In this InvestorIntel interview during PDAC 2023, Tracy Weslosky talks with Zeeshan Syed, President of Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL | OTCQB: AVLNF) discussing Avalon’s latest news and progress, particularly in regards to lithium.

Zeeshan says he is most excited about Avalon’s Separation Rapids Lithium Project to take advantage of the market’s current strong interest in lithium. He discusses the 2018 drilling campaign at the Separation Rapids Project that discovered almost 10 million tonnes of lithium. He mentions there is a new drilling program underway at the Project and that Avalon should soon have an update out on that for investors. He states: “We are quite optimistic on the results there.”

Zeeshan also discusses their strategic partnership with battery giant LG Energy Solutions (“LGES”) and Avalon’s plans for a lithium processing facility in Canada to supply LGES, as well as the strategic importance of these Projects for Canada. He referenced his discussion today with Canada Innovation and Science Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

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About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in sustainably-produced materials for clean technology. The Company now has four advanced-stage projects, providing investors with exposure to lithium, tin, and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum, cesium and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on developing its Separation Rapids Lithium Project near Kenora, Ontario while continuing to advance other projects, including its 100%-owned Lilypad Cesium-Tantalum-Lithium Project located near Fort Hope, Ontario. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

To learn more about Avalon Advanced Materials Inc., click here.

Disclaimer: Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].

As I was having my morning coffee today I came across some quite incredible news. The world’s largest lithium miner Albemarle stated that they expect there will be a massive shortage of lithium this decade. The report stated that “global lithium demand should hit 3.7 million tonnes by 2030.” Given that the total lithium market was only at about 370,000 tonnes pa in 2020 that would mean a 10x increase in demand this decade. Albemarle expects an 800,000 tonne lithium deficit by 2030 with lithium prices staying high. Albemarle CEO Norris stated: “Incentivizing industry to fill this gap requires strong long-term pricing”.

This got me thinking about who will be the next lithium miners to help meet this huge demand for lithium. Perhaps it will be Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL | OTCQB: AVLNF) (“Avalon”).

Avalon 100% owns the advanced stage Separation Rapids Lithium Project in Ontario, Canada as well as the Lilypad Cesium-Tantalum-Lithium Project also in Ontario.

Separation Rapids predominant lithium ore is petalite which contains 4.5% Li2O and is extremely pure. Petalite ore is already successfully being mined in Zimbabwe to supply the lithium ceramics industry. Avalon state on their website that they have “developed a process flowsheet to make lithium hydroxide from its petalite. The potential for production of high-grade lithium hydroxide (99.9%) was demonstrated through laboratory test work performed in 2015 and defined in a Preliminary Economic Assessment filed in 2016.”

Source: Avalon company presentation

Avalon continues to be somewhat under the radar despite having an MOU to supply LG Energy Solution Inc. (“LGES”) and plans to build a lithium hydroxide refinery in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

LGES is one of the leading global manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, mobility, IT, and energy storage systems.

Avalon’s agreement with LGES is to supply battery-grade lithium hydroxide starting in 2025. That suggests that LGES has good confidence in Avalon’s potential to make it to production. The MOU would see Avalon commit, for five years initially, to provide LGES with at least 50% of its planned initial lithium hydroxide production from its Thunder Bay JV refinery (planned 20,000tpa capacity), with the potential to increase production as demand grows.

The Thunder Bay lithium refinery would be designed to accept lithium concentrate material from both Avalon’s Separation Rapids Project and other new projects in the region. In a January 10, 2023 regulatory filing Avalon stated:

“Essar failed to confirm their interest in finalizing an agreement with Avalon and the Company is now pursuing agreements with other potential investing partners including LG Energy Solution (“LGES”)……..This agreement with LGES (when it gets finalized) will involve providing initial financial and development support for building a lithium refinery in Thunder Bay, Ontario that will be designed to accept lithium minerals concentrates, not only from Avalon’s Separation Rapids Lithium Project north of Kenora, ON, but also from other aspiring new producers from the many lithium pegmatite resources that occur in northwestern Ontario. It will operate as a separate private business, called Avalon Lithium Inc., a newly established Avalon subsidiary in which LGES would potentially become a co- owner, when they finalize a formal agreement.”

