Viva Gold begins 2,500-metre drill program at Tonopah

Mr. James Hesketh reports VIVA GOLD COMMENCES DRILLING AT ITS TONOPAH GOLD PROJECT IN NEVADA Viva Gold Corp. has commenced a reverse circulation (RC) drill program at its 100-per-cent-owned Tonopah gold project, located near the town of Tonopah, Nev. The company expects to drill approximately 2,500 metres of RC drill holes with a focus on converting inferred gold mineralization to measured and indicated status and to infill remaining drilling gaps and identified resource extension potential in the near-pit area, as defined in Tonopah's June, 2025, preliminary economic assessment (PEA). Additional holes will be drilled in the Midway Hills prospect area approximately 1.4 kilometres northwest of the main pit area to validate discovery holes completed in 1988. "This drill program will feed information directly into the prefeasibility study work program commenced earlier this month. These combined programs are designed to rapidly advance Tonopah into the formal permitting process while continuing to demonstrate resource growth potential," stated James Hesketh, president and chief executive officer. The company will provide updates as results become available. Viva remains focused on systematically advancing Tonopah through technical derisking milestones while maintaining disciplined capital allocation and a clear pathway toward development. About Viva Gold Corp. Viva Gold's 100-per-cent-owned Tonopah gold project sits in the middle of gold mining country about a half-hour drive south of the Round Mountain mine owned by Kinross Gold and controls a major land position on the prolific Walker Lane trend in western Nevada. Viva has developed a high-confidence-level gold mineral resource and can demonstrate the potential for an economically viable open-pit, heap-leach/mill gold project through a rigorous PEA study. Viva Gold is committed to developing the Tonopah gold project in an environmentally and socially responsible fashion. These values are aligned with management's core values and permeate throughout the company's decision-making process. Viva Gold is led by CEO James Hesketh, a 40-year veteran in the mining space who has led the development and construction of eight other mines around the world throughout his career. Mr. Hesketh has surrounded himself with equally experienced mining professionals both on the management team and the board. Viva Gold trades on the TSX Venture Exchange (symbol: VAU), on the OTCQB (symbol: VAUCF) and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (symbol: 7PB). Viva currently has approximately 172 million shares outstanding and boasts a best-in-class management team and board with decades of gold exploration and production experience. The company is advancing its high-grade Tonopah gold project in mining-friendly Nevada with the support of several institutional shareholders. 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. We seek Safe Harbor.