Atico Announces Closing of US$16.4 Million Convertible Debenture Private Placement and Settles Legacy Liabilities
Existing Trafigura and Dundee obligations are fully repaid, while the new secured debenture carries cash or share-based interest.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Summary
Atico Mining (ATCMF) closed a secured convertible debenture financing with a Trafigura affiliate carrying a US$16.4 million face value. Consideration comprised approximately US$12.48 million advanced and approximately US$3.52 million converted from existing Trafigura debt, reflecting an original issue discount. The debenture converts at US$0.22 per share and matures five years and one day after issuance. Annual interest is 7.0% if paid in cash or 10.0% if paid in shares.
Atico also issued 16,149,870 shares at approximately US$0.1548 each to settle US$2.5 million of Trafigura debt. The existing Trafigura credit agreement and Dundee debenture are now fully repaid. Atico says it is fully funded for La Plata pre-construction activities through readiness to begin construction in Q1 2027. Advisory compensation includes US$328,000 cash and 1,589,147 shares.
How this balance works
Rhea-AI gives every point it takes from this document a weight. Minor counts 1, Moderate 3 and Major 9, so one Major point outweighs several Minor ones. The bar adds up the weights on each side, and when neither side holds more than 65% of the total the balance reads Mixed.
It reads the document as published, with the same rules for every company, and it does not look at what the market expected or at how the stock traded, so a point can be objectively good on a day the stock falls.
Rhea-AI Sentiment measures something else, the tone of the wording.
Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works
Positive
- Major pointFinancing delivered an advance of approximately US$12.48 million from a Trafigura affiliate. 45% of market cap
- Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Atico says La Plata pre-construction is fully funded through readiness to begin construction in Q1 2027.
- Minor pointExisting Trafigura credit agreement is fully repaid, with no further amounts owing.
- Minor pointDundee’s 12.0% unsecured subordinated debenture was fully repaid using part of the financing proceeds.
- Minor pointConversion price of US$0.22 represents a 40% premium to the 20-day volume-weighted average closing price on September 28, 2026.
Negative
- Major pointNew secured debenture carries US$16.4 million principal, maturing five years and one day after issuance. 59% of market cap
- Moderate pointDebt settlement issued 16,149,870 shares at approximately US$0.1548 each for US$2.5 million of debt, diluting holders. 9.1% of market cap
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Quarterly interest accrues at 7.0% annually in cash or 10.0% annually in shares.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Principal conversion at US$0.22 per common share would dilute existing holders.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Early redemption fees are 3% in year one, 2% in year two and 1% thereafter on amounts prepaid.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Ventum advisory compensation includes US$328,000 cash and 1,589,147 shares issuable at US$0.22 each.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
(All amounts expressed in US dollars, unless otherwise stated)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atico Mining Corporation (the “Company” or “Atico”) (TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF) reports that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the “Private Placement”). Under the Private Placement, the Company issued a secured convertible debenture with a face value of US
Fernando E. Ganoza, CEO and Director, commented, “We are pleased to announce the closing of the previously reported Convertible Debenture and Shares for Debt Transaction with Trafigura. This closing further strengthens Atico’s balance sheet by immediate settlement of legacy liabilities, due at the end of this year and the next, while also improving the cash position. The Company is now fully funded to execute on our near-term plans at the La Plata project, including all pre-construction activities through to a ready state to begin construction in Q1 2027.” Mr. Ganoza continued, “We are thrilled to advance responsibly towards construction, develop Ecuador’s next gold and copper mine, and create significant value for all our stakeholders.”
Convertible Debenture Financing
Pursuant to the terms of the subscription agreement, the Company issued the Convertible Debenture to the Debenture Holder in consideration for an advance of approximately US
The Convertible Debenture will mature on the date that is 5 years and one day from issuance. Interest on the Convertible Debenture is calculated and payable quarterly and accrues at a rate of
Pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Debenture, the Company may, at its option, repay the Convertible Debenture, in whole or in part, subject to an early redemption fee on the amount prepaid equal to
A portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Convertible Debenture have been used by the Company to repay all of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness under the amended and restated
Shares for Debt Transaction
As previously announced, the Company and Trafigura entered into a debt settlement agreement (the “Debt Settlement Agreement”) to settle, via the issuance of Common Shares, a portion of the debt outstanding under the credit agreement (the “Existing Trafigura Credit Agreement”) dated February 8, 2022 (as amended on May 4, 2023, August 5, 2024, April 8, 2025 and June 27, 2025) among, inter alia, the Company, as borrower, and Trafigura, as lender.
Pursuant to the Debt Settlement Agreement, the Company has issued 16,149,870 Common Shares, at a deemed issue price of approximately US
Advisors
Ventum Financial Corp. (“Ventum”) acted as financial advisor to Atico in connection with the Convertible Debenture financing. While the cash commission and number of Common Shares (being US
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 its 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 | OTCQX: 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 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, including without limitation statements regarding the terms, consummation and timing of the transactions described herein; the expected benefits of the transactions described herein, if any; use of net proceeds; closing conditions and TSX-V approvals; commissions payable in respect of the Private Placement, if any; optionality of interest payments under the Convertible Debenture; the sufficiency of the transactions for funding the Company in the short term; the timing, terms and occurrence of repayment of the Company’s existing indebtedness; the Company’s expectations for future exploration, development and production efforts; the Company’s pursuit of additional acquisition of advanced stage opportunities; generation of cash flow from the El Roble mine; and the timing and occurrence of future construction and/or production at the La Plata project, 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. The assumptions upon which the forward-looking statements herein are based, include, but are not limited to, that all required third party contractual, regulatory and governmental approvals will be obtained for the development, construction and production of its properties, there being no significant disruptions affecting operation, permitting, development, expansion and power supply proceeding on a basis consistent with the Company’s current expectations, currency exchange rates being approximately consistent with current levels, certain price assumptions for copper, gold and silver, prices for and availability of fuel oil, electricity, parts and equipment and other key supplies remaining consistent with current levels, production forecasts meeting expectations, the accuracy of the Company’s current mineral resource and reserves estimates, labor and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with the Company’s current expectations, assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, that additional financing sources will be available on reasonable commercial terms in order for the Company to make scheduled repayments of principal, interest, and any applicable premiums on its outstanding indebtedness. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration, development and construction of mineral properties, 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 Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2025, its most recently filed interim MD&A and in the Company’s Annual Information Form (“AIF”) dated September 4, 2024, filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.com and as available on the Company's website for further details.
Except as required by law, the Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date of this announcement or to revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What are the terms of Atico Mining’s convertible debenture financing?
The secured debenture has a US$16.4 million face value and converts into common shares at US$0.22 per share. It matures five years and one day after issuance. Interest is calculated and payable quarterly at 7.0% annually if paid in cash or 10.0% annually if paid in shares.
How did Atico Mining settle its existing Trafigura debt?
Atico converted approximately US$3.52 million of existing Trafigura debt into the new debenture and issued 16,149,870 common shares at approximately US$0.1548 each to settle US$2.5 million. The existing Trafigura credit agreement is now fully repaid, with no further amounts owing.
Can Atico Mining force conversion of the new debenture?
Atico can force conversion of up to 25% of principal on four separate occasions if the common shares’ 20-day volume-weighted average trading price exceeds the specified threshold. The thresholds start at 130% of the applicable volume-weighted average price and increase to 140%, 150% and 160% after successive forced conversions.