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Avalon Ventures Ltd.
TSX: AVL (the
"Company") is pleased to report on the results of the furnace
trial conducted by a major US-based glass manufacturer using a 460 ton bulk
sample of calcium feldspar product (anorthosite) collected from the
Company's 100%-owned Warren Township project located approximately 100 km
west of Timmins, ON. The purpose of the trial was to evaluate the potential
energy saving benefits of the calcium feldspar product as an alternative
raw material for a certain fiberglass formulation.
A meeting was held April 17-18, 2008 with senior representatives from the
glass company to review the results of the furnace trial. The results
indicated that energy savings in the order of 10% were achieved without any
detrimental impacts on the quality or production efficiencies of the glass,
an encouraging, although inconclusive, initial result. The trial also
demonstrated the Company's ability to produce and deliver a quality product
with high levels of internal consistency despite reliance on untested third
parties to carry out the work. Further test work will be required to
conclusively determine the longer-term sustainable furnace behaviour,
energy savings, glass output and economics.
The furnace trial was conducted over a 24-day period, from mid October to
mid November 2007, with one-month monitoring periods required before and
after the anorthosite product was introduced into the batch in order to
ensure stabilized baseline data. The calcium feldspar was introduced in
measured steps, eventually reaching a 35% substitution level (the
anorthosite fully or partially replaced other raw materials in the batch),
then reduced in measured steps so as not to destabilize furnace operations.
A longer trial involving a higher substitution level will ultimately be
required to provide more conclusive data.
All of the multi-dimensional data gathered during the trial, including data
related to furnace operating conditions, productivity and product quality
was reviewed during the meeting. This complex assessment covered the
interaction of anorthosite with other feeds, material handling
implications, the reduction and changing balance between energy inputs,
glass density, viscosity, and pull rates. The discussions also explored the
correlation of the furnace trial results with earlier laboratory tests.
Given the encouraging initial results, the customer is now considering
conducting a more comprehensive trial and has invited the Company to submit
a detailed project development plan. If the results of this more
comprehensive trial are positive, then a long term supply contract would be
negotiated. Bulk sampling work was carried out under the direction of the
Company's Vice-President, Corporate Development, Ian London, P.Eng.
In anticipation of a further positive outcome, the Company continues to
work with provincial authorities and local communities, including First
Nations, in support of its application for a production permit under the Aggregate
Resources Act of Ontario. Thorough environmental assessment and
community engagement practice are integral to the Company's operating
philosophy. The permitting work is being carried out by Fudge &
Associates of North Bay, Ontario. If the Company enters into a supply contract
with the customer, then construction of a small quarrying operation and
process plant would begin once project financing is in place. Preliminary
estimates indicate capital costs of less than $10 million to build a
facility with a production capability of 100,000 tonnes per year.
Commented Company President Don Bubar "This project has demonstrated
Avalon's growing capacity to work with customers and communities in scoping
and delivering product in a sustainable manner. This builds on our strategy
to supply a wide range of products offering environmental benefits either
directly, as in this application, or indirectly by being used in renewable
energy and other 'green technology' applications."
About Avalon Ventures Ltd.
Avalon Ventures Ltd. is a Canadian junior mineral exploration and
development company, with a primary focus on rare metals and minerals with
high technology and environmentally-beneficial applications. Avalon
currently holds a portfolio of five such projects, including three that are
at, or close to, the feasibility stage. Shares Outstanding: 64,649,748.
Cash resources: approximately $14.5 million.
To find out more about Avalon Ventures Ltd., please visit our website at http://www.avalonventures.com
. This news release is available on the Company's official on-line investor
relations site for investor commentary, feedback and questions. Investors
are invited to visit the "Avalon Ventures" IR Hub at http://www.agoracom.com/ir/avalon
. In addition, investors are invited to e-mail their questions and
correspondence to AVL@agoracom.com or
phone Don Bubar, P.Geo.. President, at 416-364-4938. Mr. Bubar is the
Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this news
release.
This news release contains forward-looking information. This
forward-looking information includes, or may be based upon, estimates,
forecasts, and statements as to management's expectations with respect to,
among other things, the size and quality of the Company's mineral
resources, progress in development of mineral properties, demand and market
outlook for metals and future metal prices.. Forward-looking information is
based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information
is given, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other
factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from
those projected in the forward-looking information. These factors include
the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral
properties, uncertainties with respect to the receipt or timing of required
permits and regulatory approvals, the uncertainties involved in
interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal
prices, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and
expenses, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing
needed in the future and other factors. The forward-looking information
contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no
responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events
or circumstances, except as required by law.
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