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Corporate Presentation - Avalon Rare Metals

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<strong>Corporate</strong> <strong>Presentation</strong><br />

Don S. Bubar, P.Geo.<br />

President & CEO<br />

October 19, 2009<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF<br />

…Advancing Green Technology<br />

TSX:AVL www.avalonraremetals.com<br />

1


Safe Harbour Statement<br />

Forward looking information<br />

Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this<br />

presentation constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements<br />

reflect the current views of <strong>Avalon</strong> <strong>Rare</strong> <strong>Metals</strong> Inc. with respect to<br />

future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and<br />

assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance<br />

or achievements of <strong>Avalon</strong> <strong>Rare</strong> <strong>Metals</strong> Inc. that may be expressed or<br />

implied by such forward-looking statements to vary from those<br />

described herein should one or more of these risks or uncertainties<br />

materialize. <strong>Avalon</strong> <strong>Rare</strong> <strong>Metals</strong> Inc. does not intend, and does not<br />

assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 2


<strong>Rare</strong> <strong>Metals</strong>: Key to the Green<br />

Energy Economy<br />

<strong>Rare</strong> earth elements (“REE”) such as Neodymium,<br />

Terbium and Dysprosium; & other rare metals such as<br />

Lithium, Gallium, Indium, Tantalum, Zirconium<br />

Creating new materials such as thin films (solar) and high<br />

strength magnets, the key to energy-efficient electric motors<br />

Renewable energy: solar power and wind turbines<br />

LED lighting, rechargeable batteries, light weight alloys<br />

Hybrid and electric cars (30 kg REE)<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 3


Project Locations<br />

<strong>Avalon</strong> offers<br />

diversified<br />

exposure to a<br />

broad range<br />

of rare metals<br />

THOR LAKE<br />

<strong>Rare</strong> Earths<br />

Tantalum<br />

Niobium<br />

Zirconium<br />

Beryllium<br />

Gallium<br />

Lithium<br />

Hafnium<br />

Thorium<br />

All projects 100% owned<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 4


What are <strong>Rare</strong> Earth Elements<br />

Light REE:<br />

La = Lanthanum<br />

Ce = Cerium<br />

Pr = Praseodymium<br />

Nd = Neodymium<br />

Sm = Samarium<br />

Heavy REE:<br />

Eu = Europium<br />

Gd = Gadolinium<br />

Tb = Terbium<br />

Dy = Dysprosium<br />

Ho = Holmium<br />

Er = Erbium<br />

Tm = Thulium<br />

Yb = Ytterbium<br />

Lu = Lutetium<br />

Y = Yttrium<br />

Neodymium, Dysprosium, Terbium and Europium in highest demand<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 5


<strong>Rare</strong> Earth Economics:<br />

A Question of Balance<br />

Only occur altogether as a group and recovered as a group<br />

and must be sequentially separated at additional cost<br />

In most deposits, the balance is tipped toward the light rare<br />

earths (“LREE”) which comprise 97-99% of resource<br />

Deposits having an unusual balance with a high proportion of<br />

heavy rare earths (“HREE”) are very rare<br />

Consequently, HREE are much more valuable<br />

US$450.00/kg for europium vs. US$4.50/kg for cerium<br />

Basal Zone of Nechalacho deposit is exceptional among hard<br />

rock REE deposits for its high proportion of HREE ( >20%)<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 6


<strong>Rare</strong> Earth Element Prices<br />

Source: Metal-Pages.com, October 13, 2009<br />

Prices are indicative and basis FOB China<br />

Metal Oxide Principal Uses Price US$/kg<br />

Lanthanum Oxide 99% min Re-chargeable Batteries 4.40 – 4.90<br />

Cerium Oxide 99% min Catalyst, glass, polishing 3.50 – 4.00<br />

Praseodymium Oxide 99% min Magnets, glass colourant 14.20 – 14.70<br />

Neodymium Oxide 99% min Magnets, lasers, glass 14.70 – 15.20<br />

Samarium Oxide 99% min Magnets, lighting, lasers 4.25 – 4.75<br />

Heavy <strong>Rare</strong> Earths<br />

Europium Oxide 99% min TV colour phosphors: red 470.00 – 490.00<br />

Terbium Oxide 99% min Phosphors: green, magnets 340.00 – 360.00<br />

Dysprosium Oxide 99% min Magnets, lasers 105.00 – 110.00<br />

Gadolinium Oxide 99%min Magnets, superconductors 5.00 – 5.50<br />

Yttrium Oxide 99.999% min Phosphors, ceramics, lasers 10.00 – 10.50<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 7


