ALMADEN MINERALS LTD [AAU] Filings

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

OR

OR

OR

Date of event requiring this shell company report

For the transition period from _____________________ to ____________________

Commission file number 001-32702

ALMADEN MINERALS LTD.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

British Columbia A1, Canada

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

1333 Johnston Street, #210, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3R9

(Address of principal executive offices)

Korm Trieu, ktrieu@almadenminerals.com, 1333 Johnston Street, #210, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

None

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common shares as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

137,221,408

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

☐ Yes ☒ No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

☐ Yes ☒ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

☒ Yes ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files).

☒ Yes ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

☐ Item 17 ☐ Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

☐ Yes ☒ No

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

☐ Yes ☐ No

Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the "JOBS Act"), Almaden is classified as an "Emerging Growth Company". The Company will continue to be deemed an emerging growth company until the earliest on the last day of our fiscal year during which (i) annual gross revenue exceeds $1.07 billion or (ii) the Company issues more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt in a three-year period. Almaden will lose its status as an emerging growth company on the last day of its fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement. The Company will also lose its status as an emerging growth company if at any time it is deemed to be a large accelerated filer.

As an emerging growth company, Almaden is exempt from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), which requires a public company’s auditor to attest to, and report on, management’s assessment of its internal controls. The Company is also exempt from Sections 14A(a) and (b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which require companies to hold shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation and golden parachute compensation.

Almaden has elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards under Section 102(b)(2) of the Jobs Act, that allows the Company to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As a result of this election, Almaden’s financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Glossary of Geologic and Mining Terms

Adularia: A colourless, moderate to low-temperature variety of orthoclase feldspar typically with a relatively high barium content. It is a prominent constituent of low sulphidation epithermal veins.

Alkalic Intrusive: An igneous rock emplaced below ground level in which the feldspar is dominantly sodic and or potassic.

Alkalinity: The chemical nature of solutions characterized by a high concentration of hydroxyl ions.

Alteration: Usually referring to chemical reactions in a rock mass resulting from the passage of hydrothermal fluids.

Andesite: A dark-coloured, fine-grained extrusive rock that, when porphyritic, contains phenocrysts composed primarily of zoned sodic plagioclase (esp. andesine) and one or more of the mafic minerals (eg. Biotite, horn-blende, pyroxene), with a ground-mass composed generally of the same minerals as the phenocrysts; the extrusive equivalent of diorite. Andesite grades into latite with increasing alkali feldspar content, and into dacite with more alkali feldspar and quartz. It was named by Buch in 1826 from the Andes Mountains, South America.

Anomalous: A geological feature, often subsurface, distinguished by geological, geochemical or geophysical means, which is detectably different than the general surroundings and is often of potential economic value.

Anomaly: Any concentration of metal noticeably above or below the average background concentration.

Argillic: A form of alteration characterized by the alteration of original minerals to clays.

Arsenopyrite: A sulphide of arsenic and iron with the chemical composition FeAsS.

Assay: An analysis to determine the presence, absence or quantity of one or more components.

Axis: An imaginary hinge line about which the fold limbs are bent. The axis of a fold can be at the top or bottom of the fold, can be tilted or horizontal.

Batholith: An intrusion, usually granitic, which has a large exposed surface area and no observable bottom. Usually associated with orogenic belts.

Breccia: Rock consisting of more or less angular fragments in a matrix of finer-grained material or cementing material.

Brecciated: Rock broken up by geological forces.

Bulk sample: A very large sample, the kind of sample to take from broken rock or of gravels and sands when testing placer deposits.

Calc-silicate: Calcium-bearing silicate minerals. These minerals are commonly formed as a result of the interaction of molten rock and its derived, hot hydrothermal fluids with very chemically reactive calcium carbonate (limestone). Calc-silicate minerals include garnet, pyroxene, amphibole and epidote. These minerals are commonly described as skarn and are genetically and spatially associated with a wide range of metals.

Chert: A very fine grained siliceous rock. Many limestones contain nodules and thin lenses of chert.

Chip sample: A sample composed of discontinuous chips taken along a surface across a given line.

Claim: That portion of public mineral lands, which a party has staked or marked out in accordance with provincial or state mining laws, to acquire the right to explore for the minerals under the surface.

Clastic: Consisting of rock material that has been mechanically derived, transported, and deposited. Such material is also called detrital.

Cleavage: The tendency of a crystal to split, or break, along planes of structural weakness.

Concordant Bodies: Intrusive igneous bodies whose contacts are parallel to the bedding of the intruded rock.

Conglomerate: Rock composed of mostly rounded fragments which are of gravel size or larger in a finer grained matrix.

Craton: A central stable region common to nearly all continents and composed chiefly of highly metamorphosed Precambrian rocks.

Cretaceous: Geological time period between 136 and 64 million years ago.

Crystalline: Means the specimen is made up of one or more groups of crystals.

Cut-off grade: The minimum grade of mineralization used to establish quantitative and qualitative estimates of total mineralization.

Dacite: A fine grained acid volcanic rock, similar to rhyolite in which the feldspar is predominantly plagioclase.

Degradation: The ongoing process of erosion in a stream.

Diagenesis: The changes that occur in a sediment during and after lithification. These changes include compaction, cementation, replacement, and recrystallization.

Diamond drill: A type of rotary drill in which the cutting is done by abrasion using diamonds embedded in a matrix rather than by percussion. The drill cuts a core of rock which is recovered in long cylindrical sections.

Dilution: Results from the mixing in of unwanted gangue or waste rock with the ore during mining.

Dip: Geological measurement of the angle of maximum slope of planar elements in rocks. Can be applied to beddings, jointing, fault planes, etc.

Discordant Bodies: Intrusive igneous bodies whose contacts cut across the bedding, or other pre-existing structures, to the intruded rock.

Disseminated deposit: Deposit in which the mineralization is scattered through a large volume of host rock, sometimes as separate mineral grains, or sometimes along joint or fault surfaces.

Dyke: A tabular, discordant, intrusive igneous body.

Earn in: The right to acquire an interest in a property pursuant to an Option Agreement.

Ejecta: Pyroclastic material thrown out or ejected by a volcano. It includes ash, volcanic bombs, and lapilli.

Epithermal: Epithermal deposits are a class of ore deposits that form generally less than 1 km from surface. These deposits, which can host economic quantities of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc are formed as a result of the precipitation of ore minerals from up-welling hydrothermal fluids. There are several classes of epithermal deposits that are defined on the basis of fluid chemistry and resulting alteration and ore mineralogy. Fluid chemistry is largely controlled by the proximity to igneous intrusive rocks and as a result igneous fluid content.

Extrusive Rock: Igneous rock that has solidified on the earth’s surface from volcanic action.

Fault: A fracture in a rock where there had been displacement of the two sides.

Faults: Breaks in rocks with noticeable movement or displacement of the rocks on either side of the break.

Feldspar: A group of aluminum silicate minerals closely related in chemical composition and physical properties. There are two major chemical varieties of feldspar: the potassium aluminum, or potash, feldspars and the sodium-calcium-aluminum, or plagioclase, feldspars. The feldspars possess a tetrahedral framework of silicon and oxygen, with the partial substitution of aluminum for the silicon. They make up about 60 percent of the earth’s crust.

Felsic: Light colored silicate minerals, mainly quartz and feldspar, or an igneous rock comprised largely of felsic minerals (granite, rhyolite).

Fluid inclusion: Fluid inclusions are "bubbles" of fluid trapped within the host mineral during its deposition from its parent hydrothermal fluid. They are tiny remnants of the exact fluid from which the host mineral and its associated ore minerals deposited and they provide direct information about the fluid composition, temperature and pressure at which the hydrothermal deposit formed.

Folds: Are flexures in bedded or layered rocks. They are formed when forces are applied gradually to rocks over a long period of time.

Fracture: Breaks in a rock, usually due to intensive folding or faulting.

Gangue: Term used to describe worthless minerals or rock waste mixed in with the valuable minerals.

Geochemical Anomaly: An area of elevated values of a particular element in soil or rock samples collected during the preliminary reconnaissance search for locating favourable metal concentrations that could indicate the presence of surface or drill targets.

Geochemistry: The study of the chemistry of rocks, minerals, and mineral deposits.

Geophysics: The study of the physical properties of rocks, minerals, and mineral deposits.

Gouge: The finely ground rock that results from the abrasion along a fault surface.

Grade: The concentration of each ore metal in a rock sample, usually given as weight percent. Where extremely low concentrations are involved, the concentration may be given in grams per tonne (g/t) or ounces per ton (oz/t). The grade of an ore deposit is calculated, often using sophisticated statistical procedures, as an average of the grades of a very large number of samples collected from throughout the deposit.

Granite: A coarse grained, plutonic igneous rock that is normally pale pink, pale pink-brown, or pale grey, and composed of quartz, alkali feldspar, micas and accessory minerals.

Granodiorite: A course grained, plutonic igneous rock that is normally pale grey, and composed of quartz, calc-alkali feldspar, micas and accessory minerals.

Grid: A network composed of two sets of uniformly spaced parallel lines, usually intersecting at right angles and forming squares, superimposed on a map, chart, or aerial photograph, to permit identification of ground locations by means of a system or coordinates and to facilitate computation of direction and distance and size of geologic, geochemical or geophysical features.

Hectare: A square of 100 meters on each side.

Host rock: The rock within which the ore deposit occurs.

Hydrothermal: Of or pertaining to hot water, to the action of hot water, or to the products of this action, such as a mineral deposit precipitated from a hot aqueous solution; also, said of the solution itself. “Hydrothermal” is generally used for any hot water, but has been restricted by some to water of magmatic origin.

Igneous: Means a rock formed by the cooling of molten silicate material.

Induced polarization (I.P.) method: The method used to measure various electrical responses to the passage of alternating currents of different frequencies through near-surface rocks or to the passage of pulses of electricity.

Intermediate: An igneous rock made up of both felsic and mafic minerals (diorite).

Intrusion: General term for a body of igneous rock formed below the surface.

Intrusive Rock: Any igneous rock solidified from magma beneath the earth’s surface.

Joint venture agreement: An agreement where the parties agree to the terms on which a property will be jointly explored, developed, and mined. (See also “Option agreement” and “Earn in”).

Jurassic: Geological time period between 195 and 136 million years ago.

Kriging: (a) A statistical technique employed in calculating grade and tonnage of ore reserves from sampling data. The data are handled by computer. (b) A technique for interpolating which honors data points exactly. An output point is calculated as a linear combination of known data points. Kriging attempts to produce the best linear unbiased estimate. Used to interpolate between drill holes.

K-silicate: Potassium-bearing silicates. Potassium silicates are very common rock-forming minerals, however they are also formed by the interaction of hydrothermal fluids derived from the cooling intrusive rocks that are genetically and spatially associated with porphyry and epithermal deposits. Potassium feldspar (orthoclase) and potassium mica (biotite) are both commonly closely associated with copper-molybdenum ore in porphyry copper deposits.

K-spar: Potassium feldspar.

Lava: Means an igneous rock formed by the cooling of molten silicate material which escapes to the earth’s surface or pours out onto the sea floor.

Limestone: Sedimentary rock that is composed mostly of carbonates, the two most common of which are calcium and magnesium carbonates.

Lithosphere: The crust and upper mantle, located above the asthenosphere and composing the rigid plates.

Mafic: A general term used to describe ferromagnesian minerals. Rocks composed mainly of ferromagnesian minerals are correctly termed melanocratic.

Magma: Naturally occurring molten rock material, generated within the earth and capable of intrusion and extrusion, from which igneous rocks have been derived through solidification and related processes. It may or may not contain suspended solids (such as crystals and rock fragments) and/or gas phases.

Massive: Implies large mass. Applied in the context of hand specimens of, for example, sulphide ores, it usually means the specimen is composed essentially of sulphides with few, if any, other constituents.

Metamorphic: Means any rock which is altered within the earth’s crust by the effects of heat and/or pressure and/or chemical reactions. Pertains to the process of metamorphism or to its results.

