Published: November 1, 2019 |

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Almaden Minerals Ltd. was notified by SEMARNAT, Mexico’s environmental authority, that the permitting process for the Ixtaca project has been suspended pending resolution of the mineral title lawsuit reported by the company in April and September of this year.

Under the lawsuit, certain organizations have supported legal challenges against the Government of Mexico and the Mexican mineral title regime using the company’s mineral claims as a basis for their challenges. The lawsuit contends that the issuance of Almaden’s original mineral titles violated human rights and did not respect Mexico’s commitment to indigenous consultation under United Nations Instrument ILO 169.

Almaden’s original mineral claims, which totaled approximately 14,000 hectares, were granted many years ago in full compliance with Mexican law and in the same manner as all existing mineral titles in Mexico. In April, 2019, a Lower Court in Puebla State ruled that the Mexican mineral title system is unconstitutional and as a result these original mineral claims should be held exclusively for Almaden until such time as consultation can be completed. This Lower Court decision has now been appealed by the Mexican Congress, Senate, Secretary of Economy and Mining authorities, as well as Almaden as an affected party. The Lawsuit remains before the courts.

Although the company understands that SEMARNAT’s mandate is restricted to the review of the technical merits of the environmental permit application, on October 4, 2019, SEMARNAT requested the Lower Court in Puebla to provide information on the lawsuit. Almaden has reviewed the report provided by the Lower Court to SEMARNAT, which informs SEMARNAT that the purpose of the decision is to protect the complainant’s agrarian rights and lands, in order that the complainant is not affected by the mining concessions or possible mining activities. The complainant is a community of about 150 people, located well outside of the Ixtaca project impact area.

Having reviewed the court’s response to SEMARNAT, on October 24, the company submitted a write to SEMARNAT in part to confirm that the company completed the necessary steps to abandon its mineral claims in the area of the complainant in 2017, and has no interest in holding any mineral claims in this area.

Almaden is studying measures it can take to resolve this suspension.

About Almaden Minerals
Almaden Minerals Ltd. owns 100 percent of the Ixtaca project in Puebla State, Mexico, subject to a 2.0 percent NSR royalty held by Almadex Minerals Ltd. The Ixtaca Gold-Silver Deposit was discovered by Almaden in 2010.

To stop by Almaden’s website, CLICK HERE

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