Bay Street News

Atico Mining Discovers Copper-Rich Massive Sulfide at Surface and Extends El Roble Mineralization

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – June 22, 2017) – Atico Mining Corporation (Atico” or the “Company”) (TSX VENTURE:ATY)(OTC PINK:ATCMF) is pleased to announce the discovery of a surface exposure of a copper-rich massive sulfide, cropping out some 130 meters north of the El Roble mine mineralization.

Fernando E. Ganoza, CEO, commented: “We are very excited about this new discovery as it continues to demonstrate the potential of the El Roble property. In the weeks to come, the explorations team will continue to work in the Archie target area to prepare in preparation for drill testing.” Mr. Ganoza added, “We are looking forward to results from our ongoing regional drill program which will continue throughout this year, including testing of the immediate areas below and around the newly discovered outcrop.”

The discovery was made while following up on pathfinder element geochemical vectors and the planning of a fence of four drill holes between the El Roble and the Archie target. Three channel samples on the outcrop assayed consistently high copper grades as shown in the table below:

# Sample East North Elevation Type Cu (%) Au (ppm)
AT16-0232 374839 655664 2276 Chanel 1.2m 7.168 0.21
AT16-0234 374839 655664 2276 Chanel 1.1m 12.468 0.11
AT16-0234 374839 655664 2276 Chanel 1.0m 9.472 0.09

The massive sulfide outcrop shows both banded and breccia textures Figure 1 similar to those encountered in the mine mineralization. The relatively low gold grades may indicate a slightly more distal position to the gold-rich, central, portion of the El Roble mineralization that has been mined to date. Figure 2 shows a long section of the El Roble mine with the position of the massive sulfide outcrop indicated relative to known mineralization as well as the proposed drill holes.

To view Figure 1 In situ massive sulfide outcrop showing location of channel samples with very high copper grades, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Figure1_Atico.pdf

The mineralized outcrop occurs north of an inferred fault which appears to truncate the north end of the El Roble mineralization and thus extends it across the fault into an area having a gap in the previous drilling. It is possible that the mineralization may be a continuation to surface of the northernmost lens of mineralization encountered on the 2000 level of the mine, a vertical distance of about 300 meters.

The nine planned drill holes are designed to test the favorable “black chert” – basalt contact zone underneath the newly discovered massive sulfide outcrop and further to the north to a depth of 300 meters.

This new discovery of massive sulfide opens up the possibility of finding additional mineralization north of mine in the “drill gap” and possibly even further north and at depth.

To view Figure 2 Longitudinal section view of the El Roble mine vicinity, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Figure2_Atico.pdf

El Roble Mine

The El Roble mine is a high grade, underground copper and gold mine with nominal processing plant capacity of 800 tonnes per day, located in the Department of Choco in Colombia. Its commercial product is a copper-gold concentrate.

Since obtaining control of the mine on November 22, 2013, Atico has upgraded the operation from a historical nominal capacity of 400 tonnes per day.

El Roble has a measured and indicated resource of 1.87 million tonnes grading 3.46% copper and 2.27 g/t gold, at a cut-off grade of 0.93% copper equivalent. Mineralization is open at depth and along strike and the Company plans to further test the limits of the resource.

On the larger land package, the Company has identified a prospective stratigraphic contact between volcanic rocks and black and grey pelagic sediments and cherts that has been traced by Atico geologists for ten kilometers. This contact has been determined to be an important control on VMS mineralization on which Atico has identified numerous target areas prospective for VMS type mineralization occurrence, which is the focus of the current surface drill program at El Roble.

Qualified Control

Dr. Demetrius Pohl, Ph.D., AIPG Certified Geologist, 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 Mining Corporation. Dr. Pohl 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 operates the El Roble mine and is pursuing additional acquisition opportunities. For more information, please visit www.aticomining.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fernando E. Ganoza, CEO

Atico Mining Corporation

Trading symbols: (TSX VENTURE:ATY)(OTC PINK:ATCMF)

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 therefrom. 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 announcement 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 mineral 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; 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

Investor Relations
Igor Dutina
+1.604.633.9022