Westward Gold Announces Significant Gold Zones and Structural Interpretations at SSD Target
Vancouver, British Columbia, August 4, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Westward Gold Inc. has announced assay results and mapping interpretations from its first trench excavation at the SSD Target, located on the Company’s Toiyabe Hills Property in Lander County, Nevada. The trench, measuring 177 metres, yielded five gold zones and confirmed laterally-significant mineralization, with individual samples grading up to 17.90 grams of gold per tonne.
The results are part of Westward’s 468-metre program aimed at improving the understanding of structural controls on gold mineralization at SSD, ahead of upcoming drilling. The trenching was conducted in an area with poor to no outcrop, primarily to expose bedrock for continuous chip channel sampling and Anaconda-style mapping.
Key findings from the trench include a significant sub-interval of 13.4 metres grading 6.55 g Au/t, within a broader zone of 34.8 metres grading 2.84 g Au/t. This ability to produce high-grade gold is considered a characteristic of major systems within the Cortez District. The mineralization is associated with structural controls including the Roberts Mountains Thrust and high-angle NE- and NW-striking faults, with the latter identified as prime targets for follow-up testing at depth.
Hydrothermal alteration was observed in both upper-plate siliciclastic rocks and lower-plate carbonate rocks. Additionally, two oxidized and clay-altered lamprophyre dikes were exposed along WNW-striking faults, a feature common in significant Carlin-style gold deposits in the region.
Westward Gold also reported that the first two shallow core holes completed at SSD, T2601 and T2602, are awaiting assays and are expected to further confirm structural and stratigraphic controls on gold mineralization. The Company is anticipating the arrival of its first reverse-circulation drill rig in the coming days to commence deeper testing.
Steve Koehler, Westward’s Lead Technical Advisor, highlighted the significance of the trench in characterizing previously-buried high-angle faults that are believed to be crucial to the grade at SSD. He noted that upcoming drilling will focus on testing the intersection of these structures with a deeper zone of oxidation and deformation within the Wenban Formation.
The reported gold intervals were calculated using a cut-off grade of 0.14 g Au/t. While presented as trench lengths, the true thicknesses of mineralization are estimated to be 70-90% of the reported interval lengths. Elevated gold grades were consistently associated with elevated arsenic, antimony, and mercury, consistent with a Carlin-type setting.
Detailed mapping and digitization have been completed to model alteration and structures with greater precision. This improved understanding of structural correlation to grade distribution, combined with a substantial drill hole re-logging program, is expected to enhance the efficiency of upcoming drilling operations.
The Company has identified specific gold zones within the trench, including 3.0m of 0.98 g Au/t associated with brecciated and clay-altered cherty mudstone, and 34.8m of 2.84 g Au/t which includes higher-grade sub-intervals up to 17.90 g Au/t. Other zones reported include 18.9m of 0.14 g Au/t within a thrust zone, 26.2m of 0.83 g Au/t influenced by high-angle faults, and 6.1m of 0.21 g Au/t along a normal fault.
Upcoming drill targeting will involve 3D modeling of newly identified structures to refine drill targets. Two key high-angle faults, Fault N and Fault G, have been identified. Fault N, a NW-striking fault plunging southwest, will be tested by two deeper vertical RC holes from new sites SSD26-J and SSD26-K. Fault G, a near-vertical NW-striking fault, will be tested by a vertical RC hole from site SSD26-A, focusing on areas near the fault margins where mineralization may be more concentrated.
Westward Gold implemented a comprehensive QA/QC program during the 2026 trenching campaign, including certified standards and blanks. Samples were analyzed by ALS laboratories for gold and 49 additional elements. The technical information 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.
Westward Gold is a mineral exploration company focused on its Toiyabe Hills Project in Nevada and the Coyote and Rossi Projects in Nevada. The Company may also evaluate other mineral exploration assets and opportunities.
Source: Westward Gold Inc.
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