Mr. James Hesketh reports

VIVA GOLD REPORTS ADDITIONAL SHALLOW, HIGH-GRADE HITS AT THE TONOPAH GOLD PROJECT IN NEVADA

Viva Gold Corp. has released additional results from 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. This RC drill program has identified new areas of near surface, high-grade mineralization.

This drill program is 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 metres have been drilled, including three exploration holes targeting the Midway Hills prospect at Tonopah. Assay results have been received for eight holes (TG2601-TG2608); results for TG2601-TG2604 and preliminary data for TG2608 were disclosed on April 23, 2026. Assays for the remaining 11 holes are pending.

"We are very pleased with the results that we have received in this program. These new mineral intercepts are within the 2025 PEA resource shell in areas previously categorized as either waste or inferred mineralization. The results that we are seeing are potentially adding to shallow high-grade mineralization that can be mined early in the mine life and are likely to convert inferred mineralization to measured and indicated status while also adding new zones of inferred mineralization. These upgrades in both category and grade should help to reduce strip ratio and add to the economics of our ongoing prefeasibility study for Tonopah," stated James Hesketh, president and chief executive officer.

RC drill program highlights

Highlights of the company's latest assay returns include:

• TG2606: 51.8 metres at 2.34 grams per tonne (g/t Au), including 32 m at 3.14 g/t, which included 9.1 m at 9.3 g/t, containing 1.5 m at 26.3 g/t, all in five zones between 21.3- and 163.1-metre depth;
• TG2608: 65.5 m at 0.48 g/t Au in four zones between 25.9- and 137.2-metre depth;
• TG2607: 16.8 m at 0.37 g/t in three zones between 56.4- and 115.8-metre depth;
• TG2605: 19.8 m at 0.36 g/t in two zones between 62.5- and 123.4-metre depth

This drill program focuses on expanding and infilling gold mineralization, with the objective of upgrading inferred resources to support potential conversion to mineral reserves in prefeasibility study. Nineteen drill holes totalling 3,210 metres have been completed in this program including three exploration holes drilled in the Midway Hills prospect area at Tonopah. Assay results have been received for holes TG2601 to TG2608 and assay returns are pending for the remaining 11 drill holes. Results for TG2601 to 2604 and prelims on 2608 were released on April 23, 2026.

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 which 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 methods with gravimetric finish.

Qualified person

James Hesketh, MMSA-QP, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this press 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 chief executive officer James 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 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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