Core Viewpoint - Atico Mining Corporation reported a net loss of $18.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to a significant arbitration ruling in Colombia, despite achieving higher sales and operating income compared to the previous year [2][6][3]. Financial Performance - The company posted income from mining operations of $14 million, with sales increasing by 19% to $68.5 million compared to $57.5 million in 2023 [2][6]. - The net loss for 2024 was $18.7 million, a substantial increase from a net loss of $5.8 million in 2023, largely due to a $24.5 million pre-tax loss from the arbitration ruling [6][7]. - The average realized price for copper was $4.19 per pound, up from $3.94 in 2023, and for gold, it was $2,452 per ounce, compared to $2,009 in 2023 [6][7]. Production and Operational Details - Atico's El Roble mine produced 13.7 million pounds of copper and 9,106 ounces of gold in concentrate, with cash costs of $2.07 per payable pound of copper [2][8]. - Copper production increased by 4% year-over-year, while gold production decreased by 10%, attributed to changes in head grades and processed ore [8][9]. - The company processed 274,181 tonnes of ore, a decrease of 2% from 2023, with a copper grade of 2.46% and a gold grade of 1.61% [9]. Cash Costs and Margins - Cash costs per tonne of processed ore rose by 10% to $142.68, while cash costs per pound of payable copper increased by 1% to $2.07 [6][9]. - The cash margin per pound of payable copper produced was $2.12, reflecting a 12% increase over 2023 due to higher realized copper prices and improved copper head grades [6][9]. Arbitration and Liabilities - The arbitration ruling on March 7, 2025, required the company to back pay copper royalties since 1994, resulting in a total pre-tax loss of $24.5 million for 2024 [11][13]. - As of December 31, 2024, the company had an outstanding arbitration award liability of $13.2 million, with $4.7 million classified as a current liability and $8.5 million as a non-current liability [13]. Future Outlook - The company aims to prioritize production goals and cost efficiencies at El Roble while taking advantage of favorable metal prices [3][6]. - Atico is also working on obtaining necessary permits for the La Plata project, indicating ongoing development efforts in its project pipeline [14].
Atico Reports Consolidated Financial Results for 2024