Avalon Selects Site in Louisiana for Rare Earths Separation Plant and Refinery

Avalon Rare Metals Inc. (TSX:AVL)(NYSE MKT:AVL)(NYSE Amex:AVL) has chosen Geismar, Louisiana, as the site for its heavy rare earth separation plant and refinery.

“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 favorable business environment,” said Avalon president and CEO Don Bubar.

When construction begins in 2015, the site is expected to employ up to 300 construction workers and maintain operation with a minimum of 175 employees. The capital budget is estimated at US$300 million. 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.

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