Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX:AVL) and (OTCQX:AVLNF)
(“Avalon” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on the
2016 work program on its 100% owned Separation Rapids Lithium
Project, near Kenora, Ontario. Since the last update (provided in
the News Release dated April 5, 2016), the Company has initiated
its lithium hydrometallurgical process development work at the
facilities of Thibault and Associates Inc., Fredericton, New
Brunswick (“Thibault”), utilizing the bulk concentrate sample
produced in the winter. Thibault are experts in applied process
chemical engineering, with considerable experience in rare metals
including lithium. The work is scheduled for completion in late
June, following which the Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”)
will be finalized.
Lithium Hydrometallurgical Process
Development
The focus of the hydrometallurgical process
development work is to produce a lithium hydroxide product from a
petalite (lithium mineral) concentrate suitable for use in lithium
ion batteries. Preliminary work demonstrated that this product
could be achieved employing a flowsheet using sulphuric acid as the
primary solvent.
Recent work has successfully produced a very high
purity lithium sulphate solution from the petalite concentrate.
This is currently being converted to lithium hydroxide solution via
an established electrolysis process using another service provider.
Preliminary observations indicate a lithium hydroxide conversion
efficiency matching, and possibly exceeding, original
expectations.
Avalon personnel recently visited with a number of
key equipment suppliers and technology experts in Europe in order
to review alternative processes and technologies in key aspects of
the proposed flowsheet. One such area is the use of fluidized bed
roasting in place of conventional processing via rotary kilns. This
technology offers significant reductions in energy requirements as
well as better operating control. Other potential opportunities for
optimization were also identified with regard to up-front ore
sorting, modularized flotation plant design and acid roasting
equipment.
Avalon has been active in finalizing the logistics
for piloting the complete process flowsheet from optical ore
sorting through to battery grade lithium hydroxide production. To
this end, Avalon is in discussion with vendors and technology
centres both in Europe and North America and plans to proceed with
these programs later in 2016.
Feldspar and Silica
By-Products
Avalon is awaiting the results of testwork being
conducted in Europe to evaluate the suitability of the feldspar
by-product as a paint filler product. Discussions with vendors of
suitable mills for the fine grinding requirements both in Europe
and North America are already in progress. Results of testwork
evaluating the potential production of a high purity silica
by-product are also awaited and should be available by the end of
May. Successful inclusion of one or both by-products into the final
project will potentially improve overall project economics and
reduce the environmental footprint.
Avalon is also awaiting further feedback from
potential glass industry customers interested in the petalite
concentrate as an industrial mineral product for
glass-ceramics.
Other Project Activities and Future
Plans
Engineering work continues for the PEA, which is
currently scheduled for completion this summer. The Company is
advancing capital and operating cost estimates and evaluating
various production scenarios. Samples of products from the
flotation plant process have been sent for environmental testing as
part of the project permitting process.
Avalon continues to investigate the possibility of
developing a clean, low cost “run-of-river” hydro-power supply to
the mine site with potential development partners. At least three
sites have been identified along the English River near the deposit
that offer this potential. Clean, low-cost hydro-power generation
could provide environmental benefits and economic benefits both to
the project and to local business partners interested in this
opportunity.
A diamond drilling program is tentatively planned
for August/September with the objective of demonstrating potential
for significant additions to the historical mineral resources
originally delineated in 1997-2001. The known resource
remains open for expansion to depth and along strike.
Lithium market development work continues, with the
Company attending the 8th Lithium Supply & Marketing Conference
this week in Las Vegas. Avalon will also be presenting a paper
entitled “Electric Vehicle Growth Dependent on Lithium Supply” at
the Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition
(http://www.evs29.org/) in Montreal, Quebec June 19-22.
Following the completion of the PEA this summer,
Avalon intends to proceed into a full Feasibility Study and
environmental assessment work with a target date for completion in
Q2 2017.
The technical information included in this news
release has been reviewed and approved by the Company’s Senior Vice
President, Metallurgy and Technology Development, Mr. David Marsh,
FAusIMM (CP), who is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
About Avalon Advanced Materials
Inc. Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (formerly Avalon
Rare Metals Inc.) is a Canadian mineral development company
specializing in niche market metals and minerals with growing
demand in new technology. The Company has three advanced stage
projects, all 100%-owned, providing investors with exposure to
lithium, tin and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum,
niobium, and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on its
Separation Rapids Lithium Project, Kenora, ON and its East
Kemptville Tin-Indium Project, Yarmouth, NS. Social responsibility
and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.
For questions and feedback, please e-mail the
Company at ir@AvalonAM.com, or phone Don Bubar, President & CEO
at 416-364-4938.
This news release contains “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian
securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to, statements that the [development] work is scheduled
for completion in late June, following which the PEA will be
finalized, that preliminary work demonstrated that this could be
achieved employing a relatively simple flowsheet, that preliminary
observations indicate a lithium hydroxide conversion efficiency
matching, and possibly exceeding, original expectations, that use
of fluidized bed roasting in place of conventional processing via
rotary kilns may be an alternate, that this technology offers
significant reductions in energy requirements as well as better
operating control, that other potential opportunities for
optimization were also identified with regard to up-front ore
sorting, modularized flotation plant design and acid roasting
equipment, that process flowsheet programs are planned to proceed
later in 2016, that results of testwork evaluating the potential
production of a high purity silica by-product are also awaited and
should be available by the end of May, that successful inclusion of
one or both by-products into the final project will potentially
improve overall project economics and reduce the environmental
footprint, that the PEA is currently scheduled for completion this
summer, that clean, low-cost hydro-power generation would provide
environmental benefits and economic benefits both to the project
and to local business partners interested in this opportunity and
that following the completion of the PEA this summer, Avalon
intends to proceed into a full feasibility study along with
environmental assessment work with a target date for completion in
Q2 2017. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
“potential”, “scheduled”, “anticipates”, “continues”, “expects” or
“does not expect”, “is expected”, “scheduled”, “targeted”,
“planned”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases
or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”,
“would”, “might” or “will be” or “will not be” taken, reached or
result, “will occur” or “be achieved”. Forward-looking statements
are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity,
performance or achievements of Avalon to be materially different
from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management
believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made.
Although Avalon has attempted to identify important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors
that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from
expected results described in forward-looking statements include,
but are not limited to market conditions, and the possibility of
cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses as well as those
risk factors set out in the Company’s current Annual Information
Form, Management’s Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure
documents available under the Company’s profile at www.SEDAR.com.
There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be
accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such
forward-looking statements have been provided for the purpose of
assisting investors in understanding the Company’s plans and
objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Avalon does not undertake to update any
forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in
accordance with applicable securities laws.
Avalon Advanced Materials (TSX:AVL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024
Avalon Advanced Materials (TSX:AVL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024