Avalon Announces CEO Retirement

Avalon Announces CEO Retirement

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQB: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company"), a lithium-focused mineral development company advancing critical mineral projects to support the North American battery supply chain, today announces the retirement of its long-standing CEO, Don Bubar. Don will continue to serve on Avalon's Board of Directors. Scott Monteith, who was appointed to Avalon's Board of Directors in May 2023, will assume the role of Interim CEO.

Mr. Monteith is an experienced clean tech executive, entrepreneur and business owner with a successful track record of moving inventions from concept to commercial success. Currently, he holds the position of Chair of Monteco Ltd., Cable House Capital Ltd. and Imtex Membranes Corporation. Mr. Monteith has extensive experience in the areas of chemical manufacturing, international businesses, M&A, government affairs and strategic planning.

Don Bubar has been leading Avalon for more than 25 years, initially steering the Company towards its focus on critical minerals, and subsequently pioneering ESG and sustainability reporting within the junior mining sector. During his time at Avalon, Don grew the Company's flagship Separation Rapids Lithium Project from exploration to development stage, positioning the project for the upcoming demand in lithium, driven by the shift to electrification.

Alan Ferry, Chair of Avalon's Board of Directors, commented, "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Don for his unwavering commitment to Avalon for over a quarter century. With Don's invaluable contributions, Avalon built a broad portfolio of assets and is well-positioned to advance Separation Rapids and unlock future lithium growth through new discoveries."

"On behalf of the executive team, I would like to extend our gratitude and best wishes to Don on his retirement," commented Zeeshan Syed, President of Avalon. "Don has been a passionate and tireless advocate for the development of Canada's resource sector. Avalon has been built on his vision, and we are now poised for growth and focused on executing our new strategic plan in 2023 and beyond. I look forward to working with Scott, as we continue to advance our lithium assets in 2023."

About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in sustainably-produced materials for North America's battery supply chain. Avalon is currently focusing on developing its Separation Rapids Lithium Project near Kenora, Ontario while continuing to advance other projects, including its 100%-owned Lilypad Spodumene-Cesium-Tantalum Project located near Fort Hope, Ontario. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

For questions and feedback, please e-mail the Company at ir@AvalonAM.com, or phone Zeeshan Syed, President, directly at (647) 300-4706.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/166716

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Avalon Completes Purchase of Industrial Site in Thunder Bay as Key Next Step in Becoming Ontario's First Vertically Integrated Lithium Producer

Avalon Completes Purchase of Industrial Site in Thunder Bay as Key Next Step in Becoming Ontario's First Vertically Integrated Lithium Producer

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. Logo (CNW Group/Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.)

As part of its strategic transformation to become a vertically integrated lithium producer, Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) and (OTCQB: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of an industrial site in Thunder Bay, Ontario (965 Strathcona Avenue) which has existing road, rail, deep-water port, and utilities services for its planned midstream lithium-hydroxide (LiOH) processing facility.

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Avalon Announces C$63M Strategic Investment by Sibelco to Create a Vertically Integrated Lithium Strategic Partnership in Ontario

Avalon Announces C$63M Strategic Investment by Sibelco to Create a Vertically Integrated Lithium Strategic Partnership in Ontario

As part of its strategic transformation to become a leading North American vertically integrated lithium producer, Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQB: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the signing of a binding term sheet to create a new joint venture with SCR-Sibelco NV ("Sibelco"), a global leader in materials solutions. Avalon has issued to Sibelco, on a non-brokered private placement basis, 109,692,764 common shares of Avalon ("Common Shares") for aggregate proceeds of C$10,000,000 and a secured convertible debenture in the principal amount of C$3,000,000 (the "Debenture") (collectively, the "Private Placement").

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. Logo (CNW Group/Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.)

The C$63-million transaction results in Antwerp -based Sibelco owning approximately 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, and provides Avalon with a first tranche of funding to advance the Company's lithium production and processing goals across its suite of lithium mineral assets, led by Separation Rapids in northwestern Ontario . This new joint venture is expected to accelerate Avalon's core business objective of building a mid-stream lithium-hydroxide processing facility in Ontario .

