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European Parliament votes in favour of a mandatory monitoring system for conflict minerals

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:26 AM on Monday, May 25th, 2015

  • European Parliament voted in favour of a mandatory monitoring system for minerals, including tin, gold and tantalum, from conflict regions
  • Bill covers not only mineral importers, smelters and refiners, but also obligates manufacturers of consumer products to ensure that their products do not contain materials made with minerals produced to fund armed conflict

In our ongoing efforts to provide you with broader communications and industry information, Avalon Rare Metals Inc. is pleased to issue this Industry Bulletin, which follows up on the April 20, 2015 Industry Bulletin entitled “EU establishes voluntary system for conflict-free mineral certification.”

On May 20, 2015, the European Parliament voted in favour of a mandatory monitoring system for minerals, including tin, gold and tantalum, from conflict regions. This end result was unexpected according to some observers, and goes beyond the proposal of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, which recommended self-certification but did not extend beyond smelters and refiners.

This bill covers not only mineral importers, smelters and refiners, but also obligates manufacturers of consumer products to ensure that their products do not contain materials made with minerals produced to fund armed conflict. While this bill has some hurdles to overcome as it goes through the legislative process, it highlights the global trend toward promoting socially and environmentally responsible production of critical raw materials.

Avalon’s East Kemptville tin-indium deposit, located in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia is currently being evaluated as a potential new North American source of conflict-free tin. Avalon’s Nechalacho Heavy Rare Earth deposit in the Northwest Territories is a potential source of tantalum produced in an environmentally and socially responsible way, along with rare earths and zirconium.

Avalon’s President & CEO, Don Bubar, commented: “This vote by the European Parliament is further confirmation that our commitment to sustainability in all aspects of our business positions us well to serve the future critical raw material needs of responsible manufacturing companies in the European Union and elsewhere around the world.”

For more information please see http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/parliament-votes-binding-conflict-minerals-regulation-314741. If you have any comments or questions on this article or the rare earths generally, please do not hesitate to contact Avalon directly at[email protected].

ABOUT AVALON RARE METALS INC.

Avalon Rare Metals Inc. (TSX & NYSE MKT: AVL) is a mineral development company focused on rare metal deposits in Canada, with three advanced stage projects. Its 100%-owned Nechalacho Deposit, Thor Lake, NWT is exceptional in its large size and enrichment in the scarce ‘heavy’ rare earth elements, key to enabling advances in clean technology and other growing high-tech applications. Avalon is also advancing its Separation Rapids Lithium Minerals Project, Kenora, ON and its East Kemptville Tin-Indium Project, Yarmouth, NS. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

130 Adelaide St. W, Suite 1901
Toronto, ON M5H 3P5
Tel: (416) 364-4938
Email: [email protected]

INTERVIEW: Avalon Rare Metals Inaugural Q&A – May 21, 2015

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:38 AM on Thursday, May 21st, 2015

Investment Highlights

  • Avalon offers diversified exposure to a broad range of rare metals and minerals (including tin) that are critical raw materials for clean technology
  • Nechalacho Project, with a completed feasibility study, an approved Environmental Assessment and a rare earth oxide refining solution in place, is uniquely positioned to bring a new supply of the scarce, yet vital heavy rare earths to the market
  • East Kemptville Tin-Indium Project was re-activated in 2014 and is advancing steadily with a new NI 43-101 resource estimate and a conceptual re-development study completed Feb 2015
  • Separation Rapids Lithium Minerals (Petalite) Project is advancing due to new demand from the glass-ceramics industry for the petalite product and for its potential to produce high purity lithium chemicals for the growing rechargeable battery market

Hub On AGORACOM / Corporate Profile / Watch Interview Now!

REMINDER: Deadline for Avalon Q&A Question Submission is End of Business Today

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:25 AM on Tuesday, May 19th, 2015

We are happy to announce the first Avalon Rare Metals Q&A in which investor questions posted to the Avalon HUB will be incorporated into an upcoming interview.

Format of the Q&A is as follows:

1. To post your question, please use the subject line “Q&A”.

2. When you post your question, please check “Question For AGORACOM’ box.

Register Now!

3. Avalon can’t respond to questions related to current, present or future performance of its share price, nor can they provide non-disclosed material information that would violate securities laws.

4. To this end, please try to review questions already posted by fellow shareholders to avoid duplication

5. Please limit your questions to a maximum of 3

6. Deadline for submitting questions is end of business today.

Thank-you and we look forward to your participation in our first Avalon Rare Metals Q&A.