Metasediment: A sediment or sedimentary rock that shows evidence of having been subjected to metamorphism.

Metavolcanic: An informal term for volcanic rocks that show evidence of having been subject to metamorphism.

Mineral claim: A legal entitlement to minerals in a certain defined area of ground.

Mineral Deposit or Mineralized Material: A mineralized underground body which has been intersected by sufficient closely spaced drill holes and/or underground sampling to support sufficient tonnage and average grade of metal(s) to warrant further exploration-development work. This deposit does not qualify as a commercially mineable ore body (Reserves), as prescribed under Commission standards, until a final and comprehensive economic, technical, and legal feasibility study based upon the test results is concluded.

Mineral: A naturally occurring, inorganic, solid element or compound that possesses an orderly internal arrangement of atoms and a unique set of physical and chemical properties.

Mineralization: Usually implies minerals of value occurring in rocks.

Net profits interest: A contractual granted right to some portion of the profits after deduction of expenses sometimes expressed as a form of royalty.

Net smelter returns: Means the amount actually paid to the mine or mill owner from the sale of ore, minerals and other materials or concentrates mined and removed from mineral properties. A royalty based on net smelter returns usually provides cash flow that is free of any operating or capital costs and environmental liabilities.

Option agreement: An agreement where the optionee can exercise certain options to acquire or increase an interest in a property by making periodic payments or share issuances or both to the optionor or by exploring, developing or producing from the optionor’s property or both. Usually upon the acquisition of such interest, unless it is a 100% interest, all operations thereafter are on a joint venture basis.

Ordinary kriging: The basic technique of kriging and uses a weighted average of neighboring samples to estimate the 'unknown' value at a given location. Weights are optimized using the semi-variogram model, the location of the samples and all the relevant inter-relationships between known and unknown values. The technique also provides a "standard error" which may be used to quantify confidence levels.

Ore: A natural aggregate of one or more minerals which may be mined and sold at a profit, or from which some part may be profitably separated.

Ore reserve: The measured quantity and grade of all or part of a mineralized body in a mine or undeveloped mineral deposit for which the mineralization is sufficiently defined and measured on three sides to form the basis of at least a preliminary mine production plan for economically viable mining.

Orogeny: The process of forming mountains by folding and thrusting.

Outcrop: An in situ exposure of bedrock.

Overburden: A general term for any material covering or obscuring rocks from view.

oz/t or opt: Ounces per ton.

Paleozoic: An era of geologic time, from the end of the Precambrian to the beginning of the Mesozoic, or from about 570 to about 225 million years ago.

Phenocrysts: An unusually large crystal in a relatively finer grained matrix.

Pluton: Term for an igneous intrusion, usually formed from magma.

Porphyry: An igneous rock composed of larger crystals set within a finer ground mass.

Pyroclastic rock: A rock of volcanic origin consisting of highly variable mixture of rock fragments, cinders and ashes and bits of crystals and glass.

Quartz monzonite: A course grained, plutonic igneous rock that is normally pale pink, and composed of quartz, alkali feldspar, micas and accessory minerals.

Rare Earth: A group of rare metallic chemical elements with consecutive atomic numbers of 57 to 71.

Reclamation bond: A bond usually required by governmental mining regulations when mechanized work on a property is contemplated. Proceeds of the bond are used to reclaim any workings or put right any damage if reclamation undertaken does not satisfy the requirements of the regulations.

Reserve: That part of a mineral deposit which could be economically extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination.

Reserves: A natural aggregate of one or more minerals which, at a specified time and place, may be mined and sold at a profit, or from which some part may be profitably separated.

Reverse circulation drill: A rotary percussion drill in which the drilling mud and cuttings return to the surface through the drill pipe.

Rhyolite: The fine grained equivalent of granite.

Royalty interest: A royalty, the calculation and payment of which is tied to some production unit such as ton of concentrate or ounce of gold or silver produced. A common form of royalty interest is based on the net smelter return.

Sample: Small amount of material that is supposed to be absolutely typical or representative of the object being sampled.

Sandstone: Composed of sand-sized fragments cemented together. As a rule the fragments contain a high percentage of quartz.

Sedimentary: A rock formed from cemented or compacted sediments.

Sediments: Are composed of the debris resulting from the weathering and breakup of other rocks that have been deposited by or carried to the oceans by rivers, or left over from glacial erosion or sometimes from wind action.

Selvage: A marginal zone, as in a dyke or vein, having some distinctive feature of fabric or composition.

Sericite: A fine-grained variety of mica occurring in small scales, especially in schists.

Shale: An argillaceous rock consisting of silt or clay-sized particles cemented together. Most shales are quite soft, because they contain large amounts of clay minerals.

Silicate: Most rocks are made up of a small number of silicate minerals ranging from quartz (SiO2) to more complex minerals such as orthoclase feldspar (KAlSi3O8) or hornblende (Ca2Na(Mg,Fe)4(Al,Fe,Ti)Si8)22(OH)2).

Sill: Tabular intrusion which is sandwiched between layers in the host rock.

Skarn: A thermally altered impure limestone in which material has been added to the original rock. Skarns are generally characterized by the presence of calcium and silica rich minerals. Many skarns contain sulphide minerals which in some cases can be of economic value.

Stock: An igneous intrusive body of unknown depth with a surface exposure of less than 104 square kilometres. The sides, or contacts, of a stock, like those of a batholith, are usually steep and broaden with depth.

Stockwork: A mineral deposit consisting of a three-dimensional network of closely spaced planar or irregular veinlets.

Strike: The bearing, or magnetic compass direction, of an imaginary line formed by the intersection of a horizontal plane with any planar surface, most commonly with bedding planes or foliation planes in rocks.

Sulphide minerals: A mineral compound characterized by the linkage of sulfur with a metal or semimetal; e.g., galena.

Syncline: A fold in which the bed has been forced down in the middle or up on the sides to form a trough.

Tailings: Material rejected from a mill after recoverable valuable minerals have been extracted.

Tailings pond: A pond where tailings are disposed of.

Tonne: Metric ton – 1,000 kilograms – equivalent to 1.1023 tons.

Triassic: Geological time period between 225 and 195 million years ago.

Tuff: A finer grained pyroclastic rock made up mostly of ash and other fine grained volcanic material.

Veins: The mineral deposits that are found filling openings in rocks created by faults or replacing rocks on either side of faults.

Vuggy silica: In a high sulphidation epithermal environment, the highly acidic waters have dissolved everything but silica resulting in a highly porous and pox marker rock which is a good host for gold deposition. It is an indicator mineralization typical of epithermal rocks.

Waste: Rock which is not ore. Usually referred to that rock which has to be removed during the normal course of mining in order to get at the ore.

Glossary of Abbreviations

Ag: Silver

Au: Gold

Cu: Copper

g/t: grams per tonne

IP: Induced Polarization geophysical survey

masl: meters above sea level

MPa: Megapascal or one million pascals.

NGO: Non-governmental organization

NSR: net smelter returns royalty

Oz: Troy ounce

Pa: one pascal

QA/QC: Quality Assurance/Quality Control

tpd: Tonnes per day

ton: Short ton (2,000 pounds)

tonne: Metric ton (1000 kilograms - 2204.62 pounds)

Conversion Table

Metric / Imperial

1.0 millimeter (mm) = 0.039 inches (in)

1.0 meter (m) = 3.28 feet (ft)

1.0 kilometer (km) = 0.621 miles (mi)

1.0 hectare (ha) = 2.471 acres (ac)

1.0 gram (g) = 0.032 troy ounces (oz)

1.0 metric tonne (t) = 1.102 short tons (ton)

1.0 g/t = 0.029 oz/ton

Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar ($) amounts referred to herein are in Canadian dollars.

NOTE REGARDING MINERAL RESOURCE AND MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has adopted final rules to amend and modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC. These new rules have rescinded the historical property disclosure guidance for mining registrants included in SEC Industry Guide 7 and replaced them with the disclosure requirements in subpart 1300 of SEC Regulation S-K (“S-K 1300”). Compliance is required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021.

As a result of the adoption of the SEC Mining Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of Mineral Resources categories “Measured Mineral Resources,” “Indicated Mineral Resources” and “Inferred Mineral Resources” in addition to the Mineral Reserve categories of “Proven Mineral Reserves” and “Probable Mineral Reserves”.

Mineral reserve is an estimate of tonnage and grade or quality of indicated and measured mineral resources that, in the opinion of the qualified person, can be the basis of an economically viable project. More specifically, it is the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource, which includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined or extracted.

Mineral resource is a concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction. A mineral resource is a reasonable estimate of mineralization, taking into account relevant factors such as cut-off grade, likely mining dimensions, location or continuity, that, with the assumed and justifiable technical and economic conditions, is likely to, in whole or in part, become economically extractable. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not meet the threshold for reserve modifying factors, such as estimated economic viability, that would allow for conversion to Mineral Reserves. There is no certainty that all or any part of a Mineral Resource will be converted into a Mineral Reserve.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Almaden Minerals Ltd. (“Almaden” or the “Company”), and the exhibits attached hereto that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. and Canadian securities legislation and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties.

Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the permitting review process for the Ixtaca Project (“Ixtaca” or the “Project”) and the outcome of legal actions in Mexico that are based on assumptions about: the permitting and legal regimes in Mexico; economic and political conditions; success of exploration, development and environmental protection and remediation activities; the impact of the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Justice of Mexico (“SCJN”), the timing of the official notification of that decision to the Company, that the decision clarifies that the Company’s mineral rights at the Ixtaca project are protected while the mining authorities conduct any necessary consultations prior to granting formal title, the timing and procedures for any consultation by the Ministry of the Economy with indigenous communities and the timing and procedures for the Ministry of the Economy to issue mineral titles to Almaden; the Company’s plans to re-submit a revised environmental permit application (“MIA”) to the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recurso Naturales’ (“SEMARNAT”); the potential timing of the MIA resubmission; the Company’s intention to complete a Human Rights Impact Assessment (“HRIA”) and the potential timing thereof; the Company’s belief that Ixtaca will, long after final closure, make meaningful and enduring positive contributions to surrounding communities and beyond, the Company’s expectation that the Project would employ over 400 people over an 11-year mine life and would also provide updated infrastructure to the region, the impact of the Project's proposed dry-stack tailing facilities, the Company’s belief that the Ixtaca deposit can be an economically robust project that could provide the basis for further investment in the area. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Statements concerning Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if a property is developed, and in the case of Mineral Reserves, such statements reflect the conclusion based on certain assumptions that the mineral deposit can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “estimates” or “intends”, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or the negative and grammatical variations of any of these terms and similar expressions) be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are based, in part, on assumptions and factors that may change and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Some of the important risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, those described further in the sections entitled “ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION - Risk Factors”, “ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY - Business Overview”, “ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY – Principal Property Interests” and “ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS” and in the exhibits attached to this Annual Report on Form 20-F. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties and other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the Company’s forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and information. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are based on beliefs, expectations and opinions of the Company’s management on the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F and speak only as of the date hereof and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements and other information contained herein concerning the mining industry and the Company’s expectations concerning the mining industry are based on estimates prepared by the Company using data from publicly available sources as well as from market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of this industry which the Company believes to be reasonable. However, this data is inherently imprecise, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics. While the Company is not aware of any misstatements regarding any mining industry data presented herein, the industry involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors.

Certain historical and forward-looking information contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F has been provided by, or derived from information provided by, certain persons other than the Company. Although the Company does not have any knowledge that would indicate that any such information is untrue or incomplete, the Company assumes no responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of such information or the failure by such other persons to disclose events which may have occurred or may affect the completeness or accuracy of such information, but which is unknown to the Company.

Please consult the Company’s public filings at www.sec.gov for further, more detailed information concerning these matters.

PART I

Not applicable

Not applicable

The following selected financial data of the Company for Fiscal 2021, Fiscal 2020, and Fiscal 2019 ended December 31st was derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. The selected financial data set forth for Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017 ended December 31st are derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements, not included herein. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and other information included immediately following the text of this Annual Report.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance and compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”).

