Westward Gold Announces Additional Drilling Results & Completion of Field Activities at the Campfire Target Complex, Toiyabe Hills Property, Nevada

(TheNewswire)

The Phase Iframework drilling campaign – totaling 7,163 metres across 11 holes– has confirmed a vertically-extensive hydrothermal systemcontaining a new Carlin-type gold zone at Campfire, which remains openin all directions and at depth

Vancouver, British Columbia – TheNewswire -December 22, 2025 – Westward Gold Inc. (CSE: WG, OTCQB: WGLIF, FSE:IM50) (“Westward” or the“Company”) is pleased to provide results for threereverse-circulation (“RC”)drill holes (CF25-05 through CF25-07), and announce that 2025 drillingoperations at its flagship Toiyabe Hills Property in Lander County,Nevada (“Toiyabe Hills”,or the “Property”) arecomplete, following a successful first-ever campaign at the CampfireTarget Complex (“Campfire”). Of the newresults and key takeaways included herein, those from drillholeCF25-07 were noteworthy; in addition to intersecting 3.1m of 0.80 gAu/t – along with several other zones of elevated gold, arsenic,antimony and mercury – it will serve as an important vectoring toolas the best example of Carlin-type hydrothermal and thermal alteration(hornfelsing) to date at Campfire. Assay results from the first sevenholes – in addition to detailed geologic logging of RC chips –continue to confirm that the Campfire Target Complex represents a newgold zone at Toiyabe Hills, associated with a large-scale Carlin-typesystem that remains open in every direction and at depth (see press releases dated September 18 andNovember 5, 2025 for details of results from holes CF25-01 throughCF25-04). Early-stage target definition for 2026 Phase IIdrilling is already underway and will continue to be refined asadditional data is received and evaluated over the winter months.

2025 Campaign Highlights at theCampfire Complex:

• 7,163 metres of RC drilling were completed across 11 wide-spacedvertical holes, 43% above the Company’s initial 5,000-metre goal(see Figure 1 below). 

• 57% of all drilling was in favourable lower-plate carbonate rocks –namely the Wenban and Roberts Mountains Formations (well-documentedregional gold hosts) – which were encountered atshallower-than-anticipated depths. 

• Assay results returned to date confirm a new gold zone on the Propertyassociated with the large-scale Carlin-type hydrothermal system,concurrent with elevated trace-element geochemistry (arsenic,antimony, mercury) 

• Vertically-extensive decalcification (an alteration typecharacteristic of Carlin-type gold systems) and sulfidized igneousdikes were observed in all nine holes that tested lower-platestratigraphy. 

• The RC rig achieved significant drilling depths (CF25-10 reached3,005’ / 915.9m) in a cost-effective manner, with direct drillingcosts for the campaign totalling approximately US$230 / metre (US$70 /foot). 

• In consultation with Westward’s contractors, the program wasterminated in November with the approach of winter weather conditions;assay results remain pending from Paragon Geochemical Services Inc.(“Paragon”) for holesCF25-08 through CF25-10.  

Figure 1: Campfire Target Complex –Completed Phase I Drill Campaign

 
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Colin Moore, President & CEO, noted: “I’d like to take thisopportunity to thank everyone who helped make this ambitious inauguraldrilling campaign at Campfire a success – no small feat for acompany of our size. With the financial support of our shareholdersand expert execution from our technical team and contractors, we wereable to complete an expanded program in a safe, timely, andcost-effective manner. This initial Phase I program has demonstratedthe outsized scale potential of this target area; with every hole thesystem footprint is growing, and we have yet to find the limits of it.We continue to intersect elevated Carlin-type gold along withpathfinder trace elements in the expected settings, namely near theRoberts Mountains Thrust and in the Wenban Formation. This is an idealset-up for a Phase II program, where we can begin to target the moreconcentrated mineralized zones that turn discoveries into economicdeposits. Along with the remaining pending assays from Campfire, overthe coming weeks and months we will be providing details fromadditional exploration activities that will further enhance ourtechnical understanding of the Property moving into 2026.”

Key Drilling Highlights, CF25-05 toCF25-07:

• All three holes – a continuation of the system-scale frameworkdrilling at nominal 500-700m collar spacings – encountered elevatedgold and Carlin-suite geochemistry (see Table 1 and Figures 2-4), mostnotably in and proximal to the Roberts Mountains Thrust (contactbetween upper-plate siliciclastic rocks and lower-plate carbonaterocks), and in decalcified zones of the Wenban Formation. 

• Holes CF25-05 and CF25-06 encountered abundant structure throughout,as evidenced by potential blind thrusts (sheared/elliptical/graphiticchips) and numerous breccia zones; this also led to challengingdrilling conditions resulting in termination of the holes prior totesting the full vertical extent of the Wenban Formation. Theselocations are candidates for follow-up diamond drilling in 2026. 

• CF25-05 encountered an 80-metre-thick interval near the bottom of thehole characterized by pervasive decalcification, quartz veining and/orselvages of silicification, shearing (blind thrust with graphitic,elliptical chips), multiple sulfidized dikes, and increased amounts ofsooty sulfides including quartz-sooty pyrite stringers to stockworks.This hole also returned elevated gold, arsenic, antimony and mercuryaround the Roberts Mountains Thrust (4.6m of 0.17 g Au/t). 

• The holes encountered elevated near-surface Carlin-type geochemistryin upper-plate rocks, most notably proximal to igneous dikes. Thismineralization in less-favourable host stratigraphy highlightsstrength of system and supports the Company’s interpretation of avery large Arsenic plume at surface, as evidenced by robust soil androck-chip sampling.  

• CF25-07 – which intersected 3.1m of 0.80 g Au/t – represents asignificant vectoring tool in that it demonstrated the strongestCarlin-type hydrothermal and thermal alteration to date at Campfire. 

