Focused on rare elements

In the late 1800s, prospectors found large deposits of sulphur near Sudbury in Northern Ontario. Those sulphur deposits also contained an unusual element with no applications at the time - nickel. About 20 years later, material scientists developed stainless steel and the rest is history.

Today, rare metals and minerals, which previously had limited applications, are playing an increasingly important role in modern materials science engineering.

Avalon Ventures remains focused on rare metals and minerals with five active projects in Canada, three of which are at an advanced stage of development.

"Our lead rare metals project is the Thor Lake deposit in the Northwest Territories. The property is unique in its large size, diversity of rare metals and exceptional enrichment in the heavy rare earth elements, such as terbium, dysprosium and gadolinium, which has witnessed growing demand in new electronics and automotive applications," said President and CEO Don Bubar.

"Other rare metals found at Thor Lake include lithium, tantalum, zirconium, gallium and beryllium," he added.

Rare metals have found their way into an increasing number of practical applications, particularly as enablers for new environmentally friendly technologies and in alternative energy.

"With strong demand from Asia creating sustained high metal prices, these are exciting times for the mining industry, especially for emerging commodities such as rare earth elements," said Bubar.

He noted: "Avalon Ventures has positioned itself as a leader in the field of rare metals exploration with considerable potential for creation of shareholder value."

www.avalonventures.com

(China Daily 11/13/2007 page28)