Almaden Minerals : Consolidated Financial Statements of - Form 6-K

Consolidated Financial Statements of

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020

Table of contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Directors of

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Almaden Minerals Ltd. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, cash flows, and changes in equity for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021and 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2015.

/s/ DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP

March 24, 2023

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Consolidated statements of financial position

(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

Nature of operations (Note 1)

Subsequent event (Note 18)

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

These consolidated financial statements are authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on March 24, 2023.

They are signed on the Company's behalf by:

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Consolidated statements of comprehensive loss

(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

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

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Consolidated statements of cash flows

(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

Supplemental cash flow information (Note 13)

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

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Consolidated statements of changes in equity

(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

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

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 property in 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.

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

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance and compliance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC").

(b) Basis of preparation

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis except for the revaluation of certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss. In addition, these financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting, except for cash flow information.

These consolidated financial statements, including comparatives, have been prepared on the basis of IFRS standards that are effective as at December 31, 2022.

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

(c) Functional currency

The functional and reporting currency of the Company and its subsidiaries is the Canadian dollar.

(d) Significant accounting judgments and estimates

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements 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. Actual outcomes could differ from these judgements and estimates. The consolidated financial statements include judgements and estimates which, by their nature, are uncertain. 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

(d) Significant accounting judgments and estimates (Continued)

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:

Critical Judgments

Estimates

(a) Basis of consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as follows:

Inter-company balances and transactions, including unrealized income and expenses arising from inter-company transactions, are eliminated in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

(b) Foreign currencies

Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the transaction dates. At each financial position reporting date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the date of the statement of financial position. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.

(c) Financial instruments

A financial asset is classified as measured at: amortized cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI), or fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL). The classification of financial assets is generally based on the business model in which a financial asset is managed and its contractual cash flow characteristics. Derivatives embedded in contracts where the host is a financial asset in the scope of the standard are never separated. Instead, the hybrid financial instrument as a whole is assessed for classification. The Company's financial assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable and are classified at amortized cost.

Financial liabilities comprise the Company's trade and other payables. Financial liabilities are initially recognized on the date they are originated and are derecognized when the contractual obligations are discharged or cancelled or expire. Trade and other payables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequent are measured at amortized costs using the effective interest method, when materially different from the initial amount. Derivative financial liabilities are classified as FVTPL. Fair value is determined based on the present value of future cash flow, discounted at the market rate of interest.

(i) Impairment of financial assets

An 'expected credit loss' (ECL) model applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost, contract assets and debt investments at FVOCI, but not to investments in equity instruments. The Company's financial assets measured at amortized cost and subject to the ECL model include cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable.

(c) Financial instruments (Continued)

(ii) Embedded derivatives

Derivatives may be embedded in other financial instruments (the "host instrument"). Embedded derivatives are treated as separate derivatives when their economic characteristics and risks are not clearly and closely related to those of the host instrument, the terms of the embedded derivative are the same as those of a stand-alone derivative, and the combined contract is not held for trading or designated at fair value. These embedded derivatives are measured at fair value with subsequent changes recognized in profit or loss.

The Company issues warrants exercisable in a currency other than the Company's functional currency and as a result, the warrants are derivative financial instruments.

Derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in profit or loss. Transaction costs are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Cash equivalents include term deposits and money market instruments which are readily convertible into cash or have maturities at the date of purchase of less than ninety days.

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and are depreciated annually on a declining-balance basis if available-for-use at the following rates:

(f) Exploration and evaluation assets

The Company is in the exploration stage with respect to its investment in exploration and evaluation assets and, accordingly, follows the practice of capitalizing all costs relating to the acquisition of, exploration for and development of mineral claims to which the Company has rights and crediting all proceeds received from farm-out arrangements or recovery of costs against the cost of the related claims. Acquisition costs include, but are not exclusive to land surface rights acquired. Deferred exploration costs include, but are not exclusive to geological, geophysical studies, annual mining taxes, exploratory drilling and sampling. At such time as commercial production commences, these costs will be charged to profit or loss on a unit-of-production method based on proven and probable reserves. The aggregate costs related to abandoned mineral claims are charged to profit or loss at the time of any abandonment or when it has been determined that there is evidence of an impairment.

(f) Exploration and evaluation assets (Continued)

The Company considers the following facts and circumstances in determining if it should test exploration and evaluation assets for impairment:

An impairment charge may be reversed but only to the extent that this does not exceed the original carrying value of the property that would have resulted if no impairment had been recognized. General exploration costs in areas of interest in which the Company has not secured rights are expensed as incurred.

