“Our goal is to build a chemical refinery and empower Canada to be a self-sufficient global player in critical minerals and REEs.”
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What have been some of the key developments at Avalon Advanced Materials over the past couple of years?
From the day I took over the company, we shifted the mindset at Avalon Advanced Materials (Avalon) from being a junior mining company to a national asset builder. Our main assets are Separation Rapids, a lithium JV with SCR-Sibelco, a large Belgian-based mining company, and Nechalacho, an REE project. Nechalacho is one of the most significant REE assets in the world. It contains 16 distinct REEs, and it represents a strategically important source of critical minerals for Canada, North America and G7 allies. We are currently working closely with leading researchers, including partners at the University of Toronto, to advance and validate the cleanest, most efficient processing technologies to ensure Nechalacho sets a new benchmark for responsible, world-class rare earth processing.
Avalon has also purchased a 400-acre industrial-zoned site in Thunder Bay to build a lithium hydroxide refinery, strategically positioned with direct access to Lake Superior and the Trans-Canada Highway. The site also offers the full suite of infrastructure required for efficient, scalable production: established road access, port facilities, existing power transmission, and rail connections to support seamless distribution of finished product. This unique combination of world-class processing potential and robust transportation infrastructure positions Northern Ontario to become a cornerstone of North America’s clean energy supply chain.
With the right policy support and strategic partnerships, we can accelerate construction of the Thunder Bay refinery, secure a stable supply of lithium hydroxide for the growing North American demand and create long-term economic opportunities for communities across the region.
How do you view the ‘One Project, One Process’ initiative?
We believe this is a significant step for the private sector and government working together to improve Ontario’s regulatory system for faster and more efficient development. With the storm of global demand and supply pressures on the horizon, this framework is a strong indication of the leadership Ontario is taking to unlock the full potential of our mineral resources.
What are some of the important factors when choosing a JV partner for your projects?
Money, expertise, and scale are vital when looking to develop a project like Nechalacho or Lake Superior Lithium Inc (LSLi). Support from provincial, federal, and international governments underscores the urgency of the economic and security challenges at stake. Government leadership in providing commitments and funding serves as a vital catalyst, giving investors confidence that these projects are de-risked through public backing.
Our mine alone will cost roughly C$3 billion, and then the refinery will be at least another C$3 billion. Additionally, our lithium hydroxide refinery, LSLi, will cost C$10 billion for all four of its phases, creating thousands of jobs and filling the midstream gap.
Avalon will just be the processor, and we believe this is the best approach moving forward, ensuring every company in the value chain’s expertise is used to its fullest extent. Our goal is to build a chemical refinery and empower Canada to be a self-sufficient global player in critical minerals and REEs.
Has the federal government been supportive of Avalon and the critical mineral and REE sector in Canada?
Ottawa recognizes the strategic opportunity that Avalon poses for Canada on a global scale, especially with our REE resources in the Northwest Territories (Nechalacho) being the most significant and accessible deposit of its kind. We have seen firsthand that there has been a strong shift in priorities since Carney’s government has taken over and we are seeing their commitments roll out in real time.
It has been proven that we cannot rely solely on the US anymore and I think under Carney, Canada will emerge as a strong player in the global race for critical minerals.
What does the future look like for Avalon as we move towards building a North American critical mineral supply chain?
Our goal for 2026 is to complete our feasibility studies, starting with LSLi in Thunder Bay and updating our DFS at Nechalacho in the Northwest Territories. We are working to secure public funding commitments from Ontario, Ottawa and Washington to immediately begin development at Nechalacho as the project has completed early site development and is now approaching construction readiness.
What have been some of the key developments at Avalon Advanced Materials over the past couple of years?
From the day I took over the company, we shifted the mindset at Avalon Advanced Materials (Avalon) from being a junior mining company to a national asset builder. Our main assets are Separation Rapids, a lithium JV with SCR-Sibelco, a large Belgian-based mining company, and Nechalacho, an REE project. Nechalacho is one of the most significant REE assets in the world. It contains 16 distinct REEs, and it represents a strategically important source of critical minerals for Canada, North America and G7 allies. We are currently working closely with leading researchers, including partners at the University of Toronto, to advance and validate the cleanest, most efficient processing technologies to ensure Nechalacho sets a new benchmark for responsible, world-class rare earth processing.
Avalon has also purchased a 400-acre industrial-zoned site in Thunder Bay to build a lithium hydroxide refinery, strategically positioned with direct access to Lake Superior and the Trans-Canada Highway. The site also offers the full suite of infrastructure required for efficient, scalable production: established road access, port facilities, existing power transmission, and rail connections to support seamless distribution of finished product. This unique combination of world-class processing potential and robust transportation infrastructure positions Northern Ontario to become a cornerstone of North America’s clean energy supply chain.
With the right policy support and strategic partnerships, we can accelerate construction of the Thunder Bay refinery, secure a stable supply of lithium hydroxide for the growing North American demand and create long-term economic opportunities for communities across the region.
How do you view the ‘One Project, One Process’ initiative?
We believe this is a significant step for the private sector and government working together to improve Ontario’s regulatory system for faster and more efficient development. With the storm of global demand and supply pressures on the horizon, this framework is a strong indication of the leadership Ontario is taking to unlock the full potential of our mineral resources.
What are some of the important factors when choosing a JV partner for your projects?
Money, expertise, and scale are vital when looking to develop a project like Nechalacho or Lake Superior Lithium Inc (LSLi). Support from provincial, federal, and international governments underscores the urgency of the economic and security challenges at stake. Government leadership in providing commitments and funding serves as a vital catalyst, giving investors confidence that these projects are de-risked through public backing.
Our mine alone will cost roughly C$3 billion, and then the refinery will be at least another C$3 billion. Additionally, our lithium hydroxide refinery, LSLi, will cost C$10 billion for all four of its phases, creating thousands of jobs and filling the midstream gap.
Avalon will just be the processor, and we believe this is the best approach moving forward, ensuring every company in the value chain’s expertise is used to its fullest extent. Our goal is to build a chemical refinery and empower Canada to be a self-sufficient global player in critical minerals and REEs.
Has the federal government been supportive of Avalon and the critical mineral and REE sector in Canada?
Ottawa recognizes the strategic opportunity that Avalon poses for Canada on a global scale, especially with our REE resources in the Northwest Territories (Nechalacho) being the most significant and accessible deposit of its kind. We have seen firsthand that there has been a strong shift in priorities since Carney’s government has taken over and we are seeing their commitments roll out in real time.
It has been proven that we cannot rely solely on the US anymore and I think under Carney, Canada will emerge as a strong player in the global race for critical minerals.
What does the future look like for Avalon as we move towards building a North American critical mineral supply chain?
Our goal for 2026 is to complete our feasibility studies, starting with LSLi in Thunder Bay and updating our DFS at Nechalacho in the Northwest Territories. We are working to secure public funding commitments from Ontario, Ottawa and Washington to immediately begin development at Nechalacho as the project has completed early site development and is now approaching construction readiness.
