Atico Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Production Results

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan.  22, 2018  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atico Mining Corporation (the "Company" or "Atico") (TSXV:ATY) (OTC:ATCMF) is pleased to announce operating results for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2017 from its El Roble mine. Production totaled 5.33 million pounds of copper with 2,972 ounces of gold for the fourth quarter ("Q4 2017") and 20.63 million pounds of copper with 10,923 ounces of gold in concentrates for the full year 2017.

"Atico has successfully concluded its fourth full year of operating the El Roble mine, exceeding 2017 guidance while achieving the highest annual production results to date," said Fernando E. Ganoza, CEO. "In the upcoming year, we will focus on increasing mineral resources through aggressive exploration at the El Roble mine and the surrounding prospective 6,600 hectare land package, to continue growing production and expanding the operation."

Fourth Quarter and Full Year Operational Highlights

Fourth Quarter

• Production of 5.33 million pounds of copper contained in concentrates; an increase of 3.5% over Q4 2016.
• Production of 2,972 ounces of gold contained in concentrates; an increase of 5% over Q4 2016.
• Average processed tonnes per day of 763; a decrease of 3% over Q4 2016.
• Copper and gold head grades of 3.98% and 2.25 grams per tonne; an increase of 2% for copper and 3% for gold over Q4 2016.
• Copper and gold recovery of 95.0% and 64.2%; no significant change over Q4 2016.

2017 Year-end

• Production of 20.63 million pounds of copper contained in concentrates; an increase of 10% over 2016.
• Production of 10,923 ounces of gold contained in concentrates; a decrease of 2% over 2016.
• Average processed tonnes per day of 790; no significant change over 2016.
• Copper and gold head grades of 3.87% and 2.10 grams per tonne; an increase of 4% for copper and a decrease of 3% for gold over 2016.
• Copper and gold recovery of 94.3% and 63.2%; no significant change for copper and a decrease of 4% for gold over 2016.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year Operational Details

	Q1 Total	Q2 Total	Q3 Total	Q4 Total	2017 Total
Production (Contained in Concentrates)
Copper (000s pounds)	5,046	5,154	5,099	5,326	20,625
Gold (ounces)	2,550	2,570	2,831	2,972	10,923
Mine
Tonnes of ore mined	63,468	65,942	74,919	64,705	269,034
Mill
Tonnes processed	62,885	62,802	66,443	63,948	256,078
Tonnes processed per day	810	794	794	763	790
Copper grade (%)	3.89	3.94	3.68	3.98	3.87
Gold grade (g/t)	1.92	2.07	2.16	2.25	2.10
Recoveries
Copper (%)	93.5	94.4	94.3	95.0	94.3
Gold (%)	65.8	61.8	61.1	64.2	63.2
Concentrates
Copper and Gold Concentrates (dmt)	10,566	10,460	10,551	11,224	42,801
Payable copper produced (000s lbs)	4,790	4,897	4,844	5,060	19,591

Note: Metal production figures are subject to adjustments based on final settlement.