0001171843-19-003318.txt : 20190513 0001171843-19-003318.hdr.sgml : 20190513 20190513165251 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001171843-19-003318 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20190513 FILED AS OF DATE: 20190513 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20190513 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ALMADEN MINERALS LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001015647 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: METAL MINING [1000] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: A1 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-32702 FILM NUMBER: 19819073 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: SUITE 210 ? 1333 JOHNSTON STREET CITY: VANCOUVER STATE: A1 ZIP: V6H 3R9 BUSINESS PHONE: (604) 689-7644 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: SUITE 210 ? 1333 JOHNSTON STREET CITY: VANCOUVER STATE: A1 ZIP: V6H 3R9 6-K 1 f6k_051319.htm FORM 6-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13A-16 or 15D-16

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of May 2019

 

Commission File Number: 001-32702

 

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

 

Suite 210 – 1333 Johnston St., Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6H 3R9

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

  Form 20-F
     
  Form 40-F

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulations S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulations S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

 

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

  Yes
     
  No

 

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-

 

 

 

Signature

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Dated: May 13, 2019    
  By: 

 /s/Duane Poliquin                        
Duane Poliquin

Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit Description of Exhibit
   
99.1 Financial Statements
99.2 Management's Discussion and Analysis
99.3 Certification of Annual Filings - CEO
99.4 Certification of Annual Filings - CFO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EX-99.1 2 exh_991.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements of

 

 

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE OF NO AUDITOR REVIEW OF CONDENSED

CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Almaden Minerals Ltd (“the Company”) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 have been prepared by the management of the Company and approved by the Company’s Audit Committee and the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

Under National Instrument 51-102, Part 4, subsection 4.3 (3) (a), if an auditor has not performed a review of the consolidated interim financial statements, they must be accompanied by a notice indicating that an auditor has not reviewed the financial statements.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company have been prepared by and are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

 

The Company’s independent auditor has not performed a review of these financial statements in accordance with standards established by CPA Canada for a review of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements by an entity’s auditor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Condensed consolidated interim statements of financial position

(Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 

 

  

 

March 31,

2019

 

    December 31,
2018
 
     $      $  
ASSETS          
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 11)   3,359,899    5,080,580 
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses (Note 4)   311,542    404,416 
    3,671,441    5,484,996 
           
Non-current assets          
Right-of-use assets (Note 5)   364,296    - 
Property, plant and equipment (Note 6)   13,759,527    13,764,928 
Exploration and evaluation assets (Note 7)   55,247,334    54,678,470 
    69,371,157    68,443,398 
TOTAL ASSETS   73,042,598    73,928,394 
           
LIABILITIES          
Current liabilities          
Trade and other payables (Note 9(b))   661,578    1,128,407 
Lease liabilities current portion (Note 5)   82,403    - 
    743,981    1,128,407 
           
Non-current liabilities          
Lease liabilities long-term portion (Note 5)   292,679    - 
Deferred income tax liability   1,434,882    1,434,882 
    1,727,561    1,434,882 
Total liabilities   2,471,542    2,563,289 
           
EQUITY          
Share capital (Note 8)   127,022,366    127,022,366 
Reserves (Note 8)   16,860,582    16,706,832 
Deficit   (73,311,892)   (72,364,093)
Total equity   70,571,056    71,365,105 
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES   73,042,598    73,928,394 

Commitments (Note 12)

Subsequent events (Note 16)

 

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on May 13, 2019.

 

They are signed on the Company’s behalf by:

 

/s/Duane Poliquin /s/Mark T. Brown
Director Director

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

 

 

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Condensed consolidated interim statements of comprehensive loss

(Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 

   Three months ended March 31,  
     2019      2018  
Expenses  $    $  
Professional fees   159,996    139,737 
Salaries and benefits (Note 9(b))   431,653    343,450 
Travel and promotion   93,100    69,741 
Depreciation (Note 6)   5,985    6,867 
Office and license (Note 9(b))   32,844    30,090 
Rent (Note 9(b))   -    37,102 
Occupancy expenses (Note 5)   11,489    - 
Interest expense on lease liabilities (Note 5)   8,993    - 
Amortization of right-of-use assets (Note 5)   30,358    - 
Stock exchange fees   158,728    132,618 
Insurance   17,691    14,147 
Transfer agent fees   4,285    2,670 
Directors’ fees (Note 9(a))   70,000    70,000 
Share-based payments (Note 8(c) and 9(a))   153,750    312,000 
    1,178,872    1,158,422 
           
Other income (loss)          
Interest and other income (Note 9(b))   239,302    143,461 
Foreign exchange gain (loss)   (8,229)   132,541 
    231,073    276,002 
Total comprehensive loss for the period   (947,799)   (882,420)
           
Basic and diluted net loss per share (Note 10)   (0.01)   (0.01)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

 

 

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Condensed consolidated interim statements of cash flows

(Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 

 

   Three months ended March 31,  
     2019      2018  
  $  $
Operating activities          
Net loss for the period   (947,799)   (882,420)
Items not affecting cash          
Depreciation   5,985    6,867 
Amortization of right-of-use assets   30,358    - 
Share-based payments   153,750    312,000 
Changes in non-cash working capital components          
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses   92,874    (99,779)
Trade and other payables   (207,869)   68,697 
Net cash used in operating activities   (872,701)   (594,635)
Investing activities          
Deposit on mill equipment   -    (1,551,679)
Property, plant and equipment – purchase   (584)   - 
Exploration and evaluation assets – costs   (827,824)   (1,917,323)
Net cash used in investing activities   (828,408)   (3,469,002)
Financing activities          
Repayment of lease liabilities   (19,572)   - 
Net cash used in financing activities   (19,572)   - 
           
Change in cash and cash equivalents   (1,720,681)   (4,063,637)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   5,080,580    16,334,534 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   3,359,899    12,270,897 
Supplemental cash flow information (Note 11)          

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

 

 

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Condensed consolidated interim statements of changes in equity

(Unaudited – Expressed in Canadian dollars)

 

  

Share capital

  Reserves    
     Number of shares      Amount      Share-based payments      Warrants      Total reserves   

 

 

Deficit

 

    Total  
         $    $    $    $    $    $ 
Balance, January 1, 2018   102,199,625    118,054,463    14,848,874    679,402    15,528,276    (68,852,426)   64,730,313 
Share-based payments   -    -    312,000    -    312,000    -    312,000 
Total comprehensive loss for the period   -    -    -    -    -    (882,420)   (882,420)
Balance, March 31, 2018   102,199,625    118,054,463    15,160,874    679,402    15,840,276    (69,734,846)   64,159,893 
Share-based payments   -    -    996,740    -    996,740    -    996,740 
Private placements, net   9,440,000    8,838,441    -    -    -    -    8,838,441 
Finders' warrants issued pursuant to private placement   -    (36,566)   -    36,566    36,566    -    - 
Shares issued for cash on exercise of stock options   23,000    16,560    -    -    -    -    16,560 
Fair value of cash stock options transferred to share capital   -    6,670    (6,670)   -    (6,670)   -    - 
Shares issued on cashless exercise of stock options   64,094    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Shares issuance cost on cashless exercise of options   -    (17,282)   -    -    -    -    (17,282)
Fair value of cashless stock options transferred to share capital   -    160,080    (160,080)   -    (160,080)   -    - 
Total comprehensive loss for the year   -    -    -    -    -    (2,629,247)   (2,629,247)
Balance, December 31, 2018   111,726,719    127,022,366    15,990,864    715,968    16,706,832    (72,364,093)   71,365,105 
Share-based payments   -    -    153,750    -    153,750    -    153,750 
Total comprehensive loss for the period   -    -    -    -    -    (947,799)   (947,799)
Balance, March 31, 2019   111,726,719    127,022,366    16,144,614    715,968    16,860,582    (73,311,892)   70,571,056 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

 


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

 

1. Nature of operations

 

Almaden Minerals Ltd. (the “Company” or “Almaden”) was formed by amalgamation under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada on February 1, 2002. The Company is an exploration stage public company that is engaged directly in the exploration and development of exploration and evaluation properties in Canada and Mexico. The address of the Company’s registered office is Suite 1710 –1177 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6E 2L3.

 

The Company is in the business of exploring and developing mineral projects and its principal asset is the Ixtaca precious metals project located on its Tuligtic claim in Mexico. The Company has not yet determined whether this project has economically recoverable mineral reserves. The recoverability of amounts shown for mineral properties is dependent upon the establishment of a sufficient quantity of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing or participation of joint venture partners to complete development of the properties, and upon future profitable production or proceeds from the disposition of exploration and evaluation assets.

 

2. Basis of presentation

 

(a)       Statement of Compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)

 

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements, including comparatives, have been prepared in accordance and compliance with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 34, Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”).

 

The Company adopted IFRS 16, Leases ("IFRS 16") on January 1, 2019. Changes to significant accounting policies are described in Note 3.

 

(b)       Basis of preparation

 

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. This interim financial report does not include all of the information required of a full annual financial report and is intended to provide users with an update in relation to events and transactions that are significant to an understanding of the changes in financial position and performance of the Company since the end of the last annual reporting period. It is therefore recommended that this financial report be read in conjunction with the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018. However, this interim financial report provides selected significant disclosures that are required in the annual audited consolidated financial statements under IFRS.

 

Except as described below, these condensed consolidated interim financial statements follow the same accounting policies and methods of application as the annual audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

The changes in accounting policies are also expected to be reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ending December 31, 2019.

 

Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

7


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

3. Significant Accounting Policies

 

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all note disclosures required by IFRS for annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019.

 

New accounting policy adopted during the period

 

The Company adopted IFRS 16 on January 1, 2019. A number of other new standards are also effective from January 1, 2019; however, were not deemed to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

 

IFRS 16 Leases

 

In January 2016, the IASB released IFRS 16, which is requires to be applied for years beginning on or after January 1, 2019, and which supersedes IAS 17 Leases (“IAS 17”). Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted this new accounting standard. The most significant effect of the new standard will be the lessee’s recognition of the initial present value of unavoidable future lease payments as right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the statement of financial position, including those for most leases that would currently be accounted for as operating leases. Both leases with durations of 12 months or less and leases for low-value assets may be exempted.

