Viva Gold Corp. Announces Significant Drill Results Extending Mineralization at Tonopah Gold Project

VANCOUVER, BC – June 23, 2026 – Leads & Copy — Viva Gold Corp. announced today that recent reverse-circulation drilling at its Tonopah Gold Project has extended the new southeast pit area and confirmed a new block of gold mineralization on the south side of the deposit. The results are expected to be incorporated into an updated resource model, supporting the company’s pre-feasibility study targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026. The Tonopah Gold Project is situated on the Walker Lane Mineral Trend in western Nevada, approximately 30 minutes south of Kinross Gold’s Round Mountain Mine.

The latest assay results from the 2026 RC drill program continue to define new mineralized areas and extend known gold mineralization. According to James Hesketh, President & CEO of Viva Gold, drill hole TG2614 defined the width extent of the new southeast trend, while TG2615 builds upon an earlier intercept from TG2608 to establish a new block of gold mineralization on the south side of the deposit. The first fifteen holes of the program are now being integrated into the updated resource model.

Assays have been received for fifteen of the nineteen holes completed in the 2026 program, with results for the remaining four anticipated in the coming weeks. This program was designed to infill and upgrade areas of inferred gold mineral resource and undrilled areas previously classified as waste within the 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) resource pit shell. Additional drilling focused on open extensions to mineralization outside this pit shell.

Notable highlights from the latest assay returns include:

TG2615: 56.4 meters grading 0.35 grams per tonne of gold (g/t Au) in two zones starting at 32 meters depth.
TG2614: 19.8 meters grading 1.01 g/t Au in four zones starting at 51.8 meters depth.
TG2612: 7.6 meters grading 0.34 g/t Au in two zones starting at 56.4 meters depth.

A total of nineteen drill holes, comprising 3,210 meters, have been completed in this program, including three exploration holes at the Midway Hills prospect area. Assays for holes TG2601 to TG2615 have been received, while pending results are for the remaining four drill holes.

Viva Gold utilizes a robust system for quality assurance and control, including the insertion of blanks and standards into the assay stream and maintaining strict chain of custody for all samples. Assays are conducted by independent laboratories, with American Assay Laboratories Inc. of Reno, Nevada performing the analyses using fire assay and ICP methods with gravimetric finish.

James Hesketh, MMSA-QP, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information presented in this press release. Mr. Hesketh is an Officer and Director of the Company.

Viva Gold Corp.’s 100%-owned Tonopah Gold Project is situated on a significant land package within the Walker Lane Structural Trend in western Nevada. The project hosts a high-confidence gold mineral resource, with the company’s 2025 PEA demonstrating the potential for an economically viable open-pit, heap leach/mill gold operation. The ongoing pre-feasibility study is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026. Viva Gold is committed to the responsible advancement of the Tonopah Gold Project.

The company’s leadership includes CEO James Hesketh, a mining industry veteran with extensive experience in mine development and construction. The Board and management team comprise seasoned mining professionals skilled in exploration, project development, construction, and operations.

Viva Gold Corp. trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol VAU, on the OTCQB as VAUCF, and on the Frankfurt Exchange as 7PB. The company has approximately 172 million shares outstanding and is advancing the Tonopah Gold Project with the support of institutional shareholders. Further details are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and the company’s website (www.vivagoldcorp.com).

Source: Viva Gold Corp