The recoverability of amounts shown for exploration and evaluation assets is dependent upon the discovery of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain financing to complete development of the properties, and on future production or proceeds of disposition.

The Company recognizes in profit or loss costs recovered on exploration and evaluation assets when amounts received or receivable are in excess of the carrying amount.

Once the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the extraction of mineral resources in an area of interest are demonstrable, exploration and evaluation assets attributable to that area of interest are first tested for impairment and then reclassified to development asset within property, plant and equipment.

All capitalized exploration and evaluation expenditures are monitored for indications of impairment.

Where a potential impairment is indicated, assessments are performed for each area of interest. To the extent that exploration expenditure is not expected to be recovered, it is charged to profit or loss. Exploration areas where reserves have been discovered, but require major capital expenditure before production can begin, are continually evaluated to ensure that commercial quantities of reserves exist or to ensure that additional exploration work is underway as planned.

Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment at least annually, or if there is any indication that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If any such indication is present, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine whether impairment exists. Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit to which the asset belongs.

An asset's recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value, using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating unit is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to the recoverable amount by way of recording an impairment charge to profit or loss. Where an impairment subsequently reverses, the carrying amount is increased to the revised estimate of recoverable amount but only to the extent that this does not exceed the carrying value that would have been determined if no impairment had previously been recognized.

(h) Income taxes

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Current tax and deferred tax are recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity or in other comprehensive income.

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is recognized in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax is not recognized for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities to the extent that it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future. In addition, deferred tax is not recognized for taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse, based on the laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different tax entities, but they intend to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis or their tax assets and liabilities will be realized simultaneously.

A deferred tax asset is recognized for unused tax losses, tax credits and deductible temporary differences, to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which

(h) Income taxes (Continued)

they can be utilized. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.

(i) Share-based payments

The Company's stock option plan allows Company employees, directors, officers and consultants to acquire shares of the Company. The fair value of options granted is recognized as share-based payment expense with a corresponding increase in equity reserves. An individual is classified as an employee when the individual is an employee for legal or tax purposes (direct employee) or provides services similar to those performed by a direct employee.

Fair value is measured at grant date, and each tranche is recognized using the graded vesting method over the period during which the options vest. The fair value of the options granted is measured using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. At each financial position reporting date, the amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of stock options that are expected to vest. In situations where equity instruments are issued to consultants and some or all of the goods or services received by the entity as consideration cannot be specifically identified, they are measured at the fair value of the share-based payment. Otherwise, share-based payments are measured at the fair value of goods or services received.

(j) Share capital

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and warrants are recorded as share capital in the amount for which the option or warrant enabled the holder to purchase a share in the Company, in addition to the proportionate amount of reserves originally created at the issuance of the stock options or warrants. Share capital issued for non-monetary consideration is valued at the closing market price at the date of issuance. The proceeds from the issuance of units are allocated between common shares and common share purchase warrants based on the residual value method. Under this method, the proceeds are allocated to common shares based on the fair value of a common share at the announcement date of the unit offering and any residual remaining is allocated to common share purchase warrants.

Certain of the Company's warrants are exercisable in a currency other than the functional currency of the Company. As a result, the fair value allocated to the warrant is recorded as a derivative financial liability with residual value being attributed to the equity unit. The fair value of the warrant is determined using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model and is marked to market at the end of each period. Upon exercise of the warrant, the fair value of the warrant at the date of exercise is transferred to share capital.

Decommissioning and restoration provisions are recorded when a present legal or constructive obligation exists as a result of past events where it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made.

The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation and discount rates. Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows discounted for the market discount rate.

Over time, the discounted liability is increased for the changes in the present value based on the current market discount rates and liability risks. When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, the receivable is recognized as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount receivable can be measured reliably.

When the Company enters into an option agreement on its exploration and evaluations assets, as part of the option agreement, responsibility for any reclamation and remediation becomes the responsibility of the optionee.

The Company presents the basic and diluted net loss per share data for its common shares, calculated by dividing the loss attributable to common shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is determined by adjusting the net loss attributable to common shareholders and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the effects of all dilutive potential common shares (Note 12).

(m) Leases

At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company assesses whether the contract involves the use of an identified asset, whether the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the asset during the term of the arrangement exists, and if the Company has the right to direct the use of the asset. At inception or on reassessment of a contract that contains a lease component, the Company allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of their relative standalone prices.

