
Marimaca Copper


ATEX Resources Inc. is a Canadian-based exploration company advancing the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Chile's largest new copper-gold discovery in over a decade. With a substantial mineral resource base of 475 million tonnes at 0.88% copper equivalent (CuEq) in the Indicated category and 1.51 billion tonnes at 0.75% CuEq in the Inferred category, Valeriano represents a generational asset in a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction.
The project contains 34 billion pounds of CuEq metal, positioning it among the world's top 10 undeveloped copper projects. Located along Chile's prolific "Porphyry Superhighway," Valeriano benefits from exceptional infrastructure and a supportive policy environment focused on doubling copper production. ATEX has acquired 14,550 hectares of surface rights and multi-use water rights, providing strategic advantages for future development.
Former exploration activities have defined a robust mineralized system through 45,171 meters of drilling across 33 holes, with Phase VI drilling planned for 25,000 meters using six rigs. The company is executing a systematic exploration program that continues to deliver record-setting high-grade results, including 164 meters of 2.72% CuEq and 30 meters of 4.40% CuEq.
ATEX Resources is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: ATX) and OTCQB (ATXRF), and is backed by cornerstone investors including Agnico Eagle and Pierre Lassonde, with over C$100 million in cash reserves.
ATEX Resources offers a compelling investment opportunity with its emerging Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, which ranks among the largest copper discoveries in Chile's recent history. The project demonstrates exceptional metallurgical performance with copper recoveries of 94-95% and gold recoveries of 90-97%, producing premium concentrate grades of 33% copper and 15 g/t gold without deleterious elements. These technical advantages support robust project economics and lower processing risks.
The company's systematic exploration approach has rapidly delineated a significant resource base in just three years of porphyry drilling, achieving what comparable discoveries required decades to accomplish. Valeriano's high-grade breccia zones and continuous porphyry mineralization provide multiple development scenarios, offering optionality for both bulk underground and potential future open-pit mining methods.
Strategically positioned in Chile's premier copper district, Valeriano benefits from established mining infrastructure, road access, and developing regional power and water projects. The Chilean government's commitment to streamlining permitting and supporting copper production growth provides a favorable regulatory environment. ATEX's proactive ESG strategy, including continuous environmental monitoring since 2022 and community partnerships, positions the company as a responsible development partner.
ATEX Resources Inc. is led by a seasoned management team with deep expertise across exploration, project development, and corporate finance. President and CEO Ben Pullinger, P.Geo., brings over 20 years of international exploration experience from Golden Star Resources, Excellon Resources, and Roxgold Inc., and previously served as SVP Exploration at ATEX. CFO Elijah Tyshynski contributes 20 years of capital markets and infrastructure financing experience from O3 Mining, Osisko Group, and Morgan Stanley.
Technical operations are overseen by Senior Director Pablo Morelli, a geologist with 20 years of experience in copper porphyry systems from Titan Mining, Newmont-Barrick JV, Kinross, and Barrick Gold. Director Fabian Figueroa adds 20 years of Chilean copper porphyry exploration experience from Teck Resources and Lumina Copper. Country Manager Dr. Felipe Machado, PhD, leads ESG initiatives with 15 years of sustainability experience in Chilean mining and government-funded research institutes.
This executive team is complemented by a Board of Directors comprising industry veterans including Chairman Craig Nelsen, who discovered the Pascua, El Morro, and Cerro Corona deposits during his 40-year career at Gold Fields and Metallica Resources. Director Alejandra Wood, former Director of Codelco and BHP Billiton Base Metals External Affairs Manager, provides invaluable Chilean mining sector expertise.
ATEX Resources is executing a comprehensive growth plan focused on systematically expanding the Valeriano resource while demonstrating high-grade potential and advancing toward development. The company is currently conducting Phase VI drilling with 25,000 meters planned across six rigs, targeting B2B breccia expansion and new discoveries in untested areas. This systematic approach aims to define the ultimate scale of the porphyry system, which remains open in all directions.