 

The Company has office leases for its headquarter in Vancouver, British Columbia. In the context of the transition to IFRS 16, ROU assets of $394,654 and lease liabilities of $394,654 were recognized as at January 1, 2019, in accordance with the modified retrospective approach. As a transitional practical expedient permitted by IFRS 16 as at January 1, 2019, only contracts that were previously identified as leases applying IAS 17 and IFRIC 4, Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease, were assessed as part of the transition to the new standard. Only contracts entered into (or modified) after January 1, 2019 have been assessed for being, or containing, leases applying the criteria of the new standard.

 

The application of IFRS 16 requires the Company to make judgments that affect the valuation of the lease liabilities and the valuation of ROU assets. These include: determining contracts that are within the scope of IFRS 16; determining the contract term; and determining the interest rate used for the discounting of future cash flows.

 

The ROU assets are recognized initially at the value of lease liabilities at recognition with any prepaid payments, initial direct costs and dismantling costs less any lease incentives received. Re-measurements will not be applied by the Company subsequently, except for assessment for impairment, where appropriate.

8


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

3. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

IFRS 16 Leases (Continued)

 

The lease term determined by the Company comprises the non-cancellable period of lease contracts; the period covered by an option to extend the leases, if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and the periods covered by an option to terminate the lease, if the Company is reasonably certain not to exercise that option. The amortization rate of ROU assets is based on the lease term determined. The present value of the lease payment is determined using the discount rate representing the weighted average incremental borrowing rate the Company could secure. There are no restrictions or covenants imposed by the Company’s leases.

 

4. Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses

 

Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses consist of the following:

 

 
 
 
 
  March 31,
2019
   
 
  December 31,
2018
 
Accounts receivable (Note 9(b))  $227,153   $300,700 
Prepaid expenses   84,389    103,716 
   $311,542   $404,416 

 

During the period ended March 31, 2019, the Company recorded value added taxes of $51,964 included in exploration and evaluation assets as the value added tax relates to certain projects and is expected to be recovered when the assets are sold (Note 7).

 

5. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities

 

The Company has lease agreements for its headquarter office space in Vancouver, B.C. Upon transition to IFRS 16, the Company recognized $394,654 of ROU assets and $394,654 of lease liabilities.

 

The lease liability at January 1, 2019 can be reconciled to the operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2018 as follows:

 

Operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2018  $613,764 
Discounting using the January 1, 2019 incremental borrowing rate (1)   (84,579)
Operating lease obligations as of January 1, 2019   529,185 
Less: Non-lease components   (134,531)
Lease liabilities recognized as of January 1, 2019  $394,654 
      
Current portion  $101,975 
Long-term portion   292,679 
Lease liabilities recognized as of January 1, 2019  $394,654 

 

(1)The lease liabilities were discounted using an incremental borrowing rate as at January 1, 2019 of 9.5% per annum.

9


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

5. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities (Continued)

 

The continuity of ROU assets for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

 

     ROU assets  
January 1, 2019  $394,654 
Amortization of ROU assets   30,358 
March 31, 2019  $364,296 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company recognized amortization of ROU assets of $30,358, interest expense on lease liabilities of $8,993 and occupancy expenses of $11,489.

 

6. Property, plant and equipment

 

     Furniture and fixtures and other      Computer hardware      Computer software      Geological library      Field equipment      Mill equipment      Total  
   $  $  $  $  $  $  $
Cost                     
December 31, 2018   158,219    248,896    196,767    51,760    245,647    13,673,883    14,575,172 
Additions   -    -    584    -    -    -    584 
March 31, 2019   158,219    248,896    197,351    51,760    245,647    13,673,883    14,575,756 
                                    
                                    
December 31, 2018   138,928    223,878    172,300    49,845    225,293    -    810,244 
Depreciation   1,153    1,876    1,842    96    1,018    -    5,985 
March 31, 2019   140,081    225,754    174,142    49,941    226,311    -    816,229 
                                    
Carrying amounts                                   
December 31, 2018   19,291    25,018    24,467    1,915    20,354    13,673,883    13,764,928 
March 31, 2019   18,138    23,142    23,209    1,819    19,336    13,673,883    13,759,527 

10


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

7. Exploration and evaluation assets

 

     Tuligtic      Other Property      Total  
Exploration and evaluation assets    $      $      $  
Acquisition costs:               
Opening balance - (December 31, 2018)   9,159,951    1    9,159,952 
Additions   24,133    -    24,133 
Closing balance - (March 31, 2019)   9,184,084    1    9,184,085 

Deferred exploration costs:

               
Opening balance - (December 31, 2018)   45,518,518    -    45,518,518 
Costs incurred during the period               
Drilling and related costs   59,353    -    59,353 
Professional/technical fees   17,440    -    17,440 
Claim maintenance/lease costs   83,348    -    83,348 
Geochemical, metallurgy   29,679    -    29,679 
Technical studies   129,006    -    129,006 
Travel and accommodation   104,136    -    104,136 
Geology, geophysics and exploration   37,022    -    37,022 
Supplies and misc.   10,951    -    10,951 
Environmental   21,832    -    21,832 
Value-added tax (Note 4)   51,964    -    51,964 
Total deferred exploration costs during the period   544,731    -    544,731 
Closing balance - (March 31, 2019)   46,063,249    -    46,063,249 
Total exploration and evaluation assets   55,247,333    1    55,247,334 

 

The following is a description of the Company’s most significant property interests and related spending commitments:

 

(a)Tuligtic

 

In 2001, the Company acquired by staking a 100% interest in the Tuligtic property in Puebla, Mexico. The property contains the Ixtaca Zone.

 

(b)Other Property

 

The Company holds a 40% carried interest in the Logan property located in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The project is carried at a nominal value of $1.

11


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

8. Share capital and reserves

 

(a)Authorized share capital

 

At March 31, 2019, the authorized share capital comprised an unlimited number of common shares. The common shares do not have a par value. All issued shares are fully paid.

 

(b)Warrants

 

The continuity of warrants for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

 

 
Expiry date
    Exercise
price
     December 31,
2018
  
Issued      Exercised      Expired      March 31,
2019
 
June 1, 2019  $2.00    295,734    -    -    -    295,734 
August 7, 2019  $2.00    1,259,704    -    -    -    1,259,704 
August 7, 2019  $1.35    10,411    -    -    -    10,411 
June 1, 2020  $2.45    4,928,900    -    -    -    4,928,900 
June 7, 2020  $1.35    192,450    -    -    -    192,450 
June 7, 2022  $1.35    4,720,000    -    -    -    4,720,000 
Warrants outstanding and exercisable        11,407,199    -    -    -    11,407,199 
Weighted average exercise price       $1.91    -    -    -   $1.91 

 

(c)Share purchase option compensation plan

 

The Company’s stock option plan permits the issuance of options up to a maximum of 10% of the Company’s issued share capital. Stock options issued to any consultant or person providing investor relations services cannot exceed 2% of the issued and outstanding common shares in any twelve month period. At March 31, 2019, the Company had reserved 1,522,672 stock options that may be granted. The exercise price of any option cannot be less than the volume weighted average trading price of the shares for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the grant.

 

The maximum term of all options is five years. The Board of Directors determines the term of the option (to a maximum of five years) and the time during which any option may vest. Options granted to consultants or persons providing investor relations services shall vest in stages with no more than 25% of such option being exercisable in any three month period. All options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2019 vested on the grant date.

 

The Company’s stock option plan permits the option holder to exercise cashless by surrendering a portion of the underlying option shares to pay for the exercise price and the corresponding withholding taxes, if applicable.

12


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

8. Share capital and reserves (Continued)

 

(c)Share purchase option compensation plan (Continued)

 

The continuity of stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

 

 

Expiry date

 

 

Exercise

price

 

 

 

December 31,

2018

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

 

March 31,

2019

 

January 2, 2019  $1.04    375,000    -    -    (375,000)   - 
March 17, 2019  $1.35    207,000    -    -    (207,000)   - 
May 4, 2019  $1.99    175,000    -    -    -    175,000 
May 19, 2019  $1.84    75,000    -    -    -    75,000 
June 12, 2019  $1.89    75,000    -    -    -    75,000 
July 2, 2019  $1.32    150,000    -    -    -    150,000 
July 2, 2019  $1.19    60,000    -    -    -    60,000 
July 2, 2019  $1.34    1,427,000    -    -    -    1,427,000 
September 19, 2019  $1.40    1,160,000    -    -    -    1,160,000 
April 10, 2020  $1.03    90,000    -    -    -    90,000 
April 30, 2020  $1.53    500,000    -    -    -    500,000 
April 30, 2020  $1.14    100,000    -    -    -    100,000 
April 30, 2020  $1.04    100,000    -    -    -    100,000 
June 8, 2020  $0.98    2,180,000    -    -    -    2,180,000 
September 30, 2020  $1.25    1,095,000    -    -    -    1,095,000 
September 30, 2020  $0.83    106,000    -    -    -    106,000 
September 30, 2020  $0.79    170,000    -    -    -    170,000 
December 13, 2020  $0.86    762,000    -    -    -    762,000 
February 7, 2021  $1.11    300,000    -    -    -    300,000 
February 7, 2021  $0.84    -    425,000    -    -    425,000 
March 29, 2021  $1.08    400,000    -    -    -    400,000 
March 29, 2021  $0.90    -    100,000    -    -    100,000 
December 12, 2021  $1.00    200,000    -    -    -    200,000 
Options outstanding and exercisable        9,707,000    525,000    -    (582,000)   9,650,000 
Weighted average exercise price       $1.19   $0.85    -   $1.15   $1.17 

 

Total share-based payment as a result of options granted and vested during the period ended March 31, 2019 was $153,750 (2018 - $312,000).