The basis of preparation is described in Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements.

Table No. 1

Selected Financial Data

International Financial Reporting Standards

(expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share data)

Canadian/U.S. Dollar Exchange Rates

In this Annual Report, unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars (CDN$).

Table No. 2 sets forth the exchange rate for the Canadian dollars at the end of the five most recent fiscal periods ended at December 31^st, the average rates for the period, the range of high and low rates and the close for the period. Table No. 3 sets forth the range of high and low rates for each month during the previous six months. For purposes of this table, the rate of exchange means the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The table sets forth the number of Canadian Dollars required under that formula to buy one U.S. Dollar. The average rate means the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the period.

Table No. 2

Canadian Dollar/U.S. Dollar Exchange Rates for Five Most Recent Financial Years

Table No. 3

Canadian Dollar/U.S. Dollar Exchange Rates for Previous Six Months

The exchange rate was CDN$1.28/US$1.00 on April 28, 2022.

Risk Factors

Speculative Nature of Resource Exploration and Development

Resource exploration and development is a speculative business, characterized by a number of significant risks including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover mineral deposits but from finding mineral deposits which, though present, are insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production. The marketability of minerals acquired or discovered by the Company may be affected by numerous factors which are beyond the control of the Company and which cannot be accurately predicted, such as market fluctuations, the proximity and capacity of milling facilities, mineral markets and processing equipment, and other factors such as government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, and environment protection, the combination of which factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on investment capital.

Presently, the Company is in the exploration and development stage and there is no assurance that a commercially viable ore deposit or mining operation will result in any of its properties or prospects until further work is done and a comprehensive economic evaluation based upon that work is concluded. In recent years the Company has financed its operations principally through the sale of equity securities. In the past, it has also financed its activities by entering into joint venture arrangements and through the sale of an inventory of gold. A commercially viable ore deposit and mining operation is dependent on the establishment of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing and permitting to complete development and ultimately upon future profitable production or the realization of proceeds from the disposition of the properties.

Uncertainty in Commercially Mineable Ore Deposits

There is no certainty that the expenditures to be made by the Company in the exploration of its properties as described herein will result in discoveries of mineralized material in commercial quantities. Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable ore deposits and no assurance can be given that any particular level of recovery of ore reserves will in fact be realized or that any identified mineral deposit will ever qualify as a commercially mineable (or viable) ore body which can be legally and economically exploited. Estimates of reserves, mineral deposits and production costs can also be affected by such factors as environmental permitting regulations and requirements, weather, environmental factors, unforeseen technical difficulties, unusual or unexpected geological formations and work interruptions. In addition, the grade of ore ultimately mined may differ from that indicated by drilling results. Short term factors relating to ore reserves, such as the need for orderly development of ore bodies or the processing of new or different grades, may also have an adverse effect on mining operations and on the results of operations. There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small-scale tests will be duplicated in large-scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale. Material changes in ore reserves, grades, stripping ratios or recovery rates may affect the economic viability of any project.

History of Net Losses, Lack of Cash Flow and Assurance of Profitability; Need for Additional Capital

The Company had net losses in a number of years since its date of incorporation. Due to the nature of the Company’s business, there can be no assurance that the Company will be profitable. The Company had net losses of $2,668,254 in Fiscal 2021, $3,129,368 in Fiscal 2020, and $3,763,075 in Fiscal 2019.

The Company currently has no revenues from operations as all of its properties and prospects are in the exploration and development stage. There is no assurance that the Company will receive revenues from operations at any time in the near future. During Fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company earned interest income and other income from Administrative service fees charged to Azucar Minerals Ltd. (“Azucar”) and Almadex Minerals Ltd. (“Almadex”).

At December 31, 2021, the Company had working capital of $10,651,264 including cash and cash equivalents of $10,170,376. Management estimates that the current cash position and expected future cash flows from the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants and equity financing will be sufficient for the Company to carry out its anticipated exploration and operating plans for fiscal 2022 that includes further development of the Ixtaca Project. Although Management believes that the Company’s cash resources are sufficient to meet its working capital and mineral exploration requirements for fiscal 2022, the Company may require additional capital in order to remain operational in the near future. There is the possibility that the Company may not receive such necessary funding, particularly during a down economy. Additional funding may not be available, or if it is available, may not be on favorable terms.

The Company has not paid dividends on its shares since incorporation and the Company does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future.

Uncertainty of Obtaining Additional Funding Requirements

If the Company’s exploration and development programs are successful, additional capital will be required for the further development of an economic ore body and to place it in commercial production. The only material sources of future funds presently available to the Company are the sale of its equity capital, the incurring of debt, or the offering by the Company of an interest in its properties and prospects to be earned by another party or parties carrying out further development thereof.

Failure to obtain additional financing on a timely basis could cause the Company to forfeit its interest in such properties, dilute its interests in the properties and/or reduce or terminate its operations.

Possible Dilution to Present and Prospective Shareholders

The Company’s plan of operation, in part, contemplates the financing of the conduct of its business by the issuance, for cash, of equity securities of the Company or incurring debt, or a combination of the two. Any transaction involving the issuance of previously authorized but unissued shares of common shares, or securities convertible into common shares, would result in dilution, possibly substantial, to present and prospective holders of common shares. The Company could also seek joint venture partners or funding sources such as royalties or streaming transactions. These approaches would dilute the Company’s interest in properties it has acquired.

Material Risk of Dilution Presented by Large Number of Outstanding Share Purchase Options and Warrants

As of April 28, 2022, there were share purchase options outstanding allowing the holders of these options to purchase 11,990,000 shares of the Company’s common shares and warrants allowing the holders of these warrants to purchase 22,168,504 shares of the Company’s common shares. Directors and officers of the Company in the aggregate hold 9,450,000 of these share purchase options and 581,000 of these warrants. An additional 2,540,000 share purchase options are held by employees and consultants of the Company. Given the fact that as of April 28, 2022 there were 137,221,408 shares of common shares outstanding, the exercise of all of the existing share purchase options and warrants would result in dilution to the existing shareholders and could depress the price of the Company’s shares. The exercise of all outstanding share purchase options and warrants would cause the number of issued and outstanding common shares to rise 25%.

Emerging Growth Company Transition Period

Pursuant to the JOBS Act of 2012 and Section 7(a)2(B) of the Securities Act, the Company is taking advantage of the extended transition period for Emerging Growth Companies. When an accounting standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the standard for the private company. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with any other public company which is not either an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible as different or revised standards may be used.

Volatility of Share Price

Market prices for shares of early stage companies are often volatile. Factors such as announcements of mineral discoveries, exploration and financial results, and other factors could have a significant effect on the price of the Company’s shares.

Mineral Prices May Not Support Corporate Profit

The mining industry in general is intensely competitive and there is no assurance that, even if commercial quantities of mineral resources are developed, a profitable market will exist for the sale of same. Factors beyond the control of the Company may affect the marketability of any substances discovered. The price of minerals is volatile over short periods of time and is affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the Company, including international economic and political trends, expectations of inflation, currency exchange fluctuations, interest rates and global or regional consumption patterns, speculative activities and increased production due to improved mining techniques. Material changes in mineral prices may affect the economic viability of any project.

Laws and regulations

The Company’s exploration activities are subject to extensive federal, provincial, state and local laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, production, exports, taxes, labour standards, occupational health and safety, mine safety and other matters in all the jurisdictions in which it operates. These laws and regulations are subject to change, can become more stringent and compliance can therefore become more costly. These factors may affect both the Company’s ability to undertake exploration and development activities in respect of future properties in the manner contemplated, as well as its ability to continue to explore, develop and operate those properties in which it currently has an interest or in respect of which it has obtained exploration and development rights to date. The Company applies the expertise of its management, advisors, employees and contractors to ensure compliance with current laws and relies on its land men and legal counsel in both Mexico and Canada.

Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in civil or criminal fines or penalties or enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities enjoining, curtailing or closing operations or requiring corrective measures, installation of additional equipment or remedial actions, any of which could result in the Company incurring significant expenditures. The Company may also be required to compensate private parties suffering loss or damage by reason of a breach of such laws, regulations or permitting requirements. It is also possible that future laws and regulations, or a more stringent enforcement of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities, could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspensions of our operations and delays in the exploration and development of Ixtaca.

On December 21, 2020, the Company announced that it received notification from the Mexican federal permitting authority, SEMARNAT, that the Company’s initial MIA, a required permit in order to proceed to construction and operation of the Ixtaca Project, did not receive approval. The Company originally submitted the MIA in early 2019.

There is no assurance that any future MIA permit application will be successful. Such an application may be subject to challenge or litigation by third parties, which may delay any decision in respect of the MIA application or which may inhibit the Company’s ability to proceed with the Ixtaca Project even in the event of a positive outcome to the MIA application. Under Mexican law, in addition to the MIA permit, a number of additional permits from Federal, State, and Municipal authorities, including a Change of Use of Land permit, an explosives permit, a water usage permit, and permits relating to powerline construction and electrical use, among others, will be required in order to proceed to construction and operation of the Ixtaca Project. Almaden reiterates its commitment to comply with Mexican law.

On February 17, 2022, the Company announced that the SCJN reached a decision on February 16, 2022 in respect of the Mineral Title Lawsuit involving the Company’s mineral claims (for background see Item 8. Financial Information, sub-heading “Legal Proceedings”). On April 27, 2022, the Company announced that the SCJN had published its final decision on this matter.

Almaden has reviewed the final decision of the SCJN. The decision determines that the Mexican mineral title law is constitutional, but that before issuing Almaden’s mineral titles, the Ministry of the Economy should have provided for a consultation procedure with relevant indigenous communities. The decision orders the Ministry of the Economy to declare Almaden’s mineral titles ineffective (“insubsistentes”) and to then issue them to Almaden following the Ministry’s compliance with its obligation to carry out the necessary procedures to consult with indigenous communities. The decision discusses the application of international law and jurisprudence to the implementation of consultation by Mexican authorities with relevant indigenous communities. It also provides some detail to Mexican authorities regarding the procedures required to be followed by those authorities in the performance of indigenous consultation prior to the grant of mineral claims. Furthermore, the decision clarifies that the Company’s original claim applications were submitted pursuant to the legal framework in force at the time and as such Almaden’s mineral rights at the Ixtaca project are safeguarded while the mining authorities comply with conditions and requirements prior to issuing the mineral titles. As previously disclosed, the Company has no interest in holding mineral claims over the indigenous community’s land. The decision will take effect at the time of its official notification to the Company which is expected shortly.

Almaden intends to interact with Mexican government officials and local community officials in order to facilitate to the extent possible the government’s execution of its responsibilities in the issuance of the mineral titles. At present there is no timeline for the consultation process.

Political, economic and social environment

The Company’s mineral properties may be adversely affected by political, economic and social uncertainties which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Areas in which the Company holds or may acquire properties may experience local political unrest and disruption which could potentially affect the Company’s projects or interests. Changes in leadership, social or political disruption or unforeseen circumstances affecting political, economic and social structure could adversely affect the Company’s property interests or restrict its operations. The Company’s mineral exploration and development activities may be affected by changes in government regulations relating to the mining industry and may include regulations on production, price controls, labour, export controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, environmental legislation and safety factors.

Any shifts in political attitudes or changes in laws that may result in, among other things, significant changes to mining laws or any other national legal body of regulations or policies are beyond the control of the Company and may adversely affect its business. The Company faces the risk that governments may adopt substantially different policies, which might extend to the expropriation of assets or increased government participation in the mining sector. In addition, changes in resource development or investment policies, increases in taxation rates, higher mining fees and royalty payments, revocation or cancellation of mining concession rights or shifts in political attitudes in Mexico may adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company’s relationship with communities in which it operates is critical to the development of the Ixtaca Project. Local communities may be influenced by external entities, groups or organizations opposed to mining activities. In recent years, anti-mining NGO activity in Mexico has increased. These NGOs have taken such actions as road closures, work stoppages and lawsuits for damages. These actions relate not only to current activities but often in respect to the mining activities by prior owners of mining properties. Such actions by NGOs may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations at the Ixtaca Project and on its financial position, cash flow and results of operations.