Price Trends:<br />

Europium & Yttrium Oxide<br />

Source: Metal-Pages.com basis FOB China<br />

Eu Current Price:<br />

US$495/kg<br />

Y Current Price:<br />

US$10.50/kg<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 8


China Dominates REE<br />

Production<br />

China currently produces<br />

over 95% of global REE<br />

supply<br />

China now imposing export<br />

quotas and tariffs on REE<br />

New non-Chinese supply<br />

sources needed to maintain<br />

balance<br />

Supplies of key HREE (Y,<br />

Dy, Tb) will remain tight<br />

Japan totally reliant on China<br />

for supplies<br />

Source: USGS<br />

Question: Is the USA willing to<br />

substitute its reliance on foreign<br />

sources of oil for a reliance on a<br />

single foreign source of REE<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 9


Global <strong>Rare</strong> Earths Market<br />

Demand tpa ‐ REO<br />

IMCOA 2009 updated market forecast<br />

250,000<br />

200,000<br />

150,000<br />

100,000<br />

50,000<br />

0<br />

2004<br />

2005<br />

2006<br />

2007<br />

2008<br />

2009f<br />

2010f<br />

2011f<br />

2012f<br />

2013f<br />

2014f<br />

China Supply ROW Supply Adjusted Global Demand China Demand<br />

ROW = rest of world supply (yet to come on stream)<br />

REO = <strong>Rare</strong> Earth Oxides<br />

Global demand in 2008<br />

124,000 tonnes TREO valued<br />

at US$1.25 billion<br />

Forecast demand in 2014<br />

200,000 tonnes TREO valued<br />

at US$2-3 billion, assuming<br />

10% per annum growth rate in<br />

demand from existing<br />

technology only<br />

Does not factor in demand<br />

from new technology<br />

Estimated that 25% of all new<br />

technologies rely on REE<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 10


Comparison of some Significant<br />

<strong>Rare</strong> Earth Deposits I<br />

Source: IMCOA 2009<br />

Deposit<br />

Resource<br />

(million<br />

tonnes)<br />

Grade<br />

(% TREO)<br />

TREO<br />

(million<br />

tonnes)<br />

HREE<br />

Content<br />

(% TREO)<br />

Cut-off Grade<br />

Bayan Obo, China 1,460 3.9% 56 2% n/a<br />

Kvanefjeld, Greenland 215 1.0% 2.6 14% 0.015% U 3<br />

O 8<br />

Mountain Pass, USA 20 9.2% 1.8 1% 5% REO<br />

Nechalacho, Canada 65 2.1% 1.3 20% 1.6% REO<br />

Mt Weld, Australia 12 9.7% 1.2 3% 2.5% REO<br />

Nolans, Australia 30 2.8% 0.9 4% 1.2% REO<br />

Dong Pao, Vietnam 11 6.9% 0.8 n/a 6.9% REO<br />

Bear Lodge, USA 9 4.1% 0.4 n/a 1.5% REO<br />

Hoidas Lake, Canada 1.5 2.6% 0.04 7% 1.5% REO<br />

Note: each company publishes their resources/reserves differently to comply with local rules; accordingly, these figures need to be reviewed with care as they do not<br />

necessarily make allowances for the varying recovering associated with each reserve/resource.<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 11


Comparison of some Significant<br />

<strong>Rare</strong> Earth Deposits II<br />

Source: IMCOA 2009<br />

n/a<br />

n/a<br />

*Not shown on chart for scaling purposes<br />

Note: each company publishes their resources/reserves differently to comply with local rules; accordingly, these figures need to be reviewed with care as<br />

they do not necessarily make allowances for the varying recovering associated with each reserve/resource.<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 12


