Almaden Infill Drilling Confirms Main Ixtaca Zone, Hits 25.00 Meters of 4.08 G/T GOLD and 91.7 G/T Silver and 32.50 Meters of 2.02 G/T GOLD and 109.2 G/T Silver All Within 184.00 Meters of 1.25 G/T GOLD, 54.0 G/T Silver
NEWS RELEASE
October 31, 2017
Trading Symbols:
TSX: AMM; NYSE American: AAU
www.almadenminerals.com
ALMADEN INFILL DRILLING CONFIRMS MAIN IXTACA ZONE,
HITS 25.00 METERS OF 4.08 G/T GOLD AND 91.7 G/T SILVER
AND 32.50 METERS OF 2.02 G/T GOLD AND 109.2 G/T SILVER
ALL WITHIN 184.00 METERS OF 1.25 G/T GOLD, 54.0 G/T SILVER
Almaden Minerals Ltd. (“Almaden” or “the Company”; TSX: AMM; NYSE American: AAU) is pleased to
announce new assay results from Almaden’s ongoing exploration and development program at the Company’s
Tuligtic project, Mexico. One drill rig is focused on step-out exploration drilling outside of the established
resource area. A second drill rig is drilling holes for metallurgical samples related to the ongoing Feasibility
Study. Where possible holes also serve as resource infill holes, as does the hole reported today, TU-17-513
drilled on section 10+600 East. This infill hole intersected the Main Ixtaca Zone vein swarm. Highlights include
the following intercepts:
Hole TU-17-513 SECTION 10+600 EAST Az. 150, Dip -55
184.00 meters @ 1.25 g/t Au and 54.0 g/t Ag (2.03 g/t AuEq, or 140.3 g/t AgEq)
Including 32.50 meters @ 2.02 g/t Au and 109.2 g/t Ag (3.60 g/t AuEq, or 248.6 g/t AgEq)
And 24.15 meters @ 1.58 g/t Au and 102.9 g/t Ag (3.07 g/t AuEq, or 211.9 g/t AgEq)
And 25.00 meters @ 4.08 g/t Au and 91.7 g/t Ag (5.41 g/t AuEq, or 373.2 g/t AgEq)
1 Gold equivalent (“AuEq”) and silver equivalent (“AgEq”) values are calculated assuming a silver to
gold ratio of 69:1.
These results provide the opportunity to communicate the high-grade nature of the Ixtaca gold-silver deposit
which is largely comprised of zones of abundant high grade epithermal veins with low base metals hosted in
barren limestone. Gold and silver in these veins occurs largely as electrum (an alloy of gold and silver) and
other leachable sulphides. The boundaries of these vein zones, or swarms, with un-mineralised limestone are
well defined both visually and by assay results and are therefore readily modelled for geologic and resource
purposes. The many individual veins and veinlets within the vein swarms branch and re-connect, as well as
locally change strike and dip, pinch and swell. The wireframe models constructed to define the overall vein
zones therefore contain interspersed irregular zones of barren limestone wallrock. This inclusion of limestone
dilution in the vein zone wireframes results in average reserve grades of 1.17 g/t AuEq (80.5 g/t AgEq), as
reported in the Company’s Pre-Feasibility Study which was filed on SEDAR in May, 2017 (the “PFS”).
Nevertheless, the actual occurrence of gold and silver in the limestone hosted Main Ixtaca Zone is in the form of
high grade veins and veinlets, not, for example, as widespread low grade disseminated mineralisation. These
geologic and mineralogic observations have very positive mining and recovery implications as defined in the
PFS released by the Company:
The near surface occurrence and broad nature of the Ixtaca gold-silver deposit vein zones allow for low-
cost bulk open pit mining as opposed to expensive underground methods often required for narrow
individual veins. At the time of future mining, the exposure of the vein system on mine benches may
allow for the visual definition between limestone waste and epithermal veining and improvement to the
geologic model from that generated from exploration drill holes. An improved mine bench scale geologic
model, along with appropriate ore control systems, may allow for more selective mining and waste
definition of the vein swarms;
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The contrast between barren limestone and the non-refractory gold and silver ore and vein mineralogy
allows for simple bulk gravity and flotation to remove the barren limestone to create low mass pull and
volume concentrates. The PFS demonstrates that a bulk flotation concentrate of gravity tails over the
mine life will average approximately 4.3 g/t gold and 390 g/t silver with a mass pull of ~8%;
Leaching these limestone domain concentrates results in very high overall gold and silver recoveries
(both average approximately 90%) into doré on site without the need for expensive smelting as is the
case for many base metal rich precious metal deposits.
J.D. Poliquin, chairman of Almaden stated, “These results again show the continuity of the Ixtaca Zone gold
silver mineralisation. We are focussed on developing the Ixtaca deposit into a significant precious metals
producer in Mexico, and engineering work and studies on a Feasibility Study are progressing well. We are at
the top of a fully preserved epithermal system and over the next several months exploration drilling will also test
for additional vein zones beneath alteration elsewhere on the project.”
