Westward Gold intersects 13.4 m of 6.55 g/t Au within 34.8 m of 2.84 g/t at Toiyabe Hills

Assay results confirm several laterally-significant gold zones in the first of three trenches excavated at the SSD Target, with individual samples grading up to 17.90 g Au/t

Anaconda-style mapping has been completed to improve modeling of structural controls on gold mineralization in the area, and upcoming drilling will test these relationships at depth

The confluence of extensive hydrothermal alteration in upper-plate and lower-plate rocks, lamprophyre dikes, and high-grade gold, speaks to the overall strength of system at SSD

Vancouver, British Columbia, August 4, 2026 – TheNewswire - Westward Gold Inc. (CSE: WG, OTCQB: WGLIF, FSE: IM50) ( “Westward” or the “Company” ) is pleased to announce assay results and mapping interpretations for the first of three trenches completed over the SSD Target ( “SSD” ) at the Company’s Toiyabe Hills Property in Lander County, NV ( “Toiyabe Hills” , or the “Property” ). The 177-metre trench – part of Westward’s 468-metre program in advance of drilling – was completed near the Roberts Mountains Thrust and primarily designed to 1) expose bedrock for continuous chip channel sampling and Anaconda-style mapping in an area of poor to no outcrop, and 2) improve the Company’s understanding of structural controls on gold mineralization at SSD, to further refine upcoming drill tests.

Key Takeaways:

Five gold zones were identified in the trench (using a cut-off of 0.14 g Au/t), including a significant sub-interval of 13.4 metres of 6.55 g Au/t, within 34.8 metres of 2.84 g Au/t . The ability to produce high-grade gold is a notable characteristic of major systems in the Cortez District.

Structural controls on gold mineralization include the Roberts Mountains Thrust, and high-angle NE- and NW-striking faults, with the latter primed for follow-up tests at depth.

Laterally-extensive hydrothermal alteration was observed in both upper-plate siliciclastic rocks and lower-plate carbonate rocks.

Two oxidized and clay-altered lamprophyre dikes were exposed along WNW-striking faults, another key feature of significant Carlin-style gold deposits in the region.

The first two shallow core holes completed at SSD (T2601 and T2602, assays pending) were drilled proximal to this trench and will further confirm structural and stratigraphic controls on gold mineralization, with the first of two reverse-circulation ( “RC” ) drill rigs expected to arrive in the coming days to begin deeper tests.

Figure 1 – SSD Target: 2026 Trenching Program

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Mr. Steve Koehler, Westward’s Lead Technical Advisor, noted: “I’ve been mapping this ground and re-logging historical drill holes for many years now, and this trench has been eye-opening in several regards. SSD has always been an enigma, very structurally complex and poorly understood in terms of controls on gold mineralization. Exposing bedrock over a significant distance has allowed us to properly characterize and measure the elusive (previously-buried) high-angle faults that likely represent a vital part of the plumbing system driving grade at SSD. Now, we’ll sharp-shoot the intersection of these high-angle structures and the flat-lying zone of deeper oxidation and deformation that Westward previously identified in the favourable Wenban Formation. It’s hard to come by a more compelling set of targets in Carlin-type exploration and we’re very excited to get holes down imminently.”

Figure 2 – Trenching Assay Results (West to East)

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Note: Gold intervals were calculated based on a 0.14 g Au/t cutoff grade. All gold intervals are presented as trench lengths and true thicknesses of mineralization are currently unknown and estimated to be approximately 70-90% of the reported interval lengths.

Technical Details – Significant Gold Zones:

Throughout the trench, elevated gold was associated with elevated arsenic, antimony, and mercury – as expected in a Carlin-type setting. Detailed 1:500-scale Anaconda-style mapping was completed and digitized (see Figure 3 below), to identify alteration type and intensity, and model structures (strikes and dips) with increased precision. Gaining a better understanding of how these structures correlate to grade distribution across the SSD Target – with the added benefit of the Company’s substantial drill hole re-logging program – will render upcoming drilling more efficient.

3.0m of 0.98 g Au/t: Gold associated with brecciated and clay-altered cherty mudstone.

34.8m of 2.84 g Au/t: Broader interval including two higher-grade gold zones with individual samples ranging up to 17.90 g Au/t; associated with quartz stringers, limonite, and specular hematite in a chert/mudstone/siltstone sequence.

18.9m of 0.14 g Au/t: Gold hosted in a thrust zone and in the immediate footwall of a lamprophyre dike. The larger zone is characterized by weak clay, quartz stringers and local shearing.