Risks related to International Labour Organization (“ILO”) Convention 169 Compliance

The Company may, or may in the future, operate in areas presently or previously inhabited or used by indigenous peoples. As a result, the Company’s operations are subject to national and international laws, codes, resolutions, conventions, guidelines and other similar rules respecting the rights of indigenous peoples, including the provisions of ILO Convention 169. ILO Convention 169 mandates, among other things, that governments consult with indigenous peoples who may be impacted by mining projects prior to granting rights, permits or approvals in respect of such projects. Therefore, consultation with indigenous communities by Mexican authorities and the Company may be required for the Ixtaca Project.

ILO Convention 169 has been ratified by Mexico. It is possible however that Mexico may not (i) have implemented procedures to ensure their compliance with ILO Convention 169 or (ii) have complied with the requirements of ILO Convention 169 despite implementing such procedures.

As noted in Item 8. Financial Information, sub-heading “Legal Proceedings”, the Mexico’s SCJN has recently determined that before issuing Almaden’s mineral titles, the Ministry of the Economy should have provided for a consultation procedure with relevant indigenous communities. The decision orders the Ministry of the Economy to declare Almaden’s mineral titles ineffective and to issue them to Almaden following the Ministry’s compliance with its obligation to carry out the necessary procedures to consult with indigenous communities. The decision will take effect at the time of its official notification to the Company.

The standards for local implementation of the obligations assumed by Mexico under ILO Convention 169 regarding the human right to free, prior, informed consultation of indigenous communities are currently evolving. The SCJN decision may halt or result in a significant delay in project development notwithstanding the extensive engagement already conducted by the Company in relevant communities.

Government compliance with ILO Convention 169 can result in delays and significant additional expenses to the Company arising from the consultation process with indigenous peoples in relation to the Company’s exploration, mining or development projects. Moreover, any actual or perceived past contraventions, or potential future actual or perceived contraventions, of ILO Convention 169 by Mexico creates a risk that the permits, rights, approvals, and other governmental authorizations that the Company has relied upon, or may in the future rely upon, to carry out its operations or plans could be challenged by or on behalf of indigenous peoples.

Such challenges may result in, without limitation, additional expenses with respect to the Company’s operations, the suspension, revocation or amendment of the Company’s rights or mining, environmental or export permits, a delay or stoppage of the Company’s development, exploration or mining operations, the refusal by governmental authorities to grant new permits or approvals required for the Company’s continuing operations until the settlement of such challenges, or the requirement for the responsible government to undertake the requisite consultation process in accordance with ILO Convention 169.

As a result of the inherent uncertainty in respect of such proceedings, the Company is unable to predict what the results of any such challenges would be; however, any ILO Convention 169 proceedings relating to the Company’s operations in Mexico may have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, and financial condition of the Company.

As a result of social media and other web-based applications, companies today are at much greater risk of losing control over how they are perceived

Damage to the Company’s reputation can be the result of the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, and could include any negative publicity, whether true or not. Although the Company places a great emphasis on protecting its image and reputation, it does not ultimately have direct control over how it is perceived by others. Campaigns aimed at damaging the Company’s reputation can generally be expected to be launched or intensified during important permitting and legal procedures, such as those in which the Company is currently engaged. Reputation loss may lead to increased challenges in developing and maintaining community relations, decreased investor confidence and act as an impediment to the Company’s overall ability to advance its projects, thereby having a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

The Company may be subject to legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business

Due to the nature of its business, the Company may be subject to regulatory investigations, claims, lawsuits and other proceedings in the ordinary course of its business. The Company’s operations are subject to the risk of legal claims by employees, unions, contractors, lenders, suppliers, joint venture partners, shareholders, governmental agencies or others through private actions, class actions, administrative proceedings, regulatory actions or other litigation. Plaintiffs may seek recovery of very large or indeterminate amounts, and the magnitude of the potential loss relating to such lawsuits may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. Defense and settlement costs can be substantial, even with respect to claims that have no merit. The results of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty due to the uncertainty inherent in litigation, including the effects of discovery of new evidence or advancement of new legal theories, the difficulty of predicting decisions of judges and juries and the possibility that decisions may be reversed on appeal. The litigation process could, as a result, take away from the time and effort of the Company’s management and could force the Company to pay substantial legal fees or penalties. There can be no assurances that the resolutions of any such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Title to mineral properties

While the Company has investigated title to its mineral properties, this should not be construed as a guarantee of title. The properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers and title may be affected by undetected defects. Title to Almaden’s mining concessions may also be adversely affected by the Amparo as discussed in Item 8 under the heading “Legal Proceedings”. There are significant risks that the impact of the decision of the SCJN may not be known for an extended period of time, and that the Company may lose the ownership of some or all of its mineral claims.

There is a risk that title to the mining concessions, the surface rights and access rights comprising Ixtaca and the necessary infrastructure, may be deficient or subject to additional disputes. The procurement or enforcement of such rights, or any dispute with respect to such rights, can be costly and time consuming. In areas where there are local populations or landowners, it may be necessary, as a practical matter, to negotiate surface access. Even in the event that the Company has the legal right to access the surface and carry on construction and mining activities, the Company may not be able to negotiate satisfactory agreements with existing landowners/occupiers for such access, and therefore it may be unable to carry out activities as planned. In addition, in circumstances where such access is denied, or no agreement can be reached, this could have a material adverse effect on the Company and the Company may need to rely on the assistance of local officials or the courts in such jurisdictions or pursue other alternatives, which may suspend, delay or impact mining activities as planned.

There is also a risk that the Company’s exploration, development and mining authorizations and surface rights may be challenged or impugned by third parties. In addition, there is a risk that the Company will not be able to renew some or all its licenses in the future. Inability to renew a license could result in the loss of any project located within that license.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

The Company’s business could be significantly adversely affected by the effects of a widespread global outbreak of contagious disease, including the recent outbreak of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19. The Company cannot accurately predict the impact COVID-19 and its variants will have on third parties’ ability to meet their obligations with the Company, including due to uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, and the length of travel and quarantine restrictions imposed by governments of affected countries. In particular, the continued spread of COVID-19 and its variants globally could materially and adversely impact the Company’s business including without limitation, employee health, limitations on travel, the availability of industry experts and personnel, restrictions to planned exploration and drill programs, receipt of necessary government approvals, regulatory compliance, and other factors that will depend on future developments beyond the Company’s control. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries (including those in which the Company operates), resulting in an economic downturn that could negatively impact the Company’s operations and ability to raise capital.

Environmental, Climate Change, Health and Safety Regulation Compliance

The Company’s exploration and development activities are subject to extensive laws and regulations governing environmental protection and employee health and safety promulgated by governments and government agencies.

Environmental (inclusive of climate change) and health and safety laws and regulations are complex and have become more stringent over time. Failure to comply with applicable environmental and health and safety laws may result in injunctions, damages, suspension or revocation of permits and imposition of penalties. Environmental regulation is evolving in a manner resulting in stricter standards and the enforcement of, and fines and penalties for, non-compliance are becoming more stringent.

The Company is also subject to various reclamation-related conditions. Reclamation requirements are designed to minimize long-term effects of mining exploitation and exploration disturbance by requiring the operating company to control possible deleterious effluents and to re-establish to some degree pre-disturbance land forms and vegetation. The Company is subject to such requirements in connection with its activities at Ixtaca. Any significant environmental issues that may arise, however, could lead to increased reclamation expenditures and could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial resources.

There can also be no assurance that closure estimates prove to be accurate. The amounts recorded for reclamation costs are estimates unique to a property based on estimates provided by independent consulting engineers and the Company’s assessment of the anticipated timing of future reclamation and remediation work required to comply with existing laws and regulations. Actual costs incurred in future periods could differ from amounts estimated. Additionally, future changes to environmental laws and regulations could affect the extent of reclamation and remediation work required to be performed by the Company. Any such changes in future costs could materially impact the amounts charged to operations for reclamation and remediation.

Climate change regulations may become more onerous over time as governments implement policies to further reduce carbon emissions, including the implementation of taxation regimes based on aggregate carbon emissions. Some of the costs associated with reducing emissions can be offset by increased energy efficiency and technological innovation. However, the cost of compliance with environmental regulation and changes in environmental regulation has the potential to result in increased costs of operations, reducing the potential profitability of the Company’s future operations.

Due to increased global attention regarding the use of cyanide in mining operations, regulations may be imposed restricting or prohibiting the use of cyanide and other hazardous substances in mineral processing activities. If such legislation were to be adopted in a region in which the Company relies on the use of cyanide, it would have a significant adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition as there are few, if any, substitutes for cyanide in extracting metals from certain types of ore.

While the Company intends to fully comply with all applicable environmental and health and safety regulations there can be no assurance that the Company has been or will at all times be in complete compliance with such laws, regulations and permits, or that the costs of complying with current and future environmental and health and safety laws and permits will not materially and adversely affect the Company’s future business, results of operations or financial condition.

Uncertainty in Development of a Commercially Mineable Ore Deposit

The properties and prospects in which the Company has an interest are not in commercial production. A commercially viable ore deposit is dependent on the establishment of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing and permitting to complete development, and ultimately upon future profitable production or the realization of proceeds from the disposition of the properties.

Uncertainty of Reserves and Mineralization Estimates

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating proven and probable reserves and mineralization, including many factors beyond the control of the Company. The estimation of reserves and mineralization is a subjective process and the accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Results of drilling, metallurgical testing and production and the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimate may justify revision of such estimates. No assurances can be given that the volume and grade of reserves recovered and rates of production will not be less than anticipated. Assumptions about prices are subject to greater uncertainty and metals prices have fluctuated widely in the past. Declines in the market price of base or precious metals also may render reserves or mineralization containing relatively lower grades of ore uneconomic to exploit. Changes in operating and capital costs and other factors including, but not limited to, short-term operating factors such as the need for sequential development of ore bodies and the processing of new or different ore grades, may materially and adversely affect reserves.

Dependence on Key Personnel

The Company depends highly on the business and technical expertise of its management and key personnel. There is little possibility that this dependence will decrease in the near term. As the Company’s operations expand, additional general management resources may be required. The Company maintains no “Key Man” insurance coverage, and the loss or unavailability of any of its key personnel could have a negative effect on the Company’s ability to operate effectively.

Conflict of Interest

Some of the Company’s directors and officers are directors and officers of other natural resource or mining-related companies. Duane Poliquin, Morgan Poliquin, Douglas McDonald, and Korm Trieu also serve as directors and/or officers of Azucar Minerals Ltd. and Almadex Minerals Ltd. Elaine Ellingham also serves as a director of Alamos Gold Inc., and Omai Gold Mines Corp. Kevin O’Kane also serves on the Board of SolGold Plc, IAMGOLD Corporation and NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc. These associations may give rise from time to time to conflicts of interest, as a result of which, the Company may miss the opportunity to participate in certain transactions.

Foreign Operations

The Company currently has development projects located in Mexico. The Company’s foreign activities are subject to the risks normally associated with conducting business in foreign countries, including exchange controls and currency fluctuations, foreign taxation, laws or policies of particular countries, labor practices and disputes, and uncertain political and economic environments, as well as risks of war and civil disturbances, or other risks that could cause exploration or development difficulties or stoppages, restrict the movement of funds or result in the deprivation or loss of contract rights or the taking of property by nationalization or expropriation without fair compensation. Foreign operations could also be adversely impacted by laws and policies of the U.S. affecting foreign trade, investment and taxation.

