Q1 2026 Operations Update
Summary by AI BETAClose X
14 April 2026
Atalaya Mining Copper, S.A.
("Atalaya" or "the Company")
Q1 2026 Operations Update
Well positioned for future growth despite recent weather events
Atalaya Mining (LSE: ATYM) is pleased to announce its operations update for the first quarter of 2026 ("Q1 2026" or the "Period").
Proyecto Riotinto Operating Highlights
|
|
|
Q1 |
Q4 |
Full Year |
|
|
|
|
2026(1) |
2025 |
2025 |
2026 Guidance |
|
Ore mined |
M tonnes |
3.4 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
15.5 - 16.0 |
|
Waste mined(2) |
M tonnes |
10.2 |
11.3 |
9.2 |
38 - 44(3) |
|
Ore processed |
M tonnes |
4.1 |
4.2 |
4.1 |
15.5 - 16.0 |
|
Copper grade |
% |
0.30 |
0.42 |
0.33 |
0.38 - 0.41 |
|
Copper recovery |
% |
81.54 |
80.98 |
83.87 |
79 - 83 |
|
Copper production |
tonnes |
9,939 |
14,291 |
11,550 |
50,000 - 54,000 |
(1) Figures for Q1 2026 are preliminary and final figures will be released with Q1 2026 Financial Results.
(2) Represents the Cerro Colorado pit only.
(3) Waste guidance is 57 - 67 million tonnes when including the San Dionisio pit.
Alberto Lavandeira, CEO, commented:
"Our production in Q1 2026 was impacted by unusually heavy rains, similar to the operations of our peers in the Iberian Pyrite Belt. In the coming quarters, we expect to recover a portion of the production shortfall.
Beyond the quarter, our focus remains firmly on growing and diversifying the business. We are well-positioned to advance our pipeline across the Riotinto District, including San Dionisio, San Antonio, Masa Valverde and the planned polymetallic circuit, supported by a strong balance sheet, a high‑quality asset base and an experienced operating team. At Touro, we are pleased with the recent court ruling, which voids the January 2020 negative environmental decision, and continue to work with the Xunta to complete the final steps of the environmental review under the existing strategic project framework.
Looking further ahead, we believe the structural drivers for copper demand remain compelling. As major economies accelerate investment in renewable energy, electrification and distribution infrastructure, copper will play an increasingly strategic role, reinforcing the long‑term value of our asset portfolio."
Q1 2026 Operating Results
Mining
Ore mined was 3.4 million tonnes in Q1 2026 (Q1 2025: 3.7 million tonnes), compared with 3.9 million tonnes in Q4 2025. As previously disclosed, unusually high rainfall in late January and early February 2026 reduced access to certain mining areas in the Cerro Colorado pit.
Waste mined was 10.2 million tonnes in Q1 2026 (Q1 2025: 11.3 million tonnes), compared with 9.2 million tonnes in Q4 2025. In addition, waste stripping activities continued at the San Dionisio area.
Processing
The plant processed ore of 4.1 million tonnes in Q1 2026 (Q1 2025: 4.2 million tonnes), compared with 4.1 million tonnes in Q4 2025.
Copper grade was 0.30% in Q1 2026 (Q1 2025: 0.42%), compared with 0.33% in Q4 2025. During the Period, the plant feed was supplemented with low-grade ore stockpiles in order to compensate for pit access limitations following the heavy rainfall events.
Copper recovery was 81.54% in Q1 2026 (Q1 2025: 80.98%), compared with 83.87% in Q4 2025.
Production
Copper production was 9,939 tonnes in Q1 2026 (Q1 2025: 14,291 tonnes), compared with 11,550 tonnes in Q4 2025. In addition, silver contained in copper concentrate was 0.20 million ounces in Q1 2026 (Q1 2025: 0.28 million ounces).
On-site copper concentrate inventories were 5,083 tonnes at 31 March 2026 (31 December 2025: 4,050 tonnes).
Copper contained in concentrates sold was 9,767 tonnes in Q1 2026 (Q1 2025: 14,687 tonnes), compared with 11,823 tonnes in Q4 2025.
