REG - Aterian PLC - Rwanda Update: Mineral Trading

AterianAnnouncement

12/03/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 2519A  Aterian PLC  12 March 2025

12 March 2025

 

Aterian Plc

("Aterian" or the "Company")

 

Rwanda Update: Mineral Trading

Aterian Plc (LSE: ATN), the critical metal-focused exploration and development
company, announces that it has successfully agreed to the terms of a new trade
finance facility ("Trade Facility") with a leading international trading
house, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing growth and expansion
strategy. The facility is subject to the completion of due diligence and legal
documentation.

This pivotal financial arrangement is set to enhance and significantly enlarge
the Company's trading operations, accelerating Aterian's progress and
reinforcing its commitment to long-term value creation.

Strategic Growth and Shareholder Value

This new Trade Facility represents a key component of Aterian's broader
strategy, which is centered on the exploration and development of critical
minerals, particularly copper and lithium assets, across Rwanda, Morocco, and
Botswana. With eight high-priority exploration projects currently underway,
the Company continues to position itself as a major player in Africa's
critical metals mineral exploration industry.

Aterian's partnership-driven exploration model has already demonstrated
success, with a landmark lithium exploration joint venture with Rio Tinto
Mining and Exploration Limited ("Rio Tinto") in Rwanda which commenced in late
2023. This joint venture is shortly expected to demonstrate results, which
given the potential for tantalum and niobium discovery Aterian views as value
additive to the Company in all cases.  The Company's collaborative approach
will continue to be a cornerstone of the Company's strategy, ensuring
sustainable growth, limited Company expenditure, and increased shareholder
value as the Company seeks to advance its priority projects.

Strengthening Market Position

This latest development fortifies Aterian's ability to execute its strategic
objectives and solidifies its standing as a leader in the critical metals
sector. With each new Joint Venture, partnership, and financing milestone,
Aterian is steadily advancing towards its vision of becoming a premier
exploration and trading enterprise in Africa. The Board remains highly
confident in the Company's trajectory and looks forward to providing further
updates as additional partnerships and commercial developments unfold.

Charles Bray, Chairman of Aterian commented:

"I am delighted to share a pivotal moment in Aterian Plc's journey with our
shareholders and stakeholders. The successful arrangement of this
significantly larger trade finance facility with an international house marks
a transformational step forward in our growth trajectory, significantly
accelerating our ability to generate revenues to cover operational costs and
drive long-term value creation.

This transaction underscores our trading model's robustness and ability to
capitalise on emerging opportunities within the critical metals sector. This
is more than just a financial milestone-it is a game-changer for Aterian and
its shareholders.

Our partnership-driven approach has already demonstrated tangible success,
exemplified by our lithium joint venture with Rio Tinto in Rwanda. As we await
assay results, we wish to stress that we have added value to a key Aterian
asset whether the focus ultimately is on lithium and/or tantalum and niobium.

I extend my gratitude to our investors, partners, and team members who have
been instrumental in reaching this significant milestone. The Board remains
confident in the Company's trajectory and is excited about the opportunities
that lie ahead. We look forward to providing further updates as we continue to
execute our strategic vision and unlock new opportunities for sustainable
growth and long-term value."

- ENDS -

 

 

This announcement contains information which, prior to its disclosure, was
inside information as stipulated under Regulation 11 of the Market Abuse
(Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/310 (as amended).

 

For further information, please visit the Company's website:
www.aterianplc.com (http://www.aterianplc.com) or contact:

 

Aterian Plc:

Charles Bray, Executive Chairman - charles.bray@aterianplc.com
(mailto:charles.bray@aterianplc.com)

Simon Rollason, Director - simon.rollason@aterianplc.com
(mailto:simon.rollason@aterianplc.com)

 

Financial Adviser and Joint Broker:

Novum Securities Limited

David Coffman

Colin Rowbury

Tel: +44 (0)207 399 9400

 

Joint Broker:

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP

Ewan Leggat / Adam Cowl

Tel: +44 20 3470 0470

 

Financial PR:

Bald Voodoo - ben@baldvoodoo.com (mailto:ben@baldvoodoo.com)

Ben Kilbey

Tel: +44 (0)7811 209 344

Notes to Editors:

About Aterian plc

www.aterianplc.com (http://www.aterianplc.com)

 

Aterian plc is an LSE-listed exploration and development company with a
diversified African portfolio of critical metals projects.

Aterian plc is actively seeking to acquire and develop new critical metal
resources to strengthen its existing asset base while supporting ethical and
sustainable supply chains as the world transitions to a sustainable, renewable
future. The supply of these metals is vital for developing the renewable
energy, automotive, and electronic manufacturing sectors, which are playing an
increasing role in reducing carbon emissions and meeting climate ambitions
globally.

 

The Company recently entered into a joint venture agreement with Rio Tinto
Mining and Exploration Limited for Rio Tinto to earn into the HCK project in
southern Rwanda to explore and develop a lithium-tantalum-niobium-tin mining
operation. The Company also holds an exploration licence in Rwanda. Aterian
has a portfolio of multiple copper-silver (+ gold) and base metal projects in
Morocco. In January 2024, the Company announced the acquisition of a 90%
interest in Atlantis Metals. This private Botswana registered company holds
one mineral prospecting licence for copper-silver in the Kalahari Copperbelt
and three for lithium brine exploration in the Makgadikgadi Pans region.

 

The Company's strategy is to seek new exploration and production opportunities
across the African continent and to develop new sources of critical mineral
assets for exploration, development, and trading.

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