Mr. James Hesketh reports

VIVA GOLD DRILLS ONE OF ITS STRONGEST HOLES TO DATE AT THE TONOPAH GOLD PROJECT IN NEVADA

Viva Gold Corp. has released additional high-grade results from two holes drilled in the 2026 reverse circulation (RC) drill program at its Tonopah gold project. Tonopah is located on the prolific Walker Lane mineral trend in western Nevada, approximately a 30-minute drive south of Kinross Gold's Round Mountain mine. These results include one of the strongest holes drilled to date in the western portion of the 2025 PEA (preliminary economic assessment) resource pit area, returning high-grade gold over significant widths.

"We are very pleased with these results. TG2610 and TG2609 were drilled to test the width extension potential of the north and south limits of the down-dropped block of deeper mineralization situated in the western section of the main 2025 PEA resource pit. TG2610 returned significant lengths of high-grade mineralization in two zones and is one of the strongest holes drilled to date in this western pit area, while TG2609 returned lower-grade zones of mineralization on the southern extent. The results for TG2610 demonstrate the potential to add gold mineralization in the north dimension of this section of the resource pit," stated James Hesketh, president and chief executive officer.

RC drill program highlights

Highlights of the company's latest assay returns include:

• TG2610: 88.4 metres (m) at 0.98 gram per tonne gold (g/t Au) in two zones, including 59.4 m at 1.08 g/t Au, which included 6.1 m at 4.23 g/t Au and 4.6 m at 2.26 g/t Au, and a second zone containing 29 m at 0.76 g/t Au, including 1.5 m at 8.67 g/t Au, all between 123.4 and 217.9 m depth;
• TG2609: 15.2 m at 0.44 g/t Au in two zones, including 7.6 m at 0.58 g/t Au from 131.1 m depth and a second zone of 7.6 m at 0.31 g/t Au from 201.2 m depth.

The 2026 RC drill program was designed to expand and infill gold mineralization, with the goal of upgrading inferred resources to a level that supports conversion to mineral reserves in the prefeasibility study. Nineteen holes totalling 3,210 m were drilled, including three exploration holes targeting the Midway Hills prospect at Tonopah. Prior assay results in this program were released on April 23, 2026, and May 13, 2026. Assay results for an additional nine holes drilled in this program are pending.

Quality assurance/quality control

Viva Gold utilizes a well-documented system of inserting blanks and standards into the assay stream and has a strict chain of custody for samples taken by the company. Assays taken by the company are completed at independent laboratories that have internal quality assurance and quality control systems and procedures. Assays were performed by American Assay Laboratories Inc., of Reno, Nev., by fire assay and ICP (inductively coupled plasma) methods with gravimetric finish.

Qualified person (QP)

James Hesketh, MMSA-QP has approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. Mr. Hesketh is not independent of the company; he is an officer and director.

About Viva Gold Corp.

Viva Gold's 100-per-cent-owned Tonopah gold project is located within a large land position in established gold-mining country on the prolific Walker Lane structural trend in western Nevada, approximately a 30-minute drive south of Kinross Gold's Round Mountain mine. Viva has defined a high-confidence gold mineral resource and has demonstrated the potential for an economically viable open-pit, heap leach/mill gold project through its 2025 preliminary economic assessment (PEA). Viva Gold is committed to advancing the Tonopah gold project in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, consistent with management's core values.

Viva Gold is led by Mr. Hesketh, a 40-year mining industry veteran who has led the development and construction of eight mines globally. The board and management team include experienced mining professionals with expertise in exploration, project development, construction and mine operations.

Viva Gold trades on the TSX Venture Exchange (VAU), the OTCQB (VAUCF) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (7PB). Viva currently has approximately 172 million shares outstanding. The company is advancing its Tonopah gold project in mining-friendly Nevada with the support of institutional shareholders.

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