The mineral development industry is a crucial component of modern society, providing the raw materials necessary for a wide range of technological and industrial applications. From smartphones to the renewable energy systems that power homes and businesses, minerals play an essential role in shaping the world. As the demand for these critical resources continues to grow, so does the need for visionary leaders who can navigate the complex landscape of mineral exploration and development.
One such leader is Donald Bubar, a geologist with over 50 years of experience in mineral exploration and development in Canada. As the President and CEO of Avalon Advanced Materials, Donald has been at the forefront of providing a sustainable and environmentally responsible supply of critical minerals, including lithium, cesium, tantalum, rare earth elements, tin, and indium. Under Donald Bubar leadership, Avalon has become a recognized leader in the advanced materials and mineral development industry, with a reputation for excellence in exploration, development, and production activities.
Professional background and Achievements
Donald Bubar has deep expertise and experience in mineral exploration and development. His educational background, with a Bachelor’s degree from McGill University and a Master’s degree from Queen’s University, laid a solid foundation for his career in the mineral industry. Donald Bubar started his career as an exploration geologist exploring for chrysotile asbestos in western Newfoundland while working for a company called Asbestos Corp, based in Thetford Mines, Quebec. After that, he did some exploration work for a few years in the Northwest Territories exploring for Cu-Zn VMS deposits for Kidd Creek Mines Ltd.
Donald Bubar then joined Aur Resources Inc. in 1984 as an Exploration Manager and later VP of Exploration. During his tenure at Aur Resources, Donald Bubar played a significant role in discovering and developing several mineral deposits in Canada, including the Louvicourt copper-zinc deposit in Quebec.
In 1995, Donald joined Avalon as President and CEO, continuing to lead the company’s exploration and development activities. Since then, Avalon has made significant progress in developing critical minerals projects, including the Nechalacho rare earth elements deposit in the Northwest Territories. Donald Bubar’s experience and expertise in mineral exploration have also made him a valuable contributor to the wider mineral industry. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) for nine years and as Chair of its Aboriginal Affairs Committee, advocating for increased Indigenous participation in the industry.
This underscores his commitment to sustainable and responsible mineral development. He has also served on the Advisory Board to the Faculty of Science of McGill University and the Board of Directors of PDAC’s Mining Matters earth science education program, demonstrating his commitment to promoting education and awareness about the mineral industry.
About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
Avalon Advanced Materials is a mineral exploration, and Development Company focused on producing critical minerals essential for modern technologies such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and aerospace applications. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, Avalon’s operations are designed to minimize environmental impact while providing economic benefits to local communities. The company’s flagship project, the Separation Rapids Lithium Project, is one of North America’s largest known lithium deposits. With a team of experienced professionals from various disciplines, Avalon is dedicated to delivering high-quality products and services to its customers while creating long-term value for its shareholders.
Avalon’s Changing Position in the Market
Avalon’s growth was driven by its strategic decision to shift its focus to rare earth elements by acquiring the Nechalacho REE Project in 2005. This move allowed the company to tap into a niche market and meet the growing demand for REEs, which are essential components in manufacturing high-tech products such as smartphones, electric cars, and renewable energy systems. By capitalizing on this opportunity, the company achieved significant growth and established itself as a key player in the industry.
Products and Services
Avalon’s diversified portfolio of high-quality critical metals and minerals consists of lithium, cesium, tantalum, rare earth elements, tin, and indium. The company’s primary objective is to secure a reliable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible supply of critical minerals vital to the clean energy and technology sectors. Avalon offers unique services as it focuses solely on critical minerals supply chains. Avalon is dedicated to producing critical minerals in high-tech products, including electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems, and other advanced technologies.
One of the company’s primary products is lithium, a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles and store renewable energy. Avalon’s flagship project, the Separation Rapids Lithium Project in Ontario, Canada, is a unique deposit rich in petalite. This lithium mineral is particularly well-suited for use in high-strength glass and ceramics and lithium-ion batteries.
Avalon’s other key products include cesium, a rare alkali metal used in a variety of applications, including atomic clocks, medical imaging, and drilling fluids; tantalum, a rare metal used in the production of high-capacity capacitors and other electronic components; rare earth elements, a group of metals essential to a wide range of high-tech applications, including wind turbines, electric vehicles, and smartphones; and tin and indium, two metals used in a variety of electronics and other applications.