  • The hole encountered multiple igneous dikes – both lamprophyres andquartz-feldspar porphyry – similar to those seen at the neighbouringCortez Camp.  

  • CF25-07 provided the best examples of hornfels ever observed at theProperty, both as quartz hornfels in the upper plate and calc-silicatehornfels in the lower plate. Westward recognizes that hornfelsing –thermal alteration – is an important, mappable characteristic ofNorthern Nevada Carlin-type gold systems. In the Cortez and CarlinCamps, gold mineralization is often within or proximal to thesehornfels aureoles (examples include Pipeline, Gold Acres, Cortez,Cortez Hills, Bluestar, and Four Corners). 

  • In addition to providing the best sub-surface examples of decalcifiedand silicified lower-plate carbonate rocks ever at Toiyabe Hills,CF25-07 also encountered abundant silica – either as veins or largervolume replacements. 

Table 1: Campfire Target Drill HoleTable  

Gold intervals reportedin this table were calculated using a 0.14 g Au/t cutoff.  Includedintervals were calculated using a 1.00 g Au/t cutoff.

Figure 2: Campfire Target: CF25-05Downhole Geology and Geochemistry

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Figure 3: Campfire Target: CF25-06Downhole Geology and Geochemistry

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Figure 4: Campfire Target: CF25-07Downhole Geology and Geochemistry

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

The Company implemented a best-practices QA/QC programduring its 2025 drilling campaign. All sampling was conducted underthe supervision of the Company’s Vice President Exploration and/ormembers of its technical team, and the chain of custody from theProperty to the sample preparation facility was continuouslymonitored. Samples were transported directly from the field toParagon’s facility located at 1555 Industrial Way, Sparks, NV,89431. Samples were dried at 100 degrees Celsius, crushed to 70%passing 10-mesh, riffle split 250 grams, and pulverized to 85% passing200-mesh. Fire assay and multi-element analysis were completed at thesame location. RC samples were collected in five-foot intervals.Certified standards and blanks were inserted every 13 samples for afrequency of 8% or greater. Rig duplicates, coarse duplicates, andpulp duplicates were collected or created at a frequency of 6%.Standards and blanks were sourced from MEG LLC of Lamoille, NV. Allsamples were analyzed for gold and either 35 additional elements(holes CF25-01 through CF25-04) or 49 additional elements (holesCF25-05 through CF25-10). Assays consist of fire assays (Au-FA30) forgold, and aqua regia / ICP-OES (35AR-OES or 50AR-MS) for multi-elementgeochemistry. Drill-hole deviation for the submitted holes wasmeasured by gyroscopic down-hole surveys with tooling provided byREFLEX of Elko, NV. The deviation surveys provide accurate data aboutthe true inclination and azimuth of the holes. Obtaining an accuratesurvey of the drill holes leads to a better contextual understandingof the RC samples, and a more robust 3D geological model.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release was reviewedand approved by Robert Edie, Vice President Exploration of theCompany, who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101– Standards of Disclosure forMineral Projects. Mr. Edie is a Certified ProfessionalGeologist (CPG) through the American Institute of ProfessionalGeologists (AIPG).

About Westward Gold

Westward Gold is a mineral exploration company focused on developingthe Toiyabe Hills Project located in the Cortez Trend area of LanderCounty, Nevada, and the Coyote and Rossi Projects located along theCarlin Trend in Elko County, Nevada. From time to time, the Companymay also evaluate the acquisition of other mineral exploration assetsand 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 hasneither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility forthe adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release contains orincorporates by reference “forward-looking statements” and“forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadiansecurities legislation. All statements, other than statements ofhistorical fact, which address events, results, outcomes, ordevelopments that the Company expects to occur are, or may be deemed,to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements aregenerally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-lookingterminology such as "expect", "believe","anticipate", "intend", "estimate”,“potential”, “on track”, “forecast","budget", “target”, “outlook”, “continue”,“plan” or variations of such words and phrases and similarexpressions or statements that certain actions, events or results“may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” betaken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation of suchterms.

Such statements include, but may notbe limited to, information as to strategy, plans or future financialor operating performance, such as the Company’s expansion plans,project timelines, expected drilling targets, and other statementsthat express management’s expectations or estimates of future plansand performance.

Forward-looking statements orinformation are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks,uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events orresults to differ from those reflected in the forward-lookingstatements or information, including, without limitation, the need foradditional capital by the Company through financings, and the riskthat such funds may not be raised; the speculative nature ofexploration and the stages of the Company’s properties; the effectof changes in commodity prices; regulatory risks that development ofthe Company’s material properties will not be acceptable for social,environmental or other reasons, availability of equipment (includingdrills) and personnel to carry out work programs, that each stage ofwork will be completed within expected time frames, that currentgeological models and interpretations prove correct, the results ofongoing work programs may lead to a change of exploration priorities,and the efforts and abilities of the senior management team. This listis not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of theCompany’s forward-looking statements or information. These and otherfactors may cause the Company to change its exploration and workprograms, not proceed with work programs, or change the timing ororder of planned work programs. Additional risk factors and detailswith respect to risk factors that may affect the Company’s abilityto achieve the expectationsset forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this newsrelease are set out in the Company’s latest management discussionand analysis under “Risks and Uncertainties”, which is availableunder the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although theCompany has attempted to identify important factors that could causeactual results to differ materially, there may be other factors thatcause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described orintended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance onforward-looking statements or information. The Company’sforward-looking statements and information are based on theassumptions, beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management as ofthe date of this press release, and other than as required byapplicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligationto update forward-looking statements and information if circumstancesor management’s assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinionsshould change, or changes in any other events affecting suchstatements or information.

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