Document:

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.: Exhibit 10.1 - Filed by newsfilecorp.com

    

    

    		130 Adelaide St. W., Suite 1901, Toronto, ON M5H 3P5
Tel: (416) 364-4938 Fax: (416) 364-5162
office@AvalonAM.com 
www.AvalonAdvancedMaterials.com
	 	 
	NEWS RELEASE
	March 31, 2021	No. 21-08

    
        Avalon and Fort William First Nation sign Letter of Intent to 
collaborate on development of Thunder Bay lithium refinery

    

    Toronto, ON - Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL and OTCQB: AVLND) ("Avalon") is pleased to announce it has entered into a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with Fort William First Nation ("FWFN") to collaborate on the development of a lithium battery materials refinery located on industrial lands owned by FWFN in Thunder Bay, Ontario. This facility would be designed to accept lithium mineral concentrates from Avalon's Separation Rapids Lithium Project (70 km north of Kenora) and Rock Tech's Georgia Lake Lithium Project (145 km northeast of Thunder Bay), as well as potentially other emerging, new lithium mining operations in northern Ontario, to produce lithium hydroxide and other lithium battery materials. 

    Avalon and FWFN have determined the next steps would be as follows:

    	Identification of a specific location for the refinery on the waterfront with access to transportation infrastructure, hydro-power and natural gas.

    	Conduct the necessary engineering, site preparation and construction design studies to prepare for initiation of refinery construction in 2022, once all necessary permits and authorizations are in place.

    	Finalize the initial design capacity facility of the refinery once firm off-take commitments have been secured from interested battery manufacturers and design the facility to accommodate future expansion as demand for the products increases. The anticipated initial design capacity will be to produce at least 15,000 tonnes per year of lithium hydroxide and/or lithium carbonate as well as lithium sulphate, the precursor chemical for making either the carbonate or hydroxide.

    	Secure the necessary capital required to proceed with construction in 2022.

    Avalon's President and CEO, Don Bubar commented, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to create a new precedent for collaboration with Indigenous Business toward establishing a lithium battery materials supply chain in Northern Ontario. I share FWFN Chief Peter Collins' vision for how this operation can inspire other Indigenous Businesses to become future suppliers of lithium mineral concentrates for the refinery and how FWFN can become the Hub of the North for all First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario."

    Separation Rapids Project Update

    The bulk sampling program on Avalon's 100% owned Separation Rapids lithium deposit announced on February 1, 2021 is progressing well with roughly 80% of the total 5,000 tonne sample having been trucked to Kenora for temporary storage before crushing and shipping for processing. The balance of the 5,000 tonnes is expcted to be trucked to Kenora over the next week, depending on weather conditions. The bulk sample will be used to finalize the process flow sheets for both the lithium hydroxide product and for making petalite product samples for glass-ceramic industry customers that have expressed interest. Near term plans also include resuming exploration work on the western part of the property for other lithium pegmatites including drilling the new Snowbank petalite pegmatite discovered in 2018, that is highly enriched in petalite assaying up to 2.51% Li2O in a 1.1m channel sample.

    

    Corporate Update: Filing of SEC Form 15F

    In its continuing efforts to reduce financial reporting complexity and administrative costs, Avalon will voluntarily file a Form 15F with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") today for the purpose of deregistering and terminating its reporting obligations under Section 13(a) and Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), with respect to its common shares.

    The filing of Form 15F will immediately suspend the Company's reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, and the deregistration will become effective 90 days from today.  The Company's shares will continue to trade on the TSX and the OTCQB.  The Company will continue to comply with its Canadian continuous disclosure obligations by continuing to make filings with the applicable Canadian securities regulators, and which will continue to be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

    The technical information included in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Donald Bubar, P. Geo, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. For questions and feedback, please e-mail Avalon President and CEO, Donald Bubar, at ir@AvalonAM.com.

    About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. 

    Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in sustainably-produced materials for clean technology. The Company now has four advanced stage projects, providing investors with exposure to lithium, tin and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum, cesium and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on developing its Separation Rapids Lithium Project near Kenora, Ontario while looking at several new project opportunities, including re-activating its 100%-owned Lilypad Cesium-Tantalum-Lithium Project in northwestern Ontario. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

    This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the LOI and the development of the lithium battery materials process facility, the next steps in developing this facility, that the balance of the 5,000 tonnes is expcted to be trucked to Kenora over the next week, depending on weather conditions, thatthe bulk sample will be used to finalize the process flow sheets for both the lithium hydroxide product and that near term plans also include resuming exploration work on the western part of the property, the timing of the filing of the Form 15F, and the timing for termination of reporting obligations under the Exchange Act . Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "scheduled", "anticipates", "continues", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "scheduled", "targeted", "planned", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be" or "will not be" taken, reached or result, "will occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Avalon to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. Although Avalon has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to market conditions, and the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses as well as those risk factors set out in the Company's current Annual Information Form, Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure documents available under the Company's profile at www.SEDAR.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such forward-looking statements have been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Avalon does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.Exhibit 4.1

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

Under the Amended and Restated
Articles of Association (the “Articles”) of On Track Innovations Ltd. (the “Company”), the Company is authorized
to issue up to one hundred million (100,000,000) ordinary shares, nominal value NIS 0.10 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”).
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 53,824,377 outstanding Ordinary Shares, 1,178,699 Ordinary Shares that were repurchased by the
Company and are held as dormant shares, and 1,443,333 options to purchase additional Ordinary Shares at a weighted average exercise price
of $0.54 per share. The Ordinary Shares are quoted on the OTCQX® market (“OTCQX”) under the symbol “OTIVF.”

 

The following is a summary
of some of the terms of the Company’s Ordinary Shares, which is the Company’s only class of securities registered under Section
12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This summary is not complete, and is subject to and qualified by the provisions
of the Articles. The terms of the Ordinary Shares are also subject to and qualified by the applicable provisions of the Companies Law,
5759-1999, of the State of Israel (the “Companies Law”). The ownership or voting of Ordinary Shares by non-residents of Israel
is not restricted in any way by the Articles or the laws of the State of Israel, except that nationals of countries which are in a state
of war with Israel might not be recognized as owners of Ordinary Shares.

 

Registered Share Capital

 

Increasing the authorized
share capital of the Company, including Ordinary Shares, must be approved by the Company’s shareholders. Because the approval of
an increase in the Company’s authorized share constitutes an amendment to the Memorandum of Association of the Company, the affirmative
vote of 75% of the Company’s Ordinary Shares voting on the matter is required to approve such resolution.

 

     

     

    

 

Dividend and Liquidation Rights

 

The Company is permitted
to declare a dividend to be paid to the holders of Ordinary Shares, but the Company has never declared a dividend and it does not anticipate
any dividend declaration in the foreseeable future. Dividends may only be paid out of the Company’s profits (“the profit test”),
provided that there is no reasonable concern that payment of a dividend will prevent the Company from satisfying its existing and foreseeable
obligations as they become due (“the solvency test”). Profits, as defined in section 302(b) to the Companies Law, mean surplus
balance or surplus accumulated during the last two years, whichever is higher. Alternatively, an Israeli court is entitled, at the Company’s
request, to approve a dividend distribution, which does not meet the profit test, provided it is convinced that the solvency test is met.
In the event of the Company’s liquidation, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, the Company’s assets will be distributed
to the holders of Ordinary Shares in proportion to the nominal value of their holdings. This right may be affected by the grant of preferential
dividend or distribution rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future by the
Company’s shareholders. Under the Companies Law, the declaration of a dividend does not require the approval of the shareholders
of a company unless the company’s articles of association require otherwise. The Articles provide that the Company’s board
of directors may declare and pay dividends without the approval of its shareholders.