Regards,

AGORACOM

Avalon Rare Metals Announces 1st Online Shareholder Q&A With Don Bubar

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:29 AM on Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

We are happy to announce the first Avalon Rare Metals Q&A in which investor questions posted to the Avalon HUB will be incorporated into an upcoming interview.

Format of the Q&A is as follows:

1. To post your question, please use the subject line “Q&A”.

2. When you post your question, please check “Question For AGORACOM’ box.

Register Now!

3. Avalon can’t respond to questions related to current, present or future performance of its share price, nor can they provide non-disclosed material information that would violate securities laws.

4. To this end, please try to review questions already posted by fellow shareholders to avoid duplication

5. Please limit your questions to a maximum of 3

6. Deadline for submitting questions is Tuesday May 19th (end of business day).

Thank-you and we look forward to your participation in our first Avalon Rare Metals Q&A.

Regards,

AGORACOM

Avalon Announces Public Offering of up to $5 million

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:19 AM on Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

Toronto, Ontario–(April 29, 2015) – Avalon Rare Metals Inc. (TSX and NYSE MKT: AVL)(“Avalon” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agency agreement with Secutor Capital Management Corp. (“Secutor“), pursuant to which Secutor will act as agent on a best efforts basis in an offering of units of the Company (the “Units“) and flow-through shares of the Company (the “Flow-Through Shares“) for up to $5 million in gross proceeds (the “Offering“).

The Offering is comprised of up to 7,352,941 Units at a price of $0.34 per Unit, and up to 6,410,256 Flow-Through Shares at a price of $0.39 per Flow-Through Share. Each Unit consists of one common share (a “UnitShare“) and one-half of one non-transferrable common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant“). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price $0.425 per share, for a period of 18 months following the issuance of the Warrants. Each Flow-Through Share will qualify as a “flow-through share” within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The Company intends to use the gross proceeds from the sale of the Flow-Through Shares for work on three mineral properties: the Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements Project, the East Kemptville Tin-Zinc-Copper-Indium Project and the Separation Rapids Lithium Minerals Project and the net proceeds from the sale of the Units for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Corporation has granted Secutor an option (exercisable in whole or in part, in Secutor’s sole discretion), for a period of 30 days from closing of the Offering to purchase up to an additional 2,064,479 Units at a price of $0.34 to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes.

The Offering is expected to close on or before May 12, 2015, subject to customary closing conditions, including the conditional approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE MKT.

The Offering is being made outside of the United States by way of a prospectus supplement dated April 29, 2015 to the Canadian base shelf prospectus dated September 10, 2013. The prospectus supplement relating to the Offering has been filed with the applicable provinces and territories in Canada and is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The prospectus supplement forms part of the shelf registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC“), File No. 333-190771, which was declared effective by the SEC on September 12, 2013, and will be filed with the SEC pursuant to General Instruction II.L. of Form F-10 under the U.S. Securities Act registering for distribution under the U.S. Securities Act the Unit Shares, Warrants and Flow-Through Shares and will be available at the SEC’s websitewww.sec.gov.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, and these securities may not be offered or sold in any jurisdiction in which their offer or sale would be unlawful.

About Avalon Rare Metals Inc.

Avalon Rare Metals Inc. is a mineral development company focused on rare metal deposits in Canada, with three advanced stage projects. Its 100%-owned Nechalacho Deposit, Thor Lake, NWT is exceptional in its large size and enrichment in the scarce “heavy” rare earth elements, key to enabling advances in clean technology and other growing high-tech applications. Avalon is also advancing its Separation Rapids Lithium Minerals 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 Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to how the Companyplans to use the net proceeds from the Offering and the anticipated closing date of the Offering. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as potential, scheduled, anticipates, continues, expects or does not expect, 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 may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Avalon to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. Although Avalon has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to market conditions, the need for continued cooperation and performance of the parties to the transaction, as well as those risk factors set out in the Companys current Annual Report,Managements Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure documents available under the Companys 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 Companys plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Avalon does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

INTERVIEW: Avalon Rare Metals Offers Investors Exposure to Heavy Rare Earths, Tin and Lithium in Canada

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:20 AM on Wednesday, April 15th, 2015