13


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

8. Share capital and reserves (Continued)

 

(c)Share purchase option compensation plan (Continued)

 

The fair value of the options granted during the period ended March 31, 2019 was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

Risk-free interest rate   1.87%
Expected life (years)   2.00 
Expected volatility   50.38%
Expected dividend yield   Nil 
Weighted average fair value per option  $0.29 
      

 

9. Related party transactions and balances

 

(a)Compensation of key management personnel

 

Key management includes members of the Board, the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, Vice President Operations & Projects, and the Vice President, Corporate Development. The net aggregate compensation paid or payable to key management for services after recovery from Azucar Minerals Ltd. (“Azucar”) and Almadex Minerals Ltd. (“Almadex”) (Note 9 (b)) is as follows:

 

 Three months ended March 31,  
     2019      2018  
Salaries and benefits  $183,957   $177,100 
Share-based payments   116,250    312,000 
Directors’ fees   70,000    70,000 
   $370,207   $559,100 

 

(b)Administrative Services Agreement

  

Effective August 1, 2015, the Company recovers a portion of expenses from Azucar pursuant to an administrative services agreement between the Company and Azucar.

 

Effective May 18, 2018, the Company also recovers a portion of expenses from Almadex pursuant to the administrative service agreements between the Company and Almadex.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company received $151,914 (2018 - $111,482) from Azucar for administrative services fees included in other income and received $76,522 (2018 - $Nil) from Almadex for administrative services fees included in other income.

 

At March 31, 2019, included in accounts receivable is $137,046 (December 31, 2018 - $170,181) due from Azucar and $83,751 (December 31, 2018 - $116,268) due from Almadex in relation to expense recoveries.

 

At March 31, 2018, the Company accrued $18,093 (December 31, 2018 - $37,533) payable to Almadex for drilling equipment rental services in Mexico.

14


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

9. Related party transactions and balances (Continued)

 

(c)Other related party transactions

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company employed the Chairman’s daughter for a salary of $10,325 less statutory deductions (2018 - $10,325) for marketing and administrative services provided to the Company.

 

10. Net loss per share

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share

 

The calculation of basic net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was based on the loss attributable to common shareholders of $947,799 (2018 - $882,420) and a weighted average number of common shares outstanding of 111,726,719 (2018 – 102,199,625).

 

The calculation of diluted net loss per share for the period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 did not include the effect of stock options and warrants as they are anti-dilutive.

 

11. Supplemental cash flow information

 

Supplemental information regarding non-cash transactions is as follows:

 

 Three months ended March 31,  
Investing and financing activities    2019      2018  
Right-of-use assets   (394,654)   - 
Lease liabilities   394,654    - 

 

As at March 31, 2019, $435,207 of exploration and evaluation asset costs are included in trade and other payables (December 31, 2018 - $694,167).

 

Supplemental information regarding the split between cash and cash equivalents is as follows:

 

  

 

March 31,

2019

 

    December 31,
2018
 
Cash  $2,059,899   $2,580,580 
Term Deposits   1,300,000    2,500,000 
   $3,359,899   $5,080,580 

15


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

12. Commitments

 

The Company has entered into operating leases for office premises effective April 1, 2017 through to March 31, 2022.

 

As at March 31, 2019, the remaining payments for the operating leases are due as follows:

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023      Total  
Office leases  $134,779   $191,512   $192,336   $48,084    -   $566,711 

 

13. Financial instruments

 

The fair values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and trade and other payables approximate their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

The Company does not carry any financial instruments at fair value.

 

The Company is exposed to certain financial risks, including currency risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk and commodity and equity price risk.

 

(a)Currency risk

 

The Company’s property interests in Mexico make it subject to foreign currency fluctuations and inflationary pressures which may adversely affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The Company is affected by changes in exchange rates between the Canadian dollar, the US dollar and Mexican peso. The Company does not invest in foreign currency contracts to mitigate the risks.

 

As at March 31, 2019, the Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk through the following monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the applicable subsidiary:

 

All amounts in Canadian dollars    US dollar      Mexican peso  
Cash and cash equivalents  $1,047,603   $214,541 
Total assets  $1,047,603   $214,541 
           
Trade and other payables  $452,236   $1,589 
Total liabilities  $452,236   $1,589 
           
Net assets  $595,367   $212,952 

 

A 10% change in the US dollar exchange rate relative to the Canadian dollar would change the Company’s net loss by $60,000.

 

A 10% change in the Mexican peso relative to the Canadian dollar would change the Company’s net loss by $21,000.

16


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

13. Financial instruments (Continued)

 

(b)Credit risk

 

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held in large financial institutions, located in both Canada and Mexico. Cash equivalents mature at less than ninety days during the twelve months following the statement of financial position date. The Company’s excise tax included in accounts receivables and prepaid expenses consists primarily of sales tax due from the federal government of Canada.

 

To mitigate exposure to credit risk on cash and cash equivalents, the Company has established policies to limit the concentration of credit risk with any given banking institution where the funds are held, to ensure counterparties demonstrate minimum acceptable credit risk worthiness and ensure liquidity of available funds.

 

As at March 31, 2019, the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk is the carrying value of its cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable.

 

(c) Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company manages liquidity risk through the management of its capital structure.

 

Trade and other payables are due within twelve months of the statement of financial position date.

 

(d)Interest rate risk

 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Company is exposed to varying interest rates on cash and cash equivalents. The Company has no interest bearing debt.

 

A 1% change in the interest rate would change the Company’s net loss by $34,000.

 

(e)Commodity and equity price risk

 

The ability of the Company to explore its exploration and evaluation assets and the future profitability of the Company are directly related to the market price of gold and other precious metals. The Company monitors gold prices to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken by the Company. Equity price risk is defined as the potential adverse impact on the Company’s performance due to movements in individual equity prices or general movements in the level of the stock market.

 

17


Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2019
Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian dollars

14. Management of capital

 

The Company considers its capital to consist of components of equity. The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to pursue the exploration of its exploration and evaluation assets and to maintain a flexible capital structure which optimizes the costs of capital at an acceptable risk.

 

The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may attempt to issue new shares and, acquire or dispose of assets.

 

In order to maximize ongoing exploration efforts, the Company does not pay out dividends. The Company’s investment policy is to invest its short-term excess cash in highly liquid short-term interest-bearing investments with short term maturities, selected with regards to the expected timing of expenditures from continuing operations.

 

The Company expects its current capital resources will be sufficient to carry its exploration plans and operations for the foreseeable future. There were no changes to the Company’s approach to the management of capital during the period.

 

15. Segmented information

 

The Company operates in one reportable operating segment, being the acquisition and exploration of mineral resource properties.

 

The Company’s non-current assets are located in the following geographic locations:

 

  

 

March 31,

2019

 

    December 31, 2018  
Canada  $445,500   $86,372 
United States   13,673,883    13,673,883 
Mexico   55,251,774    54,683,143 
   $69,371,157   $68,443,398 

 

16. Subsequent events

 

On May 6, 2019, the Company granted to directors, an officer and a consultant, pursuant to its stock option plan, 557,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.69 per share expiring on May 6, 2021.

 

 

18

 

 

 

EX-99.2 3 exh_992.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

ALMADEN MINERALS LTD.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

March 31, 2019

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for Almaden Minerals Ltd. (“Almaden” or the “Company”) has been prepared based on information known to management as of May 13, 2019. This MD&A is intended to help the reader understand, and should be read in conjunction with, the condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Almaden for the financial period ended March 31, 2019 and supporting notes. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance and compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

 

Management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the Company’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements, including the maintenance of appropriate information systems, procedures and internal controls. The audit committee of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) meets with management regularly to review the Company’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements and MD&A, and to discuss other financial, operating and internal control matters.

 

All currency amounts used in this MD&A are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

 

The Company’s common stock is quoted on the NYSE American stock exchange under the trading symbol “AAU” and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMM”.

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This MD&A contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

 

Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect Company management’s expectations or beliefs regarding future events. Forward-looking statements in this MD&A include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company’s cash resources and their adequacy to meet the Company’s working capital and mineral exploration needs for at least the next year; the Company’s planned continuous development work on the Ixtaca project; the Company’s planned future mining operations at the Ixtaca project; the potential impact of ore sorting results on project economics and design; the potential for further discoveries within the Ixtaca project area; the possible effect of changes in interest rates and exchange rates on the Company’s future operations; the Company’s proposed future activities as set out in the section entitled “Outlook”; the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of production; capital expenditures; success of mining operations; environmental risks; unanticipated reclamation expenses; title disputes or claims; and limitations on insurance coverage. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

 

1

 

 

Such factors include, among others, risks related to: international operations; the actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of mineral resources; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; as well as those factors discussed below under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties” and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form and latest Form 20-F. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING MINERAL RESOURCE AND MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES

 

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. Almaden uses certain terms such as “measured”, “indicated”, “inferred”, and “mineral resources,” which the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

The Company’s financial statements, MD&A and additional information relevant to the Company, including the Company’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 which is filed as an Annual Information Form, can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and/or on the Company’s website at www.almadenminerals.com.

 

QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, all of the Company’s efforts continued to be on its 100% owned Ixtaca gold/silver project. On January 24, 2019 the Company filed on SEDAR the independent Feasibility Study titled “Ixtaca Gold-Silver Project, Puebla State, Mexico NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Feasibility Study” (the “Study”), which was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”). The Study and resulting mine plan incorporate significant changes from an earlier Pre-Feasibility Study published by the Company (see Almaden news release of April 3rd, 2017) 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.

 

The Study was led by a team of independent engineers including Moose Mountain Technical Services (“MMTS”) and SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. (“SRK”), with oversight by the Company.

 

During the quarter the Company also issued its 2019 Report on Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) describing the community-related activities in which the Company has been engaged for eighteen years.

 

Since first arriving at Ixtaca in 2001, Almaden, through a Mexican subsidiary, has worked diligently and transparently to interact in a culturally and socially appropriate manner with all people in the local area, regardless of their gender, cultural heritage, beliefs, sexual orientation, or level of education. Outreach and communications have been open to all and conducted in a manner respectful of all people, and witnessed and confirmed by numerous legitimate external governmental and non-governmental organizations, entities, investors, and individuals during site visits.

 

Almaden has pursued the highest standards of social engagement in the area, conducting its work in adherence with international frameworks such as the Equator Principles, the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability, among others. Importantly, Almaden has also voluntarily pursued the high Mexican standard of social engagement, known as an “Evaluación de Impacto Social”, or “EVIS”, and as such is at the leading edge of social engagement in Mexico.

 

2

 

 

More information regarding Almaden’s community activities as well as the 2019 CSR Report are available on Almaden’s website.