 

Preemptive Rights

 

Under the Companies Law,
shareholders in public companies do not have preemptive rights unless those rights are provided pursuant to a contract. This means that
the Company’s shareholders do not have the legal right to purchase shares in a new issuance before they are offered to third parties.
As a result, the Company’s shareholders could experience dilution of their ownership interest if the Company decides to raise additional
funds by issuing more shares and these shares are purchased by third parties. Pursuant to the share purchase agreement (the “Share
Purchase Agreement”) dated December 23, 2019 by and among the Company, Jerry L. Ivy, Jr. Descendants’ Trust (“Ivy”)
and certain other investors, Ivy has a right to purchase any future equity securities offered by the Company, except with respect to certain
exempt issuances as set forth in the Share Purchase Agreement.

 

Voting, Shareholders’ Meetings and Resolutions

 

Holders of Ordinary Shares
have, for each Ordinary Share held, one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders. These voting rights
may be affected by the grant of any special voting rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized
in the future by the Company’s shareholders. The quorum required for a general meeting of shareholders consists of at least two
shareholders present, in person or by proxy, who hold or represent together at least one third of the Company’s issued and outstanding
Ordinary Shares or, as long as the Company is quoted on OTCQX, such higher percentage as OTCQX may impose on quoted companies from time
to time so long as such higher percentage is in effect. A meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum is generally adjourned to the same day
in the following week at the same time and place. If a quorum is not present within half an hour following the time appointed for the
reconvened meeting, any two shareholders then present, in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum.

 

    2

     

    

 

Under the Companies Law,
unless otherwise provided in the Articles or by applicable law, shareholders’ resolutions require the approval of holders of a simple
majority of our ordinary shares voting, in person or by proxy on the matter. A shareholders’ resolution to amend the Articles requires
the approval of a simple majority of the Company’s shareholders present in person or by proxy.

 

Under the Companies Law, a shareholder has certain duties
of good faith and fairness towards the Company.

 

Election of Directors

 

The Ordinary Shares do not
have cumulative voting rights for the election of directors. Rather, under the Articles the Company’s directors (other than external
directors) are elected at a shareholders meeting by a simple majority of Ordinary Shares for a term of service ending upon the next general
meeting following three years from their election. External directors are elected by a simple majority of Ordinary Shares, which majority
includes at least a majority of the shares held by non-controlling shareholders who do not have a personal interest in the matter (excluding
a personal interest unrelated to the relationship with a controlling shareholder) voted at the meeting, or the total number of shares
held by such non-controlling shareholders who do not have a personal interest voted against the election of the external director does
not exceed two percent of the aggregate voting rights in the Company. As a result, the holders of Ordinary Shares that represent more
than 50% of the voting power represented at a shareholder meeting have the power to elect any or all of the Company’s directors
whose positions are being filled at that meeting, subject to the additional approval requirements for external directors.

 

Modification of Class Rights

 

The rights attached to any
class, such as voting, liquidation and dividend rights, may be amended, following a decision by the Company’s board of directors,
by adoption of a resolution by a simple majority of the shares of that class represented at a separate class meeting.

 

Transfer of Shares and Notices

 

Fully paid Ordinary Shares
are issued in registered form and may be freely transferred under the Articles unless the transfer is restricted or prohibited by Israeli
law, U.S. securities laws or the rules of a stock exchange on which the shares are traded. Under the Companies Law and applicable regulations,
unless otherwise provided in the Articles or by applicable law, shareholders of record are entitled to receive at least 35 or 21 days’
prior notice of meetings of shareholders, based on the matters that are on the agenda.

