Mr. Mohamed Cisse reports

AVANTI GOLD APPOINTS MOHAMED CISSE AS CEO; EXPLORATION TEAM AND CEO CONDUCT SITE VISIT TO MISISI

Avanti Gold Corp.'s exploration team, accompanied by the chief executive officer, has completed a site visit to Lubumbashi, Kalemie and Misisi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The mission, conducted during the last week of February, 2026, involved travel from Lubumbashi to Misisi by Kalemie and included meetings with key stakeholders related to the Misisi project.

The company is also pleased to announce Mohamed Cisse as chief executive officer, effective March 16, 2026. Mr. Cisse has served as interim CEO since December, 2025.

Sir Sam Jonah, chairman of Avanti Gold, mentioned: "Mohamed is a rare talent whose career across the DRC and Mali has been defined by excellence and integrity. His appointment as CEO reflects the board's complete confidence in his vision for Avanti. We believe his leadership will not only strengthen our operational performance but also deepen our essential relationships with local stakeholders and national authorities, and will be central to our strategy of maximizing asset value and delivering sustainable, long-term returns for our shareholders. His deep technical roots and strategic mindset make him the ideal leader to drive Avanti's next phase of expansion and resource development."

Meetings in Lubumbashi

On Feb. 23, CEO Mr. Cisse, together with Mata Pathy Botima, managing director of Leda Mining, met with the general manager of MMG Ltd. in DRC. During the meeting, they presented the proposed 2026 exploration budget for the Misisi project. MMG is a strategic stakeholder in Leda Mining, the local asset company that holds the Misisi project and is majority owned by Avanti.

Journey to Misisi

On Feb. 24, a multidisciplinary team led by CEO Mr. Cisse departed for Misisi. The team included experts in: logistics, community relations, safety and security as well as geologists. The geological team has commenced survey activities on the drilling pads for the initial work in the Misisi area.

Mr. Cisse, chief executive officer of Avanti, commented: "I am honoured to engage with the communities of Misisi to present our exploration project and share our long-term vision for responsible development.

"From the outset, our approach has been guided by respect for the people, land and traditions of this region. We believe that exploration and development succeed only when built on strong partnerships with local communities, traditional leaders, youth and local authorities.

"Our commitment is clear: to listen, to engage openly and to ensure that our activities create meaningful opportunities for residents. We are particularly focused on supporting youth by promoting training, employment opportunities and skills development, helping to build a stronger future for the region.

"We are equally committed to responsible operations: protecting the environment, respecting community rights and maintaining transparent communication with all stakeholders. Our goal is not only to explore the natural potential of Misisi, but also to contribute to sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.

"We recognize that trust is built through actions. That is why we will continue to work closely with community representatives, civil society and local authorities to ensure that our project benefits everyone and that concerns are heard and addressed, thus to maintain our licence to operate.

"Together, through co-operation and mutual respect, we believe this project can become a source of opportunity, stability and long-term development for Misisi.

"We thank the community members and youth who continue to engage with us and share their perspectives as we move forward together."

The purpose of the trip was to initiate engagement at all community levels to secure support for Avanti's exploration program. During the visit, the CEO presented Avanti's mission and discussed developing a community engagement framework for a community development plan (cahier de charge). Additionally, the trip allowed the team to assess operational steps and logistical considerations as exploration activities commence with Leda Mining.

The purpose of the terms of reference is to establish the framework, responsibilities and procedures for engaging with communities and stakeholders affected by the exploration project. Key objectives include:

• Promote open and transparent communication between the project and local stakeholders;
• Ensuring community concerns are heard and effectively addressed;
• Mitigating social risks and potential conflicts;
• Building trust and fostering co-operation with local communities;
• Ensuring compliance with national mining regulations and international environmental and social standards.

Community engagement update

The team has been conducting community engagement along the entire route to Misisi. Several meetings were held with the FARDC commander responsible for the 180-kilometre stretch of road between Kalemie and Misisi. These discussions enable the Avanti team to:

• Gain a clear understanding of security protocols along the route;
• Establish working relationships with local military authorities;
• Co-ordinate road escort arrangements for future operations.

From the chief administrator of the sector of Ganga, Akili Bernard said: "I wish to formally express my support for the ongoing exploration project in our region.

:For years, our communities have advocated for responsible investment that creates local jobs, and enhances our infrastructure, schools and health care. When conducted with transparency and respect for both the environment and the community, exploration projects represent a vital step toward that future.

"We value the project team's commitment to open engagement with local leaders and their focus on local hiring and training. Continued collaboration, mutual respect and sustainable practices are essential to ensuring this initiative provides lasting benefits for the people of Fizi Territory specifically the sector of Misisi.

"Our hope is that this project will continue to work closely with our communities, respect our land and traditions, and contribute to sustainable economic growth in eastern DRC. With collaboration, mutual respect and responsible practices, this initiative has the potential to create lasting positive impacts for our people and future generations.

"We look forward to continued co-operation and constructive engagement as the exploration work progresses."

Additionally, by completing the preparation, transport and assaying of these samples, Avanti has leveraged significant historical drilling data. This provides a high-impact, low-cost opportunity to expand the Misisi resource base. Assay results will be announced in stages as they become available.