"This strategic partnership represents a significant step forward in scaling our business towards full vertical integration of our lithium production," said Scott Monteith , Chief Executive of Avalon. "Sibelco's investment is a major vote of confidence in our vision, resources and capabilities by a respected and established international operator—and now partner."

"Our partnership with Avalon will focus both on the clean energy growth agenda and the technical glass and ceramics markets in which Sibelco has deep and time-tested expertise" Hilmar Rode , Sibelco Chief Executive Officer, said. "This dual-market strategy combined with a cash-generative business plan will lay the foundation for accelerated growth, and ultimately the venture's sustained success going forward."

Overview of Transactions

Strategic Financing

Pursuant to the terms of the Private Placement, Sibelco purchased: (i) 109,692,764 Common Shares at a price of approximately $0.091164 per Common Share (the "Per Share Price") for gross proceeds of C$10,000,000 which resulted in Sibelco owning approximately 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares; and (ii) the Debenture, which is a secured convertible debenture, providing for two advances to Avalon: (i) C$500,000 on the date hereof; and (ii) C$2,500,000 subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent. The Debenture bears interest at 7.115% per annum and the principal and interest are payable on maturity, being two years from the date of the Debenture (the "Maturity"). To the extent not repaid at Maturity by Avalon, Sibelco will have the right to convert the outstanding principal amount of the Debenture and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon into either additional Common Shares at a conversion price equal to the Per Share Price, or an additional 5% interest in the joint venture corporation (the "JV Election"), as more particularly described below. The Debenture is a secured obligation, secured by a pledge of the shares of a subsidiary of Avalon subject to replacement security at defined milestones.

Avalon also granted to Sibelco, for so long as Sibelco holds not less than 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis, the right to nominate one member to the board of directors of Avalon ("Board") (or up to two nominees if the size of the Board is increased to nine directors or more), and the right to participate in future equity offerings so that it can maintain its pro rata percentage ownership in Avalon. Sibelco also agreed to a 12-month standstill and certain resale restrictions placed on its holdings in Avalon.

The proceeds from the Private Placement will be used by Avalon to fund the acquisition of industrial land for a lithium-hydroxide processing facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario , and repayment of up to C$1.9 million of existing debt, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Joint Venture

Subject to the terms and conditions of the binding joint venture term sheet, Avalon and Sibelco have agreed to establish a joint venture with respect to Avalon's lithium projects, including Separation Rapids and Lilypad in northwestern Ontario . Sibelco, which will act as operator of the joint venture, has committed to invest €35 million (approximately C$50.4 million ) into the joint venture. Of this amount, €5 million is to be advanced concurrently with the contribution by Avalon of its interests in the Separation Rapids and Lilypad projects, with an additional €30 million to be advanced in tranches to fund the development of the joint venture mineral projects, including facilities and related infrastructure. After total cash contributions of €35 million by Sibelco, each of the parties will make any further cash contributions on a pro-rata basis (with dilution to a non-contributing party's interest). While the initial participating interests to be held on the formation date of the joint venture by Sibelco and Avalon will be 60% and 40%, respectively, such participating interests may change to 65% and 35%, respectively, if on the Maturity date of the Debenture Avalon fails to pay the full principal and accrued interest and Sibelco elects to exercise the JV Election.

The joint venture term sheet is binding on the parties. Avalon and Sibelco will work together to enter into a long-form joint venture agreement as soon as practicable with a view to execution on or before August 31, 2023 , but in any event not later than September 30, 2023 .

New Strategy, New Vision

Avalon's new strategic goals are focused on both organic growth of its lithium portfolio, consisting of a suite of critical-mineral mining projects across Canada , as well as developing new related opportunities. The Company's mission is to vertically integrate lithium processing in Ontario , positioning the province as an integral part of a North American supply chain for EV batteries.

"We are thrilled to execute on a plan to reliably produce a key resource required for North America's clean-energy transition—and, in so doing, deepen ties between Canada and the European Union in this geo-politically sensitive sector," noted Zeeshan Syed , President of Avalon. "We are keenly attuned to the strategic imperative among G7 economies to build domestic critical-mineral processing capacity, and we intend to do just that."

