Aterian shares rise 10.86% premarket on AI-led exploration joint venture with Lithosquare.

Aterian PLC (LSE:ATN) surged 10.86% in premarket trading following the announcement of a binding joint venture with Lithosquare, a Paris-based AI-driven exploration firm. The partnership, valued up to €1.4 million, targets eight copper and critical mineral projects in Morocco and Botswana, leveraging Lithosquare’s AI technology to accelerate target identification and reduce exploration costs. Under the agreement, Lithosquare will fund the initiative in two phases, initially securing a 20% stake and 0.5% net smelter return, with potential to increase to 49.9% and 2.0% based on exploration success. Aterian highlighted the non-dilutive funding structure and the ability to fast-track projects without shareholder capital, positioning the deal as a strategic catalyst for value creation. The third news item, unrelated to the company’s operations, focused on broader market developments and did not influence the stock’s movement.