Recent Developments in REE<br />

Markets<br />

Chinese interests trying to acquire REE resources outside<br />

China in Australia (and elsewhere)<br />

China Non-Ferrous Mining blocked from acquiring 51% interest<br />

in Lynas Corporation by FIRB (Mount Weld)<br />

East China Exploration acquires 25% interest in Arafura<br />

Resources (Nolan’s Bore)<br />

Chevron sells Molycorp (Mountain Pass Mine) to U.S. private<br />

equity led by Resource Capital Funds and Goldman Sachs<br />

China announces further reductions in REE export quotas and<br />

announces a potential ban on future exports of unprocessed<br />

HREE: notably dysprosium and terbium<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 13


Key Application of REE:<br />

Magnets for Electric Motors<br />

REE (Neo) Magnets reduce electric motor/generator size<br />

and weight, improve efficiency<br />

Major new applications include:<br />

Industrial air conditioners (500 kg)<br />

Hybrid-electric cars (30 kg)<br />

Wind turbines (0.75-1.0 t/Mw)<br />

MRI machines (1-3 tonnes)<br />

Use of REE magnets in air conditioners can reduce<br />

power consumption by 50% with same performance<br />

HREE dysprosium is key to making “heat resistant”<br />

magnets vital to automotive and other applications<br />

100 Kw generator<br />

with neo magnets<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 14


REE Magnets in Automotive<br />

Technology<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 15


Thor Lake: Project Location<br />

Proximity to<br />

Great Slave<br />

Lake provides<br />

access to<br />

railhead at<br />

Hay River by<br />

barge in<br />

summer and<br />

ice road in<br />

winter. Current<br />

access is flyin.<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 16


Thor Lake: Mineral Tenure<br />

Blachford<br />

Lake<br />

Lease 3178<br />

(Lot 1001)<br />

Lease 3179<br />

(Lot 1000)<br />

Grace<br />

Lake<br />

T Zone<br />

Acquired in 2005 for 2.5 million shares<br />

Previously explored in 1980’s by Highwood<br />

Five 21-year renewable mining<br />

leases covering 10,500 acres<br />

Lease 3265<br />

(Lot 1005)<br />

New<br />

Claims<br />

Road<br />

Thor<br />

Lake Lease 3266<br />

Lake (Lot 1006)<br />

Zone<br />

(Now called “Nechalacho”)<br />

Lease 3267<br />

(Lot 1007)<br />

Hearne Channel<br />

<br />

kilometres<br />

100% owned, subject to 5.5%<br />

NSR-type royalty interests<br />

LAND STATUS MAP<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 17


Nechalacho REE Deposit:<br />

Current Work Program<br />

2007: Scoping study and $16 million financing<br />

2008: Delineation drilling programs 16,640 metres, 85 holes<br />

2009: Definition drilling 10,000 metres, 45 holes (in progress)<br />

Metallurgical, environmental and market studies<br />

New 43-101 resource estimate in January 2009<br />

Accumulating data required to complete PFS by Spring 2010<br />

2009: $4-5 million budget<br />

Updated resource<br />

Metallurgical process<br />

flowsheet defined<br />

Community engagement<br />

$17.5 million financing<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 18


Nechalacho REE deposit: Drill<br />

Hole Location Map<br />

E-W<br />

Section Line<br />

Key<br />

Area<br />

156<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 19


Nechalacho REE Deposit<br />

E-W Composite Section<br />

(looking north, no vertical exaggeration)<br />

114<br />

132 131 63 62 113 53<br />

250m<br />

97 56A 80-12 118<br />

Upper LREE Zone<br />

Basal HREE Zone<br />

Typically 20m thick, +2% TREO, 20% HREE<br />

1500m<br />

Drill Hole with<br />

Basal Zone<br />

Intercept<br />

Hole 118: 2.71% TREO with 34% HREO<br />

over 17.4 metres<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 20


Nechalacho 43-101 Resources<br />

Inferred REE resources at 1.60% TREO cut-off-grade<br />

initially prepared by Wardrop Engineering, updated by<br />

Hudgtec and reviewed by SWRPA in August<br />

Total Inferred Resources (Upper and Basal Zones):<br />

64.2 million tonnes at 1.96% TREO (16.8% HREO)<br />

Basal Zone Only:<br />

44.3 million tonnes Inferred at 1.96% TREO (21% HREO)<br />

4.4 million tonnes Indicated at 1.96% TREO (25.4% HREO)<br />

2.2 million tonnes Indicated at 2.14% TREO (20% HREO)<br />

Note: Defining Indicated Resources is a function of drill hole spacing being<br />

reduced to an average of 50 metres. TREO = total rare earth oxides,<br />

HREO = heavy rare earth oxides (europium to lutetium + yttrium)<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 21