The joint venture will facilitate Phase 1 of Avalon's new strategic growth plan, which includes:

  1. The purchase of industrial land for a lithium-hydroxide processing facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario .
  2. Funding to advance upstream lithium production operations across Avalon's various projects, led by the Separation Rapids and Lilypad sites, as well as further the development of the promising Snowbank discovery.
  3. Enabling the Avalon-Sibelco joint venture to execute on a dual-market strategy targeting significant growth in both the glass and ceramics market and the EV clean energy market.

"Avalon's vision for an integrated lithium play is exciting and will enable Sibelco to play an important role in this business segment" Ian Sedgman , Sibelco Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, said. "We see a tremendous opportunity to complement our core business by partnering with a proven lithium asset holder led by an experienced management team."

About SCR-Sibelco NV

Headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium , Sibelco is a global leader in material solutions. Sibelco mines, processes and sells specialty industrial minerals – particularly silica, clays, feldspathics and olivine – and is a leader in glass recycling. Sibelco's solutions serve a diverse range of industries including semi-conductors, solar photovoltaic, glass, ceramics, construction, coatings, polymers and water purification. The Sibelco Group has production facilities in more than 30 countries and a team of more than 5,000 people worldwide.

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company aimed at vertically integrating North America's lithium supply chain. The Company is currently focusing on developing its Separation Rapids Lithium Project near Kenora, Ontario while continuing to advance other projects, including its 100%-owned Lilypad Spodumene-Cesium-Tantalum Project located near Fort Hope, Ontario . Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

For investor relations and media inquiries, please e-mail the Company at ir@AvalonAM.com , or phone Zeeshan Syed , President, at (647) 300-4706.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this news release, including any with respect to the Company's future financial or operating performance and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance, including statements in respect of the completion of the joint venture, the use of proceeds of the Private Placement, prospects and/or development of the Company's projects, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") and such forward-looking statements are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's strategic review of certain of its assets; the development of the Company's material lithium projects, the Company's plans with respect to the exploration and development of its properties, costs of production, expected capital expenditures, operations outlook, expected benefits from the joint venture, the expected receipt of permits; permitting timelines, the future price of commodities; foreign exchange rates and currency fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; the Company's capital allocation; the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; the realization of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, and government regulation of mining operations. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of words such as "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "budget", "forecast", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "schedule", "guidance", "outlook", "potential", "seek", "targets", "suspended", "strategy", or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, financial, operational and other risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors, including those described below, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and, as such, undue reliance must not be placed on them. Forward-looking statements are also based on numerous material factors and assumptions, including as described in this news release, including with respect to: the completion of the joint venture, use of proceeds from the Private Placement, the Company's present and future business strategies, operations performance within expected ranges, local and global economic conditions and the economic environment in which the Company will operate in the future, legal and political developments in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, the price of lithium and other key commodities; projected mineral grades; international exchanges rates; anticipated capital and operating costs; the availability and timing of required governmental and other approvals for the Company's projects.

Risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation: the Company's business strategies and its ability to execute thereon, including the ongoing strategic review of certain of the Company's assets; political and legal risks; risks associate with the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; the ongoing impacts of the Ukraine war, the availability of labour and contractors; the volatility of the Company's securities; management of certain of the Company's assets by other companies or joint venture partners; the lack of availability of insurance covering all of the risks associated with a mining company's operations; business risks, including pandemics, adverse environmental conditions and hazards; unexpected geological conditions; potential shareholder dilution; increasing competition in the mining sector; changes in the global prices for lithium and certain other commodities; consolidation in the lithium mining industry; legal, litigation, legislative, political or economic risks; government actions taken in response to potential future public health emergencies and pandemics, including new variants of COVID-19, and any worsening thereof; changes in taxes, including mining tax regimes; the failure to obtain in a timely manner from authorities key permits, authorizations or approvals necessary for exploration, development or operations; the availability of capital; the level of liquidity and capital resources; access to capital markets and financing; the Company's level of indebtedness; the Company's ability to satisfy covenants under its outstanding debt instruments; changes in interest rates; the Company's choices in capital allocation; risks related to third-party contractors; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; the fact that reserves and resources, expected metallurgical recoveries, capital and operating costs are estimates which may require revision; failure to meet operational targets; equipment malfunctions; laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment; physical and regulatory risks related to climate change; the potential direct or indirect operational impacts resulting from external factors, including infectious diseases, public health emergencies or pandemics, such as COVID-19, unpredictable weather patterns and challenging weather conditions; attraction and retention of key employees and other qualified personnel; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the availability of qualified contractors and the ability of contractors to timely complete projects on acceptable terms; the relationship with the communities surrounding the Company's operations and projects; indigenous rights or claims; and the inherent risks involved in the exploration, development and mining industry generally. Please see the Company's current annual information form available on www.sedar.com or for a comprehensive discussion of the risks faced by the Company and which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.

