Westward Gold Provides Exploration and Drilling Update from Toiyabe Hills Property

Vancouver, British Columbia — November 13, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Westward Gold Inc. provided an update on its exploration activities and ongoing drilling at its Toiyabe Hills Property in Lander County, Nevada. The 2026 field season has been the Company's most productive to date, with extensive programs completed and in progress across the 84-square-kilometre property. These efforts include reverse-circulation (RC) and core drilling, trenching with detailed mapping and geochemistry, Anaconda-style surface mapping, soil and rock-chip sampling, and expanded geophysical surveys. Exploration activities are set to continue as weather permits.

A new track-mounted RC rig recently arrived to enhance operations during the final weeks of the season. Early-stage planning for the 2027 field season has also commenced, with two core rigs already secured.

To date, 16 holes have been drilled or are currently in progress across three target zones at Toiyabe Hills, including two re-drilled holes. At the SSD target, 11 holes have been completed for a total of 3,935 metres, encompassing six pre-collar holes and three lost holes. The El Segundo target has seen two holes completed and two in progress, totaling 889 metres. The Campfire target has one pre-collar hole completed to a depth of 610 metres. Eight holes are currently at the lab with assays pending, and an estimated turnaround time of approximately three months is expected. The first unreleased hole (T2603) was submitted on August 19, 2026.

Trenching at the SSD target included three trenches completed early in the season for a total of 468 metres, with an expanded program underway involving three additional trenches totaling 1,431 metres. Westward completed approximately 21 square kilometres of new surface mapping in 2026 as part of its Anaconda-style mapping initiative, bringing the total property-wide coverage to roughly 44 square kilometres. This mapping continues to provide insights into the hydrothermal and thermal alteration signature and footprint of the system at Toiyabe Hills, leading to the identification of new, promising early-stage target areas for 2027.

The Company also expanded its surface geochemistry database in 2026. Expanded soil grids over recent land additions have been completed (569 samples collected), with an infill grid in progress to improve upon inherited data. All soil assays are pending. Additionally, 224 rock-chip samples have been collected across the property. Expanded gravity and airborne magnetic surveys were completed over recently-staked ground, along with a 10-line-kilometre CSAMT survey over the El Segundo target area. Planning is also underway for a new magnetotelluric (MT) survey.

Robert Edie, VP Exploration, highlighted the challenges in securing drill rigs and crews in 2026, an issue he described as endemic across Nevada. Despite these difficulties, Westward successfully sourced replacement rigs and continued drilling. The decision was made to invest in steel casing and pre-collar the majority of holes at SSD due to the observed Carlin-type alteration in RC chips. This strategic approach is setting up the company for a strong start in 2027, with numerous core tails queued, pads constructed, and contracts for two core rigs signed.

Mr. Edie noted that new and promising Carlin-type alteration observed at SSD, particularly to the north where no legacy drilling exists, has considerably expanded the known alteration footprint, which remains open in all directions and at depth. The identification of a broad hydrothermal dolomite halo and zones of honey-coloured sphalerite associated with quartz stringers are considered highly encouraging characteristics analogous to many gold deposits in northern Nevada. At El Segundo, the first hole drilled in the area provided strong proof of concept, showing hematite-decalcification-sooty carbon shearing zones associated with blind thrusts. Furthermore, Anaconda-style mapping has identified a new greenfield 2027 target, dubbed “Double Take.”

The 2026 drilling campaign at Toiyabe Hills is ongoing, with RC and core drilling currently in progress at the El Segundo Target. Drilling at the SSD Target has concluded, with nine holes completed for 3,270 metres, excluding two re-drilled holes. Challenges with the RC rig reaching planned depths led to the decision to case the last six holes at SSD for follow-up drilling with core tail completions in 2027. At the Campfire Target, one RC hole was completed to 610 metres and cased for a 2027 core tail, representing a northern expansion of the 2025 Phase I framework program.

In a corporate update, Westward announced the approval and grant of 500,000 stock options and 500,000 restricted share units (RSUs) to an incoming director, and 200,000 stock options to a consultant. The options vest immediately and are exercisable at C$0.20 per common share for five years. The RSUs vest over 24 months. The Company has also engaged Market One Media Group Inc. for a 12-month marketing campaign costing C$100,000 plus applicable GST, which includes video production, banner ads, and editorial articles. Market One operates out of Vancouver and Toronto, offering multi-platform media solutions for the capital markets.

Source: Westward Gold Inc.