en.Wedoany.com Reported - London-listed critical minerals exploration and development company Aterian has announced that its newly established strategic joint venture with artificial intelligence and geotechnical firm Lithosquare has officially commenced field operations, marking the transition from the agreement phase to active exploration execution on priority projects in Morocco and Botswana.
Following a comprehensive technical review of Aterian's exploration portfolio, the joint technical team has developed and initiated a systematic exploration strategy aimed at accelerating mineral discoveries, optimizing drill target positioning, and unlocking the value of Aterian's critical mineral assets. The project integrates advanced exploration technologies including hyperspectral satellite imagery, AI-driven target generation, geophysics, geochemistry, and drilling, built and optimized on Lithosquare's Geology AI platform to prioritize the most promising projects while establishing a pipeline of future drilling opportunities.
Aterian Chairman Charles Bray stated that within weeks of the joint venture's formation, the joint technical team has completed a comprehensive portfolio review, prioritized the most valuable exploration opportunities, and launched field programs designed to accelerate discoveries in Morocco and Botswana. He emphasized that this is not just an exploration project but the implementation of a technology-led exploration strategy that integrates advanced remote sensing, artificial intelligence, geophysics, and field validation to improve target positioning, reduce exploration risk, and maximize asset value. With multiple workstreams advancing, shareholders can expect a steady stream of exploration milestones in the coming months.
Lithosquare CEO Aymeric Préveral-Etcheverry added that with the launch of this ambitious work program, both parties have demonstrated efficient collaboration capabilities. Within weeks, the team prioritized the most promising assets and defined and optimized field exploration plans. Combining Lithosquare's technology and methodology with the Aterian team will deliver a transparent, low-uncertainty exploration program and provide a clear path to portfolio valuation.
In Morocco, exploration efforts are focused on advancing three priority projects—Agdz, Azrar, and Tata—through the integrated use of geological mapping, hyperspectral analysis, trenching, geophysics, and drilling. Locally generated hyperspectral datasets will be integrated with existing geological, geophysical, and geochemical information and analyzed through Lithosquare's proprietary AI platform to enhance target ranking and drilling planning efficiency.
In Botswana, exploration efforts are focused on systematically advancing multiple licenses within the Kalahari Copper Belt while progressing PL199/2025 toward its first drilling campaign. For PL197/2025, PL265/2025, PL155/2024, and PL2622/2023, the project will focus on systematic geophysical surveys, geochemical interpretation, and target generation to prioritize future drilling opportunities, while concurrently conducting environmental and permitting work. An environmental consulting firm has been engaged to support the preparation and submission of applications required to obtain permits for intrusive exploration programs such as drilling. Additionally, results from the reconnaissance soil sampling program at PL2622/2023 are expected to be released by the end of July. With field operations underway in the Botswana portfolio, drone magnetic surveys and soil sampling are expected to commence in the coming weeks.
