Viva Gold Accelerates Permitting Program at Tonopah Gold Project in Nevada

Viva Gold Corp has completed its second environmental baseline study review with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The company has formally advised the BLM of its intention to commence the NEPA Mining Plan of Operations (MPoO) review in 2027.

The Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) remains on track for completion in Q4 2026, which will define the operational footprints and environmental data required for the MPoO submission. Groundwater monitoring infrastructure is being expanded ahead of critical aquifer pump-down testing and hydrologic modeling. Additionally, follow-up drilling is planned at the newly discovered Midway Hills gold target to test resource extensions.

Viva Gold Corp. (VAU) has issued a permitting update that marks an expected, incremental step in the standard Nevada regulatory pathway for a project advancing from a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) to a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and eventual permitting. The timeline aligns precisely with previous management guidance, which calls for PFS completion in Q4 2026 and a Mine Plan of Operations (MPoO) submission in 2027. There are no surprises, accelerated timelines, or unexpected setbacks. The news confirms that environmental baseline work is progressing and that the company is on track to meet its stated milestones, serving to de-risk the project without materially altering the economic profile or valuation at this stage.

Viva Gold Corp (VAU) is a pre-revenue junior explorer focused on its 100%-owned Tonopah Gold Project in western Nevada. The project is situated on the prolific Walker Lane mineral trend, approximately 30 minutes south of Kinross Gold's Round Mountain mine.

The company is in the advanced exploration and development stage. A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) was completed in August 2025, outlining a 7-year open-pit mine with production of 404,000 oz Au and 354,000 oz Ag. At a gold price of $2,400/oz, the PEA indicates an after-tax NPV of $111.6M, an IRR of 17.6%, and an AISC of $1,269/oz.

Recent exploration activity includes a 2026 RC drill program totaling 3,210m. This program successfully identified the Midway Hills discovery, adding high-grade gold intercepts such as 35.1m @ 1.62 g/t Au. These intercepts remain open in all dimensions.