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
ir@avalonraremetals.com, 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.
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