  • Avalon offers diversified exposure to a broad range of rare metals and minerals (including tin) that are critical raw materials for clean technology
  • Nechalacho Project, with a completed feasibility study, an approved Environmental Assessment and a rare earth oxide refining solution in place, is uniquely positioned to bring a new supply of the scarce, yet vital heavy rare earths to the market
  • East Kemptville Tin-Indium Project was re-activated in 2014 and is advancing steadily with a new NI 43-101 resource estimate and a conceptual re-development study completed Feb 2015
  • Separation Rapids Lithium Minerals (Petalite) Project is advancing due to new demand from the glass-ceramics industry for the petalite product and for its potential to produce high purity lithium chemicals for the growing rechargeable battery market

Hub On AGORACOM / Corporate Profile / Watch Interview

 

Avalon Rare Metals (TSX and NYSE MKT: AVL) Offers Investors Exposure to Heavy Rare Earths, Tin and Lithium in their Unique Holdings in Canada

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:05 AM on Monday, April 6th, 2015

By Dr. Allen Alper

on 4/5/2015
Avalon Rare Metals (TSX and NYSE MKT: AVL) is currently pursuing three advanced projects that consist of critical raw materials such as heavy rare earths, tin and lithium at several different locations in Canada. Their Nechalacho Project contains exceptional heavy rare earth enrichment. Their East Kemptville Project was North America’s only primary tin producer with a significant unmined resource awaiting renewed production. Separation Rapids is the largest undeveloped petalite deposit in the world, a unique high-purity lithium mineral used in glass-ceramics. 

Don Bubar, President and CEO of Avalon Rare Metals (TSX and NYSE MKT: AVL), took a few minutes to speak with Metals News while visiting the PDAC 2015. He said, “We have a number of things going on. As you know, we have been known mainly as a rare earth story for the last six or seven years. The rare earth market has gone quiet since the big spike we saw in prices in 2010 and 2011. It has also gone quiet in terms of investor interest in Avalon. But we are well positioned to ‘hit the pause button’ until investor interest returns because we have completed our feasibility study and all of the related work at the Nechalacho project site in the Northwest Territories.” 

The pause at Nechalacho allows the company to focus on its two other advanced projects. Said Bubar, “We wanted to redirect our energies to where there is more interest in the underlying commodities and we have two other such projects in our portfolio – our Separation Rapids lithium project in Ontario and our East Kemptville tin project in Nova Scotia. Both of these are advanced projects and both tin and lithium are seeing more market interest than the rare earths are at the present time. So we are diverting our attention to those projects for the time being until we see some renewed interest in rare earths.” 

Nechalacho is still a critical part of the company’s long term plan. Mr. Bubar said, “For Nechalacho, it has always been about the heavy rare earth enrichment of the deposit. As all of your readers know, the more advanced projects like those in California and Australia are dominantly light rare earth deposits. The need in the market for additional supply outside China is for the heavy rare earths, which Nechalacho has always been in a position to offer with its relatively high grade resource. We remain the most advanced heavy rare earth development project outside of China.” 

 

The other projects on which Avalon is focused expose them to the tin and lithium markets which are seeing increasing demand and prices. Said Bubar, “In terms of the other projects, East Kemptville was a producing tin mine in the late 1980’s. It was North America’s only primary tin producer and it only closed down in 1992 because of a collapse in tin prices at the time which was related to the international tin cartel being disbanded, but most of the reserves they identified originally were never mined. Since then, there has been a fundamental change in the tin market. Now the demand is mainly related to a new use in lead-free solders, primarily for electronics applications and now accounts for over 50% of global demand. We have seen steadily rising prices over the last ten years or so and all the analysts are projecting that there is likely to be a deficit in the tin market over the next few years as in the face of diminishing supplies. Lots of people are aware of that. The advantage that East Kemptville has is that, as a brownfields site, it offers a potentially shorter timeline to production. Most of the work to be done is around managing the existing environmental liability that is related to the past operation, then pumping out the pit and building a new mill. If all goes well, we could be in production there in as little as three years which is relatively fast given the timelines that are typically associated with bringing a new greenfields project online. We just published a new economic study – we called it a conceptual redevelopment study – to confirm that there is a sufficiently strong business case to move forward with further work there. The study produced a Capex estimate of about $200 million Canadian.” 

