 74.75 10.31 2.79 43.06 2.65 0.18 0.91
including 69.69 71.64 1.95 6.14 182.1 7.77 0.74 2.68
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True widths are dependent on uncertainties in the local strike and dip of the mineralization and are estimated to be between
76% and 83% of the drill intercept.
* Hole was drilled in the south block and used for new metallurgical testing
La Plata Project
Gold-bearing sulphide mineralization at La Plata occurs as compositional banding composed of
chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyrite laminae with barite occurring as clasts and also as layers. The
mineralized lenses have also been dislocated by a few faults and dolerite dikes cutting the body.
The La Plata project is amongst the highest-grade gold-copper VMS deposits in which base and
precious metal mineralization is interpreted to have formed as part of multiple volcanic episodes
that created a stacked volcanic-exhalite hydrothermal sequence considered favorable for hosting
additional VMS lenses. The recent drilling results in the southern portion of the deposit have
encountered deeper mineralization, and an extensi on of mineralization to the north has been
discovered by recent trenching results.
and 85.05 98.75 13.70 4.49 35.09 1.10 0.94 6.35
including 93.15 96.75 3.60 11.35 88.5 1.85 2.82 7.50
CMLP-20-147 90 -79 68.66 No significant intercept
CMLP-20-148 305 -45 55.24 No significant intercept
CMLP-20-149 90 -55 65.26 No significant intercept
CMLP-20-150 21 -61 125.82 36.2 38.17 1.97 2.43 19.00 0.87 0.70 2.20
and 91.45 102.00 10.55 13.19 76.84 5.51 0.71 4.47
including 94.47 97.49 3.02 34.1 111.5 11.33 0.53 3.49
CMLP-20-151 180 -90 50.44 10.49 15.00 4.51 0.44 4.40 0.90 0.01 0.56
CMLP-20-152 128 -55 49.03 12.19 16.28 4.09 0.48 3.49 1.57 0.03 0.20
and 18.06 19.06 1.00 1.99 14.00 0.46 0.36 2.59
CMLP-20-153 13 -48 125.46 21.57 29.4 7.83 0.86 5.97 0.56 0.02 0.49
CMLP-20-154 90 -55 50.00 17.00 25.65 8.65 0.59 7.15 0.36 0.20 1.40
CMLP-20-155 90 -82 26.17 No significant intercept
CMLP-20-156 90 -75 125.53 100.58 104.21 3.63 0.98 19.82 0.06 0.40 1.68
CMLP-20-157 90 -55 141.96 77.65 83.70 6.05 1.10 7.63 0.10 0.22 1.77
CMLP-20-158 228 -68 110.66 79.50 82.95 3.45 0.89 12.34 1.05 0.05 0.43
and 91.33 96.47 5.14 2.17 19.89 6.32 0.11 1.71
CMLP-20-159 245 -52 92.62 76.71 79.75 3.04 2.15 53.03 3.80 0.30 2.13
CMLP-20-160 90 -70 159.98 106.6 108.60 2.00 1.51 11.00 0.12 0.75 3.34
CMLP-20-161 195 -80 123.43 110.6 117.15 6.55 2.49 20.76 1.66 0.20 1.66
including 114.19 115.90 1.71 3.22 34.74 4.68 0.26 2.00
CMLP-20-162 296 -61 234.75 148.75 149.63 0.88 20.3 271.0 4.50 1.02 5.03
CMLP-20-163 311 -59 313.32 296.59 297.49 0.90 1.87 34.00 0.13 0.33 1.31
CMLP-20-164 315 -64 176.05 No significant intercept
CMLP-20-165 330 -68 198.70 175.90 179.23 3.33 2.37 4.24 1.12 0.01 0.08
CMLP-20-166 320 -59 316.46 299.50 300.09 0.59 1.98 41.00 0.85 0.32 2.26
CMLP-20-167 340 -64 196.40 179.40 182.00 2.60 2.23 7.00 0.41 0.06 0.78
and 185.25 186.1 0.85 7.67 8.00 4.07 0.17 1.19
CMLP-20-168 323 -56 277.34 No significant intercept
CMLP-20-169 332 -54 268.61 No significant intercept
CMLP-20-170 335 -49 254.58 No significant intercept
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The La Plata independent Amended and restated NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment
of the La Mina VMS Project Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador (“PEA”) originally dated March 30th,
2019, amended and restated July 17, 2019 was prepared by SGS Canada Inc. Mineral Services,
Daniel Leroux, M.Sc., P.Geo. Brian Wolfe. M.Sc., MAIG, David Orava, P.Eng., Simon Meik,
FAusIMM (CP), Qinghua (Jason) Jin, P.E and pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-
101”) and reports the La Plata inferred resources at 1.9 million tons at an average grade of 4.1
g/t Au, 49.4g/t silver, 3.3% Cu, 4.5% Zn, 0.6% Pb as available on SEDAR. Preliminary
economic assessments are preliminary in nature, that include inferred mineral resources that are
considered too speculative geologically t o have the economic considerations applied to them
that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the
preliminary economic assessment will be realized. Such projects have increased uncertainty and
risk of failu re. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated
economic viability.
