Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (“Avalon” or the “Company”) (TSX: AVL and OTCQB: AVLNF) is pleased to announce the addition of Burl Joseph, M.Eng., B.Sc. – E.S., to lead the advancement of the Company’s Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements and Zirconium Project in the Northwest Territories.
With Nechalacho advancing as one of the few rare earth projects in North America to achieve feasibility-level evaluation and secure early works permits, Mr. Joseph has been appointed Project Director to lead the next phases toward execution as the project advances through updated engineering and development planning.
Mr. Joseph brings over 15 years of experience delivering large-scale mining, environmental, and infrastructure projects in remote northern environments, including complex, multi-stakeholder developments. His expertise includes environmental management, permitting, Indigenous engagement, and full lifecycle project execution from engineering through construction and operations.
As updated engineering work progresses, Mr. Joseph will strengthen the technical leadership team, translating the refreshed PEA and ongoing engineering work into key project decisions, including processing technologies, facilities, and site locations, as well as overall project execution planning. He will serve as Avalon’s on-the-ground lead in the Northwest Territories, working directly with regional stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and local groups engaged in the project. These efforts will best position the project to support strategic partnerships with both industry participants and financial partners.
The global demand for secure sources of rare earths continues to accelerate, and Mr. Joseph’s addition strengthens the Company’s technical and operational capabilities at a critical stage. His experience aligns directly with the requirements of advancing the project responsibly and efficiently, and the Avalon team is pleased to welcome him.
“Burl’s appointment marks an important step as we transition Nechalacho from advanced engineering into execution readiness. His experience delivering complex projects in northern environments, combined with his strength in stakeholder engagement, positions us to advance the project in a disciplined and responsible manner. We believe this addition further strengthens Avalon’s ability to deliver one of North America’s most strategically important rare earth and zirconium assets,” said Scott Monteith, President and CEO of Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
Nechalacho Project Highlights
Nechalacho is among the largest rare earth projects in North America to reach feasibility-level evaluation. It contains the continent’s richest deposit of the four rare earth elements most critical to position Canada as a secure and strategic supplier while reducing global dependence on monopolized sources.
- Strong project fundamentals are supported by a 2013 Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) completed by SNC-Lavalin and an NI 43-101 technical report prepared by Micon, confirming the project’s technical and economic viability. Regulatory pathway de-risked with land use permit and water licence secured.
- The Company has engaged Wood Canada Limited to commence a refresh of Nechalacho’s technical and economic basis via an updated PEA and NI 43-101 Technical Report. Following the PEA, the Company’s plan is to transition into a full Definitive Feasibility Study, positioning the project for construction and financing readiness.
- Actively engaging with Canadian and U.S. government stakeholders and strategic partners.
- Engaged SCP Resource Finance (“SCP”) as strategic capital advisor to support the development of a long-term capital and partnership strategy in connection with Avalon’s lithium and rare earth element projects.
- Mineralization in the Nechalacho deposit includes light rare earth elements (LREE), found principally in allanite, monazite, bastnaesite and synchysite; yttrium, heavy rare earth elements (HREE), niobium and tantalum found in fergusonite; niobium in ferrocolumbite; HREE, niobium, tantalum and zirconium in zircon; and gallium in biotite, chlorite and feldspar in albitized feldspathic rocks.
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