Aterian plc (LSE:ATN), the Africa-focused critical minerals exploration, development and trading company, announced that its Rwanda-based subsidiary, Eastinco Limited, exported 20 metric tonnes of mineral material during October 2026 and agreed a tantalum concentrate sale valued at approximately US$1.8 million.
The company also confirmed that Eastinco’s new mineral handling and processing facility in Kigali is operational, supporting the subsidiary’s trading activities and development of its supplier and customer networks.
Eastinco Agrees $1.8 Million Tantalum Concentrate Sale
Eastinco has entered into an agreement to sell 10 metric tonnes of tantalum-bearing concentrate to an investor based in a G7 country.
The transaction has an approximate value of US$1.8 million and adds another international customer to Eastinco’s trading network.
Aterian clarified that the stated transaction value represents the agreed sale amount rather than the profit expected from the transaction.
The agreement forms part of Eastinco’s efforts to develop commercial relationships with international buyers of tantalum-bearing materials.
October Export Volumes Reach 20 Metric Tonnes
Eastinco recorded export volumes of 20 metric tonnes in October 2026 as it continued developing its mineral trading operations in Rwanda.
The subsidiary’s newly operational facility in Kigali provides infrastructure for mineral handling and processing activities, alongside the management of material sourced from local suppliers.
Aterian said Eastinco is establishing relationships with additional Rwandan mines to expand its potential supply base for tantalum- and tungsten-bearing materials.
The company intends to develop these relationships into recurring deliveries, subject to satisfactory supplier due diligence, traceability requirements, material specifications and agreed commercial terms.
Management is also working to establish more consistent trading volumes and margins as Eastinco expands its supplier and buyer relationships.
Supplier Due Diligence and Mineral Traceability
Aterian said Eastinco’s mineral sourcing procedures are structured around supply-chain due diligence standards aligned with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidance.
The framework includes assessments of trading counterparties and beneficial ownership, verification of relevant mining and trading permissions, and reviews of mine-site information and production records.
Eastinco also maintains documentation intended to establish the origin and movement of purchased mineral material.
Its chain-of-custody procedures include lot identification, weighing, sampling, assay records and transport documentation.
According to Aterian, these controls are designed to provide international customers with information about mineral provenance, sourcing practices and product specifications.
The company considers these procedures part of its approach to developing additional international trading relationships.
Executive Chairman Comments on Trading Development
Charles Bray, Executive Chairman of Aterian plc, commented:
“Eastinco is beginning to deliver the performance we have been working towards. Export volumes reached 20 tonnes in October, our new Kigali facility is operational, and we are building relationships with additional Rwandan mines to support new supply. These are tangible steps towards a more consistent trading business.
Our priority is to convert this progress into repeatable volumes with consistent margin capture and disciplined commercial execution. Our exports demonstrate the breadth of potential demand for physical tantalum and reinforce the importance of the compliance and traceability capabilities we are building. We see a significant opportunity to connect responsibly sourced African critical minerals with international customers.”
More About Aterian PLC
Aterian plc is an Africa-focused company involved in critical minerals exploration, development and trading.
Through its Rwanda-based subsidiary Eastinco Limited, the company is developing mineral sourcing, handling, processing and trading activities involving materials including tantalum and tungsten.
Eastinco’s operations include the development of relationships with Rwandan mineral producers and international customers, supported by supply-chain due diligence and traceability procedures.
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