As a lessee, the Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the commencement date of a lease. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which is comprised of the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any decommissioning and restoration costs, less any lease incentives received.

(m) Leases (Continued)

The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight line method from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the lease term, or the end of the useful life of the asset. In addition, the right-of-use asset may be reduced due to impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability.

A lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted by the interest rate implicit in the lease, or if that rate cannot be readily determined, the incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are comprised of:

· fixed payments, including in-substance fixed payments, less any lease incentives receivable;

· variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date;

· amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee;

· exercise prices of purchase options if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and

· payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising an option to terminate the lease.

The lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, or if there is a change in the estimate or assessment of the expected amount payable under a residual value guarantee, purchase, extension or termination option. Variable lease payments not included in the initial measurement of the lease liability are charged directly to profit or loss.

The Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets. The lease payments associated with these leases are charged directly to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

(n)Standards issued or amended but not yet effective

The Company has not applied the following revised IFRS that has been issued but was not yet effective at December 31, 2022. This accounting standard is not currently expected to have a significant effect on the Company's accounting policies or financial statements.

IAS 1 -Presentation of Financial Statements ("IAS 1") was amended in January 2020 to provide a more general approach to the classification of liabilities under IAS 1 based on the contractual arrangements in place at the reporting date. The amendments clarify that the classification of liabilities as current or noncurrent is based solely on a company's right to defer settlement at the reporting date. The right needs to be unconditional and must have substance. The amendments also clarify that the transfer of a company's own equity instruments is regarded as settlement of a liability, unless it results from the exercise of a conversion option meeting the definition of an equity instrument. These amendments were further revised by the issuance of Non-current Liabilities with Covenants (Amendments to IAS 1) on October 31, 2022 which further narrowed the scope of the amendments. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on January 1, 2024.

(m) Standards issued or amended but not yet effective (Continued)

Application of this amendment is expected to result in a reclassification of warranty liability and derivative financial liabilities from non-current to current liabilities on the statement of financial position.

Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses consist of the following:

At December 31, 2022, the Company has recorded value added taxes of $251,775 (2021 - $308,457) 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).

The Company has lease agreements for its headquarter office space in Vancouver, B.C.

One lease containing an extension option exercisable only by the Company was exercised on November 22, 2021. The lease was therefore extended from March 31, 2022 to March 31, 2027. The Company reassessed this significant event as a lease modification and has estimated that the potential future lease payments under the extended lease term would result in an increase in lease liability by $508,799.

The continuity of lease liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

The Company entered into a sublease arrangement with a third party to lease an office unit from May 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 under the same terms of the Company's lease. The Company remains beholden to the obligations set out in its lease dated October 31, 2018. The rental income during the period ended December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021 - $22,452) from this operating sublease was $8,508 and is recorded in interest and other income.

The continuity of ROU assets for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized occupancy expenses of $42,655 (2021 - $40,542; 2020 - $45,248) related to short term leases.

As at December 31, 2022, the remaining payments for the operating lease are due as follows:

As at December 31, 2022, the Company recorded an impairment of $7,441,293 on mill equipment to its recoverable amount due to the delay in receiving development permit and the lack of available for use in Mexico.

Title to exploration and evaluation assets involves certain inherent risks due to the difficulties of determining the validity of certain claims as well as the potential for problems arising from the frequently ambiguous conveyancing history characteristic of many mineral claims. The Company has investigated title to all of its exploration and evaluation assets and, to the best of its knowledge, title to all of its interests are in good standing.

The following is a description of the Company's most significant property interests:

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

In 2015, legal proceedings against the Mexican mining authorities regarding certain mining concessions held by the Company were initiated by the Ejido Tecoltemi. These mining concessions covered approximately 14,000 Ha, including the Company's project in the Ixtaca Zone and certain endowed lands of the Ejido (the "Ejido Land"), which comprise approximately 330 Ha (the "Original Concessions").

In 2015, Almaden commenced a process to voluntarily cancel approximately 7,000 Ha of its Original Concessions, including the area covering the Ejido Lands. Almaden divided the Original

Concessions into nine smaller concessions, which included two smaller mining concessions which overlapped the Ejido Lands (the "Overlapping Concessions") and then voluntarily cancelled the Overlapping Concessions. The applicable Mexican mining authorities issued the New Concessions and accepted the abandonment of the Overlapping Concessions in May and June of 2017 after the issuance of a Court Order.