South Part of Nechalacho:<br />

Indicated REE Resources<br />

Wardrop 2.2 MT Indicated<br />

Resource (2.14% TREO,<br />

20% HREO)<br />

Cross section<br />

Area of current in-fill<br />

drilling<br />

New 4.4 MT Indicated<br />

Resource (1.96% TREO,<br />

25.4% HREO)<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 22


REE Distribution in the Basal<br />

Zone Ore Compared with Other<br />

REE Deposits<br />

100%<br />

90%<br />

80%<br />

70%<br />

60%<br />

50%<br />

40%<br />

30%<br />

20%<br />

10%<br />

0%<br />

Mt Pass Baotou SichuanMtWeld NolansThorLake<br />

Value 9.9 11.4 10.5 13.6 14.2 22.1 US$/kg<br />

Based on fall, 2008 prices from metal-pages.com and criteria defined by Arafura Resources Limited<br />

SEGYT<br />

SmEuGdYTb<br />

Nd,Pr, Dy<br />

Ce,La<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 23


Nechalacho REE Deposit<br />

Conceptual Mine Plan<br />

Mine Portal<br />

Vent<br />

Barren Rock Dump<br />

Long Lake<br />

Tailings Pond<br />

Underground Mining<br />

Upper Zone<br />

Tailings Storage<br />

Basal Zone<br />

Initial mine production rate: 1,000-2,000 t/day of ore through the mill.<br />

To produce approx. 5,000-10,000 tpy TREO in chemical concentrates…<br />

equivalent to just 2-5% of est. 2014 market (5-10% of HREO demand).<br />

Current forecast on operating costs: $200/tonne (mining & processing)<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 24


20μm<br />

Zircon<br />

Basal Zone HREE Mineralization<br />

in Zircon and Fergusonite:<br />

Metallurgical Recovery Process<br />

Fergusonite<br />

REE distribution in fergusonite:<br />

82-85% REE Recovery in on-site plant<br />

Fine-grinding (40 micron)<br />

Froth Flotation<br />

Hydrometallurgical plant located off-site<br />

Caustic cracking of REE con followed by<br />

acid leaching (HCl or H2SO4) will put<br />

90% of REE plus Zr and Nb into solution<br />

Solvent extraction then precipitation of<br />

two mixed REE carbonates (one mainly<br />

LREE, second mainly HREE)<br />

Separation of REE oxides (Japan)<br />

REE Y La Ce Pr Nd Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu<br />

Oxide % 29.0 0.30 4.40 1.70 15.6 10.4 1.60 14.3 1.80 9.80 1.20 4.10 0.70 4.40 0.70<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 25


Thor Lake Project:<br />

Technical Consultants<br />

David Trueman, Ph.D., P.Geo, <strong>Rare</strong> <strong>Metals</strong> Geologist<br />

Chris Pedersen, P.Geo, <strong>Rare</strong> <strong>Metals</strong> Geologist<br />

