www.avalonraremetals.com
Avalon Rare Metals Inc. (TSX & NYSE Amex: AVL) is a mineral exploration and development company focused on rare metals deposits in Canada. Its flagship project, the 100%-owned Nechalacho Deposit, Thor Lake, NWT, is emerging as one of the largest undeveloped rare earth elements resources in the world. Its exceptional enrichment in the more valuable 'heavy' rare earth elements, which are key to enabling advances in green energy technology and other growing high-tech applications, is one of the few potential sources of these critical elements outside of China, currently the source of 95% of world supply. Avalon is well funded, has no debt and its work programs are progressing steadily. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones. Avalon's performance on community engagement in the north earned it the 2010 PDAC Environmental and Social Responsibility Award.
Avalon Rare Metals makes two senior executive appointments
Avalon Rare Metals (TSE:AVL), a mineral exploration and development company focused on rare metals deposits in Canada, said on Wednesday that it has appointed two new senior executives to its management team.
Brian Chandler will be Avalon's new senior vice president and COO as of August 15, with more than 30 years of experience in project development, working in a variety of countries across North America, Europe and Asia.
Most recently, Chandler, who will be based in the company's office in Delta, British Columbia, served as managing director for the African operations of IAMGOLD Corp (TSE:IMG), where he led the establishment of the company's corporate presence in West Africa.
In his new role at Avalon, he will be responsible for managing operations and development projects at the Thor Lake project, and its mineral processing and refining operations.
The Nechalacho Rare Earth Element project is located in Thor Lake, Northwest Territories, and is Avalon's 100% owned flagship project.
The second appointee, Richard Pratt, will come on as general counsel and corporate secretary effective August 1, with over 20 years of experience in the private legal practice.
Since 2008, Pratt served as general counsel for MagIndustries Corp (TSE:MAA), a mineral explorer with assets in the Republic of Congo, which is the subject of a take-over bid by China's Evergreen Industries Group.
At Avalon's Toronto office, Pratt's work will be focused on regulatory and legal affairs relating to the development of the company's Thor Lake project, and other business development work.
President of Avalon, Don Bubar, said: "The addition of these two seasoned mining executives greatly strengthens our management team as the company continues its transition from an exploration and development company to a profitable producer of rare metals and minerals."
