Mr. Mohamed Cisse reports

AVANTI COMMENCES 42,000 METRE DRILL PROGRAM AT MISISI, TARGETING RESOURCE EXPANSION AND DELINEATION OF NEW TARGETS

Avanti Gold Corp. has commenced drilling activities at its flagship Misisi gold project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Two diamond drill rigs are currently active on site, with activities set to further ramp up as two additional rigs expected to be mobilized in the coming weeks. The drill program is expected to total 42,000 metres of drilling and is designed to grow the current resource base while systematically testing targets across the 55-kilometre Kibara gold belt, where the Akyanga deposit already hosts an National Instrument 43-101-compliant inferred mineral resource of 40.8 million tonnes at 2.37 grams per tonne gold containing 3.1 million ounces. At least six high-priority targets are expected to be drill tested. Results will be reported on a continuing basis throughout 2026.

Mohamed Cisse, chief executive officer of Avanti, commented: "Misisi is one of DRC'S most compelling undeveloped gold systems, located on a highly prospective and largely unexplored 55-kilometre belt, and we are thrilled to have relaunched drilling after nearly a decade without significant activity.

"Phase 1 focuses on expanding and upgrading the existing resource, while phase 2 introduces multiple new targets across the broader Misisi belt that have not been previously drilled. With four rigs operational in the coming weeks and 42,000 metres planned across two phases, this is the most significant exploration campaign in the company's history and the first step in defining the broader scale of the Misisi system."

About the Misisi project

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 project comprises three contiguous 30-year mining leases covering 133 square kilometres along the 55-kilometre Kibara gold belt.

The Akyanga deposit, located centrally in the Misisi project, hosts an NI 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 resource extends from surface to a vertical depth of 350 metres over a strike length of approximately 2,100 metres, using a $1,500-per-ounce pit shell. The mineralization remains open at depth and along strike.

The 2026 exploration program comprises approximately 42,000 metres of diamond and RC drilling across two phases, as outlined in Table 1 below.

Phase 1 targets approximately 15,000 metres of diamond and reverse circulation drilling at Akyanga and Akyanga East. The program prioritizes an increased footprint expansion at Akyanga and high-priority target testing at Akyanga East, which is located 500 metres east of the main deposit and has returned historic intercepts with grades consistent with the high-grade core of Akyanga. Ground truthing, sampling and mapping on the four phase 2 targets (Ngalula, Tulonge, Lubitchako and Kilombwe) will be conducted concurrently to optimize phase 2 drill targeting.

Phase 2, expected to commence in Q3 2026, will include approximately 27,000 metres of drilling across those four additional targets along the broader Misisi belt while continuing to test extensions at Akyanga and introducing drilling to the high-priority targets. The phased approach allows for systematic target development while ramping up drilling capacity across the broader belt.

Next steps

A number of activities are currently under way to support sustained exploration activities, as described below. The company's focus is on maintaining the highest standards of safety and performance as drilling is under way.

• Geological logging and sampling workflow: a team of geologists have been mobilized to site and will conduct core logging (lithology, structure and alteration) and sampling and quality assurance/quality control protocols;
• Stakeholder and community engagement: maintain communication with local communities and authorities;
• Mobilization of two additional drill rigs to Misisi: the drilling contractor is in the process of mobilizing two additional drilling rigs to site, expected to arrive in Kalemie in the coming weeks;
• Site preparation for additional rigs: while the first two rigs are operating, preparation for the incoming rigs will include:
  • Construction of additional drill pads;
  • Ensuring access roads are ready;
  • Expansion of water and fuel storage;
  • Scaling up camp capacity and work force.

Corporate update

Following a comprehensive review of director compensation, the company has granted its directors 600,000 stock options and 2.4 million restricted share units (RSUs) under its omnibus equity incentive plan. Both the stock options and RSUs have an exercise price of 74 cents per common share and a three-year term from the date of grant. They vest as to 25 per cent immediately upon grant, with the remaining 75 per cent vesting in equal instalments of 25 per cent every six months thereafter. All securities issued in connection with the foregoing are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of grant, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. In connection with this grant, the company has also cancelled 1,904,000 previously outstanding stock options exercisable at 51 cents per common share as well as 616,000 RSUs that were originally issued to a director in October, 2025.

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 the 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.

We seek Safe Harbor.