Although the Company 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by applicable law.

Cision View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/avalon-announces-c63m-strategic-investment-by-sibelco-to-create-a-vertically-integrated-lithium-strategic-partnership-in-ontario-301851903.html

SOURCE Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.

Cision View original content to download multimedia: https://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2023/15/c1570.html

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Avalon Overhauls Leadership Team to Compete in Global Lithium Race

Avalon Overhauls Leadership Team to Compete in Global Lithium Race

As part of its strategic transformation to become a leading North American vertically integrated lithium producer, Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQB: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of three veteran executives to its leadership team, a key milestone as the Company executes on an ambitious growth plan.

  • Scott Monteith will assume control as interim Chief Executive Officer
  • Jim Jaques will serve as the Company's inaugural Chief Administrative Officer
  • Jan Holland will join the Board of Directors

"These appointments, and others to come, underscore the arrival of Avalon 2.0," Zeeshan Syed, Avalon President, said. "The commitment of our new leadership team is clear: reorient the Company towards full vertical integration of the lithium production cycle, and help establish Ontario, and Canada more broadly, as a strategic fulcrum in North America's clean energy transition."

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Avalon Reports Drill Results from 2022-2023 Exploration Program at Separation Rapids

Avalon Reports Drill Results from 2022-2023 Exploration Program at Separation Rapids

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQX: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce final assays from the 2022-2023 drilling program at the Company's flagship Separation Rapids Lithium Project, confirming potential to significantly expand its lithium resource at depth. New significant intercepts shown below are from three of the four final drill holes.

  • SR23-85: 1.56% Li2O over 47.71 metres ("m")
  • SR23-91: 1.06% Li2O over 10.38m and 1.66% Li2O over 7.01m and 1.36% Li2O over 10.61m
  • SR23-92: 1.47% Li2O over 3.42m and 1.14% Li2O over 4.35m and 1.49% Li2O over 4.52m

The assays for drill hole SR23-93 (the fourth hole) have confirmed the petalite mineralization to 566-metre depth increasing the potential depth of the deposit by 80%. The drilling has also confirmed that the deposit is open to the east and west, and to depth, over a 300-strike length, with similar grades to the current mineral resource estimate, supporting a conceptual target to double the size of the deposit through future drilling.

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Avalon Outlines Strategic Direction and Provides Update on 2023 Activities

Avalon Outlines Strategic Direction and Provides Update on 2023 Activities

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQB: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company"), a lithium-focused mineral development company advancing critical mineral projects to support the North American clean technology supply chain, is pleased to outline Avalon's strategic direction and provide an update on key 2023 activities.

Recent Highlights

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ION Announces US$13.5M Joint Venture on Urgakh Naran, Corporate Updates and Update on Rare Earths Transaction

ION Announces US$13.5M Joint Venture on Urgakh Naran, Corporate Updates and Update on Rare Earths Transaction

Lithium ION Energy Limited (TSXV: ION) (FSE: ZA4) ("ION" or the "Company") is pleased to share that it has entered into a binding Joint Venture Agreement with SureFQ Ltd. ("SureFQ") for the advancement of the Urgakh Naran project in Mongolia, in which ION will continue to hold a 20% free carried interest through to commercial production.