 

OVERALL PERFORMANCE

 

Overview

 

Company Mission and Focus

 

The Company’s goal is to advance its wholly-owned Ixtaca gold-silver deposit to become a low-cost, modern mine which makes a positive social difference. The Company has made significant advances over the past year with the completion of the Study and the appointment of Auramet to assist with project financing.

 

Qualified Person

 

Morgan Poliquin, P.Eng., a “Qualified Person” as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Almaden, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this MD&A. The scientific and technical contents in this MD&A are derived from the Study. The independent Qualified Persons responsible for preparing the Study are set out below under the heading, “Mineral Properties – Recent Updates Feasibility Study and Updated Resource Estimate – Qualified Persons”.

 

Use of the Terms “Mineral Resources” and “Mineral Reserves”

 

All capitalized terms used but not defined in this MD&A have the meanings given to them in NI 43-101 and the CIM definitions Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves (the “CIM Standards”).

 

Any reference in this MD&A to Mineral Resources does not mean Mineral Reserves.

 

Under NI 43-101, a Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured or Indicated Mineral Resource demonstrated by at least a Preliminary Feasibility Study. This study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified. A Mineral Reserve includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined.

 

Mineral Resources are sub-divided, in order of increasing geologic confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource. An Indicated Mineral Resource has a higher level of confidence than an Inferred Mineral Resource but has a lower level of confidence than a Measured Mineral Resource.

 

The terms “Mineral Reserve,” “Proven Mineral Reserve” and “Probable Mineral Reserve” are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards. These definitions differ from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7 under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under SEC Industry Guide 7, a reserve is defined as part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the reserve determination is made. Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves, and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. In addition, the terms “Mineral Resource,” “Measured Mineral Resource,” “Indicated Mineral Resource” and “Inferred Mineral Resource” are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. “Indicated Mineral Resource” and “Inferred Mineral Resource” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all, or any part, of an Indicated Mineral Resource or Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of Feasibility Studies or Pre-Feasibility Studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

 

3

 

 

Accordingly, information contained in this MD&A or incorporated by reference herein contains descriptions of the Company’s mineral deposits that may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Mineral Properties

 

The following is a brief description of the principal mineral property owned by the Company. Additional information can be obtained from Almaden’s website at www.almadenminerals.com and in the 2017 PFS, which is available under the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

 

Ixtaca (Tuligtic) – Mexico

 

The following is a brief description of the principal mineral property owned by the Company. Additional information can be obtained from Almaden’s website at www.almadenminerals.com and in the Study, which is available under the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

 

Location and Ownership

 

The Ixtaca project is 100% owned by the Company, subject to a 2% net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty held by Almadex Minerals Ltd. (“Almadex”). The Ixtaca project lies within the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt about 120 kilometres southeast of the Pachuca gold/silver deposit, which has reported historic production of 1.4 billion ounces of silver and 7 million ounces of gold. The Tuligtic property, located in Puebla State, was acquired by staking in 2001 following prospecting work carried out by the Company in the area. Since that time, Almaden has had agreements to develop the property with three separate parties, all of whom relinquished all rights to the property and none of whom conducted work on the Ixtaca zone. The Ixtaca zone is located along a trend of shallowly eroded epithermal systems that Almaden has identified in eastern Mexico.

 

Recent Updates

 

Feasibility Study and Updated Resource Estimate

 

On December 11, 2018, Almaden announced the results of an independent Feasibility Study titled “Ixtaca Gold-Silver Project, Puebla State, Mexico NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Feasibility Study” (the “Study”), which was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”). The Study was subsequently filed on SEDAR on January 24, 2019.

 

4

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

(All values shown are in $US. Base case uses $1275/oz gold and $17/oz silver prices. Gold and silver equivalency calculations assume 75:1 ratio).

 

Average annual production of 108,500 ounces gold and 7.06 million ounces silver (203,000 gold equivalent ounces, or 15.2 million silver equivalent ounces) over first 6 years;
   
After-tax IRR of 42% and after-tax payback period of 1.9 years;
   
After-tax NPV of $310 million at a 5% discount rate;
   
Initial Capital of $174 million;
   
Conventional open pit mining with a Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve of 1.39 million ounces of gold and 85.2 million ounces of silver;
   
Pre-concentration uses ore sorting to produce a total of 48 million tonnes of mill feed averaging 0.77 g/t gold and 47.9 g/t silver (2.03 g/t gold equivalent over first 6 years, 1.41 g/t gold equivalent over life of mine);
   
Average LOM annual production of 90,800 ounces gold and 6.14 million ounces silver (173,000 gold equivalent ounces, or 12.9 million silver equivalent ounces);
   
Operating cost $716 per gold equivalent ounce, or $9.55 per silver equivalent ounce;
   
All-in Sustaining Costs (“AISC”), including operating costs, sustaining capital, expansion capital, private and public royalties, refining and transport of $850 per gold equivalent ounce, or $11.30 per silver equivalent ounce;
   
Elimination of tailings dam by using filtered tailings significantly reduces the project footprint and water usage.
     

Study Summary

 

Almaden engaged a team of consultants led by Moose Mountain Technical Services (“MMTS”) to undertake this Study. MMTS was responsible for mining, metallurgy, processing, infrastructure and the economic evaluation, APEX Geoscience Ltd. for exploration and drill data QA/QC, Giroux Consultants for the resources estimation, and SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. (“SRK”) for aspects related to geotechnical, tailings and water management.

 

Table 1 – Summary of the Economics of the Ixtaca Feasibility Study

 

  Amount
Pre-Tax NPV (5%) $ 470 million
Pre-Tax IRR 57%
Pre-Tax Payback 1.6 Years
Post-Tax NPV (5%) $310 million
Post-Tax IRR 42 %
Post-Tax Payback 1.9 Years
Initial Capital $ 174 million
Life of Mine 11 Years
Waste/ ROM ore ratio 4.5:1
  Years 1 - 6 Life of Mine (LOM)
Cash Operating Cost ($/AuEq oz.) 667 716
AISC ($/AuEq oz.) 810 850
Annual Gold production (000's oz.) 108 90
Annual Silver production (000's oz.) 7,071 6,160
Annual Gold equivalent production (000's oz.) 202 173
Average mill feed grade (g/t) Au 1.10 0.77
Average mill feed grade (g/t) Ag 69.3 47.9
Average mill feed grade (g/t) AuEq 2.03 1.41

Economics assume a Gold Price of $1275/Oz and Silver Price of $17/Oz and are estimated on a 100% equity basis.

 

5

 

 

Geology and Mineral Resource Estimate

 

The Ixtaca deposit is an epithermal gold-silver deposit, mostly occurring as anastomosing (branching and re-connecting) vein zones hosted by limestone and shale basement rocks with a minor component of disseminated mineralisation hosted in overlying volcanic rocks. The wireframe models constructed to define the overall vein zones therefore contain interspersed irregular zones of barren limestone dilution. In this Study the limestone unit hosts 75% of the metal produced, the volcanic unit hosts 12% and the black shale unit hosts 13% on a gold-equivalent basis. The Mineral Resources for Ixtaca are presented in Table 2.

 

Table 2- Summary of Ixtaca Mineral Resources

 

MEASURED RESOURCE
AuEq Cut-off Tonnes > Cut-off Grade>Cut-off Contained Metal x 1,000
(g/t) (tonnes) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AuEq (g/t) Au (ozs) Ag (ozs) AuEq (ozs)
0.30 43,380,000 0.62 36.27 1.14 862 50,590 1,591
0.50 32,530,000 0.75 44.27 1.39 788 46,300 1,454
0.70 25,080,000 0.88 51.71 1.63 711 41,700 1,312
1.00 17,870,000 1.06 61.69 1.95 608 35,440 1,118
INDICATED RESOURCE
AuEq Cut-off Tonnes > Cut-off Grade>Cut-off Contained Metal x 1,000
(g/t) (tonnes) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AuEq (g/t) Au (ozs) Ag (ozs) AuEq (ozs)
0.30 80,760,000 0.44 22.67 0.77 1,145 58,870 1,994
0.50 48,220,000 0.59 30.13 1.02 913 46,710 1,586
0.70 29,980,000 0.74 37.79 1.29 715 36,430 1,240
1.00 16,730,000 0.96 47.94 1.65 516 25,790 888
INFERRED RESOURCE
AuEq Cut-off Tonnes > Cut-off Grade>Cut-off Contained Metal x 1,000
(g/t) (tonnes) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AuEq (g/t) Au (ozs) Ag (ozs) AuEq (ozs)
0.30 40,410,000 0.32 16.83 0.56 412 21,870 726
0.50 16,920,000 0.44 25.43 0.80 237 13,830 436
0.70 7,760,000 0.57 33.80 1.06 142 8,430 264
1.00 3,040,000 0.79 43.64 1.42 77 4,270 139

 

1.Ixtaca Mineral Resources Estimate have an effective date of 8 July 2018. The Qualified person for the estimate is Gary Giroux, P.Eng.

 

2.Base Case 0.3 g/t AuEq Cut-Off grade is highlighted. Also shown are the 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 g/t AuEq cut-off results. AuEq calculation based average prices of $1250/oz gold and $18/oz silver. The Base Case cut-off grade includes consideration of the open pit mining method, 90% metallurgical recovery, mining costs of $1.82/t, average processing costs of $11.7, G&A costs of $1.81/t

 

3.Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of those Mineral Resources that have been converted to Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

 

4.The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal or other relevant issues. The Mineral Resources have been classified according to the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves in effect as of December 11, 2018.

 

5.All figures were rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates and may result in summation differences.

 

6

 

 

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 Study 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 Study 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 16th 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. Table 3 shows ROM grades with ore sort waste removed from the ROM, and the resulting mill feed.

 

 

 

7

 

 

Table 3 Ore Sort Mill Feed grade improvement

    ROM Ore sort Mill
    Ore Waste Feed
Limestone million tonnes 51.5 18.8 32.7
Au g/t 0.572 0.24 0.763
Ag g/t 37.5 12.0 52.2
Black Shale million tonnes 12.2 6.3 5.8
Au g/t 0.517 0.25 0.806
Ag g/t 44.4 20.0 70.8
Volcanic million tonnes 9.4 - 9.4
Au g/t 0.790 - 0.790
Ag g/t 18.6 - 18.6
TOTAL million tonnes 73.1 25.1 48.0
Au g/t 0.591 0.24 0.773
Ag g/t 36.3 14.0 47.9

 

Crushed ore is transported to the grinding circuit by an over land conveyor. Grinding to 75 microns is carried out with ball milling in a closed circuit with cyclones. Cyclone underflow is screened and the screen undersize is treated in semi-batch centrifugal gravity separators to produce a gravity concentrate.

