Aterian (LSE:ATN) has announced that export volumes at its Rwanda-based trading subsidiary Eastinco reached 20 metric tonnes in October, as the London-listed Africa-focused critical minerals explorer and trader reported improving momentum at the unit.
The company confirmed Eastinco has agreed to sell 10 metric tonnes of tantalum-bearing concentrate to a G7-based investor, a transaction worth approximately $1.8 million, which Aterian said broadens Eastinco's customer base and demonstrates investor appetite for responsibly sourced physical tantalum.
Eastinco's new Kigali facility is now operational, giving the trading unit a base for mineral handling and processing as it expands its supply network and international customer relationships.
The company is also forging relationships with additional mines in Rwanda to support future deliveries of tantalum- and tungsten-bearing material, though progressing these into regular supply will depend on due diligence, traceability, material specifications and agreed commercial terms.
Eastinco has delivered four consecutive quarters of gross profit, generating approximately $154,000 in the third quarter ended 30 September and around $900,000 combined over the four quarters, despite a three-week disruption in the period caused by relocating processing operations to the new Kigali site.
"Eastinco is beginning to deliver the performance we have been working towards," said Charles Bray, Aterian's executive chairman.
Read more about Aterian
- 21/10/26Aterian secures licence extension to pursue Kinunga tantalum plan
- 14/10/26Aterian finds extended copper footprint at Morocco's Azrar project
- 07/10/26Aterian's Eastinco posts fourth straight quarterly profit
"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," he said, adding that the priority now is converting this progress into repeatable volumes with consistent margin capture.
Aterian said the $1.8 million transaction value reflects the sale price rather than a measure of Eastinco's profit, and that its sourcing framework, built around OECD-aligned due diligence, counterparty and beneficial-ownership checks, and chain-of-custody documentation, underpins its push to expand international customer relationships.