Atico secures investment protection agreement for La Plata project
Canadian junior Atico Mining has signed an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) with the Ecuadorian government for the development of its La Plata project, covering $157.9-million in planned investment.
The agreement, announced on Wednesday, provides tax and legal stability throughout the life of the mine and is seen as a key step in advancing La Plata to construction.
Atico CEO Fernando Ganoza described the IPA as “a significant milestone that underscores our commitment to sustainable development and economic growth in Ecuador”. He said the agreement would “safeguard current and future $157.9-million of investments throughout the life of the mine” while strengthening investor confidence by providing a predictable and secure environment.
The IPA also reduces the corporate income tax rate by 5% during the contract term, ensures access to international arbitration in disputes, and prohibits confiscation or expropriation of immovable assets except under strict constitutional conditions with fair compensation.
Atico stated that the agreement stabilises sector-specific rules, tax incentive regimes, and property rights, while allowing investors to produce and market lawful goods, set prices, and import/export within legal frameworks. Disputes not resolved through 60 days of negotiations may be escalated to arbitration under the International Chamber of Commerce, seated in New York.
The La Plata project is in the final stages of securing its environmental licence and other statutory permits. Once received, construction will begin, generating more than 600 direct jobs and up to 1 800 indirect jobs. In commercial production, La Plata is expected to support more than 300 direct, and up to 900 indirect, positions.
Comments
Press Office
Announcements
What's On
Subscribe to improve your user experience...
Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):
Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):
All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors
including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.
Already a subscriber?
Forgotten your password?
Receive weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine (print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
➕
Recieve daily email newsletters
➕
Access to full search results
➕
Access archive of magazine back copies
➕
Access to Projects in Progress
➕
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA
R4500 (equivalent of R375 a month)
SUBSCRIBEAll benefits from Option 1
➕
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports on various industrial and mining sectors, in PDF format, including on:
Electricity
➕
Water
➕
Energy Transition
➕
Hydrogen
➕
Roads, Rail and Ports
➕
Coal
➕
Gold
➕
Platinum
➕
Battery Metals
➕
etc.
Receive all benefits from Option 1 or Option 2 delivered to numerous people at your company
➕
Multiple User names and Passwords for simultaneous log-ins
➕
Intranet integration access to all in your organisation