Bruce Hudgins, P.Geo. Resource database management<br />

John Goode, P.Eng. Metallurgical Consultant<br />

SGS Lakefield Research, Metallurgy & Mineralogy<br />

Scott Wilson RPA Inc., Pre-Feasibility Study Independent Consultants<br />

Wardrop Engineering, Independent resource consultants<br />

Jacques Whitford Stantec, Permitting, Environmental Studies<br />

Dudley Kingsnorth, IMCOA, REE Market Studies<br />

Kaz Machida, KAY Investment, REE Market Dev. Asia<br />

McGill University, Geological Research<br />

Community, Environment, Health and Safety Advisory Committee:<br />

Chief Glenn Nolan, Denis Kemp, Jean Cinq-Mars (Chair: Bill Mercer)<br />

TSX.AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 26


Nechalacho REE Deposit:<br />

Development Timeline<br />

VALUE<br />

2005: $700,000<br />

• Acquisition<br />

• Compilation<br />

2013: $300-400 million<br />

2007-2008: $7.5 million<br />

• Production<br />

• Delineation drilling<br />

• Metallurgical studies<br />

2010-2012: $20-30 million<br />

• Preliminary engineering<br />

• Bulk sample & feasibility<br />

• Environmental studies<br />

• Permitting & MOU<br />

• Off-take arrangements<br />

2006 - 2007: $750,000<br />

• Mine development<br />

• Scoping study<br />

2009-2010: $4-5 million<br />

• Definition drilling<br />

• Metallurgy & market studies<br />

• Pre-feasibility study<br />

• Environmental studies<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 27


Capital Structure<br />

as at October 14, 2009<br />

Canada - TSX: AVL<br />

United States - OTCQX: AVARF SEC 12g3-2(b) # 82-4427<br />

Shares Outstanding 78,404,448<br />

Fully Diluted 86,983,698<br />

Market Capitalization C $274 million (S/O @ $3.50)<br />

Recent Price Range C $3.00 - $3.80<br />

52 Week High / Low C $4.24 - $0.30<br />

Cash Reserves<br />

C $20.0 million<br />

Insider Share Position 4.0 million shares (5.0%)<br />

Institutional holdings (25%) CPP, TDAM, Front St., Excalibur, NatCan, MFC<br />

Faircourt, Cantara, Seamans, Fuchs Global<br />

Balance Sheet Assets C $26.5 million (Aug. 31/09)<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 28


Five Year Price Chart<br />

Thor Lake<br />

Acquisition<br />

Recognition of<br />

Lake Zone HREE<br />

Scoping Study<br />

The Dines Letter<br />

Mkt. Meltdown<br />

$1.55 Financing<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 29


Key Value Drivers<br />

Thor Lake (Nechalacho) a globally strategic REE resource<br />

Very large size, geologically-unique deposit<br />

Exceptional enrichment in scarce HREE and could become the<br />

dominant global supply source<br />

Located in a politically-stable jurisdiction<br />

Potentially highly profitable<br />

Ore value >2x operating costs just for REE<br />

Potential by-product credits (gallium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium)<br />

Relatively small initial capital requirements<br />

Interest from customers as potential strategic partners<br />

Growing recognition in the marketplace of importance of REE<br />

Coverage from industry analysts & media commentators<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 30


Management, Directors<br />

& Strategic Advisors<br />

Management<br />

Donald S. Bubar, P.Geo,<br />

President, CEO & Director<br />

Jim Andersen, C.A., C.P.A.,<br />

V.P. Finance & CFO<br />

Bill Mercer, Ph.D., P.Geo.,<br />

V.P. Exploration<br />

Ian M. London, P. Eng., MBA.,<br />

V.P. Market Development<br />

David Swisher, B.Sc.,<br />

V.P. Operations<br />

Cindy Hu, CA, CPA, CGA, Controller<br />

Virginia Morgan, B.Com,<br />

Manager, Investor Relations<br />

Directors<br />

Alan Ferry, CFA<br />

Non-Executive Chairman<br />

Brian D. MacEachen, C.A.<br />

Audit Committee Chair<br />

Joseph Monteith<br />

Peter McCarter, B.A., LL.B., M.B.A.<br />

Phil Fontaine, B.A., LL.D.<br />

Strategic Advisors<br />

F. Dale Corman, P.Eng.<br />

Gerald Prosalendis, Communications<br />

David Connelly, Community Relations<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 31


Good Practice = Good Business<br />

Reducing the risk of delays in receiving operating<br />

permits by:<br />

Operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner<br />

Implementing a proactive community engagement philosophy to<br />

secure local community support for project development<br />

Leveraging the role of REE in new technology related to the<br />

Green Energy Economy to attract a broader range of investors<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 32


<strong>Corporate</strong> Information<br />

<strong>Avalon</strong> <strong>Rare</strong> <strong>Metals</strong> Inc.<br />

130 Adelaide St. W, Suite 1902<br />

Toronto, ON Canada M5H 3P5<br />

T: (416) 364-4938 ۰ F: (416) 364-5162<br />

www.avalonraremetals.com<br />

www.raremetalblog.com<br />

office@avalonraremetals.com<br />

Investor Relations:<br />

Pro-Edge Consultants, Toronto<br />

tracy@avalonraremetals.com<br />

TSX:AVL<br />

OTCQX:AVARF www.avalonraremetals.com 33

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