Avalon Rare Metals Offers Update

Avalon Rare Metals Inc. (TSX:AVL,NYSE:AVL) announced a progress update on its Nechalacho Rare Earth Element project.

As quoted in the press release:

Planning for the hydrometallurgical process pilot plant is nearing completion. The hydrometallurgical process consists of two stages. The first stage is a sulphuric acid bake which liberates most of the light rare earths and 50% of the heavy rare earths. Bench scale testwork on this process is complete. The sulphuric acid bake is followed by a second stage, cracking process that liberates the balance of the heavy rare earths and the by-products zirconium, niobium and tantalum. Bench scale testwork on the cracking process is on-going. The pilot plant for the sulphuric acid bake process is scheduled for August 2012 once the evaluation of various equipment alternatives is completed.

Click here to read the Avalon Rare Metals Inc. (TSX:AVL) press release.