Select Financial Highlights
Realised Copper Price
The average realised copper price (excluding QPs closed during the Period) was US$5.87/lb in Q1 2026 (Q1 2025: US$4.26/lb), compared with US$5.10/lb in Q4 2025. The average spot copper price was US$5.83/lb in Q1 2026.
Provisional Revenue Adjustments
For Q1 2026, settlement adjustments (for QPs closed during the Period) and fair value adjustments (for open QPs based on copper forward curve prices as of 31 March 2026) were negative €4.1 million.
Balance Sheet
Consolidated cash and cash equivalents were €279.3 million as of 31 March 2026 (31 December 2025: €166.3 million), which includes the net proceeds from the January 2026 equity offering.
Current and non-current borrowings were €13.3 million, resulting in a net cash position of €266.0 million as of 31 March 2026 (31 December 2025: €122.0 million).
Outlook for 2026
Production
Following the impact of rainfall during the Period, the Company plans to review its copper production guidance for FY2026 on an ongoing basis and will provide further updates when the Company reports its Q1 2026 Financial Results in May 2026.
Previously disclosed production guidance for FY2026 was 50,000 to 54,000 tonnes of copper (with H2 2026 production approximately 10% higher than H1 2026 production) plus silver contained in copper concentrate of 0.9 to 1.1 million ounces.
Operating Costs
With respect to operating costs, the ongoing events in the Middle East have the potential to disrupt supply chains and increase energy prices, especially if a prolonged conflict materialises. So far, Atalaya has not experienced any challenges sourcing key consumables such as diesel or explosives, although unit prices could be impacted in the coming months. For some consumables, the Company will benefit from fixed price agreements that were entered into before the conflict began.
Electricity prices in Spain have remained stable since the start of the Iran conflict, thanks to Spain's diversified energy mix including significant solar and wind capacity and hydroelectric facilities that have benefitted from recent periods of high rainfall. Beyond the Company's long-term PPA, some additional electricity hedges have been secured for 2026 and further agreements are being evaluated.
Any updates to the Company's guidance for FY2026 Cash Costs (US$2.60 - 2.90/lb copper payable) and AISC (US$3.10 - 3.40/lb copper payable) will be disclosed with the Q1 2026 Financial Results.
Asset Portfolio Update
Proyecto Riotinto
Stripping activities at San Dionisio continued during the Period, with total waste mined of 3.3 million tonnes in Q1 2026. San Dionisio represents a key component of Atalaya's strategy to increase copper production by sourcing higher-grade material from deposits throughout the Riotinto District to be blended with ore from Cerro Colorado.
At San Antonio, the polymetallic deposit located immediately east of the Cerro Colorado pit, infill and step-out drilling continued with the objective of increasing resource confidence and confirming deposit limits.
Atalaya continues to advance engineering works associated with processing plant modifications that would allow for the simultaneous treatment of polymetallic and copper ores at Riotinto, including refining the layout of the new circuits within the existing plant footprint in order to optimise capital and operating costs.
E-LIX Phase I Plant
In Q1 2026, trials were completed at the E-LIX facility in order to test the technology's suitability for processing ores with high silver content.
Riotinto District - Proyecto Masa Valverde ("PMV")
Infill drilling continued at the Masa Valverde deposit, where the focus remains on copper-rich stockwork-style zones, which are expected to be amenable for processing at the existing Riotinto facilities. Preparatory work is ongoing ahead of a final Board decision regarding the access ramp.
PMV has been granted the two key permits required for development - the Unified Environmental Authorisation (or in Spanish, Autorización Ambiental Unificada ("AAU")) and the exploitation permit.
Proyecto Touro
Atalaya's local entity Cobre San Rafael ("CSR") continues to advance the permitting process under the Galician legislation that awarded Touro with the status of strategic industrial project (or in Spanish, Proyecto Industrial Estratégico ("PIE")) in 2024.
Adding to the Company's confidence is a recent positive ruling by the High Court of Justice of Galicia ("TSXG") that voids the January 2020 negative environmental decision for the Touro project. Since then, the new project design has incorporated numerous improvements including increased environmental protection measures.