 

The project also benefits from excellent infrastructure. Said Bubar, “There is a paved road and grid electrical power to the site. There is a community about 50 kilometers away that would welcome some new jobs in this economically- depressed part of the province. The study estimated it would generate 187 full-time jobs. Because we haven’t done quite enough metallurgical work to produce a NI 43-101 compliant PEA, investors will have to wait for the next iteration in order to see the details of the economic model. But we did disclose that the project can generate a healthy operating margin with annual revenues forecast to be double annual operating costs. ” 

Mr. Bubar said, “Our next steps are doing definition drilling on the deposit to bring more of the resource from the inferred category to the indicated category and to recover a bulk sample for metallurgical testing and flow-sheet design. There is also lots of room to expand the resource. Right now, our mineral tenure there is held under a special license which is up for renewal right now. Then we have to work through the process to secure full surface tenure from the surface rights owners before we can move into feasibility study work. We anticipate that will happen in 2015. Basically, this is an asset that we have had in the background for ten years, but have not had the opportunity to move forward until now.” 

As the company adds new projects, Avalon still wants to remain on the rare earth stage. Said Bubar, “Avalon still trades primarily as a rare earth company. As we move East Kemptville forward and tin gets more recognition in the marketplace we should see East Kemptville start to contribute to our market valuation. 

Separation Rapids was our original rare metals project, we acquired in 1996 not long after I started running Avalon. 

 

We have held onto it because you have to be opportunistic about bringing industrial minerals projects like these into production. We now see the market is looking for new supply sources of petalite for glasses and ceramics. That is an ideal situation for us as we are the only potential new supplier of size at the moment. The lithium chemical market is also evolving very quickly because of growing demand for rechargeable batteries. The next step is for us to do more sampling for process development work and prove that we can produce high purity lithium minerals and chemicals for these markets. 

Over the 20 years I have been running this Company, We have always offered exposure to a broad range of rare metals and minerals, being ready to supply new demand as it arises. We think this diversification of rare metals assets is a good reason to invest in Avalon.” 

http://avalonraremetals.com/

130 Adelaide St. W, Suite 1901
Toronto, ON M5H 3P5
Tel: (416) 364-4938
Fax: (416) 364-5162
[email protected]

Source: metalsnews.com

CSR Bulletin: Avalon ranked in top half of Corporate Knights’ 2015 Future 40 Responsible Corporate Leaders in Canada

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 3:03 PM on Wednesday, April 1st, 2015

Avalon Rare Metals Inc. is pleased to announce that it has placed 17th in Corporate Knights’ Future 40 Responsible Corporate Leaders in Canada 2015 ranking, from a universe of 187 eligible small and mid-cap organizations in 2015.

Corporate Knights is an award-winning magazine and website that reports on sustainability and corporate social responsibility for a wide readership across Canada and in the US. The Future 40 Responsible Corporate Leaders in Canada ranking was first launched in 2014 in order to examine the sustainability performance of small to mid-cap organizations in Canada. As the magazine explains, “Corporate Knights considers the Future 40 as a kind of farm team that feeds future sustainability leaders into the big leagues of our Best 50 ranking.”

The full ranking can be viewed in Corporate Knights’ 2015 spring edition, released on April 1 online at www.corporateknights.com. The Corporate Knights magazine can be found as an insert in The Globe and Mail and the Washington Post.

Avalon is proud of its commitment to sustainability and has reported annually on its sustainability performance since 2011. Avalon’s most current 2014 Sustainability Report, along with past reports, can be found on the company website here:
www.avalonraremetals.com/sustainability/sustainability_reporting/. The full methodology for this year’s ranking is available from Corporate Knights here: www.corporateknights.com/2015-future-40-methodology/.

Avalon is a leader among junior mineral development companies in adopting best practices to reduce its environmental footprint, protect water resources and engage with local communities. Acting sustainably enhances shareholder value by reducing risk for all stakeholders, saving money, improving community and government relations, aiding in permitting, reducing local opposition to project advancement and optimizing opportunities for individual and community prosperity.

Don Bubar, Avalon’s President and CEO, comments, “This is well-earned recognition for our sustainability team under the leadership Mark Wiseman, VP, Sustainability. We remain committed to best practice in environmental and social responsibility, wherever we operate.”

