Almaden Minerals Ltd. (“Almaden” or “the Company”; TSX: AMM; NYSE
American: AAU) is pleased to announce that it has issued its 2019
Report on Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) describing the
community-related activities in which the Company has been engaged
for well over fifteen years at the Ixtaca precious metals project
in Puebla State, Mexico.
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. Our 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.
Over the past several years, Almaden has
interacted with over 20,000 people from over 53 communities and 8
different states. Highlights of the 2019 CSR report indicate that
Almaden has accomplished the following to date:
- Coordinated nine large community meetings, with total
attendance at these meetings of over 4,100 people. The last meeting
in December, 2018 was attended by over 800 people, including
representatives of Mexico’s new government;
- Taken approximately 500 people, drawn from local communities,
to visit 25 mines;
- Arranged 46 sessions of “Diálogos Transversales”, wherein
community members are invited to attend discussions with experts on
a diverse range of issues relating to the mining industry such as
an overview of Mexican Mining Law, Human Rights and Mining, mineral
processing, explosives, water in mining, risk management, and mine
infrastructure amongst other things;
- Opened a central community office in the town of Santa Maria
Zotoltepec, which is continually open to community members and
includes an anonymous suggestion box as part of a grievance
mechanism that complies with international standards;
- Invested in a “mobile information module” which allows company
representatives to establish a temporary presence in communities
more distant from the project, and allows for those interested to
learn more about the project without having to travel to the
project area;
- Employed as many local people as possible, reaching over 70
people drawn from 5 local communities. Almaden operates the drills
used at the project, and hence can draw and train a local workforce
as opposed to bringing in external contractors;
- Initiated a program of scholarships for top performing local
students, with 130 scholarships granted to date to individuals from
31 different communities (79 women and 51 men);
- Established several clubs, including English, reading, dancing,
football, music, and theatre clubs, to contribute to the vitality
of local communities;
- Focused on education, enabling over 4,300 people to be
positively impacted by our investments, such as rehabilitation of
school-related infrastructure, donation of electronic equipment,
and scholarships for top-performing students;
- Finally, the initiation of an EVIS, which was guided by a
third-party expert and involved the participation of an
interdisciplinary group of nine anthropologists, ethnologists and
sociologists graduated from various universities, who lived in
community homes within the project area during the study to allow
for ethnographic immersion and an appreciation for the ethnic and
cultural identity of inhabitants in the area of the project. This
work has determined that there are no indigenous communities in the
project area, which in turn has been confirmed by public records in
this regard, as different authorities have acknowledged. The EVIS
has informed mine design and will continue to guide ongoing
community interaction throughout the life of the Ixtaca
project.
Duane Poliquin, Chairman of Almaden, stated, “We
have been exploring for mineral deposits in Mexico since 1992.
Every time we arrive at a new prospect, we do nothing until we have
received permission from local people to enter upon their land.
This process of seeking permission is the first seed planted in
community consultations.”
Regarding social engagement, Mr. Poliquin said
that, “In the case of Ixtaca, consultation began in 2001 when we
first arrived in the area, intensified in 2010 when we drilled the
discovery hole, and has led us to the EVIS which represents a
process of broad and deep consultation conducted to the highest
international standards.”
“During this eighteen year process we have had
the opportunity to listen to a broad range of local people, as
outlined above. We have learned that many share our vision of the
potential for Ixtaca to improve the quality of life in local areas,
while others have legitimate concerns which we are working to
mitigate. We have also learned that some people located far from
the project are simply opposed to mining, or opposed to the legal
basis upon which mining occurs. These people can be sophisticated
in terms of their international funding sources and media
strategies, and in the past have published inaccurate and
misleading reports on the Ixtaca project. While we respect such
peoples’ right to oppose mining projects and believe they should
have a voice, we also recognize that they represent only one
perspective in this process. Our aim is to ensure that we have
established a consultation process which allows us to understand
the perspectives of all local people and facilitates the exchange
of views throughout the life of the Ixtaca project.”
Permitting Process
Almaden is pleased to report that it has
submitted its environmental permit, or Manifestación de Impacto
Ambiental (“MIA”), to Mexican authorities. Key characteristics of
the MIA include the following:
- The mine plan avoids existing local domestic water
sources;
- Mine processing plant water needs are met by collecting and
storing runoff water;
- Local water resources are currently underutilized. Rainfall in
the Ixtaca project vicinity falls primarily during a relatively
short rainy season, and with no local water storage facilities in
the project area the flash flows of water are lost to
communities;
- The Ixtaca project development plan includes a new water
storage reservoir that, based on current water balance planning,
could enhance community water by adding more than 2,000 m3 per day
of water supply for community use;
- The water storage reservoir is being engineered as a permanent
structure to serve the local area after mine closure;
- The use of 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 rock disposal areas;
- Extensive geochemical studies have evaluated the potential for
acid rock drainage and metal leaching from the waste rock and
tailings, and these studies have consistently shown that there is
more than enough neutralising potential present in the waste rock
to neutralise any acid generated;
- Ixtaca ore is very well suited to x-ray ore-sorting which will
reduce process tailings, process water usage, process energy
requirements, and CO2 emissions;
- Ixtaca is not located within any protected areas and has
received archeological clearances from the Mexican government.
