Toronto, ON –  Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. ({TSX: AVL} is pleased to report the discovery of a new lithium pegmatite on its 100% owned Separation Rapids Lithium Property near Kenora, Ontario. The new discovery, named the Snowbank Pegmatite, occurs on the Paterson Lake claims acquired by Avalon in 2017, approximately four kilometres northwest of the main Separation Rapids lithium deposit.

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It was discovered in a large outcrop area traceable for over 100 metres along strike (open under overburden at both ends) averaging 6 metres wide. Like the main deposit, the lithium occurs primarily in the ore mineral petalite, which occurs as large crystals up to 15 centimetres in diameter. Individual channel samples have yielded assays of up to 2.51% Li₂O over 1.1 metres, indicating that petalite comprises approximately 50% of the mineral content in the rock sampled.

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The Snowbank Pegmatite was discovered in the course of a summer geological mapping and geochemical sampling program on the Paterson Lake claims, following up on other known petalite pegmatite occurrences in the area. The new discovery illustrates how challenging even coarse grained petalite can be to recognise in the field (due to its similar appearance to common feldspar) and how much potential there may be for more discoveries in the Separation Rapids area to extend the life and production capacity for the new operation planned for the main deposit. Next steps will include a first phase drilling program tentatively planned for winter 2019.

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Following the discovery, a preliminary channel sampling program was carried out, focused on the petalite mineralised areas.  The main Snowbank Pegmatite zone is up to 9 metres wide, but pinches and swells with some sections bifurcating into two to three smaller parallel dykes from 1 to 3 metres in width, for a combined average width of 6 metres, over the 100 metre long exposure. Individual dykes exhibit classic pegmatite zoning features, with an internal assemblage of coarse petalite, potassium feldspar, albite and quartz, flanked by narrow albitic border and wall zones. Three channel samples collected from the petalite mineralised sections of the main Snowbank Pegmatite zone average 1.40% Li₂O, while three other parallel dykes, also sampled, locally host similar mineralization over narrower widths.

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Highlights include lithium values of 1.53% Li₂O over 2.6 metres in channel 1A; 1.61% Li₂O over 2.3 metres in channel 2B; and 1.07% Li₂O over 2.9 metres in channel 4A – comprising six out of 11 analysed samples. The channel samples are all close to right angles to the strike of the pegmatite and thus approximate true widths. The values can be compared with the 0.6% Li₂O cutoff grade and 1.4% Li₂O resource grade at the main Separation Rapids lithium pegmatite deposit. The three channels are distributed over a strike length of just over 30 metres, with spacing averaging about 10 metres, in one discrete pegmatite dyke. Visible petalite is exposed continuously for about 100 metres. Sampling methods and analysis details are included as footnotes to the table below.

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Avalon’s Paterson Lake claims, contiguous with the claims and mining lease hosting the Separation Rapids lithium deposit, host three previously-known pegmatite occurrences: the Glitter, Wolf and Rattler (of which the Glitter is known to contain petalite). These occurrences fall within the same geological structure that hosts Avalon’s main Separation Rapids deposit. The new Snowbank Pegmatite is located two kilometres southeast of the Glitter and four kilometres northwest of Separation Rapids, with potential for more petalite pegmatite discoveries along this minimum six kilometre trend.

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The next steps for advancing Avalon’s knowledge of the Snowbank Pegmatite, along with the nearby Glitter, Wolf and Rattler pegmatite occurrences, are further rock sampling, possibly accompanied by trenching, and finally drilling. Avalon now has multiple drill targets on the western part of the property that would be most easily accessed in winter.

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The Paterson Lake claims are located in the traditional territory of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nation of Whitedog, Ontario. Engagement is ongoing with local Indigenous communities, provincial regulators and municipal government.

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The technical information included in this news release has been reviewed and approved by the Company’s Vice President, Exploration, Dr. William Mercer, P. Geo (Ont), who is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

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About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in niche market metals and minerals with growing demand in new technology. The Company has three advanced stage projects, all 100%-owned, providing investors with exposure to lithium, tin and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum, niobium, and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on its Separation Rapids Lithium Project, Kenora, ON and its East Kemptville Tin-Indium Project, Yarmouth, NS. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

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For questions and feedback, please e-mail the Company atir@AvalonAM.com