Avalon Advanced Materials Appoints Glen Smith as Project Director for Lake Superior Lithium Refinery Feasibility & Construction
Avalon Advanced Materials Appoints Glen
Smith as Project Director for Lake Superior
Lithium Refinery Feasibility & Construction
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 16, 2026) -
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
(TSX: AVL)
(OTCQB: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Glen Smith,
P.Eng., as Project Director, Refinery Feasibility & Construction, based in Thunder Bay, where he will
lead the advancement of the Company's Lake Superior Lithium Inc. ("LSLi") Project.
As project momentum continues and feasibility work advances, Mr. Smith's over 35 years of experience
as a professional engineer across the hydrometallurgical, petrochemical, and nuclear industries will be
instrumental in progressing the LSLi Project through its next stage of development. He brings extensive
expertise in process design, process control, plant operations, and project execution - capabilities
directly aligned with the technical requirements of advancing the project toward construction readiness.
His experience spans engineering and feasibility studies, brownfield and greenfield project
development, operations readiness, plant commissioning, and operational optimization, with project
work undertaken across Canada, the United States, South America, Africa, and Asia.
This presents a significant step forward for Avalon's technical team and engineering partners in Thunder
Bay as it advances the detailed work required to complete the feasibility study by 2027 and further
position the project for development planning.
"As the project advances, it is essential that we have a fully integrated project team based in Thunder
Bay. Mr. Smith positions the technical leadership on the ground for close coordination of engineering
activities, effective project management, and direct engagement with regional partners and
communities. Building this capability locally strengthens our ability to advance the project in a disciplined
and responsible manner and we are thrilled to welcome Glen," said Scott Monteith, President and CEO
of Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
LSLi PEA Project Highlights
After-tax Net Present Value of Cdn $4.1 billion at an 8% discount rate and an after-tax Internal Rate
of Return of 48% over a 30-year operating mine life, based on annual production of approximately
30,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide.
LSLi is positioned to deliver a state-of-the-art lithium hydroxide conversion facility, supplying
battery-grade material to the rapidly growing EV and energy-storage sectors.
Located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the project benefits from existing road, rail, deep-water port,
power, and municipal infrastructure, supporting accelerated development timelines and reduced
execution risk.
The plant will use Metso's advanced, lower-carbon processing technology to produce 30,000 tpa
of lithium hydroxide or carbonate. A full Feasibility Study is underway with Nordmin Engineering
and Primero North America, selected for their extensive experience with the Metso Process. The
Feasibility Study will include trade-off studies with a comprehensive evaluation of whether battery-
grade lithium hydroxide and/or lithium carbonate represents the optimal final product for the facility,
based on evolving market demand, customer qualification requirements, and downstream
engagement.
The Thunder Bay refinery converts what would normally be waste minerals in lithium processing
into analcime, a usable industrial material that has blending applications in the cement industry.
Completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment in September 2024 demonstrating strong
project economics, supporting advancement into the Feasibility Study phase.
Advancing with a strong focus on environmental responsibility, social accountability, and sound
governance. Sustainability features include on-site renewable energy integration and responsible
by-product utilization, supporting Canada's climate objectives and Ontario's clean-growth
priorities.
Engaged SCP Resource Finance as strategic capital advisor to support the development of a
long-term capital and partnership strategy in connection with Avalon's lithium and rare earth
element projects.
About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian critical minerals company advancing the supply of
materials essential for Canada's future. The Company is focused on developing strategic assets that
support secure, domestic supply chains and long-term economic growth. Avalon is advancing the
Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements and Zirconium Project in the Northwest Territories, which contains all
light and heavy rare earth elements, as well as yttrium, zirconium, tantalum, and niobium-critical minerals
used in advanced technologies across the communications, defense, clean tech, and energy sectors.
The Company is also focused on vertically integrating the Ontario lithium supply chain through the
development of Lake Superior Lithium Inc., Ontario's first midstream lithium hydroxide processing
facility, located in Thunder Bay. This facility will serve as a cornerstone of North America's integrated
battery materials supply chain, transforming northern Ontario lithium into essential inputs for
transportation, grid storage, and advanced manufacturing.
Through its joint venture with SCR Sibelco
NV, Avalon holds a minority interest in the Separation Rapids Lithium Mining Project near Kenora,
Ontario.
For further information regarding Avalon Advanced Materials Inc., please visit
www.avalonadvancedmaterials.com
, or call 416-364-4938.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian
securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-
looking terminology such as "add" or "additional", "advancing", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate",
"appears", "believes", "can be", "conceptual", "confidence", "continue", "convert" or "conversion",
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consider", "work towards", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events
or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will be taken", "occur", or "be achieved".
Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to
be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including
those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated
November 26, 2025 (the "AIF") under the heading "Description of the Business - Risk Factors".
Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and
opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions
and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and
reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to
be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such
forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking
information because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be
correct. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other
factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance
that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-
looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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