About Avalon Rare Metals Inc.
Avalon Rare Metals Inc. is a mineral development company focused on rare metal deposits in Canada, with three advanced stage projects. Its 100%-owned Nechalacho Deposit, Thor Lake, NWT is exceptional in its large size and enrichment in the scarce “heavy” rare earth elements, key to enabling advances in clean technology and other growing high-tech applications. Avalon is also advancing its Separation Rapids Lithium Minerals Project, Kenora, ON and its East Kemptville Tin-Indium Project, Yarmouth, NS. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

Avalon Announces Conceptual Economic Study Confirming Potential for Redevelopment of the East Kemptville Tin Deposit, Yarmouth Co., Nova Scotia

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:33 AM on Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2015 — Avalon Rare Metals Inc. (TSX:AVL) (NYSE MKT:AVL) (“Avalon” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the completion of a Conceptual Redevelopment Study, including preliminary economics (the “Study”) on the East Kemptville Tin Deposit (the “Deposit”). The Study was prepared by Hains Engineering Company Limited (“Hains”) and is the first economic study of the Deposit since the original East Kemptville mine closed in 1992. The purpose of the study was to confirm the business case for re-development of the Deposit before securing the necessary approvals to proceed with physical work at the site. The results of the Study indicate that there is potential for attractive economics under the development model proposed by Hains. The Study is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the preliminary economics indicated in the Study will be realized.

The proposed development model assumes conventional open pit mining at a production rate of 10,000 tonnes per day, similar to the original mine at the site with conventional truck and shovel operation. Hains recommends that a new operation take advantage of recent innovation in metallurgical recovery technology for tin ores that can achieve improved recoveries for tin as well as by-product copper and zinc. In addition, Hains recommends building a tin refinery at the site that will process the tin mineral concentrate, to produce tin ingots as a final saleable tin product. This strategy offers the potential benefits of creating value-added in Nova Scotia, reducing the risks associated with using third party processors and enhancing the overall economics of the operation. Hains estimates that the operation would create approximately 187 new full-time jobs.

Hains estimates that the proposed mining, milling and refining development model at a designed mill throughput rate of 10,000 tonnes per day would require a capital investment in the order of CDN$200 million. Operating costs (including tin refining) were estimated at CDN$15/tonne of ore mined or CDN$53 million on an annual basis. Using long term metal price assumptions of US$23,500 per tonne for tin, US$1.00/lb for zinc and US$3.00/lb for copper, average annual revenues in the order of CDN$107 million are estimated (assuming an exchange rate of CDN$1=US$0.85). Approximately 85% of the revenues in the model are derived from tin ingot sales totaling 3,350 tonnes per annum, representing just 1% of the global market. Although indium is known to occur in the deposit in association with the zinc mineralization, no credits for indium were applied in the model due to insufficient indium analytical data in the resource model. Copper concentrate sales include credits for minor contained silver and gold based on comparable assays on historic production.

Don Bubar, President and CEO stated, “We are pleased to have confirmed from this Conceptual Redevelopment Study that there is a strong business case to be made for re-developing the East Kemptville mine site. The opportunity is made more attractive by the excellent infrastructure present in southwestern Nova Scotia including year round road access, deep water port within 60 kilometres, existing power line to the site, nearby communities with available skilled labour and government supportive of new investment in mineral development. With the Study in hand we see an opportunity for Nova Scotia to re-emerge as the Tin Capital of North America.”

The development model developed for this conceptual study is based on the initial National Instrument 43-101 mineral resource estimate produced by Hains in October, 2014 and disclosed in the Company’s news release dated October 31, 2014. A Whittle Pit optimization analysis was completed for this Study based on the current resource estimate and net smelter return values estimated by Hains. The Whittle Pit optimization indicated the optimum pit contained 49.3 million tonnes of mineral resources (which includes resources classified both as Indicated and Inferred) within the pit at average diluted grades of 0.113% tin. 0.131% zinc and 0.053% copper, including 5.87 million tonnes of low grade stockpile material. Total waste rock was estimated as 43.4 million tonnes, for a Life-of-Mine stripping ratio of 0.88.

Based on the results of the Whittle analysis, a preliminary pit schedule was developed, which calls for mining 3.5 million tonnes mill feed per year, or 10,000 tonnes per day, yielding a 14 year mine life with an overall mining extraction of 95% and 5% mining dilution. Note that no work has yet been undertaken to optimize production parameters in the context of the current tin market. Further, the Whittle block model contains mineral resources classified both as indicated mineral resources and inferred mineral resources under CIM mineral resource reporting standards. Further definition drilling will be required before these mineral resources can be incorporated into a mining reserve and relied upon in an economic analysis for feasibility study purposes. Metal recoveries, based on very preliminary test work, are estimated at 87% for tin, 85% for zinc and 75% for copper.