 

The gravity concentrate will be treated in an intensive leach unit with gold and silver recovered from electrowinning cells.

 

The cyclone overflow will be treated in a flotation unit to produce a flotation concentrate. After regrinding the flotation concentrate leaching will be carried out in 2 stages. CIL leaching for 24 hours will complete gold extraction, followed by agitated tank leaching to complete silver leaching. A carbon desorption process will recover gold and silver from the CIL loaded carbon, and a Merrill Crowe process will recover gold and silver from pregnant solution from the agitated leach circuit.

 

Cyanide destruction on leach residue is carried out using the SO2/Air process. Final tailings are thickened and filtered then dry stacked and co-disposed with mine waste rock.

 

Average process recoveries from mill feed to final product over the life of mine are summarized in Table 4 for each ore type.

 

Table 4 Average Life of Mine Process Recoveries from Mill Feed

 

  Gold Silver
Limestone 88.5% 86.8%
Volcanic 64.4% 76.3%
Black Shale 54.5% 84.7%

 

Water and Waste Management

 

One of Almaden’s top priorities at Ixtaca is water quality and a mine plan that provides a permanent and consistent long-term supply of water for residents. The plan outlined in the Study has evolved through the open dialogue between the Company and residents over the past number of years and as part of the Social Investment Plan consultation (see section below on “Community”).

 

8

 

 

Rainfall in the Ixtaca vicinity falls primarily during a relatively short rainy season. With no local water storage facilities, the flash flows of water are currently lost to the communities. Under the Study, rainwater will be captured during the rainy season in the water storage reservoir and slowly released during the dry season, for use by both the mining operation and local residents.

 

Extensive geochemical studies have evaluated the potential for acid rock drainage and metal leaching from the waste rock and tailings using globally accepted standardised methods of laboratory testing and in compliance with Mexican regulations. Most of the waste rock at Ixtaca is limestone, and the studies of both waste rock and tailings have consistently shown that there is more than enough neutralising potential present in the waste rock to neutralise any acid generated. Testing to date also indicates low potential for metal leaching. These results along with the excellent access to potential markets in the growing industrial state of Puebla, indicate the potential for rock waste and tailings from the Ixtaca deposit to be secondary resources such as aggregate and cement feedstock. These opportunities will be fully examined in 2019 as part of the Company’s commitment to best sustainable practices.

 

In consideration of these findings and the hydrologic conditions at Ixtaca, Almaden and its consultants reviewed Best Available Technology and Best Applicable Practice in the design and planning of tailings management at Ixtaca, which resulted in selecting a dry-stack tailings facility which would include co-disposal of waste with filtered tailings, use much less water than traditional slurry facilities, reduce the mine footprint, allow for better dust control, and enable earlier rehabilitation of the tailings and waste disposal areas.

 

Mineral Reserve Estimate

 

Mineral Reserves in Table 5, have been developed by MMTS with an effective date of November 30, 2018, and are classified using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards. The Mineral Reserves are based on an engineered open pit mine plan.

 

Table 5 – Mineral Reserves

  Tonnes Diluted Average Grades Contained Metal
  (millions) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au - '000 ozs Ag - '000 ozs
Proven 31.6 0.70 43.5 714 44,273
Probable 41.4 0.51 30.7 673 40,887
TOTAL 73.1 0.59 36.3 1,387 85,159

 

Mineral Reserves have an effective date of November 30, 2018. The qualified person responsible for the Mineral Reserves is Jesse Aarsen, P.Eng of Moose Mountain Technical Services.
   
The cut-off grade used for ore/waste determination is NSR>=$14/t
   
All Mineral Reserves in this table are Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves. The Mineral Reserves are not in addition to the Mineral Resources but are a subset thereof. All Mineral Reserves stated above account for mining loss and dilution.
   
Associated metallurgical recoveries (gold and silver, respectively) have been estimated as 90% and 90% for limestone, 50% and 90% for volcanic, 50% and 90% for black shale.
   
Reserves are based on a US$1,300/oz gold price, US$17/oz silver price and an exchange rate of US$1.00:MXP20.00.
   
Reserves are converted from resources through the process of pit optimization, pit design, production schedule and supported by a positive cash flow model.
   
Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in summation differences.
     

 

9

 

 

Legal, political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Reserves are provided in this MD&A under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements”.

 

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:

 

Table 6 – Initial Capital Costs ($ millions)

 

Mining 22.2
Process 80.2
Onsite Infrastructure 24.3
Offsite Infrastructure 7.5
Indirects, EPCM, Contingency and Owner’s Costs 39.9
Total  174.2

 

Table 7 – Expansion Capital Costs ($ millions)

 

Mining $1.2
Process $56.9
Infrastructure $1.5
Indirects, EPCM, Contingency and Owner’s Costs $5.0
Total $64.5

 

Table 8 – LOM Average Operating Costs ($)

Mining costs $/tonne milled $15.2
Processing $/tonne milled $10.5
G&A $/tonne milled $1.1
Total $/tonne milled $26.8

 

Economic Results and Sensitivities

 

A summary of financial outcomes comparing base case metal prices to alternative metal price conditions are presented below. The Study 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 this study.

 

10

 

 

Table 9 - Summary of Ixtaca Economic Sensitivity to Precious Metal Prices (Base Case is Bold)

 

Gold Price ($/oz) 1125 1200 1275 1350 1425
Silver Price ($/oz) 14 15.5 17 18.5 20
 
Pre-Tax NPV 5% ($million) 229 349 470 591 712
Pre-Tax IRR (%) 35% 46% 57% 67% 77%
Pre-Tax Payback (years) 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.3
 
After-Tax NPV 5% ($million) 151 233 310 388 466
After-Tax IRR (%) 25% 34% 42% 49% 57%
After-Tax Payback (years) 2.6 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.5

 

Community Consultations

 

Almaden has a long history of engagement with communities in the region around the Ixtaca project. Amongst many other initiatives, the Company has trained and employed drillers and driller helpers from the local area, held nine large-scale community meetings totalling over 4,100 people, taken 480 local adults on tours of operating mines in Mexico, and held monthly technical meetings on a diverse range of aspects relating to the mining industry and the Ixtaca project. On December 9, 2018, Almaden hosted the most recent large-scale community meeting which was attended by over 800 people, including representatives of the new Federal Government in Mexico.

 

In 2017, Almaden engaged a third-party consultant to lead a community consultation and impact assessment at the Ixtaca project. In Mexico, only the energy industry requires completion of such an assessment (known in Mexico as a Trámite Evaluación de Impacto Social, or “EVIS”) as part of the permitting process. The purpose of these studies is to identify the people in the area of influence of a project (“Focus Area”), and assess the potential positive and negative consequences of project development to assist in the development of mitigation measures and the formation of social investment plans. To Almaden’s knowledge, this is the first time a formal EVIS has been completed in the minerals industry in Mexico, and as such reflects the Company’s commitment to best national and international standards in Ixtaca project development.

 

The EVIS and subsequent work on the development of a Social Investment Plan were conducted according to Mexican and international standards such as the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the Equator Principles, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Due Diligence Guidance for Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement in the Extractive Sector.

 

Fieldwork for the EVIS was conducted by an interdisciplinary group of nine anthropologists, ethnologists and sociologists graduated from various universities, who lived in community homes within the Ixtaca Focus Area during the study to allow for ethnographic immersion and an appreciation for the local customs and way of life. This third-party consultation sought voluntary participation from broad, diverse population groups, with specific attention to approximately one thousand persons in the Focus Area.

 

This extensive consultation resulted in changes to some elements of the mine design, including the planned construction of a permanent water reservoir to serve the local area long after mine closure, and the shift to dry-stack filtered waste management. The Company looks forward to advancing further elements of the community Social Investment Plan as mine permitting and construction advance.

 

Economic Contributions

 

The Study anticipates that approximately 600 direct jobs will be created during the peak of construction, and 420 jobs will be generated during operations. Assuming base case metal prices, under this Study Ixtaca is anticipated to generate approximately US$130 million in Federal taxes, US$50 million in State taxes and US$30 million in Municipal taxes.

 

11

 

 

Closure and Reclamation

 

Mine waste areas will be reclaimed and re-vegetated at the end of mining activity. At closure, all buildings will be removed and remaining facilities, except for the water storage dam (WSD), will be reclaimed and re-vegetated. The WSD and the availability of this water to the local communities will remain after closure.

 

Opportunities

 

Several opportunities excluded from the base case economics have been identified in the Study.

 

Results from the ore sorting tests identified several opportunities to increase the ore sort efficiency and could result in a further increase in mill feed grades. These opportunities will be investigated with future test work.

 

Gold extraction recoveries in the minor black shale unit are currently impeded by the presence of carbonaceous material. Recent test work including carbon pre-flotation and ultra-fine gravity separation has demonstrated that the carbon can be liberated and removed with a significant improvement in gold recovery. This test work is ongoing and is expected to improve the black shale gold recovery.

 

Test work carried out on Ixtaca limestone waste rock samples concluded that Ixtaca limestone waste rock is suitable for many types of concrete use and other applications such as shotcrete, subgrade, asphalt aggregate or railroad ballast with little effort and processing. Concrete produced with tests on Ixtaca limestone aggregate performed very well, achieving the 28-day design compressive strength of 30 MPa already at 7 days, and more than 40 MPa at 28 and 56 days.

 

Ixtaca is connected by 60 km of paved road to the industrial city Apizaco, 120 km of paved road to the state capital of Puebla, and 170 km of paved road to Mexico City.

 

The sale of limestone ore sort rejects (a waste product) as an aggregate presents a very significant potential source of revenue to the project at no additional capital or operating cost to the project. There is also potential to sell some of the ROM waste rock as an aggregate.

 

Fine aggregate from crushing and grinding operations is also expected to perform in a similar way to the coarse aggregate. Chemical analysis of the fine aggregate indicates that it is also suitable as a raw material for the production of lime cement or Portland cement if properly processed and blended with suitable silica aluminates.