Changes to Mexican Mining Taxes

In October 2013, the Mexican Congress approved a package of tax reforms which included significant changes to the country’s mining royalties and tax structure. These new laws had an effective date of January 1, 2014. The changes include a 7.5% special mining royalty on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and an additional 0.5% royalty on gross revenues from precious metal production. The new law also increases annual taxes on certain inactive exploration concessions by 50% to 100%. These changes may result in increased holding costs to the Company for its existing mineral concessions. These new taxes and royalties, any future increases to tax and royalty rates, or any new taxes imposed by the Mexican governmental authorities may materially and adversely affect the potential to define economic reserves on any Mexican properties and result in the Company’s Mexican properties being less attractive to potential optionees or joint-venture partners.

Foreign Currency Fluctuations

At the present time, a majority of the Company’s activities are carried on outside of Canada. Accordingly, it is subject to risks associated with fluctuations of the rate of exchange between the Canadian dollar and foreign currencies.

The Company is currently not engaged in currency hedging to offset any risk of exchange rate fluctuation and currently has no plans to engage in currency hedging.

Operating Hazards and Risks Associated with the Mining Industry

Mining operations generally involve a high degree of risk, which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to overcome. Hazards such as unusual or unexpected geological formations and other conditions are involved. Operations in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest will be subject to all the hazards and risks normally incidental to exploration, development and production of minerals, any of which could result in work stoppages, damage to or destruction of mines and other producing facilities, damage to or loss of life and property, environmental damage and possible legal liability for any or all damage or loss. The Company may become subject to liability for cave-ins and other hazards for which it cannot insure or against which it may elect not to insure where premium costs are disproportionate to the Company’s perception of the relevant risks. The payment of such insurance premiums and the incurring of such liabilities would reduce the funds available for exploration activities.

The Ability to Manage Growth

Should the Company be successful in its efforts to develop its mineral properties or to raise capital for such development or for the development of other mining ventures it will experience significant growth in operations. If this occurs, management anticipates that additional expansion will be required in order to continue development. Any expansion of the Company’s business would place further demands on its management, operational capacity and financial resources. The Company anticipates that it will need to recruit qualified personnel in all areas of its operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be effective in retaining its current personnel or attracting and retaining additional qualified personnel, expanding its operational capacity or otherwise managing growth. The failure to manage growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

Competition

There is competition from other mining exploration companies with operations similar to those of the Company's. Many of the mining companies with which the Company competes have operations and financial strength many times greater than that of the Company. Such competitors could outbid the Company for such projects, equipment or personnel, or produce minerals at a lower cost which would have a negative effect on the Company’s operations and financial condition.

Lack of a Dividend Policy

The Company does not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future, as any earnings are expected to be retained for use in developing and expanding its business. However, the actual amount of dividends which the Company may pay will remain subject to the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend on results of operations, cash requirements and future prospects of the Company and other factors.

ESTMA Risks

The Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (Canada) (“ESTMA”) requires public disclosure of certain payments to governments by companies engaged in the commercial development of minerals which are publicly listed in Canada. Mandatory annual reporting is required for extractive companies with respect to payments made to foreign and domestic governments, including aboriginal groups. ESTMA requires reporting on the payments of any taxes, royalties, fees, production entitlements, bonuses, dividends, infrastructure reporting or structuring payments to avoid reporting. If the Company becomes subject to an enforcement action or is in violation of ESTMA, this may result in significant penalties or sanctions which may also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation.

Cybersecurity Risks

As is typical of modern businesses, the Company is reliant on the continuous and uninterrupted operation of its information technology (“IT”) systems. User access and security of all Company sites and IT systems can be critical elements to its operations, as is cloud security, security of all of the Company’s IT systems, and protection against cyber security incidents. Any IT failure pertaining to availability, access or system security could potentially result in disruption of the activities of the Company and its personnel, and could adversely affect the reputation, operations or financial performance of the Company.

Potential risks to the Company’s IT systems could include unauthorized attempts to extract business sensitive, confidential or personal information, denial of access extortion, corruption of information or disruption of business processes, or by inadvertent or intentional actions by the Company’s employees or vendors. A cybersecurity incident resulting in a security breach or failure to identify a security threat could disrupt business and could result in the loss of sensitive, confidential or personal information or other assets, as well as litigation, regulatory enforcement, violation of privacy or securities laws and regulations, and remediation costs, all of which could materially impact the Company’s business or reputation.

Foreign Incorporation and Civil Liabilities

The Company was created under amalgamation under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada. With the exception of Alfredo Phillips, who is a resident of Mexico, and Laurence Morris, who is a resident of Nicaragua and a citizen of the United Kingdom, all of the Company’s directors and officers are residents of Canada, and all of the Company’s assets and its subsidiaries are located outside the U.S. Consequently, it may be difficult for U.S. investors to affect service of process in the U.S. upon those directors and officers who are not residents of the U.S., or to realize in the U.S. upon judgments of U.S. courts predicated upon civil liabilities under applicable U.S. laws.

The Company could be deemed a passive foreign investment company which could have negative consequences for U.S. investors.

The Company could be classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) under the United States tax code. If the Company is a PFIC, then owners of the Company’s shares who are U.S. taxpayers generally will be required to include distributions or any gain realized upon a disposition or deemed disposition of shares, as ordinary income and to pay an interest charge on a portion of such distribution or gain, unless the taxpayer timely makes a qualified electing fund ("QEF") election or a mark-to-market election with respect to the Company’s shares.

History and Development of the Company

The head office of the Company is located at 1333 Johnston Street, Suite 210, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6H 3R9. The address of the registered office of the Company is 1177 West Hastings Street, Suite 1710, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6E 2L3.

Computershare Investor Services Inc., at its offices in Vancouver, B.C. and Toronto, Ontario, is the registrar and transfer agent of the Company’s Common Shares.

The contact person is Korm Trieu, Chief Financial Officer. The telephone number is (604) 689-7644. The fax number is (604) 689-7645. The email address is ktrieu@almadenminerals.com. The web-site address is www.almadenminerals.com.

The Company was formed by amalgamation under the laws of the Province of British Columbia of its predecessor companies, Almaden Resources Corporation and Fairfield Minerals Ltd., on February 1, 2002. The Company operates under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).

Effective July 31, 2015, the Company effected a corporate reorganization pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement (“Plan of Arrangement”) involving the Company’s then wholly owned subsidiary, Azucar, as described below.

The Company’s common shares began trading on The Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “AMM” on February 11, 2002 and on the NYSE American (formerly the NYSE MKT), under the symbol “AAU” on December 19, 2005. Almaden Resources Corporation’s initial public offering on the Vancouver Stock Exchange was pursuant to a prospectus dated October 10, 1986. The shares of Fairfield Minerals Ltd. began trading on the Vancouver Stock Exchange on July 18, 1986 and on The Toronto Stock Exchange on May 21, 1990.

There have been no public takeover offers by third parties in respect of the Company’s shares and the Company has made no public takeover offers in respect of any other company’s shares.

Organizational Structure

The Company currently has three wholly-owned (direct or indirect) subsidiaries. These subsidiaries are:

Business of the Company

The Company is engaged in the business of the acquisition, exploration and when warranted, development of mineral properties. The Company currently has one material property in Mexico. The Company's property is at the exploration and development stage. The Company has not generated any revenues from operations.

Corporate Reorganization

The Company entered into an Arrangement Agreement dated May 11, 2015 involving the spinout, pursuant to a statutory Plan of Arrangement, of Almaden’s early stage exploration projects, royalty interests and other non-core assets into a new public company called Azucar (formerly Almadex Minerals Limited), which trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “AMZ” and the OTCQX marketplace under the symbol “AXDDF”, pursuant to which Azucar acquired the following key assets:

On July 31, 2015, all conditions to the statutory Plan of Arrangement regarding the spinout were satisfied or waived and the spinout was effective. Almaden’s shareholders approved the Plan of Arrangement and exchanged their existing common shares of Almaden for one “new” Almaden common share and 0.6 common share of Azucar.

The Company entered into an Administrative Services Agreement with Azucar dated May 15, 2015, as amended by First Amending Agreement dated December 16, 2015 (the “Agreement”). Under the Agreement, the Company is the sole and exclusive manager of Azucar, and provides Azucar with general management services and day-to-day operation of Azucar. These services include:

Azucar compensates the Company 27% (2020 – 60%) of the Company’s actual monthly cost of rent for any shared facilities, and 27% (2020 – 60%) of any shared personnel’s fees and/or wages. Azucar pays the Company any reasonable fees or costs incurred on behalf of Azucar by the Company which were approved by Azucar.

Effective May 18, 2018, Azucar effected a corporate reorganization pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement involving Azucar’s then wholly owned subsidiary, Almadex. Consequent upon this corporate reorganization the Company entered into an Administrative Services Agreement with Almadex dated March 29, 2018 (the “Almadex Agreement”). Under the Almadex Agreement, the Company is the sole and exclusive manager of Almadex, and provides Almadex with general management services and day-to-day operation of Almadex. These services include:

Almadex compensates the Company 39% (2020 – 30%) of the Company’s actual monthly cost of rent for any shared facilities, and 39% (2020 – 30%) of any shared personnel’s fees and/or wages. Almadex pays the Company any reasonable fees or costs incurred on behalf of Almadex by the Company which were approved by Almadex.

Both the Agreement and the Almadex Agreement (together, the “Administrative Services Agreements”) have initial 5-year terms, with subsequent automatic 1-year renewals unless terminated pursuant to the terms permitted under the Administrative Services Agreements. The Administrative Services Agreements include a Change of Control clause. If either party is subject to a Change of Control during the term of the respective Administrative Services Agreement, the Administrative Services Agreement shall automatically terminate within 48 hours of the Change of Control unless agreed to in writing by both parties. The target of the Change of Control shall then pay the other party $2 million as compensation for the unplanned termination of the Company’s engagement and significant disruption to the other party’s business. “Change of Control” means the date upon which, without the written concurrence of the target of the Change of Control, any person (as that term is defined in the Securities Act (British Columbia)) makes and does not withdraw a take-over bid (as that term is defined in the Securities Act (British Columbia)) or acquires, directly or indirectly, that number of common shares of the target which equals or exceeds twenty percent (20%) of the then issued common shares of the target.

Available Information

The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC on www.sec.gov. You can also find information on our website www.almadenminerals.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this annual report.

Business Overview

The Company is engaged in the business of the acquisition, exploration and when warranted, development of mineral properties. The Company currently has one material property in Mexico. The Company's property is at the exploration and development stage. The Company has not generated any revenues from operations.

Maintaining properties

The following is a general statement about government requirements for holding mineral properties in the jurisdictions where the Company currently holds material mineral property interests.

In Mexico, mining law is a federal matter. The government requires annual assessment work and expenditures per hectare which increase with the size and age of the claim. Under the tax reforms effective January 1, 2014, if a concession holder has not conducted exploration or exploitation activities during a two-year period, the concession holder would have to pay an additional 50% of the taxes payable per hectare if within the last 11 years, and an additional 100% of the taxes payable if after year 12. Land taxes per hectare also have to be paid by January 31 and July 31 each year. Both amounts are subject to inflation accounting and the inflation adjustment number for each fiscal period is published in the official gazette. Under the Mexican Constitution and the mining and environmental laws of Mexico, all mining projects are subject to Federal legal control. This control is exercised from the exploration phase through the closure phase of a mining project. Prior to the initiation of exploration activities, concession owners are required to file a notice of commencement of exploration activities in conformity with Mexican Official Norm 120 (NOM-120); prior to initiation of construction activities (and also in some more intrusive exploration activities), mining projects are required to apply for and obtain an environmental impact authorization and a land use permit from the Mexican Federal environmental agency SEMARNAT (Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales). This requires the presentation of an environmental impact manifest and a technical study which deals with the impacts, the environmental mitigation, and habitat compensation to the satisfaction of the authorities having environmental jurisdiction.

Competition

The mineral property exploration and development business, in general, is intensively competitive and there is not any assurance that even if commercial quantities of ore are discovered, a ready market will exist for sale of same. Numerous factors beyond the Company’s control may affect the marketability of any substances discovered. These factors include market fluctuations; the proximity and capacity of natural resource markets and processing equipment; and government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may make it difficult for the Company to receive an adequate return on investment.