 

    3

     

    

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions under Israeli Law

 

Tender Offer. A person
wishing to acquire shares of a publicly traded Israeli company and who would, as a result, hold over 90% of the company’s issued
and outstanding share capital or voting rights is required by the Companies Law to make a tender offer to all of the company’s shareholders
for the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the company. A person wishing to acquire shares of a public Israeli company
and who could, as a result, hold over 90% of the issued and outstanding share capital or voting rights of a certain class of shares is
required by the Companies Law to make a tender offer to all of the shareholders who hold shares of the relevant class for the purchase
of all of the issued and outstanding shares of that class. If the shareholders who refuse to sell their shares hold less than 5% of the
issued share capital and voting rights of the company or of the applicable class, all of the shares held by such shareholders that the
acquirer offered to purchase will be transferred to the acquirer by operation of law (provided that a majority of the offerees that do
not have a personal interest in such tender offer shall have approved it, which condition shall not apply if, following consummation of
the tender offer, the acquirer would hold at least 98% of all of the company’s outstanding shares and voting rights (or shares and voting
rights of the relevant class)). However, the shareholders may, at any time within six months following the completion of the tender offer,
petition the court to alter the consideration for the acquisition. Even shareholders who indicated their acceptance of the tender offer
may so petition the court, unless the acquirer stipulated that a shareholder that accepts the offer may not seek appraisal rights. If
the dissenting shareholders hold more than 5% of the issued and outstanding share capital or voting rights of the company or the applicable
class, the acquirer may not acquire additional shares or voting rights of the applicable class from shareholders who accepted the tender
offer, if following such acquisition the acquirer would then own over 90% of the issued and outstanding share capital or voting rights
of the company or the applicable class.

 

The Companies Law provides
that an acquisition of shares of a public company must be made by means of a special tender offer if, as a result of the acquisition,
the purchaser would become a holder of 25% or greater of the voting rights in the company. This rule does not apply if there is already
another holder of 25% or greater of the voting rights in the company. As of the date hereof, the Company is not aware of any single shareholder
which holds 25% or more of the voting rights in the Company. However, pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement, if the Subsequent
Closing (as defined under the Share Purchase Agreement) is consummated, subject to, among other things, the approval of the Company’s
shareholders, Ivy will hold more than 25% of the voting rights in the Company. Similarly, the Companies Law provides that an acquisition
of shares in a public company must be made by means of a special tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become
a holder of more than 45% of the voting rights in the company, if there is no other holder of more than 45% of the voting rights in the
company. The special tender offer must be extended to all shareholders, but the offeror is not required to purchase shares representing
more than 5% of the voting power attached to the company’s outstanding shares, regardless of how many shares are tendered by shareholders.
The special tender offer may be consummated only if (i) at least 5% of the voting power attached to the company’s outstanding shares
will be acquired by the offeror and (ii) the number of shares tendered in the offer exceeds the number of shares whose holders objected
to the offer.

 

Merger. The Companies
Law permits merger transactions if approved by each party’s board of directors and the majority of each party’s shares voted
on the proposed merger at a shareholders’ meeting called on at least 21 days’ prior notice. The Articles provide that merger transactions
may be approved by a simple majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy, at a general meeting of the Company’s shareholders.
Under the Companies Law, in determining whether the required majority has approved the merger, shares held by the other party to the merger,
any person holding at least 25% of the outstanding voting shares or holding at least 25% of the means of appointing directors of the other
party to the merger, or anyone acting on their behalf, including their relatives or companies controlled by them, are excluded from the
vote. If a majority of shareholders of one of the parties do not approve the transaction because the votes of certain shareholders are
excluded from the vote, a court may still approve the merger upon the request of holders of at least 25% of the voting rights of a company,
if the court holds that the merger is fair and reasonable, taking into account the value of the parties to the merger and the consideration
offered to the shareholders. Upon the request of a creditor of either party to the proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the
merger if it concludes that there exists a reasonable concern that, as a result of the merger, the surviving company will be unable to
satisfy the obligations of any of the parties to the merger. In addition, a merger may not be executed unless at least 30 days have passed
from the approval of the companies’ shareholders and at least 50 days have passed from the time that the proposals for approval
of the merger have been filed with the Israeli Registrar of Companies.

 

 

4

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00325-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00325-of-00352.parquet"}]]