The team visited Akyanga hill and the remaining targets of Misisi projects. A full pegging has been conducted for the Stage 1 program, and the community has been made aware of the impacted areas for the drillings.

About the Akyanga deposit

The Misisi project site is located in the Fizi territory of South Kivu province, in the DRC, approximately 250 kilometres south of Bukavu and 180 kilometres north of Kalemie. The Akyanga deposit, located centrally in the Misisi project, hosts a National Instrument 43-101-compliant inferred mineral resource of 40.8 million tonnes averaging 2.37 grams per tonne gold containing 3.11 million ounces, which was based on 19,956 metres of historic drilling, including 105 diamond drill holes totalling 19,070 metres, and six reverse circulation drill holes totalling 887 metres. The Akyanga resource is determined from surface to a vertical depth of 350 metres over a strike length of 2,100 metres, using a $1,500-per-ounce pit shell. The mineralization remains open at depth and along strike.

Misisi project 2026 drilling program

As previously announced, Avanti continues to make significant progress toward launching its 2026 drilling program, with four drill rigs currently mobilizing toward the Misisi site following a successful drill services tender process.

The 2026 exploration program will entail a total of approximately 42,000 m of diamond drilling, split between two phases, as outlined in table below.

The initial phase 1 exploration program will entail approximately 15,000 m of diamond and reverse circulation drilling, and remains scheduled to begin in late first quarter 2026. Phase 1 is fully financed by the company's listed issuer financing exemption private placement, which closed on Oct. 23, 2025. The phase 1 program will prioritize an increased footprint expansion effort at the Akyanga deposit, and high-priority target testing on the Akyanga East deposit, due to its close proximity to Akyanga. During phase 1, early exploration works including ground surveying, sampling and mapping will be conducted on Ngalula, Tulonge, Lubitchako and Kilombwe to assist in guiding the phase 2 drilling program on those targets.

The envisaged phase 2 program will entail approximately 27,000 m of diamond and reverse circulation drilling, and is scheduled to begin in late third quarter 2026. Phase 2 is expected to continue to expand on the resource extensions at Akyanga while also introducing drilling onto the high-priority targets. The phased approach serves to provide drill service providers time to ramp up efforts to include the additional targets while leveraging the early exploration methods conducted in phase 1 to better inform drilling target locations.

Next steps

The company continues to make rapid progress to launch exploration activities in first quarter 2026 at its Misisi project. Key coming catalysts include:

• Refurbishment of camp: increase capacity of exploration camp facilities at the Misisi village to support increased exploration activities;
• Review of existing data: existing data are being evaluated with the goal of optimizing the phase 1 drilling program and priorities;
• Road repair along the 180-kilometre stretch of road between Kalemie and Misisi: major repairs are continuing along the road, and 20 kilometres of bad sections have been identified that will be addressed immediately;
• Development of the terms of references for community engagement: the community manager of Leda Mining/Avanti has engaged the necessary steps to start the process of developing the terms of references with community regarding the exploration program to be launched in the coming weeks;
• Mobilization of four drill rigs to Misisi: Simba Drilling is in the process of mobilizing four drilling rigs to Misisi; the rigs have departed Mwanza last week; they are on the way to Kigoma;
• Launch of phase 1 exploration program: a proposed 15,000-metre drill program covering previously identified high-priority targets.

Chief executive officer appointment

Avanti is pleased to announce that Mr. Cisse officially assumed the role of chief executive officer on March 16, 2026. Mr. Cisse has served as the company's interim CEO since December, 2025.

A seasoned African mining executive and mining engineer, Mr. Cisse brings extensive experience in open-pit and underground operations, technical services, and HSE management across the DRC and Mali. He has a proven record of delivering operational excellence, business growth and managing stakeholder engagement in complex mining environments.

Most recently, he held several leadership roles at Resolute Mining's Syama mine in Mali, including manager of technical services and automation, mine manager of open-pit and underground operations, and general manager, ultimately culminating in a three-year tenure as managing director of Syama, where he led the successful turnaround of the mine with six consecutive successful quarters, cleared the company balance sheet, expanded reserves, and drove the Syama oxide-to-sulphide plant expansion.

Prior to his role with Resolute, Mr. Cisse held leadership positions at Randgold Resources, acting as underground mine manager at the Kibali mine in the DRC, and subsequently the Loulo gold mine. He holds a BSc in mining engineering from the University of Pretoria and an executive MBA from the London Business School.

About Avanti Gold Corp.

Avanti Gold is a gold exploration company with a robust portfolio of projects in Africa. The company's flagship asset is the Misisi project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, home to the Akyanga gold deposit. The Akyanga deposit has an inferred mineral resource of 40.8 million tonnes at an average gold grade of 2.37 grams per tonne, totalling 3.1 million ounces of gold. The Misisi project spans three contiguous 30-year mining leases covering 133 square kilometres along the 55-kilometre-long Kibara gold belt, a prominent metallogenic province known for hosting significant gold deposits.

Qualified person statement

Ephraim Masibhera, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) who is independent, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release, and has approved the disclosure herein. Historical information contained in this news release cannot be relied upon as the company's qualified person, as defined under NI 43-101, has not prepared nor verified the historical information.

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