Westward Gold Inc. Announces Results of Rock Chip Sampling Program

The results demonstrate that Carlin-type alteration is widespread on Westward's Properties, and continues to the east and south of known mineralization at the Toiyabe Project, onto the Turquoise Canyon and East Saddle Projects. This work further validates the need for aggressive exploration of those projects, which have seen little to no known drilling in the past. The rock chip sample location distribution and gold assay value ranges (expressed in ppb Au) are displayed in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1: Rock Chip Sample Distribution & Gold Assay Ranges (ppb Au)

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Notable results and locations from the East Saddle dataset are shown in Table 1 and Figure 2 below, with the highest reported value for each element highlighted. The samples contain elevated values of gold, arsenic, mercury, antimony, thallium, and selenium - similar trademarks of Carlin-type deposits in the region. One notable sample returned 253 ppb Au from an upper plate siliceous chert and mudstone outcrop with abundant quartz veining and oxidation, key alteration features in Carlin-type systems. This sample also contained 782 ppm As (arsenic), a pathfinder element commonly associated with gold deposition. Two nearby samples returned gold values of 82 and 53 ppb, respectively, both in upper plate siliciclastic outcrops; these three samples coincide with a prominent gravity embayment from the Company's geophysical dataset (see Figure 3). A gravity embayment occurs when there are significant changes in density over short distances, and relates to alteration of carbonate rocks under cover (commonly decalcification). Similar prospective outcrops for 900 meters eastwards were not sampled in this program and will be followed up on in 2024.

Table 1: Notable Assay Results from East Saddle Project

Figure 2: Location of Notable East Saddle Samples

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Figure 3: Horizontal Gradient of Gravity, Notable Gold / Arsenic & Associated Gravity Embayment

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An additional area of importance defined by the sampling program at the East Saddle Project is highlighted in Figures 4 and 5 below. Geochemical assay results including gold, arsenic, mercury, and antimony delineate a corridor of anomalies spanning 2,500 meters. Anomalous results are dominantly found within prospective lower plate limestone, and are slated for follow-up work in 2024.

Figure 4: Notable Prospective Area (East Saddle Project); Sample Arsenic Value Ranges (ppm)

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Figure 5: 2,500-Meter Trend Defined by Geochemical Anomalies at East Saddle Project

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Notable results and locations from the Turquoise Canyon dataset are shown in Table 2 and Figure 6 below, with the highest reported value for each element highlighted. The samples contain elevated values of gold, silver, arsenic, mercury, antimony, and selenium - similar trademarks of Carlin-type deposits in the region. Some samples contain elevated copper and zinc, which correlate to turquoise occurrences on this property. The highlighted gold value (71 ppb Au) was returned from a sample collected from a historical turquoise prospect (see Figure 7 below); this sample also contained 85 ppm silver, and over 1% copper. Three additional samples in the area returned copper values of >1%, 0.20%, and 0.21% respectively. This area is slated to be followed up on with detailed mapping and further sampling in 2024.

Table 2: Notable Assay Results from Turquoise Canyon Project

Figure 6: Location of Notable Turquoise Canyon Samples

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Figure 7: TC-RE-061-RK (71 ppb Au, 85 ppm Ag, >1% Cu)

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Another area of note defined through the sampling program at Turquoise Canyon is highlighted in Figure 8 below. Geochemical results including gold, arsenic, mercury, and antimony define a corridor of anomalies spanning approximately 700 meters. These anomalies coincide with a major thrust fault which is overlaying the Vinini Formation on top of the Valmy Formation, as well as a prominent resistivity anomaly.

Figure 8: Resistivity Anomaly at Turquoise Canyon with Notable Geochemical Results & Faulting

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Robert Edie, Westward's Vice President Exploration, commented: "I'm very pleased with the results of this surface sampling program. The gold and multi-element assay data received demonstrate the need for continued aggressive exploration in the year ahead. These results also provide further evidence that a Carlin-type system extends east and south of known mineralization at Toiyabe. Many new prospective target areas warrant additional work to advance them towards first-ever drilling; this land package is primed for discovery."

Sampling Methodology & Chain of Custody

The Company implemented a best-practices QA/QC program during the surface sampling program. All rock chip samples were collected by Robert Edie, Westward's Vice President Exploration. Coordinates for each sample were collected by Garmin GPS units in datum UTM NAD 83 Zone 11 meters and recorded in a spreadsheet, along with a visual description of each sample. Samples were transported from the field collection areas by Robert Edie to Bureau Veritas' ("BV") certified preparation facility at 605 Boxington Way, Suite 101, Sparks NV 89434, where they were crushed and pulverized. Resulting sample pulps (30g sample size for gold and 500mg for multi-element) were analyzed in Sparks, NV for fire assay and Vancouver, BC for multi-element. BV is independent of the Company.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Certified reference materials ("CRMs") purchased from Moment Exploration Geochemistry in Lamoille, NV, were inserted into the rock chip sample stream at a frequency of one every 25th sample (4%). Four CRMs were inserted at random, three with known gold values, and one certified blank. All CRMs inserted into the sample stream returned gold values within the expected range of the known values.

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, Turquoise Canyon, and East Saddle Projects located in the Cortez Hills 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:

Colin Moore
President, CEO & Director
Westward Gold Inc.
colin@westwardgold.com

www.westwardgold.com

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