The La Plata project consists of a concession covering a total area of 2,300 hectares along its 9-
kilometer length, which contains known mineralization in tw o VMS lenses and nine priority
exploration targets.
The Company has a binding option agreement with a private Ecuadorean company to earn up
to 75% in the La Plata project, of which the first option to acquire the initial 60% ownership has
been exercised. Please refer to the Company’s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2019
for further details.
Quality Assurance & Quality Control
Before sampling, a centerline, representing bottom of hole (or a reference line when this is not
known) is marked on the drill core. The core is cut and sampled, always sampling the right-hand
side of the drill core. Samples are selected based on logged geological features, such as ro ck
type, mineralization, alteration, veining etc. Sample length does not exceed 2.5 m nor is smaller
than 20 cm. A total of 10% of the samples submitted are certified blanks and standards and field
duplicates with, as a minimum, one blank submitted at the beginning of each sample batch.
Certified standards are submitted at an average of 6% of the samples submitted. Field duplicates
are taken at a rate of 1 in 20 of the samples taken. For all drill holes, analysis was completed by
ALS Chemex in Lima, Peru with sample preparation completed in Quito. The lab is accredited
with International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and ISO 9001:2015. All major ALS
Geochemistry analytical laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for specific
analytical procedures.
Qualified Control
Dr. Michael Druecker, CPG, is a qualified person under NI 43 -101 standards and independent
of the company, is responsible for ensuring that the information contained in this news release
is an accurate summary of the original reports and data provided to or developed by Atico
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Mining Corporation. Dr. Druecker has approved the scientific and technical content of this news
release.
About Atico Mining Corporation
Atico is a growth-oriented Company, focused on exploring, developing and mining copper and
gold projects in Latin America. The Company generates significant cash flow through the
operation of the El Roble mine and is developing it’s high -grade La Plata VMS project in
Ecuador. The Company is also pursuing additional acquisition of advanced stage opportunities.
For more information, please visit www.aticomining.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Fernando E. Ganoza
CEO
Atico Mining Corporation
Trading symbols: TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF
Investor Relations
Igor Dutina
Tel: +1.604.633.9022
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of
the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The
securities being offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the ‘‘U.S. Securities Act’’), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United
States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, a "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act)
unless pursuant to an exemption ther efrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not
constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This announcem ent includes certain “forward -looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities
legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation the use of
net proceeds, are forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties
and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to
be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include
uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of minera l deposits;
uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs; the need to obtain additional financing to maintain its
interest in and/or explore and develop the Company’s mineral projects; uncertainty of meeting anticipated
program milestones for the Company’s mineral projects; the world -wide economic and social impact of COVID -
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19 is managed and the duration and extent of the coronavirus pandemic is minimized or not long-term; disruptions
related to the COVID-19 pandemic or other health and safety issues, or the responses of governments, communities,
the Company and others to such pandemic or other issues; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the
heading “Risk Factors” in the prospectus of the Company dated March 2, 2012 filed with the Canadian securities
regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The items marked with a "(1)" are alternative performance measures and readers should refer to Non -GAAP
Financial Measures in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended March
31, 2020 as filed on SEDAR and as available on the Company's website for further details.