Avalon Unveils Third-Party Economic and Labour Study for Its Thunder Bay, Ontario Lithium Processing Facility
Avalon Unveils Third-Party Economic and
Labour Study for Its Thunder Bay, Ontario
Lithium Processing Facility
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 9, 2024) -
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
(TSX: AVL)
(OTCQB: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company"), today shared the results of a third-party study conducted
by RIAS Inc. (RIAS), an Ottawa-based consulting firm. This report, based on the recent Preliminary
Economic Assessment (PEA) and customized input-output multipliers from Statistics Canada, details
the significant economic and labour impacts from Avalon's proposed lithium processing facility in
Thunder Bay, Ontario ("The Lake Superior Lithium Project" or the "Project").
The full report is available on the Company's
website
.
Scott Monteith, CEO of Avalon, stated: "the report illustrates the substantial benefits to the City of
Thunder Bay and aligns well with the Sustainable Jobs Act, helping create the net-zero workforce of the
future. The positive impacts will ripple through the community, supporting local businesses and
enhancing the region's overall economic vitality. This initiative promises long-term prosperity, enriching
the city and creating lasting value for its residents
."
Local to National Benefits over the Project Lifespan (2027- 2058)
The Project will have a significant economic multiplier effect across the Thunder Bay community, to the
Northwestern Ontario region, to the province, and to the country through GDP, labour income, and
employment. The study assessed the economic impacts of the two principal phases of the Project:
construction, beginning in 2027, and operations, starting in 2028.
The report also underscores the Project's transformative role in developing human capital, furthering the
aims of the Sustainable Jobs Act, creating a stronger synergy between economic growth and workforce
development. With 128 workers projected to be permanently employed full-time during operations (100
in non-administrative roles and 28 in administrative positions), the Project will offer opportunities in
trades such as millwrights, mechanics, electricians, metallurgical engineers, and process operators.
Ken Boshcoff, Mayor of Thunder Bay remarked: "Avalon's Project is poised to play a crucial role in
revitalizing Canada's economy, particularly in Northwestern Ontario. It aligns perfectly with Premier
Ford's strategy to unite northern resources with southern industrial strength, boosting the region's
presence in technologies like electric vehicles and battery storage. With the numerous advantages of
Avalon's site, its very encouraging to see how the Project will create jobs and ensure long-term
prosperity."
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
Metrics
Local
Regional
Provincial
National
Construction Phase
GDP (million)
$698 to $718
$721 to $765
$733 to $836
$754 to $878
Labour Income
(million)
$125 to $137
$139 to $165
$152 to $212
$164 to $234
Person-Years of
Employment
(1)
945 to 1,133
1,153 to 1,553
1,312 to 2,232
1,490 to 2,589
Operational Phase
GDP (billion)
$21.3 to $21.4
$25.4
$26.2 to $26.5
$31.0
Labour Income
(billion)
$0.851 to $0.915
$2.9
$3.4
$5.4 to $5.6
Person-Years of
Employment
(1)
9,866 to 10,911
42,724 to 43,426
49,767 to 52,176
77,412 to 79,874
Total Impacts (2027-2058)
GDP (billion)
$22.0
$26.0
$27.0 to $27.4
$31.6 to $32.0
Labour Income
(billion)
$0.975 to $1.0
$3.0
$3.6 to $3.7
$5.6 to $5.8
Person-Years of
Employment
(1)
10,811 to 12,044
43,877 to 44,979
51,078 to 54,408
78,903 to 82,464
(1): Person-Years of Employment refers to the amount of work provided by one person employed full-time for one year, used to measure total labor
input over time for a project or activity.
This study builds upon preliminary analysis conducted by the Northern Policy Institute (NPI), a report
commissioned by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), which
assessed Thunder Bay's operational readiness for a lithium processing facility.
The NPI report provided an initial assessment of the region's capacity to support a lithium processing
facility. This new report delves deeper into defining and outlining the needs and benefits of a skilled
workforce. The CEDC is committed to helping develop the workforce capable of meeting the demands
of this emerging lithium processing sector
.
Doug Blair, President of Rias Inc. noted: "Avalon's Lithium Project is meticulously planned, with a
strategic focus on long-term economic growth, community impact, and sustainability. Through firsthand
experience and comprehensive impact assessments, we've seen how projects like this one can
transform communities, boost local economies, and create lasting employment opportunities. Avalon is
well-positioned to deliver these real-world benefits."
About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian advanced manufacturing company focused on vertically
integrating the Ontario lithium supply chain.
The Company, through its joint venture with SCR-Sibelco NV,
is currently developing its Separation Rapids lithium deposit near Kenora, ON, while also continuing to
advance the Snowbank lithium and Lilypad lithium-caesium projects.
Avalon is also working to develop
its Nechalacho rare earths and zirconium project located in the Northwest Territories.
This deposit
contains critical minerals for use in advanced technologies in the communications and defense
industries among other sectors.
In addition to these upstream activities, Avalon is executing on a key initiative to develop Ontario's first
midstream lithium hydroxide processing facility in Thunder Bay, ON, a vital link bridging the lithium
resources of the north with the downstream EV battery manufacturing base in the south.
About RIAS Inc.
RIAS Inc. is a boutique economics consulting firm based in Ottawa, Ontario, providing economic
research, analysis and strategic advice to both industry and government clients. RIAS Inc. specializes in
helping our private sector clients demonstrate the value and benefits of their activities, and we have
conducted numerous socio-economic impact assessments for a broad range of industry sectors and
companies in Canada and the United States.
For questions, please email the Company at
. or contact Ms. Rachel Naji,
Investor Relations Associate at 416-364-4938.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian
securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes but is not limited to statements related to
the results of the study, including expected benefits, and the timing of Project construction and
operations. 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",
"deliver", "demonstrating", "estimates", "encouraging", "expand" or "expanding" or "expansion",
"expect" or "expectations", "forecasts", "forward", "goal", "improves", "increase", "intends",
"justification", "plans", "potential" or "potentially", "promise", "prospective", "prioritize", "reflects",
"robust", "scheduled", "suggesting", "support", "top-tier", "updating", "upside", "will be" or "will
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
risks associated with project development such as: environmental hazards and economic factors as
they affect the cost and success of the Company's capital expenditures, the ability of the Company to
obtain required permits and approvals, the ability of the Company to obtain financing, , the ability to
source feedstock for the Company's proposed lithium processing facility at reasonable prices or at all,
the price of lithium hydroxide, no operating history, no operating revenue and negative cash flow, land
title risk, the market price of the Company's securities, the Company's commercial viability, inflation
and uncertain global economic conditions, uncertain geo-political shifts and risks, successful
collaboration with indigenous communities, future pandemics and other health crises, dependence on
management and other highly skilled personnel, , extensive government and environmental
regulation, reliance on artificial intelligence technology to influence mining operations, volatility in the
financial markets, uninsured risks, climate change, threat of legal proceedings, as well as those risk
factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated November 28,
2023 (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.
In addition to other factors and assumptions identified in the AIF, assumptions have been
made regarding, among other things: management of certain of the Company's assets by other
companies or joint venture partners, the Company's ability to carry on its project activities without
undue delays or unbudgeted costs, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient qualified personnel,
equipment and services in a timely and cost-effective manner, the ability of the Company to operate
in a safe, efficient and effective manner, the ability of the Company to obtain all necessary financing
on acceptable terms and when needed, the accuracy of the Company's operational and price
assumptions on which these are based and the continuance of the regulatory framework regarding
environmental manners. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors
and assumptions that may have been used.
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.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/226123