 

Next Engineering and Development Steps

 

The Company is pursuing the optimization opportunities noted above and has submitted its environmental permit application to Mexican authorities.

 

A NI 43-101 technical report for this Study was filed on SEDAR on January 24, 2019.

 

Qualified Persons, Sample Preparation, Analyses, Quality Control and Assurance

 

The independent qualified persons responsible for preparing the Study are: Jesse Aarsen, P.Eng. and Tracey Meintjes, P.Eng. of MMTS; Edward Wellman PE, PG, CEG and Clara Balasko, P.E. of SRK; Kris Raffle, P.Geo. of APEX Geoscience Ltd.; and Gary Giroux, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. of Giroux Consultants Ltd.; all of whom act as independent consultants to the Company, are Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101").

 

The analyses used in the preparation of the mineral resource statement were carried out at ALS Chemex Laboratories of North Vancouver (“ALS”) using industry standard analytical techniques. All strongly altered or epithermal-mineralized intervals of core have been sampled. Almaden employs a maximum sample length of 2 to 3m in unmineralized lithologies, and a maximum sample length of 1m in mineralized lithologies. During the years 2010 and 2011, Almaden employed a minimum sample length of 20cm. The minimum sample length was increased to 50cm from 2012 onwards to ensure the availability of sufficient material for replicate analysis. Drill core is half-sawn using industry standard diamond core saws. After cutting, half the core is placed in a new plastic sample bag and half is placed back in the core box. Sample numbers are written on the outside of the sample bags and a numbered tag placed inside the bag. Sample bags are sealed using a plastic cable tie. Sample numbers are checked against the numbers on the core box and the sample book.

 

12

 

 

ALS sends its own trucks to the Ixtaca project to take custody of the samples at the Santa Maria core facility and transports them to its sample preparation facility in Guadalajara or Zacatecas, Mexico. Prepared sample pulps are then forwarded by ALS personnel to the ALS North Vancouver, British Columbia laboratory, which is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001: 2015 certified, for analysis.

 

For gold, samples are first analysed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy (“AAS”). Samples that return values greater than 10 g/t gold using this technique are then re-analysed by fire assay but with a gravimetric finish. Silver is first analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (“ICP-AES”). Samples that return values greater than 100 g/t silver by ICP-AES are then re analysed by HF-HNO3-HCLO4 digestion with HCL leach and ICP-AES finish. Of these samples those that return silver values greater than 1,500 g/t are further analysed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Blanks, field duplicates and certified standards were inserted into the sample stream as part of Almaden’s quality assurance and control program which complies with National Instrument 43-101 requirements. In addition to the in-house QAQC measures employed by Almaden, Kris Raffle, P.Geo. of APEX Geoscience Ltd., completed an independent review of blank, field duplicate and certified standard analyses.  All QAQC values falling outside the limits of expected variability were flagged and followed through to ensure completion of appropriate reanalyses.  No discrepancies were noted within the drill hole database, and all QAQC failures were dealt with and handled with appropriate reanalyses.  

 

The mineral resource estimate referenced in this document was prepared by Gary Giroux, P.Eng., an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

 

Exploration Opportunities

 

The Ixtaca deposit is one of several exploration targets on the Company’s mineral claims, which cover an area of high level epithermal clay alteration. The project area is partially covered by volcanic ash deposits which mask underlying alteration, potential vein zones and associated soil responses. In areas devoid of this covering ash, soil sampling has defined several distinct zones of elevated gold and silver values and trace elements typically associated with epithermal vein systems. The Ixtaca zone is one of the largest areas of gold/silver soil response but it is also one of the areas with the least ash cover on the project. Management believes that the other altered and geochemically anomalous areas could represent additional zones of underlying quartz-carbonate epithermal veining like the Ixtaca zone.

 

The potential quantity and grade of these exploration targets is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration and/or study to define these exploration targets as a Mineral Resource. It is uncertain if additional exploration will result in these exploration targets being delineated as a Mineral Resource. The potential quantity and grade of these exploration targets has not been used in this Study.

 

Outlook

 

Almaden has sufficient cash on hand to conduct its anticipated work program for the next fiscal year at Ixtaca. Continuing work on Ixtaca will be focused on the environmental permit application, project financing discussions, and advanced engineering.

 

13

 

 

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

 

Below are some of the risks and uncertainties that the Company faces. For a full list of risk factors, please refer to the Company’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed on SEDAR on March 14, 2019, under the heading “Annual Information Form”.

 

Industry

 

The Company is engaged in the exploration and development of mineral properties, an inherently risky business. There is no assurance that a mineral deposit will ever be discovered, developed and economically produced. Few exploration projects result in the discovery of commercially mineable ore deposits. If market conditions make financings difficult, it may be difficult for the Company to find joint venture partners or to finance development of its projects. The Company may be unsuccessful in identifying and acquiring projects of merit.

 

Mineral resource estimates

 

The estimation of resources 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. No assurances can be given that the volume and grade of resources recovered and rates of production will not be less than anticipated in the Study, the Mineral Resource Estimate, the Mineral Reserve Estimate, or otherwise.

 

The prices of gold, silver and other metals

 

The price of gold is affected by numerous factors including central bank sales or purchases, producer hedging activities, the relative exchange rate of the U.S. dollar with other major currencies, supply and demand, political, economic conditions and production levels. In addition, the price of gold has been volatile over short periods of time due to speculative activities.

 

The price of silver is affected by similar factors and, in addition, is affected by having more industrial uses than gold, as well as sometimes being produced as a by-product of mining for other metals with its production thus being more dependent on demand for the main mine product than supply and demand for silver. The prices of other metals and mineral products that the Company may explore for have the same or similar price risk factors.

 

Cash flows and additional funding requirements

 

The Company currently has no revenue from operations. Additional capital would be required to continue with advancement and development of its properties. The sources of funds currently available to the Company are equity capital or the offering of an interest in its projects to another party. The Company believes it currently has sufficient financial resources to undertake all of its currently planned programs.

 

Exchange rate fluctuations

 

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates, principally the Canadian/U.S. Dollar and the Canadian/MXN exchange rates, can impact cash flows. The exchange rates have varied substantially over time. Most of the Company’s expenses in Mexico are denominated in U.S. Dollars and MXN. Fluctuations in exchange rates may give rise to foreign currency exposure, either favourable or unfavourable, which will impact financial results. The Company does not engage in currency hedging to offset any risk of exchange rate fluctuation.

 

14

 

 

Environmental

 

The Company’s exploration and development activities are subject to extensive laws and regulations governing environment protection. 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.

 

Although the Company closely follows and believes it is operating in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations, there can be no assurance that all future requirements will be obtainable on reasonable terms. Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions causing operations to cease or be curtailed and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures. Intense lobbying over environmental concerns by NGOs opposed to mining has caused some governments to cancel or restrict development of mining projects. Current publicized concern over climate change may lead to carbon taxes, requirements for carbon offset purchases or new regulation. The costs or likelihood of such potential issues to the Company cannot be estimated at this time.

 

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.

 

15

 

 

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 law suits 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.

 

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.

 

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 ratifying governments in the countries in which the Company operates create 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 in such countries could be challenged by or on behalf of indigenous peoples in such countries.

 

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.

 

16

 

 

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. 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.

 

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 dispute. The procurement or enforcement of such rights can be costly and time consuming. In areas where there are local populations or land owners, it may be necessary, as a practical matter, to negotiate surface access. Despite having 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, the Company may need to rely on the assistance of local officials or the courts in such jurisdictions, which may 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.

 

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Possible dilution to present and prospective shareholders

 

The Company’s plan of operation, in part, contemplates the financing of its business by the issuance of securities and possibly, incurring debt. Any transaction involving the issuance of previously authorized but unissued shares of common stock, or securities convertible into common stock, would result in dilution, possibly substantial, to present and prospective holders of common stock. Likewise, any debt, royalty, or streaming transaction would result in dilution, possibly substantial, to existing shareholders’ exposure to the potential cash flows generated from the Company’s projects.

 

Material risk of dilution presented by large number of outstanding share purchase options and warrants

 

At May 13, 2019, there were 10,032,000 stock options and 11,407,199 Warrants (including 498,595 finders’ warrants) outstanding. Directors and officers hold 8,087,000 of the options and 1,945,000 are held by employees and consultants of the Company. Directors and officers hold 12,500 of the Warrants.

 

Trading volume

 

The relatively low trading volume of the Common Shares reduces the liquidity of an investment in the Common Shares.

 

Volatility of share price

 

Market prices for shares of early stage companies are often volatile. Factors such as announcements of mineral discoveries or discouraging exploration results, changes in financial results, and other factors could have a significant effect on share price.

 

Competition

 

There is competition from other mining companies with operations similar to Almaden. Many of the companies with which it competes have operations and financial strength greater than the Company.

 

Dependence on management

 

The Company depends heavily on the business and technical expertise of its management.

 

Conflict of interest

 

Some of the Company’s directors and officers are directors and officers of other natural resource or mining-related companies. These associations may give rise from time to time to conflicts of interest. As a result of such conflict, the Company may miss the opportunity to participate in certain transactions.

 

Impairment of Exploration and Evaluation Assets

 

The Company assesses its exploration and evaluation assets quarterly to determine whether any indication of impairment exists. Common indications of impairment, which is often subjective, include but are not limited to, that the right to explore the assets has expired or will soon expire and is not expected to be renewed, that substantive expenditure of further exploration is not planned, or that results are not compelling enough to warrant further exploration by the Company. At March 31, 2019, the Company concluded that no impairment indicators existed with respect to its exploration and evaluation assets and no impairment of exploration and evaluation assets was recognized.

