News Release: February 12th, 2002 El Pulpo Copper-Gold-Molybdenum Porphyry Staked in Mexico Almaden Minerals Ltd. (Almaden) has acquired by staking a porphyry copper prospect roughly sixty kilometres from Mazatlan, Mexico. The prospect, locally known as El Pulpo, was discovered by a major company in the early 1970's at the time of it's withdrawal from Mexico. A soil and rock geochemical sampling program was carried out at that time and produced a significant copper anomaly associated with a K-silicate altered and stockwork veined intrusive body. A prominent consultant visited the property at that time and wrote a report, now in Almaden's possession, recommending work including exploration tunnelling. Almaden believes that due to political circumstances no other work has ever been performed on the property. The property was staked as soon as previous claims, unrelated to the El Pulpo prospect lapsed. The El Pulpo property constitutes the fourth bulk-tonnage copper-precious metal project acquired by Almaden in Mexico. The other projects are as follows: Tropico: The Tropico Project is a copper-platinum-palladium-gold prospect located north of Mazatlan, Mexico. This property has been optioned to Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. of Japan and Santoy Resources Ltd. These joint venture partners have informed Almaden that a combined trenching/diamond drilling project has been completed on the property. Caballo Blanco: The Caballo Blanco project is a copper-gold porphyry prospect and is optioned to Noranda Inc. Noranda has informed Almaden that it will carry out a drill program on the project in the first quarter of 2002. San Carlos: The San Carlos project is a copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry and copper-gold skarn prospect optioned to Aurcana Corp. Aurcana has recently completed a large geochemical and geophysical program over an area of historic copper-gold mine workings and outcropping copper-gold mineralisation. A work program consisting of geologic mapping and rock and soil geochemical sampling is planned for the El Pulpo prospect in 2002.   ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Morgan Poliquin The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed nor 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 statements as that term is defined in the private securities litigation reform act of 1995. Such forward -looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from estimated results. Such risks and uncertainties are detailed in the Company's filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.