Avalon Advances Sustainability Efforts with Proposed Solar Farm at its Thunder Bay Industrial Site

Rhea-AI Summary

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQB: AVLNF) has announced plans to develop a zero-emission solar farm at its Thunder Bay industrial site, the future location of its lithium processing facility. This initiative highlights Avalon's commitment to sustainability and positions Ontario as a leader in advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

The proposed solar farm will repurpose unused land and utilize rooftop space, potentially generating enough renewable energy to fully support the lithium processing facility's energy requirements. This clean energy solution will help offset the facility's carbon footprint, contributing to Avalon's goal of achieving Net Zero emissions.

Strategically located near key electrical grid distribution lines, the solar farm will benefit from reduced transmission losses, enhancing energy efficiency. CEO Scott Monteith emphasized the company's commitment to building with the future in mind, integrating solar capacity to minimize environmental impact.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 11, 2024) - Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQB: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce plans to develop a zero-emission solar farm at its 100% owned Thunder Bay industrial site, the future home of Avalon's planned lithium processing facility. This initiative underscores Avalon's commitment to sustainability and positions the province as a leader in advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

The proposed solar farm will repurpose a portion of the site land which is unused and non-productive and will use additional rooftop area once the facility is built. The renewable energy generated, with the potential for expansion through battery storage technology, could fully support the energy requirements of the lithium processing facility. This clean energy will help offset the facility's carbon footprint, contributing significantly to Avalon's goal of achieving Net Zero emissions.

Strategically located near the 115kV P1T and P1P electrical grid distribution lines and close to the H1 Port Arthur Transfer Station, the solar farm will benefit from reduced transmission and distribution losses, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. By harnessing local solar energy production, Avalon will reduce its carbon impact and contribute to the region's broader sustainability footprint.

Scott Monteith, CEO of Avalon, commented, "Our commitment to sustainability and ensuring innovative design components at our lithium processing facility is about ensuring we build with the future in mind. While there is work ahead to be done, Avalon is keen to integrate this solar capacity into the energy load of our project, helping us minimize our footprint."

The energy generated by the solar farm can also be fed into the grid, providing clean energy to local communities, including First Nations, and reinforce Avalon's role as a leader in sustainable development.

About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian advanced manufacturing company focused on vertically integrating the Ontario lithium supply chain. The Company, through its joint venture with SCR-Sibelco NV, is currently developing its Separation Rapids lithium deposit near Kenora, ON, while also continuing to advance the Snowbank lithium and Lilypad lithium-caesium projects. Avalon is also working to develop its Nechalacho rare earths and zirconium project located in the Northwest Territories. This deposit contains critical minerals for use in advanced technologies in the communications and defense industries among other sectors.

In addition to these upstream activities, Avalon is executing on a key initiative to develop Ontario's first midstream lithium hydroxide processing facility in Thunder Bay, ON, a vital link bridging the lithium resources of the north with the downstream EV battery manufacturing base in the south.

For questions or feedback, please email the Company at ir@AvalonAM.com or contact Ms. Rachel Naji, Investor Relations Manager at 416-364-4938

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes but is not limited to statements related to the planned solar farm, including the use of non-productive land and rooftop areas and that the energy generated by the solar farm can also be fed into the grid. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "add" or "additional", "advancing", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "appears", "believes", "can be", "conceptual", "confidence", "continue", "convert" or "conversion", "deliver", "demonstrating", "estimates", "encouraging", "expand" or "expanding" or "expansion", "expect" or "expectations", "forecasts", "forward", "goal", "improves", "increase", "intends", "justification", "plans", "potential" or "potentially", "promise", "prospective", "prioritize", "reflects", "robust", "scheduled", "suggesting", "support", "top-tier", "updating", "upside", "will be" or "will consider", "work towards", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will be taken", "occur", or "be achieved".

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including risks associated with mineral exploration and development operations such as: environmental hazards and economic factors as they affect the cost and success of the Company's capital expenditures, the ability of the Company to obtain required permits and approvals, the ability of the Company to obtain financing, uncertainty in the estimation of mineral resources, uncertainty with respect to the ability to successfully construct and develop the Company's lithium processing facility, the price of lithium, no operating history, no operating revenue and negative cash flow, land title risk, the market price of the Company's securities, the economic feasibility of the Company's mineral resources and the Company's commercial viability, inflation and uncertain global economic conditions, uncertain geo-political shifts and risks, successful collaboration with indigenous communities, changes in technology and advancements in innovation may impact the development of the Company's technology innovation centre and its lithium hydroxide processing facility, future pandemics and other health crises, dependence on management and other highly skilled personnel, title to the Company's mineral properties, the ongoing war in Ukraine and Israel, extensive government and environmental regulation, reliance on artificial intelligence technology to influence mining operations, volatility in the financial markets, uninsured risks, climate change, threat of legal proceedings, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated November 28, 2023 (the "AIF") under the heading "Description of the Business - Risk Factors". Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions identified in the AIF, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: management of certain of the Company's assets by other companies or joint venture partners, the Company's ability to carry on its exploration and development activities without undue delays or unbudgeted costs, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost effective manner, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner, the ability of the Company to obtain all necessary financing on acceptable terms and when needed, the accuracy of the Company's resource estimates and geological, operational and price assumptions on which these are based and the continuance of the regulatory framework regarding environmental manners. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions that may have been used. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/222940

FAQ

What is Avalon Advanced Materials' plan for sustainability at its Thunder Bay site?

Avalon Advanced Materials (AVLNF) plans to develop a zero-emission solar farm at its Thunder Bay industrial site, which will power its future lithium processing facility and contribute to achieving Net Zero emissions.

How will the proposed solar farm at Avalon's Thunder Bay site be implemented?

The solar farm will repurpose unused land and utilize rooftop space of the future lithium processing facility. It will be strategically located near 115kV electrical grid distribution lines to reduce transmission losses and enhance energy efficiency.

What are the potential benefits of Avalon's solar farm project announced on September 11, 2024?

The solar farm project will generate clean energy to power Avalon's lithium processing facility, reduce carbon footprint, contribute to sustainability goals, and potentially provide excess clean energy to local communities, including First Nations.

How does the solar farm project align with Avalon Advanced Materials' (AVLNF) overall strategy?

The solar farm project aligns with Avalon's commitment to sustainability, innovative design, and minimizing environmental impact. It supports the company's goal of achieving Net Zero emissions and positions it as a leader in sustainable development in the advanced materials sector.