News Release: January 7th, 2004 Discovery and Acquisition of New Gold Projects, in B.C., Canada Regional exploration work over the last two years in southwest British Columbia has identified three significant new low-sulphidation epithermal gold-silver vein systems. The area where the three prospects are located was recognised during an initial reconnaissance program in 2001. Two of the three properties were identified and acquired in a 2003 field program. A 100% interest was acquired in all three projects by staking. All three prospects, known as the PV, NIC and SAM are accessible from nearby towns with excellent infrastructure, yet they represent new discoveries as there are no previously documented mineral occurrences or work histories in the area. The initial area discovered in 2001 is the 1,650 hectare PV property which covers an area of quartz vein float occurrences. In 2001 and 2002 sampling of banded quartz-adularia vein and vein breccia in float returned values up to 43.34 g/t Au with anomalous silver (Ag), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and mercury (Hg). 117 rock samples of vein and mineralised float taken in 2001 and 2002 ranged from <0.5 g/t Au to 43.34 g/t Au and averaged 0.98 g/t Au. In 2003 a further area of vein float was discovered from which 15 analyses from fifteen samples of vein float ranged from 0.12 g/t Au to 3.95 g/t Au. A preliminary five line induced polarisation (IP) program was carried in 2003 and identified several prominent linear high resistivity features thought to represent quartz veining in the area of anomalous vein float. The 300 hectare NIC property was staked in 2003 and covers an area of mineralised quartz vein occurrences. A total of 40 reconnaissance grab and chip samples collected from float and outcrop have returned gold analyses averaging 1.63 g/t Au. These samples include 20 samples with gold values ranging from 0.10 g/t Au to 23.60 g/t Au and from 1 g/t Ag to 180 g/t Ag. An outcropping quartz vein and breccia system was identified. Ten channel samples were taken at various intervals along the across the strike of the vein system which is exposed in outcrop over a 20 meter strike length. These results include 6.15 g/t over 0.5 meters, 3.72 g/t over 0.7 meters and 2.70 g/t over 1.4 meters. The 1,075 hectare SAM property was also staked in 2003. Twenty two reconnaissance samples taken from both float and outcrop have returned gold analyses averaging 0.82 g/t gold. These samples include 13 gold values that range from 0.19 g/t Au to 8.68 g/t Au. An outcropping vein system has been identified on the SAM property as well. A six meter wide zone of veining, and brecciation in an altered host rock has returned a weighted average value from three samples of 0.47 g/t Au. [Sam +] The work carried out on all three properties has resulted in the discovery of previously unknown epithermal quartz vein systems. The anomalous gold values are generally associated with elevated As, Sb, Hg and high Ag values. Initial fluid inclusion studies and alteration mineralogic and petrographic studies suggest that there has been very little erosion of the vein systems. This data compares well with the geochemistry which also suggests shallow erosion. The initial sampling is very encouraging and has resulted in the definition of several gold bearing vein systems. A work program for 2004 is currently being planned to better define targets for drilling. Edward Balon, P.Geo. was the qualified person, under the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, supervising work on these projects. Analyses were carried out by Acme Analytical Laboratories of Vancouver. Almaden currently has ten active joint ventures covering 12 properties, including seven properties in which partners are spending to earn an interest in the project and a regional exploration program with partner BHP Billiton underway to explore for copper-gold deposits in Mexico.   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.