Avalon also has an off-take agreement with a major non-Chinese international glass ceramic manufacturer to supply petalite concentrate from Separation Rapids for the glass-ceramics market.

The next steps for Avalon include a winter drilling campaign (deeper drilling at Separation Rapids main lithium pegmatite resource known as the Big Whopper), completing Feasibility Study-level cost estimates, project engineering and pilot plant work to optimize lithium battery materials process flowsheet & costs for the refinery and confirm the location for the refinery on a vacant industrial site in Thunder Bay. Also to complete environmental assessments and project permitting. Beyond that Avalon plan to begin small scale commercial operations with sales of petalite and mineral by-products while the new battery materials refinery is constructed ready for production in 2025/26, all going well.

Avalon Advanced Materials ticks many boxes for investors. Great lithium assets in Ontario Canada, supportive local, state and Federal governments, and a preliminary agreement to work with a multi-billion dollar company such LGES to establish a lithium supply chain in Canada. All at a time when it appears lithium will have a great decade. Execution risks to achieve lithium production remain high, but should de-risk with each successful step along the way. What’s not to like with Avalon Advanced Materials on a market cap of C$68 million.

InvestorIntel plans to have some interviews in 2023 with CEO Don Bubar to get an update on how the Company’s plans are progressing.

In this Critical Minerals Institute interview, host Jack Lifton talks to Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.‘s (TSX: AVL | OTCQB: AVLNF) President, CEO and Director Don Bubar about establishing a North American lithium supply chain and Avalon’s new off-take agreement with a major international glass-ceramics manufacturer for petalite concentrates.

In the interview, which can also be viewed in full on the InvestorIntel YouTube channel (click here to access InvestorChannel.com), Don talks about the competitive advantages of building Avalon’s lithium refinery in Thunder Bay, Ontario. In addition to having recently signed an MOU with LG Energy Solution to supply battery-grade lithium hydroxide starting in 2025, Don tells Jack: “The main reason for establishing it there was also to basically open the door to other producers of lithium mineral concentrates from the many, many lithium pegmatites that occur throughout Northwestern Ontario…” In addition to lithium, Don says that Avalon provides exposure to multiple other minerals like rare earths, tantalum, and cesium.

Don also talks about a recently announced multi-year agreement for Avalon to supply a non-Chinese international glass ceramic manufacturer with petalite concentrates. “High strength glass ceramic products of various types,” Don tells Jack, “that’s a market you don’t hear a whole lot about for lithium. It is growing now too through further innovation in other types of high strength glass products and ceramic products.”

To access the full Critical Minerals Institute interview, click here

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About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in sustainably-produced materials for clean technology. The Company now has four advanced stage projects, providing investors with exposure to lithium, tin and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum, cesium and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on developing its Separation Rapids Lithium Project near Kenora, Ontario while continuing to advance other projects, including its 100%-owned Lilypad Cesium-Tantalum-Lithium Project located near Fort Hope, Ontario. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

To learn more about Avalon Advanced Materials Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].

In this InvestorIntel interview, host Tracy Weslosky talks to Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.‘s (TSX: AVL | OTCQB: AVLNF) President, CEO and Director Don Bubar about the growing world demand for lithium for high strength glass ceramics, and its recent announcement that it has secured a firm commitment to purchase petalite concentrates produced at the company’s Separation Rapids Lithium Project in Ontario, Canada.