Morgan Poliquin, President and CEO of Almaden,
stated, “Our aim at Ixtaca is to build a mine which reflects the
best available technology and best applicable practice both
socially and technically. We believe that this project has the
potential to be a showcase for modern mining, and look forward to
working with stakeholders to advance the project through the
permitting and project financing necessary to commence
construction.”
The 2019 CSR report and additional information
and videos regarding Almaden’s community engagement programs is
available on Almaden’s website at
http://www.almadenminerals.com/index.html.
Tracey Meintjes, P.Eng., a qualified person
(“QP”) under the meaning of NI 43-101, and Principal of Moose
Mountain Technical Services, reviewed the technical information in
this news release.
About AlmadenAlmaden Minerals
Ltd. owns 100% of the Ixtaca project in Puebla State, Mexico,
subject to a 2.0% NSR royalty held by Almadex Minerals Ltd. The
Ixtaca Gold-Silver Deposit was discovered by Almaden in 2010.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
“Morgan
Poliquin”
Morgan J. Poliquin, Ph.D., P.Eng.
President, CEO and Director
Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Forward-Looking Statements
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) nor the
NYSE American have reviewed or accepted responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release which has
been prepared by management. Statements contained in this news
release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking
information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively,
“Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward Looking
Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding
possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based
on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of
action; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company’s
properties, including but not limited to development and operating
costs in the event that a production decision is made; success of
exploration, development and environmental protection and
remediation activities; permitting time lines and requirements;
requirements for additional capital; the potential effect of
proposed notices of environmental conditions relating to mineral
claims; planned exploration and development of properties and the
results thereof; planned expenditures and budgets and the execution
thereof. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be
identified by the use of words and phrases such as “plans”,
“expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”,
“scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”,
“potential”, “confirm” or “does not anticipate”, “believes”,
“contemplates”, “recommends” 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”. Statements concerning mineral resource and mineral
reserve estimates may also be deemed to constitute Forward-Looking
Information to the extent that they involve estimates of the
mineralization that may be encountered if the Ixtaca Project is
developed. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this
news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions,
including, but not limited to, that any additional financing needed
will be available on reasonable terms; the exchange rates for the
U.S., Canadian, and Mexican currencies will be consistent with the
Company’s expectations; the taxation policies which will apply to
the Ixtaca Project will be consistent with the Company’s
expectations, that the current exploration, development,
environmental and other objectives concerning the Ixtaca Project
can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will
proceed as expected; that the current price and demand for gold and
silver will be sustained or will improve; that general business and
economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner,
that third party contractors and equipment, including the Rock
Creek mill, will be available and operate as anticipated, and that
all necessary governmental approvals for the planned exploration,
development and environmental protection activities on the Ixtaca
Project will be obtained in a timely manner and on acceptable
terms; the continuity of the price of gold and silver, economic and
political conditions and operations. Forward-Looking Information
involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
which may cause the 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 Information. Such risks and other factors include,
among others, risks related to the availability of financing on
commercially reasonable terms and the expected use of proceeds;
operations and contractual obligations; changes in exploration
programs based upon results of exploration; changes in estimated
mineral reserves or mineral resources; future prices of metals;
availability of third party contractors; availability of equipment;
failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; failure of the Rock
Creek Mill to arrive on site or operate as expected; accidents,
effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks
associated with the mineral exploration industry; environmental
risks, including environmental matters under Mexican rules and
regulations; impact of environmental impact assessment requirements
on the Company’s planned exploration and development activities on
the Ixtaca Project; certainty of mineral title; community
relations; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing;
fluctuations in mineral prices; the Company’s dependence on one
mineral project; the nature of mineral exploration and mining and
the uncertain commercial viability of certain mineral deposits; the
Company’s lack of operating revenues; governmental regulations and
the ability to obtain necessary licences and permits; risks related
to mineral properties being subject to prior unregistered
agreements, transfers or claims and other defects in title;
currency fluctuations; changes in environmental laws and
regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to
existing laws and regulations which may increase costs of doing
business and restrict operations; risks related to dependence on
key personnel; estimates used in financial statements proving to be
incorrect; as well as those factors discussed the section entitled
"Risk Factors" in Almaden's Annual Information Form and Almaden's
latest Form 20-F on file with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Although the Company has
attempted to identify important factors that could affect the
Company and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ
materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information,
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 Information 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
Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume
any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking
Information contained in this news release to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.
Contact Information:
Almaden Minerals Ltd. Tel. 604.689.7644 Email:
info@almadenminerals.comhttp://www.almadenminerals.com/