About the Ixtaca Deposit Feasibility Program
The Company has selected independent engineers Moose Mountain Technical Services (“MMTS”) to lead the
feasibility study. Various feasibility-related programs are currently underway, including:
Feasibility-level engineering design;
Additional geotechnical evaluations in areas of infrastructure and pit slope;
Continued monitoring of water quality and flow;
Metallurgical test work to further refine the process flowsheet;
The Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), the state-owned electric utility of Mexico, has confirmed
the availability of power from its substation located 27 km from the Ixtaca Project;
Assessment of contractors suitable to complete site access road improvements required for the mine
construction.
MMTS is an association of Geologists, Engineers and Technicians providing experienced knowledge in Geology,
Mine Engineering, and Metallurgical Services and Support to the mining industry for over 15 years. Through
their network of associates, they provide an integrated team of experts and QP’s. Services range from early
grassroots exploration and development, block model builds, resource and reserve estimates, advanced
planning and studies for mine proposals (including operational support), process design and permitting process
guidance and support. MMTS has experience working on coal, gold, silver, copper, molybdenum, and tungsten
deposits throughout North and South America and around the world. A list of specific projects worked on by
MMTS can be found at www.moosemmc.com.
About the Ixtaca Drilling Program and the Ixtaca Zone
The Ixtaca Zone is a blind discovery made by the Company in 2010 on claims staked by the Company. The
deposit is an epithermal gold-silver deposit, mostly hosted by veins in carbonate units and crosscutting dykes
(“basement rocks”) with a minor component of disseminated mineralisation hosted in overlying volcanic rocks.
The Ixtaca deposit is located in a developed part of Mexico in Puebla State, the location of significant
manufacturing investments including Volkswagen and Audi plants. The deposit is accessed by paved road and
is roughly 30 kilometres from an industrial park with rail service where significant manufacturers such as
Kimberly Clarke have facilities. Any potential mining operation at Ixtaca would be located in an area previously
logged or cleared with negligible to no current land usage.
The Company has access to the entire project area and works closely with local officials and residents. The
Company has employed roughly 70 people in its exploration program who live local to the Ixtaca deposit. For
example, local employees have made up virtually all the drilling staff and have been trained on the job to
operate the drill rigs being used at the project. The Company has implemented a comprehensive science based
and objective community relations and education program for employees and all local stakeholders to
transparently explain the exploration and development program underway as well as the potential impacts and
benefits of any possible future mining operation at Ixtaca. The Company regards the local inhabitants to be
major stakeholders in the Ixtaca deposit’s future along with the Company’s shareholders. Every effort is being
made to create an open and clear dialogue with our stakeholders to ensure that any possible development
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scenarios that could evolve from the feasibility study work are properly understood and communicated
throughout the course of the Company’s exploration and development program. To better explain the impacts of
a mining operation at Ixtaca the Company has conducted numerous tours for local residents to third party
operated mines in Mexico so that interested individuals can form their own opinions of mining based on first-
hand experience. The Company invites all interested parties to visit www.almadenminerals.com to find out more
about our community development, education and outreach programs.
Technical Details of the Ixtaca Drilling Program
The Main Ixtaca and Ixtaca North Zones of veining are interpreted to have a north-easterly trend. Holes to date
suggest that the Main Ixtaca and Ixtaca North Zones are sub vertical with local variations. This interpretation
suggests that true widths range from approximately 35% of intersected widths for a -70 degree hole to 94% of
intersected widths for a -20 degree hole. The drilling completed to date has traced mineralisation over 1,000
meters along this northeast trend. The Chemalaco (Northeast Extension ) Zone strikes roughly north-south (340
azimuth) and dips at 55 degrees to the west. This interpretation suggests that true widths range from
approximately 82% of intersected widths for a -70 degree hole to 99% of intersected widths for a -40 degree
hole. The orientations of the new vein zones intersected in the holes reported today are not well understood and
true widths cannot be calculated at this time.
Mr. Norm Dircks, P.Geo., a qualified person (“QP”) under the meaning of NI 43-101, is the QP and project
manager of Almaden’s Ixtaca program and reviewed the technical information in this news release. The
analyses reported were carried out at ALS Chemex Laboratories of North Vancouver using industry standard
analytical techniques. 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-HNO 3-HCLO 4 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. Intervals that
returned assays below detection were assigned zero values.
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.
About Almaden
Almaden Minerals Ltd. owns 100% of the Tuligtic project in Puebla State, Mexico, subject to a 2.0% NSR royalty
held by Almadex Minerals Limited. Tuligtic covers the Ixtaca Gold-Silver Deposit, which 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.
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. Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, certain information presented
constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws.
Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, those with respect to potential expansion of mineralization, potential size of mineralized zone, and
size and timing of exploration and development programs, estimated project capital and other project costs and the timing of submission and receipt and
availability of regulatory approvals involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievement of Almaden to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to international operations and joint ventures, the actual results of current exploration activities,
conclusions of economic evaluations, uncertainty in the estimation of mineral resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined,
environmental risks and hazards, increased infrastructure and/or operating costs, labour and employment matters, and government regulation and permitting
requirements as well as those factors discussed in 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 Almaden has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance
that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Almaden
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other
than as required pursuant to applicable securities laws. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
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Contact Information:
Almaden Minerals Ltd.
Tel. 604.689.7644
Email: [email protected]
http://www.almadenminerals.com/
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