Viva Gold Increases Land Position at its Tonopah Gold Project in Nevada

(TheNewswire)

Infill and exploration drilling tocommence later this month

VANCOUVER, BC – TheNewswire - February 11, 2026 –Viva Gold Corp (TSXV: VAU; OTCQB: VAUCF) (the “Company” or “Viva”) is pleasedto report that the Company has staked an additional 36 unpatentedmineral lode claims at its 100% owned Tonopah Gold Project(“Tonopah,” or “Project”) located near the town of Tonopah,Nevada. These claims cover approximately 720 acres (291 Hectares) ofland immediately northwest of Tonopah and were located to cover anarea outside of the existing claim block identified throughthird-party review as being highly prospective for gold exploration.

Viva has commenced work on a field program to completean additional 14,000 meters of CSAMT geophysical survey, acontrolled?source electromagnetic method used to map subsurfaceresistivity associated at Tonopah with potential silica emplacementduring gold deposition. CSAMT has been one of the major tools used inidentifying gold potential at Tonopah. Viva has also received approvalfrom the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for 23 new drill sites in andaround the PEA design pit area of the Tonopah project and at theMidway Hills prospect area located approximately 1.4 kilometersnorthwest of the main pit area. Drilling is expected to commence laterthis month with a focus on converting remaining high-grade inferredmineral resource in the PEA pit area to measured and indicatedcategory in preparation for feasibility study work, while alsoperforming step out drilling on known mineral extension potentialaround the pit area, with additional holes to test targets at theMidway Hills prospect area of the Project.

President and CEO Jim Hesketh stated, “With newclaims staked, additional drill permits approved, and field workunderway, we’re accelerating the Tonopah Gold Project towardpermitting and development. Nevada is one of the world’s premiermining jurisdictions, and projects that advance through permittingoften see meaningful market re-ratings. We believe Tonopah is wellpositioned to deliver that value for our shareholders.”

About Viva Gold Corp:

Viva Gold’s 100% owned Tonopah gold project sits inthe middle of gold mining country about a half hour drive south of theRound Mountain mine owned by Kinross Gold and controls a major landposition on the prolific Walker Lane Trend in Western Nevada. Viva hasdeveloped a high confidence level gold Mineral Resource and candemonstrate the potential for an economically viable open pit, heapleach/mill gold project through rigorous PEA study. Viva Gold iscommitted to developing the Tonopah Gold Project in an environmentallyand socially responsible fashion. These values are aligned withmanagement’s core values and permeate throughout our decision-makingprocess.

Viva Gold is led by CEO JamesHesketh, a 40-year veteran in the mining space who has led thedevelopment and construction of eight other mines around the worldthroughout his career. James has surrounded himself with equallyexperienced mining professionals both on the management team and theboard.

Viva Gold trades on the TSX Venture exchange “VAU”,on the OTCQB "VAUCF" and on the Frankfurt exchange"7PB". Viva currently has ~172 million shares outstandingand boasts a best-in-class management team and board with decades ofgold exploration and production experience. The Company is advancingits high-grade Tonopah Gold Project in mining friendly Nevada with thesupport of several institutional shareholders. More information can befound on https://www.Sedar.Com and please visit our website: www.vivagoldcorp.com.

James Hesketh, MMSA-QP, hasapproved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in thispress release. Mr. Hesketh is not independent of the Company; he is anOfficer and Director.

For further information please contact:

James Hesketh, President &CEO

(720) 291-1775

jhesketh@vivagoldcorp.com

Graham Farrell, InvestorRelations

(416) 842-9003

graham.farrell@vivagoldcorp.com

Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains certaininformation that may constitute forward-looking information orforward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securitieslegislation (collectively, “forward-looking information”),including but not limited to forward-looking information related toMineral Resource estimates for the Project. The material factors thatcould cause actual results to differ materially from the conclusions,estimates, designs, forecasts or projections in the forward-lookinginformation include any significant differences from one or more ofthe material factors or assumptions that were set forth in this pressrelease including geological and grade interpretations and controlsand assumptions and forecasts associated with establishing theprospects for economic extraction of gold mineral resource andpreliminary economic analysis at the Tonopah Gold Project. Thisforward-looking information entails various risks and uncertaintiesthat are based on current expectations, and actual results may differmaterially from those contained in such information. Theseuncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, the strengthof the global economy, inflationary pressures, pandemics,  and issuesand delays related to permitting activities; the price of gold;operational, funding and liquidity risks; the potential for achievingtargeted drill results, the degree to which mineral resource estimatesare reflective of actual mineral resources; the degree to whichfactors which would make a mineral deposit commercially viable arepresent; the accuracy of capital and operating cost estimates; thevariability of actual from estimated gold recovery; potential forgeotechnical issues; the risks and hazards associated with drillingand mining operations; and the ability of Viva to fund its capitalrequirements. Risks and uncertainties about the Company’s businessare more fully discussed in the Company’s disclosure materials filedwith the securities regulatory authorities in Canada available atwww.sedar.com. Readers are urged to read thesematerials. Viva assumes no obligation to update any forward-lookinginformation or to update the reasons why actual results could differfrom such information unless required by law.

Cautionary Note toInvestors --- Investors arecautioned not to assume that any "measured mineralresources", "indicated mineral resources", or"inferred mineral resources" that the Company reports inthis news release are or will be economically or legally mineable.United States investors are cautioned that while the SEC nowrecognizes "measured mineral resources", "indicatedmineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources",investors should not assume that any part or all of the mineraldeposits in these categories will ever be converted into a highercategory of mineral resources or into mineral reserves.  These termshave a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic and legalfeasibility.  Under Canadian regulations, estimates of inferredmineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility orpre-feasibility studies, except in limited circumstances.  Further,"inferred mineral resources" have a great amount ofuncertainty as to their existence and as to their economic and legalfeasibility.  It cannot be assumed that any part or all of aninferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category.The mineral reserve and mineral resource data set out in this newsrelease are estimates, and no assurance can be given that theanticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicatedlevel of recovery will be realized.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor itsRegulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policiesof the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacyor accuracy of this release.

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