Environmental stewardship and community partnership are central to ATEX's strategy, with continuous environmental monitoring since 2022 and proactive engagement with local stakeholders. The company has established local hiring programs, job training initiatives, and partnerships with education and health institutions, building social license in the region. This commitment ensures development plans meet rigorous environmental standards while creating mutual value with communities.
A key advantage in ATEX's growth plan is its strategic land position and surface rights acquisition, which provides control over 16,000 hectares of exploration concessions and multi-use water rights. This land package includes contiguous ground with Antofagasta's El Encierro project and untested regional porphyry targets, offering significant exploration upside. The company is evaluating strategic collaboration opportunities to maximize asset value while managing exploration risk.
As of December 2025, ATEX Resources Inc. maintains a strong financial position with over C$100 million in cash reserves, providing runway for an aggressive 25,000-meter Phase VI drilling program. The company is backed by top-tier shareholders including Agnico Eagle and Pierre Lassonde, who participated in recent financings, demonstrating institutional confidence in the Valeriano project's potential. With 345 million shares outstanding and a market capitalization of C$863 million, ATEX trades at approximately US$0.01 per pound of copper equivalent resource, representing a significant discount to peer valuations.
The Valeriano project benefits from exceptional metallurgical performance that supports conventional processing with lower capital intensity. Copper-gold recoveries of 94-95% and 90-97% respectively, combined with premium concentrate grades and absence of deleterious elements, suggest attractive operating economics. The simple metallurgy and coarse grind requirements indicate reduced processing costs and water consumption compared to complex ore bodies.
ATEX's valuation remains compelling, trading at a 40% discount to equity analyst consensus targets averaging C$4.30 per share. Analyst coverage from Stifel, Desjardins, BMO Capital Markets, and TD Securities provides institutional validation and market visibility. As drilling continues to deliver high-grade results and expand the resource base, the company is well-positioned for re-rating toward peer multiples of US$0.03-0.04 per pound CuEq.
ATEX Resources actively manages significant challenges inherent in developing a major copper-gold discovery. The project's ultimate success depends on copper and gold prices, but its high-grade zones and exceptional metallurgical recoveries provide downside protection and enhanced margins at lower commodity prices. The demonstrated 94-95% copper recoveries and premium concentrate grades support robust economics even in volatile markets.
Securing environmental permits and social license represents a critical path item, but ATEX has proactively managed this risk through continuous environmental monitoring since 2022 and established community partnerships. The company's local hiring programs, health and education initiatives, and transparent stakeholder engagement build the foundation for successful permitting in Chile's supportive regulatory environment. The Chilean government's commitment to halving permitting timelines for strategic copper projects further de-risks this pathway.
The project requires substantial future capital for feasibility studies and potential development, but ATEX has positioned itself strategically by acquiring surface and water rights while maintaining a strong cash position. The company is pursuing multiple value-creation pathways, including potential strategic partnerships or joint ventures with major mining companies active in the district. Technical risks are mitigated by a management team with extensive porphyry copper experience and demonstrated drilling success that continues to validate the geological model.
ATEX Resources Inc. is emerging as a significant player in the global copper sector, with its Valeriano Copper-Gold Project positioned as Chile's largest new discovery in over a decade. With 34 billion pounds of copper equivalent resources, exceptional metallurgical performance, and a systematic exploration program delivering continuous high-grade results, Valeriano represents a unique development opportunity in a top-tier jurisdiction.
The company's strong management team, substantial cash reserves, and backing from cornerstone investors provide the foundation for advancing this world-class asset. Trading at a significant discount to analyst targets and peer valuations, ATEX offers compelling leverage to copper and gold prices while maintaining exploration upside through untested regional targets. As Phase VI drilling continues to expand the resource and demonstrate high-grade potential, ATEX is well-positioned to deliver substantial returns to investors seeking exposure to critical minerals essential for the global energy transition.