In 2017, the Ejido Tecoltemi filed a legal complaint about the court order leading to the New Concessions. On February 1, 2018, the court reviewing the complaint ruled the Ejido's complaint was founded, and sent the ruling to the court hearing the Amparo. On December 21, 2018, the General Directorate of Mines issued a resolution that the New Concessions are left without effect, and the Original Concessions are in full force and effect. On February 13, 2019, the General Directorate of Mines delivered, to the court hearing the Amparo, mining certificates stating that the Original Concessions are valid, and the New Concessions are cancelled. On December 16, 2019 the General Directorate of Mines issued mineral title certificates directly to Almaden that the Original Concessions are active and owned by Minera Gorrión and the New Concessions are left without effect. Currently, applicable Mexican mining authority records show the Original Concessions as Almaden's sole mineral claims to the Ixtaca Project.

On January 21, 2020, Almaden filed an administrative challenge against the Mexican mining authorities' issuance of the December 2019 Certificates. Almaden's appeals to this change in mineral tenure are based on Mexican legal advice that the New Concessions remain in full force and effect. Almaden continues to file taxes and assessment reports on the New Concessions, which have been accepted by the Mexican mining authorities, and Almaden has not received any notifications from the Mexican mining authorities regarding unpaid taxes on the Original Concessions.

On May 26, 2022, the Company transferred the 40% carried interest in the Logan property located in the Yukon Territory, Canada to Almadex Minerals Ltd. ("Almadex") for a consideration of $1 equal to its carrying value. No gain or loss was recognized in the Statement of Loss and Comprehensive Loss.

Expenditures incurred by the Company in Mexico are subject to Mexican Value added tax ("VAT"). The VAT is included in exploration and evaluation assets as incurred. Under Mexican law, VAT paid can be used in the future to offset amounts resulting from VAT charged on sales. Under certain circumstances and subject to approval from tax authorities, A Company can also apply for an early refund of VAT prior to generating sales. During 2022, the Company received a VAT recovery of $396,209 (December 2021 - $506,394) and other income of $139,313 (December - $446,184) related to a VAT refund from prior years which is recorded in interest and other income.

The Company has entered into a secured gold loan agreement ("Gold Loan") with Almadex or the "Lender" pursuant to which Almadex has agreed to loan up to 1,597 ounces of gold bullion to the Company. The approximate value of this gold as at May 14, 2019 was USD$2,072,060 or $2,790,858.

Under the terms of the Gold Loan, the Company will be entitled to draw-down the gold in minimum 400 ounce tranches. At any given time, the amount of gold ounces drawn multiplied by the London Bullion Market Association ("LBMA") AM gold price in US dollars, plus any accrued interest or unpaid fees, shall constitute the Loan Value.

The maturity date for the Gold Loan is March 31, 2024, and can be extended by two years at the discretion of the Company (the "Term"). Repayment of the Loan Value shall be made either through delivery of that amount of gold drawn, or through the issuance of common shares of the Company ("Shares"), according to the Lender's discretion. Mandatory prepayment shall be required in the event that the Company's Ixtaca gold-silver project located in Puebla State, Mexico (the "Ixtaca Project") enters into commercial production during the Term, requiring the Company to deliver 100 gold ounces per month to the Lender. In addition, the Company has the right to pre-pay the Loan Value at any time without penalty, in either gold bullion or Shares as chosen by the Lender, and the Lender has the right to convert the Loan Value into Shares at any time during the Term. The conversion rate is equal to 95% of the 5 trading day volume weighted average price of the Share on the Toronto Stock Exchange or an equivalent.

The interest rate of the Gold Loan is 10% of the Loan Value per annum, calculated monthly, paid in arrears. Interest payments can either be accrued to the Loan Value, or paid by the Company in cash or gold bullion. A standby fee of 1% per annum, accrued quarterly, will be applied to any undrawn amount on the Gold Loan.

In addition, the Company has issued Almadex 500,000 transferable share purchase warrants ("Warrants"), with an exercise price of $1.50 per Share and expiry date of May 14, 2024 as an arrangement fee to cover the administrative costs of setting up the credit facility. These warrants were valued at $50,000 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: expected life of five years, risk-free interest rate of 1.54%, expected dividend yield of 0% and expected volatility of 44.25%.

Security for the loan is certain equipment related to the Rock Creek Mill, which is not required for the Ixtaca Project. The Gold Loan includes industry standard provisions in the event of default, material breach and change of control.

The Gold Loan was recorded at fair value at inception and is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, recognizing interest expense on an effective yield basis.