 

18

 

 

SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

 

The following tables provide selected financial information for the Company’s eight most recently completed fiscal quarters, stated in Canadian dollars in accordance with IFRS:

 

  Quarter Ended
Mar 31, 2019
($)
Quarter Ended
Dec 31, 2018
($)
Quarter Ended
Sep 30, 2018
($)
Quarter Ended
Jun 30, 2018
($)
Revenue Nil Nil Nil Nil
Other income 231,073 428,422 216,268 269,376
Comprehensive loss (947,799) (823,501) (631,041) (1,174,705)
Basic & diluted net income (loss) per share (0.01) (0.01) (0.00) (0.01)
Total assets 73,042,598 73,928,394 74,384,213 75,353,555
Total long term liabilities 1,727,561 1,434,882 1,434,882 1,434,882
Cash dividends declared Nil Nil Nil Nil

 

  Quarter Ended
Mar 31, 2018
($)
Quarter Ended
Dec 31, 2017
($)
Quarter Ended
Sep 30, 2017
($)
Quarter Ended
Jun 30, 2017
($)
Revenue Nil Nil Nil Nil
Other income 276,002 226,382 63,460 46,335
Comprehensive loss (882,420) (1,450,011) (1,460,764) (820,337)
Basic & diluted net income (loss) per share (0.01) (0.01) (0.01) (0.01)
Total assets 66,485,105 66,803,196 65,633,341 66,048,790
Total long term liabilities 1,434,882 1,434,882 1,434,882 1,434,882
Cash dividends declared Nil Nil Nil Nil

 

Quarterly variances in other income are dependent on the interest income earned from various levels of cash balances and cost recoveries from administrative services earned from Azucar Minerals Ltd. (“Azucar”) and Almadex. The main changes in comprehensive loss include share-based payments relating to the fair values of stock options granted, salaries and benefits relating to the new hires due to increased development stage activities, and foreign exchange gain (loss) from foreign exchange rate fluctuations as discussed in Review of Operations and Financial Results section below.

 

Review of Operations and Financial Results

 

Results of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company recorded a comprehensive loss of $947,799, or $0.01 per common share, compared to a comprehensive loss of $882,420, or $0.01 per common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase in comprehensive loss of $65,379 was primarily a result of a $158,250 decrease in share-based payments, offset by $88,203 increase in salaries and benefits.

 

Because the Company is an exploration company, it has no revenue from mining operations. Other income of $231,073 (2018 - $276,002) during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 consisted primarily of interest income of $10,866 (2018 - $31,979) and income from administrative services fees earned from Azucar of $151,914 (2018 - $111,482), and from Almadex of $76,522 (2018 - $nil). The Company has an administrative services agreement with these two companies whereby overhead and salaries expenses are proportionally allocated as described under the heading “Transactions with Related Parties”.

 

19

 

 

Operating expenses were $1,178,872 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 (2018 - $1,158,422). Certain operating expenses were reported on a gross basis and recovered through other income from the administrative services agreements with Azucar and Almadex. The increase in operating expenses of $20,450 is mainly the result of a decrease in share-based payments relating to lower share price in calculating the fair value from stock options granted of $158,250 partially offset by increase of salaries and benefits of $88,203 due to new hires, an increase in professional fees of $20,259 in legal expenses due to more activities in corporate affairs during the current quarter and travel expenses of $23,359 from site visits to the Ixtaca project.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

At March 31, 2019, the Company had working capital of $2,927,460, including cash and cash equivalents of $3,359,899, compared to working capital of $11,849,309, including cash and cash equivalents of $12,270,897 at March 31, 2018. The decrease in working capital of $8,921,849 is mainly due to the cash expenditures during 2018 on mill mobilization expenses and option payments on the Rock Creek mill recorded in the property, plant and equipment.

 

The Company has a deferred income tax liability in the amount of $1,434,882. The deferred income tax liability relates to the Mexican income tax and Special Mining Duty associated with the Ixtaca project.

 

Management believes that the Company’s cash resources are sufficient to meet its working capital and plan for its development activities for its next fiscal year.

 

Three months ended March 31, 2019

 

Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $872,701 (2018 - $594,635, after adjusting for non-cash activities.

 

Net cash used in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $828,408 (2018 - $3,469,002). Significant items include exploration and evaluation assets of $827,824 (2018 - $1,917,323) mainly to complete the feasibility study.

 

Net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $19,572 as a result of Lease payments (2018 - $Nil).

 

Management estimates that the current cash position and potential future cash flows will be sufficient for the Company to carry out its business plans for the upcoming year.

 

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DISCLOSURE OF OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA

 

Common Shares

 

The authorized share capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value. As of date of this MD&A, there were 111,726,719 common shares issued and outstanding and 133,165,918 common shares outstanding on a diluted basis. The Company had the following common shares outstanding as at the dates indicated:

 

  Number of Common Shares
Issued & Outstanding
Share Capital Amount
December 31, 2017 102,199,625 $118,054,463
December 31, 2018 111,726,719 $127,022,366
May 13, 2019 111,726,719 $127,022,366

 

Share Issuances during Fiscal 2019

 

The Company has no share issuances as at March 31, 2019.

 

Warrants

 

The following table summarizes information about warrants outstanding at May 13, 2019:

 

  Exercise December 31,       May 13,
Expiry date price 2018 Issued Exercised Expired 2019
June 1, 2019 $2.00 295,734 - - - 295,734
August 7, 2019 $2.00 1,259,704 - - - 1,259,704
August 7, 2019 $1.35 10,411 - - - 10,411
June 1, 2020 $2.45 4,928,900 - - - 4,928,900
June 7, 2020 $1.35 192,450 - - - 192,450
June 7, 2022 $1.35 4,720,000 - - - 4,720,000
Warrants outstanding
and exercisable

 

 

11,407,199 -

 

-

-

 

11,407,199

Weighted average

     exercise price

 

 

 

$ 1.91

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

$ 1.91

                   

The table in Note 8(c) to the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 summarizes information about warrants outstanding as at December 31, 2018.

 

Stock Options

 

The Company grants directors, officers, employees and contractors options to purchase common shares under its stock option plan. This plan and its terms, as well as options outstanding as at December 31, 2018, are detailed in Note 8(d) to the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at May 13, 2019.

 

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Expiry date

Exercise

price

December 31,

2018

 

Granted

 

Exercised

 

Expired

May 13,

2019

January 2, 2019 $ 1.04 375,000 - - (375,000) -
March 17, 2019 $ 1.35 207,000 - - (207,000) -
May 4, 2019 $ 1.99 175,000 - - (175,000) -
May 19, 2019 $ 1.84 75,000 - - - 75,000
June 12, 2019 $ 1.89 75,000 - - - 75,000
July 2, 2019 $ 1.32 150,000 - - - 150,000
July 2, 2019 $ 1.19 60,000 - - - 60,000
July 2, 2019 $ 1.34 1,427,000 - - - 1,427,000
September 19, 2019 $ 1.40 1,160,000 - - - 1,160,000
April 10, 2020 $ 1.03 90,000 - - - 90,000
April 30, 2020 $ 1.53 500,000 - - - 500,000
April 30, 2020 $ 1.14 100,000 - - - 100,000
April 30, 2020 $ 1.04 100,000 - - - 100,000
June 8, 2020 $ 0.98 2,180,000 - - - 2,180,000
September 30, 2020 $ 1.25 1,095,000 - - - 1,095,000
September 30, 2020 $ 0.83 106,000 - - - 106,000
September 30, 2020 $ 0.79 170,000 - - - 170,000
December 13, 2020 $ 0.86 762,000 - - - 762,000
February 7, 2021 $ 1.11 300,000 - - - 300,000
February 7, 2021 $ 0.84 - 425,000 - - 425,000
March 29, 2021 $ 1.08 400,000 - - - 400,000
March 29, 2021 $ 0.90 - 100,000 - - 100,000
May 6, 2021 $ 0.69 - 557,000 - - 557,000
December 12, 2021 $ 1.00 200,000 - - - 200,000

Options outstanding

  and exercisable

  9,707,000 1,082,000 - (757,000) 10,032,000
Weighted average            
  exercise price   $ 1.19 $ 0.77 - $ 1.34 $1.13
             

ENVIRONMENTAL PROVISIONS AND POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONTINGENCY

 

The Company’s mining and exploration activities are subject to various federal, provincial and state laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations are continually changing and generally becoming more restrictive. The Company conducts its operations so as to protect public health and the environment and believes its operations are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Company has made, and expects to make in the future, expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations. The Company estimates that future reclamation and site restoration costs based on the Company’s exploration activities to date are not significant however the ultimate amount of reclamation and other future site restoration costs to be incurred in the future is uncertain.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS

 

The Company has entered into operating leases for office premises effective April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2022. As at March 31, 2019, the remaining payments for the operating leases are due as follows:

 

  2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Total
             
Office leases $ 134,779 $ 191,512 $ 192,336 $ 48,084 $           - $   566,711

 

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TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

 

(a)    Compensation of key management personnel

 

Key management includes members of the Board, the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, Vice President Operations & Projects, and the Vice President, Corporate Development. The net aggregate compensation paid or payable to key management for services after recovery from Azucar and Almadex (Note 9(b) of the March 31, 2019 condensed consolidated interim financial statements) was as follows:

 

Three months ended March 31, 2019 Fees Share-based Payments Total
       
Chairman $   24,000 $              - $   24,000
President & CEO 33,500 77,500 111,000
CFO 22,500 15,500 38,000
VP Corporate Development 21,200 - 21,200
VP Operations & Projects 82,757 - 82,757
Directors 70,000 23,250 93,250
  $ 253,957 $ 116,250 $ 370,207

 

Three months ended March 31, 2018 Fees Share-based Payments Total
       
Chairman $   42,000 $              - $   42,000
President & CEO 58,625 - 58,625
CFO 39,375 - 39,375
VP Corporate Development 37,100 - 37,100
Directors 70,000 312,000 382,000
  $ 247,100 $ 312,000 $ 559,100

 

(b)    Administration Services Agreement

 

Effective August 1, 2015, the Company recovers a portion of expenses from Azucar pursuant to an administrative services agreement between the Company and Azucar.

 

Effective May 18, 2018, the Company also recovers a portion of expenses from Almadex pursuant to the administrative service agreements between the Company and Almadex.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company received $151,914 (2018 - $111,482) from Azucar for administrative services fees included in other income and received $76,522 (2018 - $Nil) from Almadex for administrative services fees included in other income.

 

At March 31, 2019, included in accounts receivable is $137,046 (December 31, 2018 - $170,181) due from Azucar, and $83,751 (December 31, 2018 - $116,268) due from Almadex in relation to expense recoveries.

