Selects Site in Louisiana for its Rare Earth Elements Separation Plant and Refinery
Toronto, Aug 28, 2012 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Avalon Rare Metals Inc. (
TSE:AVL) (NYSE:AVL) is pleased to announce that it has chosen a site in the community of Geismar, Ascension Parish in the State of Louisiana, USA for its heavy rare earth separation plant and refinery. Several locations in Canada and the USA were reviewed over the past year before the Geismar site was finally selected.
Don Bubar, Avalon's President & CEO said "Our team investigated over a dozen sites and found that the Geismar site offered several important advantages including proximity to producers of the chemicals needed in the process, excellent transportation infrastructure, a well trained workforce and a favourable business environment."
When construction begins in 2015, Avalon would employ up to 300 construction workers and during operations a minimum of 175 full-time jobs will be created. Capital requirements to build the plant are presently estimated to be US$300 million. A Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") for Avalon's proposed rare earths operation is in preparation with a target date for completion in Q2 2013. Project financing arrangements will be finalized once the DFS is complete.
Avalon would like to recognize the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation, the Ascension Economic Development Corporation, and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce for providing valuable assistance in identifying this site.
Avalon intends to produce a mixed rare earth concentrate from its Nechalacho deposit at Thor Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada and ship it by rail to Geismar where the concentrate will be processed to isolate and refine the individual light and heavy rare earth oxides and chlorides for sale throughout the world. Avalon is currently designing the size of the refinery to meet its initial 10,000 mt output of REO. It has secured 150 acres which can accommodate an expansion to treat third party concentrates or a future Nechalacho expansion.
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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