LONDON, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Edison Investment Research, a leading international investment research firm, announces the initiation of coverage of Avalon Rare Metals (NYSE: AVL), a mineral development company focused on developing its Nechalacho project.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130417/608168 )

Edison's comprehensive report, Largest ex-China HREE project, was published today, and examines the investment case for Avalon, the mineral development company.

Highlights from the analysis by Tom Hayes, an analyst on Edison's Mining team, include:

Most advanced non-Chinese heavy rare earth element (HREE) enriched project, Nechalacho in Northwest Territories, Canada.

Planned construction of a separation plant in Louisiana, US, has the potential to vastly reduce western end-user exposure to Chinese dominant supply of HREE.

Avalon has strong relationships with future off-take partners, helped in part by strict adherence to its Corporate Sustainability Report, a key differentiator in the rare earth space.

Avalon Rare Metals is a mineral development company focused on developing its 100%-owned Nechalacho project in the Northwest Territories, Canada. It also has a number of other exploration-stage rare metals projects in North America.

For the full report see: http://www.edisoninvestmentresearch.com/research/company/avalon-rare-metals  

The launch of coverage on Avalon Rare Metals marks a further expansion of Edison's worldwide mining coverage. Edison provides research coverage on more than 110 mining companies across the UK, mainland Europe, North America and Australasia. All reports published by Edison are available to download free of charge from its website http://www.edisongroup.com.

About Edison Investment Research

Edison, the investment intelligence firm, is the future of investor interaction with corporates. Our team of over 100 analysts and investment professionals works with leading companies, fund managers and investment banks worldwide to support its capital markets activity. We provide services to more than 400 retained corporate and investor clients from our offices in London, New York, Berlin, Sydney and Wellington. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/firmBasicDetails.do?sid=181584).

Edison is not an adviser or broker-dealer and does not provide investment advice. Edison's reports are not solicitations to buy or sell any securities.

For more information please contact:

Tom Hayes
Edison Investment Research            
+44-(0)-20-3077-5700
mining@edisongroup.com  

SOURCE Edison Investment Research