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Avalon Provides Progress Report on the Separation Rapids Lithium Project, Kenora, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 25, 2016) - Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX:...
About this update from Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Avalon Provides Progress Report on the Separation Rapids Lithium Project, Kenora, OntarioToronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 25, 2016) - Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQX: AVLNF) (\"Avalon\" or the \"Company\") is pleased to provide a progress report on the Separation Rapids Lithium Project (\"Separation Rapids\") 2016 work program, last updated in the Company's news release dated May 25, 2016. Avalon remains focused on the lithium chemicals process development work, along with environmental studies, a mineral resource update and the engineering work needed to complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment (\"PEA\"). The PEA, which will be focused on the lithium ion battery materials market opportunity, is expected to be completed before the end of August, 2016. Expenditures on Separation Rapids for the nine month period ended May 31, 2016, totaled $1.4 million out of a budget of $2.0 million to August 31, 2016.Lithium Hydrometallurgical Process Development WorkBench-scale hydrometallurgical testwork initiated in May, 2016 to confirm the lithium hydroxide production process conceived for the lithium mineral (petalite) concentrate has essentially been completed. The Company is only awaiting analytical results for the lithium hydroxide product that was successfully produced from the low impurity lithium sulphate solution produced earlier using an established electrolysis process. A final report is expected in the next two weeks following which the data will be incorporated into the PEA. Further work to optimize the process flowsheet is already underway, including evaluation of a fluidized bed roasting process as an alternative to a rotary kiln which, if successful, will create significant energy savings and improved overall metallurgical performance. Avalon is also in discussions with various laboratories and equipment vendors for conducting further pilot plant operations for both the flotation and hydrometallurgical processes in early 2017. These pilot programs will generate further samples for prospective customers, as well as provide necessary design information for future feasibility study work.Market studies continue to indicate that lithium ion battery manufacturers are moving toward greater use of lithium hydroxide as the preferred lithium chemical feedstock in the battery chemistries being adopted for electric veh...