The Company competes with many companies possessing greater financial resources and technical facilities for the acquisition of mineral concessions, claims, leases and other mineral interests as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees.

Seasonality

The Company’s project is in central Mexico. In Mexico, the climate in the project area is marked by dry, cold winters and a distinct rainy season. The rainy season typically begins in May or June and continues until late September to October. In most years, roads remain passable and exploration can be done throughout the rainy season. Seasonal changes do not have a material impact on the Company’s exploration expenditures.

Exploration Program Protocols

General Sample Handling and Quality Control Program for Exploration Programs

The Company employs a strict quality control program for samples taken during its exploration programs. For drilling programs, a quality control program is in place which includes the insertion of blanks, field duplicates and certified standards into the sample stream.

Chain of Custody

Samples of rock and drill core and cuttings are sealed by the sampler and kept under control of a qualified person until they are shipped to a laboratory.

Sample Handling

Sample handling for drilling programs is described more fully below. Soil and stream sediment samplers have been trained to industry standard levels of sampling methodology. In general, the Company sieves stream sediment samples to -20 mesh in the field during preparation. Samplers are required to not wear any jewellery or clothing or use equipment which may contaminate the sample. All sample locations are geographically located at the time of sampling using the Global Positioning System. The Company has prepared standardized sample information cards for samplers to record information concerning the sample location, type and medium. Outcrop, float and dump rock samples are collected by geologists who record similarly ordered geologic information relating to the sample taken.

Blanks

Blank material, a sample of crushed and pulverized rock, known to contain very low or non-detectable concentration of gold and silver, is inserted as a pulp into the sample stream on an interval of every 20 samples. Blanks are intended to detect possible contamination.

Duplicates

During drill programs the Company routinely includes a field duplicate into the sample stream, spaced at 20 sample intervals. Field duplicate samples are splits of drill core or reverse circulation cuttings from the sample interval. The resulting two field duplicate samples are submitted with separate sample numbers “blind” to the assay lab and separately treated as normal samples. The samples are taken randomly with no regard to rock type, geographic position or degree of alteration or mineralization. These field duplicates are then used to detect the cumulative uncertainties associated with the entire sampling and analytical process.

Standards

During drill programs the Company routinely includes a certified standard into the sample stream, spaced at 20 sample intervals. Certified standards are purchased from CDN Resource Laboratories of Langley, BC and are prepared by this professional third-party lab according to industry standard and accepted methodologies. Standards are utilized to monitor the accuracy of the laboratory work.

Sample Handling for Drill Programs

Core Box Preparation

Plastic core boxes are used for the storage of core. Each box is labelled by the drillers at the drill rig with the drill-hole number, a box number and an arrow to mark the start of the tray and the down-hole direction. Wooden core blocks, with the meterage in black marker pen, are inserted by the drillers at the end of each core run (usually 3 m or less). These core run intervals are checked and recorded by the geologist during mark up (see below). When filled with core the boxes are sealed with a plastic lid by the drillers and transported to the core logging facility.

Sample and Core Box Markup

Once at the core logging facility, the core boxes are marked up with the starting and ending meterage, written at the ends of the trays with a marker. The start and end of each selected sample interval is marked with a red wax pencil mark across the core and sample numbers are written on the edge of the core box channels at the start and end of each sample interval. Intervals denoting the position in the sample tag sequence of field duplicate, blank and analytical standards are also marked on the core box. A cut line was marked on the core as a guide for sawing of half-core samples for assay. The cut line position is marked by fitting the ends of the core together, to align them as they came out of the hole, and using a ruler to draw a line down the core axis with a red wax pencil. This mark-up is done after the trays are photographed. Cut line positions are selected by the logging geologist to produce two halves with equal proportions of mineralization. Typically, this is done by marking the cut line down the long axis of the ellipses described by the intersection of the veins with the core circumference. Each tray is digitally photographed before core cutting and sampling.

Core Logging

Before cutting and sampling the core, the following tables of data are entered into the Company drill hole database system:

Geotechnical Logging

1. Core box record sheet: Beginning and end from/to intervals for each core box.

2. For each core run (from and to) a record of the core size, meters of core recovered for the interval, RQD (the total length of pieces of core in the interval that are twice the width of the core divided by the length of the interval, times 100) and hardness (on a scale from 1 to 10, from hardest to softest).

3. A drilling daily control sheet showing the progress of the drill rig for each shift.

Geological Logging

1. Geology Log: Intervals selected by the geologist recording a detailed description of the lithology, texture, alteration, mineral assemblage and intensity and level of oxidation/weathering. Structural measurements (i.e. the angle of structures to the core axis) are also recorded. The cover sheet includes details such as surveyed collar co-ordinates, downhole survey data, core size depths, drilling dates and sample number series.

2. Veining and Mineralization: Estimates of the percent veining and the percentage of different minerals represented in either vein, breccia or disseminated form, i.e. quartz, carbonates, pyrite etc.

3. Sample Sheet: A record of the sample intervals, sample numbers and duplicate, blank and analytical standard numbers.

4. Hole Summary: An abbreviated hole log that summarizes the important features of a drill hole. A summary drill hole trace giving the geologist the opportunity to summarize the hole and sketch in structural orientations in a form easily transferred to sections. All logs are saved on the server along with the core photos and other data from each hole.

Sample Interval Selection

All strongly altered or mineralized intervals of core were sampled. Sampling always began at least 5 samples above the start of mineralization. Sample intervals were selected using the following criteria.

The begin/end marks were placed so that the entire vein ended up in the sample(s) and the vein is not smeared into samples on either side.

Sampling Procedure

All samples were originally cut in half using custom-made, gasoline engine-powered diamond core saws. All were recently changed to electric powered saws. Each saw has sliding trays and customized “core cradles” sized for each core diameter in order to ensure a straight cut down the cut line and to minimize the loss of friable core during cutting. Areas of very soft rock (e.g. fault gouge), are cut with a machete, using the side of the core channel to ensure a straight cut. Areas of very broken core (pieces <1 cm) were sampled using spoons. The following standard sampling procedures were employed:

The right-hand side of the core (looking down the hole) was always sampled. After cutting, half the core was placed in a new plastic sample bag and half was placed back in the core box. Between each sample, the core saw and sampling table areas were washed to ensure no contamination between samples. Field duplicate, blank and analytical standards were added into the sample sequence as they were being cut. After cutting of samples containing visible gold, a piece of abrasive quartz sandstone was cut to clean the diamond blade. This was done to prevent contamination of the following sample with gold that may have become smeared onto the blade.

Sample numbers were written on the outside of the sample bags twice and the tag from the sample book was placed inside the bag with the half core. The bags were sealed using single-use plastic cable ties.

Sample numbers on the bags were checked against the numbers on the core box and the sample book.

The core cutting area is within the core logging shed and the logging geologists regularly checked the precision of the core cutting and sampling. The sealed plastic sample bags were placed in large plastic twine (rice) sacks (usually between 8 and 10 samples per sack) and sealed using single-use plastic cable ties. The sacks were weighed and the sack number, sample numbers, sack weight and date written on the outside of the sacks.

Company’s Principal Properties

The Tuligtic Project, which hosts the Company’s Ixtaca discovery, is the only project material to the Company. The Tuligtic Project property (the “Tuligtic Property” or the “Property”) is located in Puebla State, Mexico.

PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT

The Tuligtic Property/Ixtaca Project – Mexico

Location and Access

The Ixtaca deposit, the epithermal gold-silver target within the Tuligtic Property, is located 8 km northwest of the town of San Francisco Ixtacamaxtitlán, the county seat of the municipality of Ixtacamaxtitlán, Puebla State. The Ixtaca Project is accessible by driving 40 km east along Highway 119 from Apizaco, an industrial center located approximately 50 km north of Puebla City by two-lane Highway, and then north approximately 2 km along a paved road to the town of Santa Maria. The trip from Apizaco to site can be driven in approximately 1.5 hours. There is also access to the Tuligtic Property using gravel roads from the northeast via Tezhuitan and Cuyoaco, from the south via Libres and from the northwest via Chignahuapan. The Xicohtencatl Industrial complex lies 30 km southwest by paved road from the Ixtaca Project, and houses agricultural, chemical, biomedical and industrial manufacturing facilities and is serviced by rail. Puebla, the fourth largest city in Mexico has a population in excess of 4 million people, and includes one of the largest Volkswagen automotive plants outside Germany.

The Topography on the Tuligtic Property is generally moderate to steep hills with incised stream drainages. Elevation ranges from 2,300 meters (m) above sea level in the south to 2,800 m in the north. Vegetation is dominantly cactus and pines and the general area is also somewhat cultivated with subsistence vegetables, bean and corn crops. The Ixtaca Zone exploration area has been previously cleared and logged. The region has a temperate climate with mean monthly temperatures ranging from 16°C in June to 12°C in January. The area experiences approximately 714 mm of precipitation annually with the majority falling during the rainy season, between June and September. Annual evapotranspiration is estimated to be 774 mm. Exploration can be conducted year-round within the Tuligtic Property; however, road building and drilling operations may be impacted by weather to some degree during the rainy season. Electricity is available on the Tuligtic Property from the national electricity grid that services nearby towns such as Santa Maria and Zacatepec. The surface rights locally are privately owned and Almaden has negotiated voluntary surface land use agreements with surface landowners within the exploration area prior to beginning activities. To date Almaden has secured through purchase agreements over 1,139 hectares, from numerous independent owners.

Claims and Title

The Tuligtic Property was staked by Almaden in 2001, following the identification of surficial clay deposits that were interpreted to represent high-level epithermal alteration. The Property originally consisted of approximately 14,000 hectares (the “Original Concessions”), as shown below:

On April 7, 2015, Ejido Tecoltemi, a community granted communal agrarian lands by the Mexican Government and whose lands (the “Ejido Lands”) overlap a small portion (~330 Ha) of the far southeastern corner of the Original Concessions, initiated legal proceedings (the “Amparo”) in a lower court in Puebla state against Mexican mining authorities seeking a declaration that Mexico’s mineral title system is unconstitutional because indigenous consultation is not required before the granting of mineral title.

Shortly after the Amparo was filed, the lower court ordered the suspension of Almaden from conducting exploration and exploitation work over those portions of the Original Concessions which overlap with the Ejido Lands. Mineral tenure over the Ejido Lands is not material to Almaden. The Ejido Lands do not overlap the Ixtaca Project or its environmental or social area of impact. Almaden has never tried to negotiate access to the Ejido Lands, never conducted exploration work on the Ejido Lands, and has no interest in conducting any future exploration or development work over the Ejido Lands.

On April 15, 2019, the lower court in Puebla State issued a ruling in the Amparo case, stating that Mexico’s mineral title system is unconstitutional. The Original Concessions were ruled to be illegal, but the mineral rights over that land were ordered to be held for Almaden until such time as indigenous consultation can be completed. This ruling was appealed by the Mexican Congress, Senate, Secretary of Economy and mining authorities, as well as Almaden as an interested party.

On February 17, 2022, the Company announced that the SCJN reached a decision on February 16, 2022 in respect of the Mineral Title Lawsuit involving the Company’s mineral claims. On April 27, 2022, the Company announced that the SCJN had published its final decision on this matter.

Almaden has reviewed the final decision of the SCJN. The decision determines that the Mexican mineral title law is constitutional, but that before issuing Almaden’s mineral titles, the Ministry of the Economy should have provided for a consultation procedure with relevant indigenous communities. The decision orders the Ministry of the Economy to declare Almaden’s mineral titles ineffective and to then issue them to Almaden following the Ministry’s compliance with its obligation to carry out the necessary procedures to consult with indigenous communities. The decision discusses the application of international law and jurisprudence to the implementation of consultation by Mexican authorities with relevant indigenous communities. It also provides some detail to Mexican authorities regarding the procedures required to be followed by those authorities in the performance of indigenous consultation prior to the grant of mineral claims. Furthermore, the decision clarifies that the Company’s original claim applications were submitted pursuant to the legal framework in force at the time and as such Almaden’s mineral rights at the Ixtaca project are safeguarded while the mining authorities comply with conditions and requirements prior to issuing the mineral titles. As previously disclosed, the Company has no interest in holding mineral claims over the indigenous community’s land. The decision will take effect at the time of its official notification to the Company which is expected shortly.