The Company has determined that the Gold Loan contains multiple derivatives which are embedded in the US dollar denominated debt instrument. As the convertible Gold Loan is denominated in US dollars and is convertible into common shares based upon a variable Canadian dollar conversion rate, the fixed for fixed criteria is not met. As such, the conversion option cannot be classified as an equity instrument and is deemed to have no value. The embedded derivative from indexation of the loan principal portion to the movement in the price of gold is classified as a derivate financial liability and is marked to market at each period end using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

At inception, the following assumptions were used: expected life of five years, risk-free interest rate of 1.57% and expected volatility of 11.06%. The fair value of the embedded derivative for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased by $110,177 (December 31, 2021 increased by $18,156) based on the following assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model: expected life of 1.25 years, risk-free interest rate of 4.00% and expected volatility of 11.57% (December 31, 2021, expected life of 2.25 years, risk-free interest rate of 1.23% and expected volatility of 15.63%).

The continuity of gold loan payable and derivative financial liabilities are as follows:

As at December 31, 2022, Almaden has 397 ounces (397 ounces at December 31, 2021) of gold bullion on its account at a fair value of $974,397 ($915,995 at December 31, 2021).

On January 22, 2020, the Company received $818,360 on the sale of 400 ounces of gold in trust and has recorded a gain on sale of gold in trust of $19,413.

The continuity of gold in trust are as follows:

In connection with the registered direct offering private placement completed during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued a total of 7,923,077 warrants exercisable at US$0.80 per share. The fair value of these warrants on issuance was $2,371,174, valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

The fair value is recorded as a derivative financial liability as these warrants are exercisable in US dollars, differing from the Company's functional currency. The change in fair value resulted in an unrealized gain of $520,503 (December 31, 2021 - $1,747,884) and is recognized in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2022. The fair value warrants were re-valued at period end using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

At December 31, 2022, 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.

On March 18, 2021, the Company closed a registered direct offering private placement for the purchase and sale of 15,846,154 common shares and common share warrants to purchase up to 7,923,077 common shares at a combined purchase price of US$0.65 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of US$10.3 million (CAD$12,838,950). The common share warrants will be immediately exercisable, have an exercise price of US$0.80 per share and will expire three years from the date of issuance. Share issue costs included a finder's fee of $834,532 in cash, and finders' warrants to purchase up to 435,769 common shares at a price of US$0.80 per common share until March 18, 2024. The fair value of the finders' warrants was $130,731. In connection with the registered direct offering, the Company also incurred $393,837 in share issue costs. These amounts were recorded as a reduction to share capital. The proceeds of the registered direct offering were allocated $10,467,776 to share capital and $2,371,174 to warrants.

Share issue costs of $40,990 was recorded for fees paid related to the Short Form Base Shelf Prospectus filed on February 25, 2021.

On August 6, 2020, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement by the issuance of 3,100,000 units at a price of $0.65 per unit for gross proceeds of $2,015,000. Each unit consists of one common share and one non-transferable common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant allows the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.90 per share until August 6, 2023. Share issue costs included a finder's fee of $52,341 in cash. In connection with the private placement, the Company also incurred $108,674 in share issue costs. These amounts were recorded as a reduction to share capital. The proceeds of the private placement were allocated entirely to share capital.

On March 27, 2020, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement by the issuance of 5,509,658 units at a price of $0.37 per unit for gross proceeds of $2,038,573. Each unit consists of one common share and one non-transferable common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant allows the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.50 per share until March 27, 2023. In connection with the private placement, the Company also incurred $42,349 in share issue costs. These amounts were recorded as a reduction to share capital. The proceeds of the private placement were allocated entirely to share capital.

The continuity of warrants for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:

The weighted average remaining life of warrants outstanding at December 31, 2022 was 0.80 years (2021 - 1.51 years).

The weighted average remaining life of warrants outstanding at December 31, 2021 was 1.51 years (2020 - 2.08 years).

The weighted average remaining life of warrants outstanding at December 31, 2020 was 2.08 years (2019 - 1.53 years).

The weighted average fair value of finders' warrants granted during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model at the issue dates, are as follows:

Weighted average assumptions used

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 December 31, 2022, the Company had reserved 1,192,141 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 years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 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.

The continuity of stock options for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:

The weighted average remaining life of stock options outstanding at December 31, 2022 was 2.53 years (2021 - 0.98 years).

The weighted average remaining life of stock options outstanding at December 31, 2021 was 0.98 years (2020 - 1.08 years).