Independent of the court ruling, Atalaya and CSR will remain focused on finalising the permitting steps for the new improved project according to the PIE legislation. In preparation for the conclusion of the permitting process, CSR is continuing with detailed engineering and procurement works, land purchases and exploration drilling.
Proyecto Ossa Morena
Drilling is ongoing at the Guijarro gold project, where a total of 17 holes are planned in the current drilling programme.
Proyecto Riotinto East
Drilling will begin at the Cerro Negro permit in the coming weeks.
Skellefte Belt and Rockliden (Sweden)
In November 2024, Atalaya announced that it had entered into two binding agreements with Mineral Prospektering i Sverige AB ("MPS") pursuant to which Atalaya can earn an initial 75% interest in two separate land packages in Sweden. The Skellefte Belt land package ("Skellefte Belt Project") and the Rockliden land package ("Rockliden Project") are located in two notable districts that host many large-scale volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") deposits and mines owned by Boliden AB. Both regions are underexplored and could increase Atalaya's exposure to critical minerals in Europe.
The 2026 winter drilling campaign was completed in late March. While complete assays remain pending and detailed geological interpretations are currently underway, initial results have yielded several positive insights. The programme successfully extended known mineralisation from previous drill holes at both the Skellefte Belt and Rockliden projects. Furthermore, the campaign confirmed the efficacy of ground FLEM (Fixed Loop Electromagnetic) geophysics in refining airborne VTEM targets and successfully detecting sulphide mineralisation.
In 2026, a total of 23 drill holes (6,930 metres) were completed at the Skellefte Belt Project and 9 drill holes (1,812 metres) were completed at the Rockliden Project. Since the commencement of the earn-in agreements, cumulative drilling has totalled 43 holes (12,617 metres) at the Skellefte Belt Project and 25 holes (4,593 metres) at the Rockliden Project.
Over the coming months, ground geophysics will continue across high-priority target areas. This data will be used to define the next phase of drilling, which will focus on testing numerous regional targets and further extending known mineralisation zones.
Corporate Activities Update
Fundraise
In January 2026, the Company completed an equity offering that raised gross proceeds of £130 million (or approximately €150 million) from new institutional investors, existing shareholders and eligible retail investors. The fundraise was significantly oversubscribed.
Proceeds from the fundraise will allow Atalaya to accelerate the development of its copper growth projects in Spain in order to capitalise on strong copper market fundamentals, and also be used to enhance financial flexibility and for potential new acquisition opportunities and regional partnerships.
Investment in Lara Exploration Ltd. (Subsequent Event)
On 2 April 2026, Atalaya announced that it had acquired 4,500,000 shares of Lara Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: LRA) for C$13.5 million. The shares were acquired via private placement at a price of C$3.00 per share and represent approximately 7.3% of Lara's issued and outstanding shares following completion of the private placements as announced by Lara on 1 April 2026. Atalaya acquired the shares for investment purposes.
The person responsible for arranging release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is César Sánchez (CFO).
This announcement contains information which, prior to its publication constituted inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.
Contacts:
|
SEC Newgate UK |
Clotilde Gros / George Esmond / Gwen Samuel |
+44 20 3757 6882 |
|
Atalaya Mining |
Michael Rechsteiner |
+34 959 59 28 50 |
About Atalaya Mining Copper, S.A.
Atalaya is a European copper producer that owns and operates the Proyecto Riotinto complex in southwest Spain. Atalaya's shares trade on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market under the symbol "ATYM" and Atalaya is a FTSE 250 Index constituent.
Atalaya's operations include the Cerro Colorado open pit mine and a modern 15 Mtpa processing plant, which has the potential to become a central processing hub for ore sourced from its wholly owned regional projects around Riotinto, such as Proyecto Masa Valverde and Proyecto Riotinto East. In addition, Atalaya has a phased earn-in agreement for up to 80% ownership of Cobre San Rafael S.L., which fully owns the Proyecto Touro brownfield copper project in the northwest of Spain, as well as a 99.9% interest in Proyecto Ossa Morena. For further information, please visit www.atalayamining.com
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