Testwork confirms potential to recover battery grade lithium carbonate product from lepidolite mineralization at Avalon’s Separation Rapids Lithium Project, Kenora, Ontario
NEWS RELEASE
February 6, 2017 No. 17-01
Testwork confirms potential to recover battery grade lithium
carbonate product from lepidolite mineralization at Avalon’s
Separation Rapids Lithium Project, Kenora, Ontario
Toronto, ON – Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL and OTCQX: AVLNF) (“Avalon” or the
“Company”) is pleased to announce that it has received results from recent laboratory testwork on
lepidolite (lithium mica) mineralization from the Separation Rapids lithium deposit confirming that a
99.88% pure lithium carbonate product can be made from this material. The work was conducted by
Lepidico Ltd., of Perth, Australia (ASX: LPD, “Lepidico”) using its patented L-Max®
hydrometallurgical process technology. The results are summarized in more detail in Lepidico’s
news release dated January 25, 2017.
Avalon and Lepidico have subsequently entered into a non-binding letter of intent (“LOI”) under
which it is contemplated that Avalon would sell a minimum of 15,000 tonnes per annum of lepidolite
concentrate produced from its planned demonstration-scale pilot plant to Lepidico for processing at
Lepidico’s planned Phase 1 commerci al lithium carbonate production facility. Lepidico is currently
preparing a Pre-feasibility Study for this plant which it plans to be located near large consumers of
lithium battery materials. Lepidico is also planning to complete a definitive feasibility study by
December, 2017. Both companies anticipate initiating construction of their respective process plants
in 2018.
Avalon’s President, Don Bubar commented “We are pleased to have identified a second opportunity
to recover a lithium battery material from the Separation Rapids deposit, in addition to the lithium
hydroxide product that can be recovered from the known petalite resource as documented in the
Company’s recent Preliminary Economic Assessment. This gives us potential to increase the
recoverable lithium resources in the deposit and serve more markets with our lithium products, as
well as other potential by-products such as rubidium and cesium.”
Avalon plans to proceed with a winter drilling program by the end of February, 2017 to test known
extensions of the Separation Rapids lithium deposit and expand the mineral resource. This will
include a number of holes designed to better delineate the lepidolite-bearing sub-zones to the east
of the main petalite resource and bring them into the total lithium resources on the property.
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), and Donald S. Bubar, P.Geo. both Qualified Persons under NI 43-101. For
130 Adelaide St. W., Suite 1901, Toronto, ON M5H 3P5
Tel: (416) 364-4938 Fax: (416) 364-5162
www.AvalonAdvancedMaterials.com
questions and feedback, please e-mail the Company at [email protected], or phone Don Bubar,
President & CEO at 416-364-4938.
About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
Avalon Advanced Materials 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 [email protected], 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 R eform Act
of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward- looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related that
to it is contemplated that Avalon would sell a minimum of 15, 000 tonnes per annum of lepidolite concentrate produced from its p lanned
demonstration-scale pilot plant to Lepidico, that Lepidico is currently preparing a pr e-feasibility study for this plant which it plans to be
located near large consumers of lithium battery materials, that Lepidico is also planning to complete a definitive feasibility study by
December, 2017, that both companies anticipate initiating construc tion of their respective process plants in 2018, that this gi ves [Avalon]
potential to increase the recoverable lithium resources in the deposit and serve more markets with our lithium products as well as other
potential by-products such as rubidium and cesium, that Avalon pl ans to proceed with a winter dr illing program by the end of Fe bruary,
2017 to test known extensions of the Separation Rapids lithiu m deposit and expand the mineral res ource and that this will inclu de a
number of holes designed to better delineate the lepidolite-bearing sub-zones to the east of the main petalite resource and bri ng them into
the total lithium resources on the property. Generally, these forw ard-looking statements can be identified by the use of forwar d-looking
terminology such as “potential”, “scheduled” , “anticipates”, “continues”, “expects” or “does not ex pect”, “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 ma y cause the actual results, le vel of activity, performance o r
achievements of Avalon to be materially diffe rent from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-l ooking
statements are based on assumptions management believes to be r easonable at the time such statements are made. Although Avalon
has attempted to identify important factors that could cause act ual results to differ materially from those contained in forwar d-looking
statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cau se actual
results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to mark et conditions,
and the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated costs and ex penses 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 ob jectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordin gly,
readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking stat ements. Avalon does not undertak e to update any forward-looking
statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.