Avalon Resumes Work on its Separation Rapids and Warren Township Rare Minerals Projects
Toronto, Oct 21, 2011 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Avalon Rare Metals (
TSE:AVL) ("Avalon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that following an expression of interest received from an international industrial minerals company, it has resumed work on its 100% owned Separation Rapids lithium minerals and Warren Township calcium feldspar projects. Avalon recently delivered bulk samples of mineralized material from both properties to this company for detailed evaluation of market potential. If the results are positive, it is contemplated that the companies would partner on the development of the two properties. The bulk samples were prepared from an inventory of material collected during work programs carried out in 2006 and 2007 and stored near the project sites.
The Separation Rapids property, located 70 km north of Kenora, Ontario, is host to the world class "Big Whopper Pegmatite", a very large resource of the rare lithium mineral petalite, with associated tantalum and rubidium minerals. Petalite is used in certain glass and ceramic products where strength and thermal shock resistance are important. Applications for petalite are expanding rapidly and like many other specialty mineral products, supply is not keeping pace with the increase in demand creating opportunities for new suppliers to enter the market. With an advanced project, Avalon is well-positioned to move forward rapidly with development to serve this market. A mining lease was secured over the property in 2009. On-going work involves a review of local infrastructure requirements and preparation of the applications for necessary operating permits.
The Warren Township property, located near the Village of Foleyet, 100 km west of Timmins, Ontario hosts a large resource of an exceptionally pure variety of calcium feldspar, which has application in textile fibreglass, and certain ceramics products. A bulk sample trial of the product carried out in 2007 with a fibreglass producer successfully proved its utility in this application with added benefits of reduced energy consumption in the glass furnace. Lithium minerals offer similar energy-saving benefits which are becoming more important as glass producers seek to reduce both energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
With the new interest in the calcium feldspar product, Avalon has re-started the process of securing an operating permit for the Warren Township project, which it expects to have in place within the next few months. Avalon has already signed Memoranda of Understanding with local First Nations at both project sites and, being small-scale quarrying operations with minimal environmental impacts, both projects have strong local community support.
Don Bubar, President and CEO of Avalon Rare Metals commented, "We are pleased with the new interest in these rare minerals products which we have long believed would eventually have new demand growth. Avalon has held on to these properties for a very long time and it is gratifying to see that our patience may finally be rewarded." Bubar added, "Both properties offer Avalon potential for near term production and cash flow compared to the Thor Lake project, and at a much lower capital investment."
About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSE:AVL) (OTCMKTS:AVLNF) (formerly Avalon Rare Metals) 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.
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