Mineral Tenure Status

The Company holds mineral rights at East Kemptville through a “Special Licence”, a form of mineral tenure granted by the Province of Nova Scotia in circumstances where there is a history of previous industrial land use activity (such as mining) in the area of interest. It does not immediately convey surface land rights and, accordingly, access must be arranged with the permission of surface rights holders which was done in 2014. Ultimately, with completion of a feasibility study and related environmental assessment work, a form of mining lease is obtainable from the government to secure the requisite surface land rights.

The Company first acquired a Special Licence at East Kemptville in 2005 and it has been subsequently renewed multiple times while the Company negotiated access to the site. In September 2014, the Company submitted an application for a new Special Licence reflecting the entire original mine site. This application is presently being processed by the Government of Nova Scotia. Like the previous Special Licences obtained by the Company, the new Special Licence requires approval by an Order in Council of Government of Nova Scotia, which typically takes several months to receive. Final approval of the current application is still pending, following which surface work at the site will resume.

In addition to the Special Licence, the Company holds 183 mineral claims totalling 2,962 hectares to the northeast and southwest of the East Kemptville property, covering over 10 kilometres of strike length along the geological trend of the East Kemptville tin deposit. Since 2005, the Company has incurred over CDN$2.1 million in exploration expenditures on these claims and the Special Licences.

Future Plans

Once the new Special Licence is in place, the Company plans to proceed with an initial CDN$1.2 million work program utilizing funding secured in the Company’s private placement completed in December, 2014. This work will include:

1. Preliminary metallurgical process testwork on the flowsheet proposed by Hains to confirm recoveries and costs to at least the level of confidence required for a preliminary economic assessment.

2. Diamond drilling to better define known resources and delineate additional resources to depth and on other known tin occurrences in the area.

3. Environmental studies to examine the nature of the waste rock generated in any proposed mine, as well as the conditions required for bringing the existing operation into readiness for future production.

The Company is planning an extensive in-fill drilling program with the objective of moving inferred mineral resources into the indicated and measured categories. Requests for bids from drilling contractors have been sent out to conduct a minimum 2,000 metre drilling program this spring.

Bench scale metallurgical testing, using sample material collected during the 2014 drill program, is presently being initiated in order to verify metallurgical recoveries, concentrate grades and evaluate ore variability. This will lead eventually to larger scale pilot plant testing using representative bulk samples collected from future drilling and existing ore stockpiles at the site.

Environmental studies planned will also include more work on future closure requirements and baseline studies such as species at risk surveys and studies on effluent chemistry requirements.

Qualified Persons

The Study was prepared by Don Hains, P. Geo, with contributions from the following independent consultants and “Qualified Persons” for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, who have reviewed and approved this release.

Qualified Person Consulting Firm Contribution
Don Hains, P. Geo Hains Engineering Mining and Mineral Reserves, Process, Infrastructure, Capital & Operating Costs
Bruce Brady, P. Eng. Associate of Hains Engineering Mine Capital & Operating Costs
Ross MacFarlane, P. Eng Associate of Hains Engineering Metallurgical analysis, Process Capital and Operating costs

The information contained in this document relating to the proposed work program has been reviewed and approved by Donald Bubar, P. Geo. (ONT), CEO and President of Avalon, a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

Results of 2015 Annual General Meeting

At the Annual General Meeting of shareholders held in Toronto, Ontario on February 24, 2015 (the “Meeting”), all director nominees listed in the Company’s management information circular dated January 12, 2015 were elected as directors of the Company. The detailed results of the vote are as follows:

Director Number of Votes Cast Percentage of Votes Cast
Donald S. Bubar In Favour: 21,699,297 96.95%
Withheld: 682,498 3.05%
Alan Ferry In Favour: 21,293,109 95.14%
Withheld: 1,088,686 4.86%
Phil Fontaine In Favour: 21,694,255 96,93%
Withheld: 687,540 3.07%
Brian D. MacEachen In Favour: 21,685,072 96.89%
Withheld: 696.723 3.11%
Peter McCarter In Favour: 21,693,567 96,93%
Withheld: 688,228 3.07%
Kenneth G. Thomas In Favour: 21,704,747 96.98%
Withheld: 677,048 3.02%

In addition, at the Meeting shareholders appointed Deloitte LLP as auditors of the Company, and approved all unallocated options under the Company’s stock option plan. The formal report on voting results with respect to all matters voted upon at the Meeting will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Avalon Rare Metals Inc.