Almaden intends to interact with Mexican government officials and local community officials in order to facilitate to the extent possible the government’s execution of its responsibilities in the issuance of the mineral titles. At present there is no timeline for the consultation process.

Claim Reduction Efforts

After learning of the Amparo in 2015, Almaden filed applications to reduce the aggregate claim size at Tuligtic by approximately 7,000Ha to those areas still considered prospective (the “New Concessions”), as shown below, and cancel any of its claims overlapping the Ejido Lands. The applicable Mexican mining authorities issued the New Concessions and accepted the abandonment of the Original Concessions in May and June of 2017.

In June 2017, the Ejido Tecoltemi filed a legal complaint regarding the granting of the New Concessions, and on February 1, 2018, the court reviewing the complaint ruled the Ejido’s complaint was founded, and this decision was appealed by the Company in the upper (Collegiate) court in October, 2019.

On December 21, 2018, the General Directorate of Mines issued a resolution, which has never been officially notified to the Company, that the New Concessions are left without effect, and the Original Concessions are in full force and effect. On February 13, 2019, the General Directorate of Mines delivered, to the court hearing the Amparo, mining certificates stating that the Original Concessions are valid, and the New Concessions are cancelled. On December 16, 2019, the General Directorate of Mines provided mineral title certificates to Almaden which reflected the position that the Original Concessions (the subject matter of the Amparo) were active and owned by Almaden (through its Mexican subsidiary) and that the New Concessions were “left without effect”.

On December 1, 2020, the Company announced that the upper court denied the appeal filed by the Company in October 2019 objecting to the reinstatement by the Mexican mining authorities of approximately 7,000 Ha of mineral claims surrounding the Ixtaca Project, which the Company had previously dropped. This court decision upheld the action of Mexican mining authorities that reinstated the Company’s Original Concessions as the Company’s sole mineral claims over the Ixtaca Project, and that left the New Concessions the Company was awarded in 2017 as “held without effect”. However, the decision also stated that the Company had the right to defend the New Concessions through the applicable legal procedures (which have been initiated through the two Administrative Challenges referred to below).

The Company has initiated two Administrative Challenges against the Mexican mining authorities for revoking the Company’s lawfully reduced New Concessions. These challenges are based in part on Mexican legal advice that the Company cannot be forced to own mineral rights that it does not wish to own. These Administrative Challenges remain in process. Almaden continues to file taxes and assessment reports on the basis of the reduced area defined by the New Concessions. These taxes have been accepted by the Mexican mining authorities, and Almaden has not received any notifications from the Mexican mining authorities regarding taxes on the Original Concessions.

Further information on the Amparo is provided in Item 8 below under the heading “Legal Proceedings”.

The claims owned by Almaden with respect to the Tuligtic Property are held 100% by Minera Gorrion S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of Almaden Minerals Ltd. through the holding company, Puebla Holdings Inc., subject to a 2% NSR in favour of Almadex Minerals Ltd.

To maintain a claim in good standing, the holder is required to meet annual exploration or exploitation expenditure requirements. Currently, based on the New Concessions, the Tuligtic Property is subject to expenditure requirements of approximately US$997,000 per year. However, the Company has substantial historic expenditures which have historically been used to offset the annual requirements.

Geological Setting of the Tuligtic Project and Ixtaca Zone

The Ixtaca Project is situated within the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB), a Tertiary to recent intrusive volcanic arc extending approximately east-west across Mexico from coast to coast and ranging in width from 10 to 300km. The TMVB is the most recent episode of a long lasting magmatic activity which, since the Jurassic, produced a series of partially overlapping arcs as a result of the eastward subduction of the Farallon plate beneath western Mexico (Ferrari, 2011). The basement rocks of the eastern half of the TMVB are Precambrian terranes, including biotite orthogneiss and granulite affected by granitic intrusions, grouped into the Oaxaquia microcontinent (Ferrari et al., 2011; Fuentes-Peralta and Calderon, 2008). These are overlain by the Paleozoic Mixteco terrane, consisting of a metamorphic sequence known as the Acatlan complex and a fan delta sedimentary sequence known as the Matzitzi formation. Another sedimentary complex is found on top of the Mixteco terrane, represented by various paleogeographic elements such as the Mesozoic basins of Tlaxiaco, Zongolica, Zapotitlan, and Tampico-Misantla (Fuentes-Peralta and Calderon, 2008). The subducting plates associated with the TMVB are relatively young, with the Rivera plate dated at 10Ma (million years) and the Cocos plate at 11 to 17Ma.

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The stratigraphy of the Tuligtic area can be divided into two main sequences: a Mesozoic sedimentary rock sequence related to the Zongolica basin and a sequence of late Tertiary igneous extrusive rocks belonging to the TMVB (Fuentes-Peralta & Calderon, 2008; Tritlla et al., 2004). The sedimentary sequence is locally intruded by plutonic rocks genetically related to the TMVB. The sedimentary complex at Tuligtic corresponds to the Upper Tamaulipas formation (Reyes-Cortes 1997). This formation, Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous in age, is regionally described (Reyes-Cortes, 1997) as a sequence of grey-to-white limestone, slightly argillaceous, containing bands and nodules of black chert. The drilling conducted by Almaden allows for more detailed characterisation of the Upper Tamaulipas Formation carbonate units in the Tuligtic area. The sequence on the Project consists of clastic calcareous rocks. The limestone unit variably bedded, generally light grey but locally dark grey to black, with local chert rich sections graded into what have been named transition units and shale (also black shale). The transition units are brown calcareous siltstones and grainstones. These rocks are not significant in the succession but mark the transition from limestone to underlying calcareous shale. Typical of the transition units are coarser grain sizes. The lower calcareous “shale” units exhibit pronounced laminated bedding and is typically dark grey to black in colour, although there are green coloured beds as well. The shale units appear to have been subjected to widespread calc-silicate alteration.

Both the shale and transition units have very limited surface exposure and may be recessive. The entire carbonate package of rocks has been intensely deformed by the Laramide orogeny, showing complex thrusting and chevron folding in the hinge zones of a series of thrust-related east verging anticlines in the Ixtaca area (Tritlla et al., 2004; Coller, 2011). The calcareous shale units appear to occupy the cores of the anticlines while the thick bedded limestone units occupy the cores of major synclines identified in the Ixtaca zone.

The Tamaulipas Formation carbonate rocks are intruded in the mid-Miocene by a series of magmatic rocks. The compositions are very variable, consisting of hornblende-biotite-bearing tonalites, quartz-plagioclase-hornblende diorites, and, locally, aphanitic diabase dykes (Carrasco-Nunez et al., 1997). In the central part of the Tuligtic Property porphyry mineralization is hosted by and associated with a hornblende-biotite-quartz phyric granodiorite body. The contact between the granodiorite and the limestone is marked by the development of a prograde skarn.

In the Ixtaca deposit epithermal area of the Project, the limestone basement units are crosscut by intermediate dykes that are often intensely altered. In the vicinity of the Ixtaca zone these dykes are well mineralized especially at their contacts with limestone country rock. Petrography has shown that epithermal alteration in the dykes, marked by illite, adularia, quartz and pyrite overprints earlier calc-silicate endoskarn mineralogies (Leitch, 2011). Two main orientations are identified for dykes in the Ixtaca area; 060 degrees (parallel to the Main Ixtaca and Ixtaca North zones) and 330 degrees (parallel to the Chemalaco Zone).

An erosional unconformity surface has been formed subsequent to the intrusion of the porphyry mineralization-associated granodiorites. This paleo topographical surface locally approximates the current topography. Although not well exposed the unconformity is marked by depression localised accumulations of basal conglomerate comprised of intrusive and sedimentary boulders.

Two styles of alteration and mineralization have been identified in the area: (1) copper-molybdenum porphyry style alteration and mineralization hosted by diorite and quartz-diorite intrusions; (2) silver-gold low-sulphidation epithermal quartz-bladed calcite veins hosted primarily by carbonate rocks and spatially associated with overlying volcanic hosted texturally destructive clay alteration and replacement silicification.

Outcropping porphyry-style alteration and mineralization is observed in the bottoms of several drainages where the altered intrusive complex is exposed in erosional windows beneath post mineral unconsolidated ash deposits. Multiple late and post mineral intrusive phases have been identified crossing an early intensely altered and quartz-veined medium-grained feldspar phyric diorite named the Principal Porphyry. Other intrusive types include late and post mineral mafic dykes and an inter-mineral feldspar-quartz phyric diorite. Late mineral mafic dykes are fine grained and altered to chlorite with accessory pyrite. Calc-silicate (garnet-clinopyroxene) altered limestone occurs in proximity to the intrusive contacts and is crosscut by late quartz-pyrite veins. Early biotite alteration of the principal porphyry consists of biotite-orthoclase flooding of the groundmass. Quartz veins associated with early alteration have irregular boundaries and are interpreted to be representative of A-style porphyry veins. These are followed by molybdenite veins which are associated with the same wall rock alteration. Chalcopyrite appears late in the early alteration sequence. Late alteration is characterized by intense zones of muscovite-illite-pyrite overprinting earlier quartz-K-feldspar-pyrite ± chalcopyrite veining and replacing earlier hydrothermal orthoclase and biotite. Stockwork quartz-pyrite crosscuts the A-style veins and is associated with muscovite-illite alteration of biotite. The quartz-sericite alteration can be texturally destructive resulting in white friable quartz veined and pyrite rich rock. Pyrite is observed replacing chalcopyrite and in some instances chalcopyrite remains only as inclusions within late stage pyrite grains.

Epithermal mineralization on the Tuligtic Property is considered to have no genetic relationship to the porphyry alteration and mineralization described above. The epithermal system is well preserved and there is evidence of a paleosurface as steam heated kaolinite and replacement silica alteration occur at higher elevations where the upper part of the Coyoltepec pyroclastic deposit is preserved.

The Upper Tamaulipas formation carbonates (limestone and shale units), the dykes that crosscut it and the upper Coyoltepec volcanic subunit (variously referred to as volcanics, tuff or ash) are the host rocks to the epithermal system at Ixtaca. The epithermal alteration occurs over a roughly 5 by 5 kilometre area and occurs as intense kaolinite-alunite alteration and silicification in volcanic rocks. This alteration is interpreted to represent the upper portion of a well preserved epithermal system. The bulk of the mineralisation occurs in the carbonate (limestone and shale) as colloform banded epithermal vein zones. Unlike many epithermal vein systems in Mexico, the bulk of the veining in the Ixtaca zone has low base metal contents and gold and silver occur as electrum and other sulphides. SEM work has demonstrated that silver does not occur with galena or tetrahedrite in any significant way. In the main limestone unit (80% of recoverable metal in the FS) the silver to gold ratio of the mineralisation is roughly estimated to average ~65:1 while in the shale it is roughly estimated to be slightly higher at ~75:1.

History of Past Work

To the Company’s knowledge, no modern exploration has been conducted on the Ixtaca Project prior to Almaden’s acquisition of claims during 2001 and there is no record of previous mining; as such, this is a maiden discovery.

During January 2003, Almaden completed a program of geologic mapping, rock, stream silt sampling and induced polarization (IP) geophysical surveys at the Tuligtic Property (then known as the “Santa Maria Prospect”). The exploration identified both a porphyry copper and an epithermal gold target within an approximately 5 x 5km area of intensely altered rock. At the porphyry copper target, stockwork quartz-pyrite veins associated with minor copper mineralization overprint earlier potassic alteration within a multi-phase intrusive body. A single north-south oriented IP survey line identified a greater than 2km long elevated chargeability response coincident with the exposed altered and mineralized intrusive system. Volcanic rocks exposed 1km to the south of the mineralized intrusive display replacement silicification and sinter indicative of the upper parts of an epithermal system (the “Ixtaca Zone”). Quartz-calcite veins returning anomalous values in gold and silver and textural evidence of boiling have been identified within limestone roughly 100m below the sinter. The sinter and overlying volcanic rocks are anomalous in mercury, arsenic, and antimony.

