Aeterion PLC (LSE: ATN)The critical minerals exploration and development company is pleased to provide an update on its Rwanda minerals business operations for the first quarter ended 31 March 2026.
The company continued strong growth in its trading activities during the period, generating an unaudited gross profit of approximately US$306,000. This represents a significant increase from the US$145,000 reported in Q4 2025, reflecting both higher volumes and improved operating efficiency.
This performance highlights the continued successful implementation of the Company’s strategy to complement its exploration portfolio with near-term, cash-generative trading activities. The company focuses exclusively on responsibly sourced, fully traceable mineral supply chains. The emphasis has been on maintaining high traceability compliance and general margin discipline along with continued supply growth from compliant sources.
Charles Bray, Executive Chairman of Aeterion, commented:
“We have seen further growth in Eastinco’s trading platform, with unaudited gross profit rising to approximately US$306,000 in Q1 2026, more than double the US$145,000 reported in Q4 2025.
This strong improvement reflects a more robust and scalable trading model that is capable of delivering meaningful cash generation alongside our exploration activities. We are particularly supported by the increasing stability of supply from compliant sources and the strong demand environment, favorable commodity pricing and growing global requirements for responsibly sourced materials. This positions Aterian as a reliable and differentiated player in the international critical minerals market.
The progress achieved during the quarter provides a clear confirmation of our strategy of integrating the business as a core component of the company’s value proposition. As we move to a larger processing facility and continue to scale operations, we expect further improvement in both volume and profitability, supported by enhanced working capital solutions and deeper relationships with strategic partners.
Looking ahead, we are confident that the trading business will play an important role in strengthening Aterian’s financial profile, reducing its reliance on external funding and creating a strong platform from which to grow our broad portfolio of exploration and development assets.“
Outlook
Building on the positive momentum highlighted in the company’s March 23, 2026 update announcing a strategic trading JV with Vogen Resources, this latest performance reflects continued delivery against the strategy. The company expects further progress in operations by 2026 as trading volumes increase and efficiency improves.
The Company will provide further updates on its business operations and strategic developments as appropriate.
This announcement contains information which, before its disclosure, was inside information as determined under Regulation 11 of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Withdrawal) Regulation 2019/310 (as amended).
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Eterion PLC:
Charles Bray, Executive Chairman – charles.bray@aterianplc.com
Simon Rollason, Director – simon.rollason@aterianplc.com
Financial Advisors and Joint Brokers:
Albr Capital Limited
David Kaufman/Dan Harris
Colin Robbery
Phone: +44 (0)207 7469 0930
Joint Brokers:
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP
Ivan Leggett / Adam Cowell
Phone: +44 20 3470 0470
Financial PR:
Bald Voodoo – ben@baldvoodoo.com
ben kilbe
Phone: +44 (0)7811 209 344
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Notes to editors:
About Eterion PLC
Aeterion PLC is an LSE-listed exploration and development company with a diverse African portfolio of critical metals projects.
Aterion PLC is actively seeking to acquire and develop new critical metals resources to strengthen its existing asset base, as well as support ethical and sustainable supply chains as the world transitions to a sustainable, renewable future. The supply of these metals is vital to the development of the renewable energy, automotive and electronic manufacturing sectors, which are increasingly important in reducing carbon emissions and meeting global climate ambitions.
Aterian has a portfolio of several copper-silver (+gold) and base-metal projects in Morocco. Eterion holds a 90% stake in Atlantis Metals, a private Botswana-registered company that holds ten mineral prospecting licenses for copper-silver in the world-famous Kalahari Copperbelt and three licenses for lithium brine exploration in the Makgadikgadi Pansa area. The company holds an exploration license in southern Rwanda, where it is evaluating tantalum and niobium opportunities and exploring pegmatite-hosted lithium.
The Company’s strategy is to seek new exploration and production opportunities across the African continent and to develop new sources of significant mineral assets for exploration, development and trading.