 

At March 31, 2019, the Company accrued $18,093 (December 31, 2018 - $37,533) payable to Almadex for drilling equipment rental services in Mexico.

 

(c)    Other related party transactions

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company employed the Chairman’s daughter for a salary of $10,325 less statutory deductions (2018 - $10,325) for marketing and administrative services provided to the Company.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The fair values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and trade and other payables approximate their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Significant assumptions are discussed in Critical Accounting Estimates section of this MD&A.

 

The Company does not carry any financial instrument at fair value.

 

The Company is exposed to certain financial risks, including currency risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, and commodity and equity price risk.

 

(a)Currency risk

 

The Company’s property interests in Mexico make it subject to foreign currency fluctuations and inflationary pressures which may adversely affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The Company is affected by changes in exchange rates between the Canadian dollar, the US dollar and the Mexican Peso. The Company does not invest in foreign currency contracts to mitigate the risks.

 

As at March 31, 2019, the Company was exposed to foreign exchange risk through the following monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the applicable subsidiary:

 

All amounts in Canadian dollars US dollar Mexican peso
Cash and cash equivalents $   1,047,603 $     214,541
Total assets $   1,047,603 $     214,541
     
Trade and other payables $      452,236 $         1,589
Total liabilities $      452,236 $         1,589
     
Net assets $     595,367 $     212,952

 

A 10% change in the US dollar exchange rate relative to the Canadian dollar would change the Company’s net loss by $60,000.

 

A 10% change in the Mexican Peso exchange rate relative to the Canadian dollar would change the Company’s net loss by $21,000.

 

(b)Credit risk

 

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held in large financial institutions, located in both Canada and Mexico. Cash equivalents mature at less than ninety days during the twelve months following the statement of financial position date. The Company’s excise tax included in accounts receivable and prepaid expenses consists primarily of sales tax due from the federal government of Canada.

 

24

 

 

To mitigate exposure to credit risk on cash and cash equivalents, the Company has established policies to limit the concentration of credit risk with any given banking institution where the funds are held, to ensure counterparties demonstrate minimum acceptable credit risk worthiness and ensure liquidity of available funds.

 

As at March 31, 2019, the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk was the carrying value of its cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable.

 

(c)Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company manages liquidity risk through the management of its capital structure. Trade and other payables are due within twelve months of the statement of financial position date.

 

(d)Interest rate risk

 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Company is exposed to varying interest rates on cash and cash equivalents. The Company has no interest-bearing debt.

 

A 1% change in the interest rate would change the Company’s net loss by $34,000.

 

(e)Commodity and equity price risk

 

The ability of the Company to explore its exploration and evaluation assets and the future profitability of the Company are directly related to the market price of gold and other precious metals. The Company monitors gold prices to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken by the Company. Equity price risk is defined as the potential adverse impact on the Company’s performance due to movements in individual equity prices or general movements in the level of the stock market.

 

Management of Capital

 

The Company considers its capital to consist of components of equity. The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to pursue the exploration of its exploration and evaluation assets and to maintain a flexible capital structure which optimizes the costs of capital at an acceptable risk.

 

The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may attempt to issue new shares and, acquire or dispose of assets.

 

In order to maximize ongoing exploration efforts, the Company does not pay out dividends. The Company’s investment policy is to invest its short-term excess cash in highly liquid short-term interest-bearing investments with short term maturities, selected with regards to the expected timing of expenditures from continuing operations.

 

The Company expects its current capital resources will be sufficient to carry out its exploration plans and operations for the foreseeable future. The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements. There were no changes to the Company’s approach to the management of capital during the period.

 

25

 

 

Subsequent Events

 

On May 6, 2019, the Company granted to directors, an officer and a consultant, pursuant to its stock option plan, 557,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.69 per share expiring on May 6, 2021.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgements and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Based on historical experience and current conditions, management makes assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates and assumptions form the basis for judgements about the carrying value of assets and liabilities and reported amounts for revenues and expenses. Actual outcomes may differ from these judgements and estimates. These estimates and assumptions are also affected by management’s application of accounting policies, which is contained in Note 2 (d) of the December 31, 2018 annual consolidated financial statements. The impacts of such judgements and estimates are pervasive throughout the consolidated financial statements and may require accounting adjustments based on future occurrences. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised and the revision affects both current and future periods.

 

Significant assumptions about the future, and other sources of judgements and estimates that management has made at the statement of financial position dates, that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the event that actual results differ from assumptions made, relate to, but are not limited to, the following:

 

othe analysis of the functional currency for each entity of the Company determined by conducting an analysis of the consideration factors identified in IAS 21, “The Effect of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates”. In concluding that the Canadian dollar is the functional currency of the parent and its subsidiary companies, management considered the currency that mainly influences the cost of providing goods and services in each jurisdiction in which the Company operates. As no single currency was clearly dominant, the Company also considered secondary indicators, including the currency in which funds from financing activities are denominated and the currency in which funds are retained;
   
othe determination that the carrying amount of the Tuligtic project will be recovered through use rather than sale.
   
othe recoverability of accounts receivable which is included in the consolidated statements of financial position;
   
othe estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment which are included in the consolidated statements of financial position and the related depreciation included in profit or loss;
   
othe recoverability of the value of exploration and evaluation assets, which is recorded in the statements of financial position;
   
othe provision for income taxes which is included in profit or loss and composition of deferred income tax liability included in the consolidated statement of financial position and the evaluation of the recoverability of deferred tax assets based on an assessment of the Company’s ability to utilize the underlying future tax deductions against future taxable income prior to expiry of those deductions; and
   
othe assessment of indications of impairment of each exploration and evaluation asset and related determination of the net realizable value and write-down of those assets where applicable;

 

26

 

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of options and warrants in order to calculate share-based payments expense and the fair value of finders’ warrants and stock options. Certain inputs into the model are estimates that involve considerable judgment or could be affected by significant factors that are out of the Company’s control.

 

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY, INCLUDING INITIAL ADOPTION

 

Application of new and revised accounting standards effective January 1, 2019

 

The Company has initially adopted IFRS 16, Leases (“IFRS 16”) from January 1, 2019. A number of other new standards are also effective from January 1, 2019, however, were also deemed to not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

 

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure controls and procedures. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that all relevant information is gathered and reported to senior management, including the CEO and CFO, on a timely basis so that appropriate decisions can be made regarding public disclosure. Management of the Company, with the participation of the CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as at March 31, 2019, as required by Canadian securities law. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO concluded that, as of March 31, 2019, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s annual filings and interim filings (as such terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings), and other reports filed or submitted under Canadian securities laws, were recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified by those laws, and that material information was accumulated and communicated to management of the Company, including the CEO and the CFO, as appropriate to allow for accurate disclosure to be made on a timely basis.

 

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

a)pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
   
b)provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Company’s financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorization of management and directors of the Company; and
   
c)provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

The Company assesses annually its internal control over financial reporting; however it cannot provide an absolute level of assurance because of the inherent limitations in control systems to prevent or detect all misstatements due to error or fraud. Based on evaluations of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, the CEO and CFO concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective and was operating at a reasonable assurance level.

 

27

 

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019 that materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT

 

Directors:

Duane Poliquin, P.Eng

Morgan Poliquin, P.Eng, Ph.D

Jack McCleary, P.Geo

Gerald Carlson, Ph.D, P.Eng

Mark T. Brown, CPA, CA

William J. Worrall, Q.C.

Elaine Ellingham, MSc., MBA, P.Geo

 

Audit Committee members:

Mark T. Brown, CPA, CA

Gerald Carlson, Ph.D, P.Eng

William J. Worrall, Q.C.

 

Compensation Committee members:

Jack McCleary, P.Geo

Gerald Carlson, Ph.D, P.Eng

William J. Worrall, Q.C.

Mark T. Brown, CPA, CA

 

Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee members:

Jack McCleary, P.Geo

Gerald Carlson, Ph.D, P.Eng

William J. Worrall, Q.C.

 

Technical Committee Members:

Duane Poliquin, P.Eng

Morgan Poliquin, P.Eng, Ph.D

Gerald Carlson, Ph.D, P.Eng

Elaine Ellingham, MSc., MBA, P.Geo

 

Management:

Duane Poliquin, P.Eng – Chairman

Morgan Poliquin, P.Eng, Ph.D – Chief Executive Officer, President

Korm Trieu, CPA, CA – Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary

Douglas McDonald, M.A.Sc, B.Com. – Vice President, Corporate Development

Laurence Morris, B.Sc. – Vice President Operations & Projects

 

 

 

29

 

EX-99.3 4 exh_993.htm EXHIBIT 99.3

Exhibit 99.3

 

CERTIFICATION OF INTERIM FILINGS

 

FULL CERTIFICATE

 

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

 

I, Morgan Poliquin, Chief Executive Officer of Almaden Minerals Ltd., certify the following:

 

1.Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”), of Almaden Minerals Ltd. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended March 31, 2019.

 

2.No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.

 

3.Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.

 

4.Responsibility: The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.

 

5.Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings

 

(a)designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that

 

(i)material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and

 

(ii)information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and

 

(b)designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP.

 

5.1Control framework: The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

5.2ICFR – material weakness relating to design: N/A.

 

 

 

5.3Limitation on scope of design: N/A

 

6.Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on January 1, 2019 and ended on March 31, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.

 

 

Date: May 13, 2019

 

“Morgan Poliquin”

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

2

 

 

EX-99.4 5 exh_994.htm EXHIBIT 99.4

Exhibit 99.4

 

CERTIFICATION OF INTERIM FILINGS

 

FULL CERTIFICATE

 

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

 

I, Korm Trieu, Chief Financial Officer of Almaden Minerals Ltd., certify the following:

 

1.Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”), of Almaden Minerals Ltd. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended March 31, 2019.

 

2.No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.

 

3.Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.

 

4.Responsibility: The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.

 

5.Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings

 

(a)designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that

 

(i)material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and

 

(ii)information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and

 

(b)designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP.

 

5.1Control framework: The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

5.2ICFR – material weakness relating to design: N/A.

 

 

 

5.3Iimitation on scope of design: N/A

 

6.Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on January 1, 2019 and ended on March 31, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.

 

Date: May 13, 2019

 

“Korm Trieu”

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

2