Additional IP surveys and soil sampling were conducted in January and February 2005, further defining the porphyry copper target as an area of high chargeability and elevated copper, molybdenum, silver and gold in soil. A total of eight (8) east-west oriented lines, 3km in length, spaced at intervals of 200m have been completed over mineralized intrusive rocks intermittently exposed within gullies cutting through the overlying unmineralized ash deposits.

The Tuligtic Property was optioned to Pinnacle Mines Ltd. in 2006 and the option agreement was terminated in 2007 without completing significant exploration.

The Property was subsequently optioned to Antofagasta Minerals S.A. (Antofagasta) on March 23, 2009. During 2009 and 2010 Antofagasta, under Almaden operation, carried out IP geophysical surveys and a diamond drill program targeting the copper porphyry prospect. Three additional IP survey lines were completed, and in conjunction with the previous nine (9) IP lines, a 2 x 2.5km chargeability high anomaly, open to the west and south, was defined. The 2009 drilling consisted of 2,973m within seven (7) holes that largely intersected skarn type mineralization.

On February 16, 2010, Almaden announced that Antofagasta terminated its option to earn an interest in the Property.

In July 2010, Almaden initiated a preliminary diamond drilling program to test epithermal alteration within the Tuligtic Property, resulting in the discovery of the Ixtaca Zone. The target was based on exploration data gathered by Almaden since 2001 including high gold and silver in soil and a chargeability and resistivity high anomaly (derived from an IP geophysical survey conducted by Almaden) topographically beneath Cerro Caolin, a prominent clay and silica altered hill. This alteration, barren in gold and silver, was interpreted by Almaden to represent the top of an epithermal system which required drill testing to depth. The first hole, TU-10-001 intersected 302.42 metres of 1.01g/t gold and 48g/t silver and multiple high grade intervals including 44.35 metres of 2.77g/t gold and 117.7g/t silver.

Present Condition of Project

Geology and Mineral Resources

The veining of Ixtaca epithermal system displays characteristics representative of low and intermediate sulphidation deposits. These include typical mill feed and gangue mineralogy (electrum Ag-sulphides, sphalerite, galena, adularia, quartz and carbonates), mineralization dominantly in open space veins (colloform banding, cavity filling).

At the base of the overlying clay altered volcanics disseminated gold-silver mineralisation occurs in association with pyrite and minor veining. Locally this mineralisation can be high grade but largely associated with lower Ag:Au ratios roughly estimated to average 20:1.

To date two main vein orientations have been identified in the Ixtaca deposit:

The bulk of the resource and over 80% of the mill feed is hosted by the limestone in the Main Ixtaca and Ixtaca North zones as swarms of sheeted and anastomosing high grade banded epithermal veins. There is no disseminated mineralisation within the host rock to the vein swarms, which is barren and unaltered limestone. To the northeast of the limestone hosted mineralisation, the Chemalaco zone, a 330 striking and west dipping vein zone hosted by shale, also forms part of the deeper resource.

Rock Creek Mill

Almaden entered into an option agreement to acquire the Rock Creek Mill in October 2015. The Rock Creek Mill is a completed mill that was located outside of Nome, Alaska and which only operated for several months before its owner suspended its mining operation in 2008. The mill has been kept in excellent condition on care and maintenance.

The Rock Creek Mill was built to process 7,000 tonnes per day. It includes a three-stage crushing plant, gravity circuit, ball mill, floatation cells and leaching facilities. Also included in the option agreement are conveyors, metallurgical and chemical fire assay laboratories, a water treatment plant, full electrical circuitry and generators, and spare parts.

Almaden exercised its right and option under the option agreement and has purchased the Rock Creek Mill and related assets for a total of US$6,500,000, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances.

In addition to the cash payments, Almaden also issued to the optionor 407,997 Almaden common shares valued at $273,358 upon receipt of regulatory approval, which were issued on November 25, 2016.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, Almaden obtained ownership and title to the mill equipment, which remains located in Nome, Alaska.

The Rock Creek Mill has been incorporated into the Ixtaca economic studies.

Amended Preliminary Economic Assessment

On January 22, 2016, Almaden’s independent consultants prepared a Technical Report titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Ixtaca Project”, which provided further detail to its December 9, 2015 press release summarizing the results of integrating the optioned Rock Creek Mill and a smaller, higher grade, payback focused pit on potential mine economics. An amended technical report was completed on April 13, 2016 (the “Amended PEA”); however the amendments were not material changes and the Report’s data, inputs, interpretation, conclusions and results all remained unchanged. This report was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These standards differ from the mining property disclosure rules specified in Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (“Subpart 1300”) promulgated by the SEC.

The Amended PEA followed the historical PEAs released in 2014 and 2015 (“Historical PEAs”) which evaluated larger throughput development alternatives. The primary reasons for providing an update to the Historical PEAs were to show the impact of significantly reduced initial capital cost on project economics and, given the significant decrease in precious metals prices, to demonstrate the viability of a mine plan which focused on the near surface high grade limestone hosted portions of the Ixtaca Zone deposit.

This mine plan was a smaller higher grade scenario than those described in Almaden’s Historical PEA studies. In addition, the Amended PEA incorporated the optioned Rock Creek mill as well as results from various engineering studies related to the project which had been conducted since the Historical PEAs were completed. The Amended PEA incorporated:

Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”)

Upon completion of the Amended PEA, Almaden began the work required for a Pre-Feasibility Study on the Ixtaca Project. During 2016, Almaden completed the necessary geotechnical, geomechanical, and hydrologic field programs, and also optimized site layout through updated waste placement and facilities locations. A new metallurgical program was also completed on the limestone domain, which represents approximately 82% of the total gold equivalent ounces produced over the life of the mine in the PFS. This report was also prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, the standards for which differ from the mining property disclosure rules specified in Subpart 1300 promulgated by the SEC.

The completed PFS is dated May 17, 2017 and included an updated resource model. The mine production schedule also included the optioned Rock Creek Mill while targeting higher grades earlier, using smaller, payback focused starter pits.

Feasibility Study (“Study”)

Upon completion of the PFS, Almaden began the work required for a Feasibility Study on the Ixtaca Project. The Study and resulting mine plan incorporate significant changes from the PFS including filtered (dry stack) tailings, ore sorting, increased throughput and an improved mine schedule. Collectively the changes result in a reduced project footprint and improved economics.

Almaden engaged a team of consultants led by Moose Mountain Technical Services (“MMTS”) to undertake this Study. As of the date of the Study and of the date hereof, the aforementioned Named Experts or, as applicable, Designated Professionals, to the best of the Company's knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of the Common Shares of the Company or any of the Company’s associates or affiliates, and none of them have any registered or beneficial ownership, direct or indirect, of property of the Company or any of the Company’s associates or affiliates.

The completed Study is dated January 24, 2019, and an update to the FS is dated October 3, 2019. The Study was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, the standards for which differ from the mining property disclosure rules specified in Subpart 1300 promulgated by the SEC. A technical report summary which summarises the Study in a manner intended to be in accordance with Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K (the “TRS”) has been filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report. The TRS is a review and summary of the previous technical work carried out up to the date of the Study. No significant technical work has been conducted subsequent to this Study and all exploration, legal, permitting and other project updates subsequent to the Study are provided elsewhere in this 20F. The Study was filed as a Feasibility Study under 43-101 standards. However, since Subpart 1300 standards are different than 43-101 standards, such as a lower range for cost estimates and contingencies, the Study likely would not meet Subpart 1300 requirements for a Feasibility-level study.

TRS HIGHLIGHTS

(All values shown in this section discussing the TRS are in $US unless noted otherwise. Base case uses $1275/oz gold and $17/oz silver prices. Gold and silver equivalency calculations assume 75:1 ratio).

Capital and Operating Costs

Initial capital cost for the Ixtaca gold-silver project is $174 million and sustaining capital (including expansion capital) is $111 million over the LOM. The estimated expansion capital of $64.5 million will be funded from cashflow in Year 4 for the throughput ramp-up in Year 5. Estimated LOM operating costs are $26.8 per tonne mill feed. The following tables summarize the cost components:

Initial Capital Costs ($ millions)

Expansion Capital Costs ($ millions)

LOM Average Operating Costs ($)

Economic Results and Sensitivities

A summary of financial outcomes comparing base case metal prices to alternative metal price conditions are presented below. The TRS base case prices are derived from current common peer usage, while the alternate cases consider the project’s economic outcomes at varying prices witnessed at some point over the three years prior to the Study.

Summary of Ixtaca Economic Sensitivity to Precious Metal Prices (Base Case is Bold)

Mineral Resource Estimate

On January 31, 2013 the Company announced a maiden resource on the Ixtaca Zone, which was followed by a resource update on January 22, 2014 and another on May 17, 2017. Since that time an additional 104 holes have been completed, and this data is also included in the Mineral Resource Estimate which is summarised in the table below. The data available for the resource estimation consisted of 649 drill holes assayed for gold and silver. Wireframes constraining mineralised domains were constructed based on geologic boundaries defined by mineralisation intensity and host rock type. Higher grade zones occur where there is a greater density of epithermal veining. These higher grade domains have good continuity and are cohesive in nature.

Of the total drill holes, 558 intersected the mineralised solids and were used to make the resource estimate. Capping was completed to reduce the effect of outliers within each domain. Uniform down hole 3-meter composites were produced for each domain and used to produce semivariograms for each variable. Grades were interpolated into blocks 10 x 10 x 6 meters in dimension by ordinary kriging. Specific gravities were determined for each domain from drill core. Estimated blocks were classified as either Measured, Indicated or Inferred based on drill hole density and grade continuity.

Table showing the Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource Statement with the Base Case 0.3 g/t AuEq Cut-Off highlighted from the 8 July 2018 Resource Statement. Also shown are the 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 g/t AuEq cut-off results. AuEq calculation is based on average prices of $1250/oz gold and $18/oz silver.

Ixtaca Zone Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource Statement

Notes pertaining to Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates:

Mineral Reserve Estimate

Mineral Reserves in the table below have been developed by MMTS with an effective date of November 30, 2018, The Mineral Reserves are based on an engineered open pit mine plan.

Mineral Reserves

Legal, political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Reserves are provided in this Form 20-F under the heading “Risk Factors”.

Mine Plan

The Ixtaca gold-silver project is planned as a typical open pit mining operation using contractor mining. Initial production will ramp up to a mill feed rate of 7,650 tonnes per day followed by an expansion to 15,300 tonnes per day from Year 5 onwards.

An ore control system is planned to provide field control for the loading equipment to selectively mine ore grade material separately from the waste.

Mining operations will be based on 365 operating days per year with three 8 hour shifts per day.

Processing

The TRS reflects the Rock Creek process plant which has been purchased by Almaden. Run of mine ore will be crushed in a three-stage crushing circuit to -9 mm.

The TRS also incorporates ore sorting, test work for which has shown the ability to separate barren or low grade limestone host rock encountered within the vein swarm from vein and veined material (see Almaden news release of July 16^th 2018). Product from the secondary crusher will be screened in to coarse (+20mm), mid-size (12 to 20 mm), and fine (-12mm) fractions. Coarse and mid-size ore will be sorted by an XRT ore sort machine to eject waste rock. Fine ore will bypass the ore sorting and is sent directly to the mill.

Ore sort waste from Limestone and Black Shale is below waste/ore cutoff grade and is placed in the waste rock dump. Ore sort ‘waste’ from the Volcanic unit is low grade ore and will be stockpiled for processing later in the mine life. Ore sorting pre-concentration increases the mill feed gold and silver grades by 32% and 31% respectively compared to run of mine (ROM) grades. The table below shows ROM grades with ore sort waste removed from the ROM, and the resulting mill feed.

Ore Sort Mill Feed grade improvement