26.2m of 0.83 g Au/t: Broader interval is dominated by three unique 318- to 322-degree-striking high-angle faults, clay alteration, and quartz stringers; the higher-grade sub-interval is pervasively clay-altered with limonitic oxidation between two of the NW-striking faults. These structures appear to have some influence on gold grades.

6.1m of 0.21 g Au/t: Mineralization along a normal fault that juxtaposes upper-plate siliciclastic rocks (hanging wall to the west) against lower-plate carbonate rocks in the footwall. Breccia, clay, quartz stringers, decalcification and limonite occur in this zone.

Figure 3 – Trench Structure & Alteration Map w/ Gold Assays

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Upcoming Drill Targeting:

By modeling the newly-identified structures in 3D using Leapfrog and examining their relationship to gold mineralization – both in the trench at surface and in historical drilling – new targets have emerged, and previously-planned holes have been refined. Figures 4 and 5 below illustrates two important, likely gold-controlling high-angle faults identified via trenching (Fault N and Fault G).

Fault N: NW-striking fault plunging to the southwest (307 azimuth, 62-degree dip) – legacy drilling highlights shallow zones of gold concentrated in the hanging wall of this fault. Two deeper vertical RC holes are now planned from new sites SSD26-J and SSD26-K to test the down-dip extension of this structure where no previous holes have been drilled.

Fault G: NW-striking, near-vertical fault (318 azimuth, 86-degree southwest dip) – two of the deepest historical holes in the area encountered gold zones at a similar horizon in both the hanging wall and footwall of this structure (336 metres apart). A vertical RC hole is planned from site SSD26-A to test closer to the margins of the fault where mineralization may be more concentrated.

Figure 4 – Fault N Projection & Upcoming Drill Targets (Section View)

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Note: Section view looking northwest (309-degree azimuth); 50-metre-thick section slice; grades included on drill traces only shown if >0.5 g Au/t; certain historical drill traces omitted for clarity.

Figure 5 – Fault N Projection & Upcoming Drill Targets (Section View)

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Note: Section view looking northwest (309-degree azimuth); 50-metre-thick section slice; grades included on drill traces only shown if >0.5 g Au/t; certain historical drill traces omitted for clarity.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control (“QA/QC”)

The Company implemented a best-practices QA/QC program during its 2026 trenching campaign. All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Company’s Vice President Exploration and/or members of its technical team, and the chain of custody from the Property to the sample preparation facility was continuously monitored. Samples were transported directly from the field to ALS's facility located at 1345 Water St, Elko, NV, 89801. Samples were dried at 100 degrees Celsius, crushed to 70% passing -2mm, Boyd rotary split off 250g and pulverized the split to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Fire assay and multi-element analysis were completed at ALS laboratories either at 4977 Energy Way, Reno, NV, 89502 or 2103 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver, BC, V7H 0A7. Trench samples were collected at intervals ranging from 1.2 metres to 3.4 metres. The significant gold zones are weight-averaged, and some intervals contain material grading <0.14 g Au/t. Certified standards and blanks were inserted at the beginning of the trench and every 17 samples within the trench for a frequency of 6%. Standards and blanks were sourced from MEG LLC of Lamoille, NV and Rocklabs of Auckland, New Zealand. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must fall within a specified range for acceptance. All standards and blanks were within these ranges. All samples were analyzed for gold and 49 additional elements. Assays consist of fire assays (Au-ICP21) for gold, and four-acid analysis (ME-MS61m) for multi-element geochemistry. GPS coordinates were collected at the beginning and end of each individual trench sample. The XYZ coordinates were used to calculate the lengths, azimuths, and inclinations of the continuous samples.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Robert Edie, Vice President Exploration of the Company, who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Edie is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) through the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG).

About Westward Gold

Westward Gold is a mineral exploration company focused on developing the Toiyabe Hills Project located in the Cortez Trend area of Lander County, Nevada, and the Coyote and Rossi Projects located along the Carlin Trend in Elko County, Nevada. From time to time, the Company may also evaluate the acquisition of other mineral exploration assets and opportunities.

For further information contact:

Andrew Nelson

Chief Financial Officer

Westward Gold Inc.

+1 (604) 828-7027

andrew@westwardgold.com

www.westwardgold.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release contains or incorporates by reference “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that the Company expects to occur are, or may be deemed, to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate”, “potential”, “on track”, “forecast", "budget", “target”, “outlook”, “continue”, “plan” or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation of such terms.

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August 4, 2026 - 4:30 AM PDT

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