Avalon Rare Metals Inc. is a mineral development company focused on rare metal deposits in Canada, with three advanced stage projects. Its 100%-owned Nechalacho Deposit, Thor Lake, NWT is exceptional in its large size and enrichment in the scarce “heavy” rare earth elements, key to enabling advances in clean technology and other growing high-tech applications. Avalon is also advancing its Separation Rapids Lithium Minerals 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 Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the potential for re-development of the East Kemptville Tin deposit, the potential for attractive economics under the development model proposed by Hains, the key measures and economics reported in the Study, the strategy of a tin refinery offers the potential benefits of creating value-added in Nova Scotia, reducing the risks associated with using third party processors and enhancing the overall economics of the operation, that surface work at the site will resume once a new Special Licence is received, that the Company plans to proceed with an initial $1.2 million work program, that the Company is planning an extensive in-fill drilling program with the objective of bringing inferred mineral resources into the indicated and measured resource categories, that bench scale metallurgical testing will lead eventually to larger scale pilot plant testing using representative bulk samples collected from future drilling and existing ore stockpiles at the site, that environmental studies planned will also include more work on future closure requirements and baseline studies such as species at risk surveys and studies on effluent chemistry requirements. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “potential”, “scheduled”, “anticipates”, “continues”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “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 may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Avalon to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. Although Avalon has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to market conditions, Avalon’s ability to secure sufficient financing to advance and complete the project, uncertainties associated with securing the necessary approvals and permits in a timely manner, assumptions used in the Study proving to be inaccurate, uncertainties associated with Avalon’s resource and reserve estimates, uncertainties regarding global supply and demand for tin and market and sales prices, and uncertainties with respect to social, community and environmental impacts 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 objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Avalon does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Reserve and Resource Estimates

The reserve and resource estimates in this news release have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian securities laws, which differ from the requirements of United States securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all reserve and resource estimates included in this news release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects.

Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and reserve and resource information contained in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by United States companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “resource” does not equate to the term “reserve”. Under United States standards, mineralization may not be classified as a “reserve” unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC’s disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” or “inferred mineral resources” or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute “reserves” by United States standards in documents filed with the SEC. United States investors should also understand that “inferred mineral resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an “inferred mineral resource” exists, is economically or legally mineable, or will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimated “inferred mineral resources” may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Disclosure of the amount of minerals contained in a resource estimate is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of “reserves” are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by Avalon in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as “reserves” under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with United States standards.

INTERVIEW Part 2: Avalon Rare Metals (AVL: TSX) 3 Advanced Stage Projects Capitalizing on Scarce Rare Earth Elements

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 1:20 PM on Wednesday, December 10th, 2014

AVL: TSX, AVL: NYSE MKT

  • Three advanced stage projects
  • Nechalacho Deposit is exceptional in its size and enrichment in the scarce “heavy” rare earth elements
  • HREE-rich resource in the Basal Zone contains Measured and Indicated Resources of 61.90 million tonnes grading 1.64% TREO (total rare earth oxides) and 21.53% HREO/TREO (heavy rare earth oxides as a percentage of TREO) at the Base Case US$345 Net Metal Return cut-off value
  • Key to enabling advances in clean technology and other growing high-tech applications

Highlights

  • The Nechalacho deposit is rich in the heavy rare earths, which the European Union identified as the critical raw material with the greatest supply risk in May 2014.
  • Avalon has invested approximately $100 million into the Nechalacho Project to date, including $60 million to complete a comprehensive Feasibility Study. Nechalacho is now the most advanced heavy rare earth project in the world outside of China. Results of the discounted cash flow analysis produced for the April 2013 Feasibility Study yielded a pre-tax IRR of 22.5% and an NPV at a 10% discount rate of $1.35 billion, with a payback period of 4.3 years and a $1.575 billion capital cost.
  • Many opportunities were identified in the April 2013 Feasibility Study to optimize the project development model to reduce technical risk and increase revenues. These include improving rare earth recoveries and revising the mine plan to improve operational efficiencies. The most significant optimization was the development of a new hydrometallurgical process that increases recoveries of the heavy rare earths while suppressing recovery of low-value cerium. An updated Feasibility Study is targeted for completion in late 2014.
  • Avalon holds a diverse rare metals project portfolio, including advanced tin (East Kemptville) and lithium minerals (Separation Rapids) properties.
  • The principles of sustainability, environmental and social responsibility are core values of the company.

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