In the interview, which can also be viewed in full on the InvestorIntel YouTube channel (click here to access InvestorChannel.com), Don tells Tracy that most people are aware of the growing importance of lithium in EV battery technology, but “one of the main uses from the past has always been in high strength glass ceramic products… It’s actually the mineral that Corning used to invent CorningWare cookware, which was one of the first examples of high strength glass ceramic product.” He goes on to say that there is increasing demand and innovative uses for other types of high strength glass ceramic products that require the high purity lithium aluminum silicate mineral petalite produced by Avalon. Don also discusses the new multi-year off-take agreement recently announced by Avalon for the delivery of petalite to a major non-Chinese international glass ceramic manufacturer.

Don also talks about Avalon being one of the three companies to sign a non-binding memorandum of understanding with LG Energy Solution to supply them with a battery-grade lithium hydroxide starting in 2025. The MOU was signed during the visit of South Korea’s President, Yoon Suk Yeol, to Canada in September. Under the terms of the MOU, Avalon would commit for an initial period of five years to provide LGES with at least 50% of its planned initial lithium hydroxide production. Don adds: “We’ve been getting the message out on our vision for creating the lithium battery materials refinery in Thunder Bay, and that would be an ideal location to serve the needs of companies that are now going to set up manufacturing facilities in Southern Ontario.”

To access the full InvestorIntel interview, click here

Don’t miss other InvestorIntel interviews. Subscribe to the InvestorIntel YouTube channel by clicking here.

About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in sustainably-produced materials for clean technology. The Company now has four advanced stage projects, providing investors with exposure to lithium, tin and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum, cesium and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on developing its Separation Rapids Lithium Project near Kenora, Ontario while continuing to advance other projects, including its 100%-owned Lilypad Cesium-Tantalum-Lithium Project located near Fort Hope, Ontario. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

To learn more about Avalon Advanced Materials Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].

May 10, 2018 – “We have been making steady progress towards our goal of getting an initial Phase 1 production facility up and running within the next year so we can introduce our lithium products to the market. The approach we have taken to our lithium project is a little different from some of the other players in the industry…” starts Don Bubar, President, CEO and Director of Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL | OTCQX: AVLNF), in an interview with InvestorIntel’s Andy Gaudry.

Andy Gaudry: That is wonderful. Can you give us an update about your Separation Rapids Project? 

Don Bubar: Sure. We have been making steady progress towards our goal of getting an initial Phase 1 production facility up and running within the next year so we can introduce our lithium products to the market. The approach we have taken to our lithium project is a little different from some of the other players in the industry in that our resource offers us multiple different possibilities on lithium products to offer the market – mineral concentrates or derivative products for the battery industry. We are looking at introducing a number of different possible products to the market and find the right mix for us to create a solid business case on which to build our business going forward. We are taking a staged development approach to lithium. We think that this is the ideal way to do it knowing that these are not really commodities in the traditional sense of the term. These are specialty chemical or mineral products that you really have to think of more as like a manufacture good where you need to define your market and then how you are going to make that efficiently to meet the requirements of the market, the product specifications, and deliver that at the best possible price. By starting with a relatively modest scale initial facility you give yourself the opportunity to define those products to get them exactly right, then you scale up after that. We want to build it at a scale that will allow us to create a small profitable business and then build on that profitable business to expand our product range and the size of the operation.

Andy Gaudry: What is the chitchat like at PDAC this year about the lithium market?

Don Bubar: There is pretty good buzz. I participated in an Investors Exchange forum session this morning that was all on lithium. It was much better attended than similar sessions I participated in the past so pretty good sign that investors are really interested in lithium and looking for new opportunities.

Andy Gaudry: For your shareholders, what can they expect in the next quarter or two from Avalon? 

Don Bubar: We committed to that develop model I explained so the key for us is to get the commitments from potential customers for these products that will justify raising the capital to put this plant into production. We are in ongoing discussions with a number of players out there that have expressed interest in working with us on it. We are now, kind of, hopefully getting close to closing something that will allow us to then proceed with the next stages of development on the project…to access the complete interview, click here

Disclaimer: Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.