The company offers its services through exploration, development, and production activities. It also employs a comprehensive approach to mineral development that includes identifying and acquiring high-quality mineral deposits, conducting detailed exploration activities to determine the extent and quality of the resource, and developing and implementing environmentally responsible mining and processing techniques.
Long-standing Success
Donald Bubar attributes the long-standing success of his company to the early recognition of the potential of critical minerals like lithium and rare earth elements, even before they gained widespread industry recognition. Avalon established itself as a significant player in the supply chain by identifying the increasing demand for these minerals in emerging technologies such as renewable energy and electric vehicles. This enabled Avalon to build strong partnerships and relationships with partners and customers, leading to sustained success over time. Furthermore, the company’s expertise in mineral exploration, development, and production has given it a competitive advantage in the market and solidified its position as a leading company.
Sustainability at Avalon
Sustainability in mineral development is a core focus for Avalon. The company recognizes the importance of adopting leading industry standards for managing health, safety, and the environment. It claims to be committed to transparently engaging with local communities and stakeholders, treating them with respect, and creating a workplace where employees are valued and encouraged to succeed.
By adopting sustainability principles, Avalon reduces risk and creates opportunities, improves its ability to attract and retain quality people, and adds shareholder value through improved economic performance. Furthermore, it gives Avalon a social license to operate, which is crucial in today’s business landscape.
Avalon has also adopted best practices to reduce its environmental footprint, prevent water contamination, and engage with local communities. The company recognizes that many critical raw materials, such as renewable energy sources and energy-efficient automobiles, are vital for clean technology. As a result, the company strategically aligns its corporate foundation with sustainability principles to meet the demands of potential customers, such as producers of clean technology, who demand sustainable supply chains.
Current Projects and Upcoming Initiatives
Under Donald Bubar’s leadership, Avalon is making strides in the rare metals market with its strategic planning and execution. In 2021, the company received approvals to proceed with a 5,000-tonne bulk sample extraction program to recover high-purity petalite mineral products for testing and qualification by the many interested glass and ceramic companies. The growing demand for this product further accelerated with China’s control over traditional petalite supply sources in Zimbabwe, restricting non-Chinese end users.
Furthermore, Avalon continues to explore new lithium pegmatites, particularly on the western extension of the property, where it recently identified the Snowbank petalite pegmatite with high contents of coarse-grained petalite. The company is looking forward to drilling it once the permit is secured.
With the advanced status of the Separation Rapids Project, Avalon is well-positioned to serve both the battery materials and the glass-ceramics market. The company has plans to secure an industrial property in Thunder Bay on the waterfront and secure a strategic investment partner to collaborate on building the lithium refinery. Avalon is confident about securing additional funding from the government and moving the project forward.
Employee Management
Donald Bubar’s approach to building a successful team is rooted in the belief that diversified talent is essential for a company’s success. His team at Avalon comprises experts from various fields, including finance, engineering, geology, and marketing. By having diverse skills and expertise on his team, Donald Bubar ensures that his company comprehensively understands all aspects of its business. This approach enables the company to make better-informed decisions and encourages cross-functional collaboration and innovation. The unique blend of expertise that each team member brings to the table ensures that the company is well-equipped to tackle any challenges it may face.
Donald Bubar’s Take on Entrepreneurship
Donald Bubar’s advice to budding entrepreneurs to focus on innovation is a testament to his success as a mineral exploration and development leader. Innovation is crucial for entrepreneurs as it enables them to create new products, services, or processes that can give them a competitive advantage. By focusing on innovation, entrepreneurs can find unique solutions to existing problems or identify new opportunities others may have overlooked. This approach can lead to the development of groundbreaking ideas that can transform industries and drive business growth.
Donald Bubar’s entrepreneurial journey has been marked by his visionary thinking and innovative ideas, particularly his recognition of the opportunity for lithium supply chains 28 years ago. When the demand for lithium was not as high as it is today, Donald Bubar saw the potential for this critical minerals in emerging technologies and identified it as a key opportunity for development. Donald Bubar still believes it to be one of his major achievements on the professional front.
Quote- “Avalon adopts best practices to reduce its environmental footprint, prevent water contamination, and engage with local Indigenous communities.”
