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Avalon Advanced hits big pocket of lithium near Kenora

Jul 22, 2024


Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is pleased to report the first batch of drill results for the 2024 winter drill campaign from the Separation Rapids Project in Kenora. The 2024 winter drill campaign was conducted by the joint venture company Separation Rapids Ltd. Separation Rapids Ltd is a joint venture between SCR-Sibelco NV ("Sibelco"; 60% ownership) and Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (40%).

The results represent 512 assay results from 5 diamond drill holes completed as part of the 2024 expansion and infill drill campaign at the current 750m strike long Big Whopper Deposit. See Figure 2. The successful drill program focused on upgrading the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimation classification as well as to expand the mineral resources. 

Highlights include:

  • SR24-114 intersected 1.67% Li2O over 105.6 meters from 313.5 meters depth and 1.78% Li2O over 21.5 meters from 143.5 meters depth
  • SR24-113 intersected 1.68% Li2O over 66.2 meters from 292.2 meters depth and 1.95% Li2O over 32.6 meters from 121.0 meters depth
  • SR24-115 intersected 1.81% Li2O over 13.8 meters from 93.5 meters depth
  • SR24-116 intersected 1.69% Li2O over 8.9 meters from 313 meters depth and 1.67% Li2O over 12.7 meters from 325.3 meters depth

All quoted intersections comprise a cutoff grade of 0.5% Li2O. All significant assay intervals are reported in Table 1.

Scott Monteith, CEO and Director of Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. commented, "We are very excited with these fantastic drill results, which are a true reflection of the exploration upside potential of the project. Our technical team is eager to follow up on some of the longer intercepts to better understand the depth potential for resource expansion. We continue to advance on our Thunder Bay Lithium processing facility and expect more news in the coming weeks."

The results from the first batch of the 2024 drilling campaign identifies areas of added value for the main pegmatites with SR24-113 and SR24-114 both intersecting values ≥0.5% Li2O over 50-meter intervals, opening the main pegmatite. See Figure 3. Eastern step out drilling of the current conceptual pit shows continued mineralization filling in a gap with the potential to upgrade mineral resource classification. See Figure 4.

Progress at Separation Rapids continues to advance with ongoing geotechnical work and mineralogical studies to facilitate in the eventual mine plan and processing optimization.

Hydrogeological testing and evaluation will be starting in August with continued monitoring and a follow up Phase 2 planned for review for the upcoming 2025 program.

Environmental field work was completed in June 2024 as part of the baseline and permitting processes and is in reporting and review stages. Continued engagement with local communities has been and will continue to be a priority.

A property wide mapping and sampling program will commence late July 2024 with a focus on satellite targets and areas of limited geological data for further evaluation of the promising potential on the property. The outlined program will prioritize following an interpreted trend from the Big Whopper to the western extent of the property. This mapping program will cover approximately 5 kilometers along strike.

Figure 1 - Location of Separation Rapids Project

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Figure 2: Big Whopper Deposit with current released hole locations highlighted.

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