Highlights:

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Altech Batteries Ltd  Agreement to Secure EUR2.5M in Funding

Altech Batteries Ltd Agreement to Secure EUR2.5M in Funding

Perth, Australia (ABN Newswire) - Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) (OTCMKTS:ALTHF) is pleased to advise that it is in the process of selling its land in Johor to help fund the ongoing development of the CERENERGY(R) battery project and the Silumina Anodes(TM) battery materials project, as well as to support general working capital requirements.

Highlights

- Altech, subject to receipt of shareholder approval, will have the ability to drawdown up to EUR2.5M in cash funding

- Agreement reached with major shareholder Deutsche Balaton AG to provide funding

- Funding to be provided as Bearer Bonds with interest payable at 7.0% per annum

- Bearer Bonds secured by Altech's Malaysian land

- Repayment of the Bearer Bonds anticipated to be from sale of Altech's Malaysian land

- Shareholder meeting to approve facility anticipated for late April 2025

The Company has also entered into a binding Bond Note Subscription Deed with its major shareholder Deutsche Balaton AG, under which Altech can drawdown up to EUR2.5M in cash in the form of interest-bearing Bearer Bonds.

This funding will allow Altech to progress with its projects without the dilutionary impact to shareholders of a capital raise via a share issue. The repayment of the Bearer Bonds is secured by Altech's Malaysian land and requires Altech shareholder approval, and a General Meeting is anticipated to be convened in late April 2025.

Key terms of the Subscription Agreement are as follows:

- Total Bearer Bond facility of up to EUR2.5M to be drawdown in EUR500K amounts with interest payable at 7.0% per annum.

- Altech shareholders approving the grant of security to Deutsche Balaton AG over its Malaysian land in accordance with any requirement of the ASX, or the ASX granting a waiver from any requirement of the listing rules to obtain shareholder approval.

- a Security and Security Trust Agreement has been entered into under which Altech's 100% owned subsidiary Altech Chemicals Sdn Bhd has pledged security over its Malaysian land as well as a guarantee of repayment of the Bearer Bonds.

- Repayment of Bearer Bonds by maturity date of 31 October 2026.

- Default clauses applicable standard for Subscription Deeds of this nature.

Altech has placed its Malaysian land in Johor on the market for sale. Proceeds from the sale of the land are expected to provide sufficient funds to enable the Bearer Bonds to be repaid in full.



About Altech Batteries Ltd:  

Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) is a specialty battery technology company that has a joint venture agreement with world leading German battery institute Fraunhofer IKTS ("Fraunhofer") to commercialise the revolutionary CERENERGY(R) Sodium Alumina Solid State (SAS) Battery. CERENERGY(R) batteries are the game-changing alternative to lithium-ion batteries. CERENERGY(R) batteries are fire and explosion-proof; have a life span of more than 15 years and operate in extreme cold and desert climates. The battery technology uses table salt and is lithium-free; cobalt-free; graphite-free; and copper-free, eliminating exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns.

The joint venture is commercialising its CERENERGY(R) battery, with plans to construct a 100MWh production facility on Altech's land in Saxony, Germany. The facility intends to produce CERENERGY(R) battery modules to provide grid storage solutions to the market.

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SAGA Metals Extends Claims at the Radar Project by 26% to Cover 20km Inferred Oxide Zone

SAGA Metals Extends Claims at the Radar Project by 26% to Cover 20km Inferred Oxide Zone

Saga Metals Corp. ("SAGA" or the "Company") (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H) a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, announces the addition of 180 claims spanning 4,500-hectares, increasing the total size of the Radar Titanium-Vanadium (Ti-V) project from 17,250-hecatres to 21,750-hectares. This addition now encompasses the 20km inferred oxide zone starting from the 2025 Hawkeye drill program area heading west towards the new claim boundary.

Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of SAGA comments: "Important information garnered from the combined field & drill programs suggests the oxide layer zone at Hawkeye may be contiguous to Trapper and possibly as far as SAGA's claim extension. These additional claims were strategic in an effort to ensure we've secured the full extent of mineralization. The team will look to apply magnetic geophysical continuity over the entire ‘inferred layering zone of the Dykes River' intrusion. The recently completed drill program over the prospective Hawkeye zone is our proof of concept to a much larger system."

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