Toronto, Ontario -(September 30, 2026) – Mining – Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQB: AVLNF) (“Avalon” or the “Company”) and Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology have established a partnership aimed at building the skilled workforce necessary to support the upcoming Lake Superior Lithium refinery and enhance job opportunities throughout Northwestern Ontario.
Through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Lake Superior Lithium and Confederation College will collaborate to investigate and create workforce training, education, and career pathways that align with the skills needed to operate and maintain the proposed lithium refinery.
This collaboration will prioritize creating educational opportunities, training programs, upskilling initiatives, work-integrated learning experiences, employment readiness resources, and career development for a diverse group of learners, especially focusing on Indigenous students and community members.
“Building a skilled, diverse and locally rooted workforce will be an important part of realizing the long-term potential of the Lake Superior Lithium project and the expansion of the critical minerals industry in Northwestern Ontario,” said Scott Monteith, CEO & President of Avalon Advanced Materials.
The partnership will look into curriculum development and programming related to various technical roles that could support the refinery. These roles include industrial electricians, mechanical millwrights, welders, instrumentation and control technicians, electrical engineering technologists, chemical engineering technologists, power engineers, construction boilermakers, process operators, laboratory technicians and health and safety professionals.
“Confederation College is committed to working with industry and communities to create meaningful pathways into the workforce,” said Carol Cline, Associate Vice President for Workforce Development at Confederation College. “This collaboration provides an opportunity to align education and training with emerging workforce needs while helping learners develop the skills experience necessary to pursue rewarding careers in the region.”
This collaboration marks an important step towards linking Northwestern Ontario learners with skills as well as career prospects that may arise from growth in critical minerals and advanced manufacturing sectors in the area.
About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian critical minerals company focused on advancing lithium as well as rare earth elements-two rapidly growing sectors within global energy transition. The Company is developing strategic assets aimed at participating in high-growth markets while supporting secure North American supply chains. Avalon is advancing its Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements and Zirconium Project located in Northwest Territories which contains all light as well as heavy rare earth elements along with zirconium tantalum niobium-critical minerals utilized across communication defense advanced technologies energy sectors. The Company also aims at vertically integrating Ontario’s lithium supply chain by developing Lake Superior Lithium Inc., Ontario’s first midstream lithium hydroxide processing facility situated in Thunder Bay. This facility is expected to play a key role within North America’s integrated battery materials supply chain transforming northern Ontario lithium into essential inputs for transportation grid storage advanced manufacturing.
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Forward-looking information carries known unknown risks uncertainties other factors that might cause actual results level activity performance achievements diverge significantly from those expressed implied through such forward-looking information including risk factors discussed referred annual information form Company dated November 26 2025 (“AIF”) under heading ”Description Business Risk Factors”. Forward-looking data relies upon reasonable assumptions estimates analyses opinions management developed according experience perception trends current conditions expected developments alongside other aspects deemed relevant reasonable circumstances date statements made however could prove incorrect. While Company holds belief assumptions expectations reflected within this forward-looking info appear reasonable undue reliance should not rest upon it due lack assurance accuracy confirmation these anticipations proving correct Despite efforts identify crucial points potentially causing outcomes differ materially content present there might exist additional aspects leading results contrary anticipated estimated intended No guarantees exist regarding this info proving accurate since actual outcomes future occurrences can diverge substantially from projected expectations hence readers advised against placing excessive reliance on such data Firm does not commit updating any forward-looking details except per regulations applicable securities laws.
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