LARGEST DRILL PROGRAM IN THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY

TONOPAH, Nev., Jan. 20, 2026 /CNW/ - A2Gold Corp. ("A2Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: AUAU) (OTCQX: AUXXF) (FRA: RR7) is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its previously announced 18,000-metre reverse circulation ("RC") drill program at its flagship Eastside Gold Project in Nevada. The Company has increased the planned program to a total of 30,000 metres, marking the largest and most comprehensive drill campaign ever undertaken at Eastside.

The expanded program is designed to both advance and expand known mineralization within the McIntosh and Castle zones, while allocating approximately two-thirds of the drilling budget to high-impact exploration aimed at discovering new zones of mineralization. Target areas include on-trend and southern extensions of the McIntosh Zone, as well as multiple compelling geophysical targets located within the Range and Pediment areas of the project (see map below):

John Marma, Vice President, Exploration, commented: "We are very excited to kick off A2 Gold's 2026 exploration program at the Eastside Project, which represents our largest and most comprehensive drill campaign to date. The planned 30,000-meter program is designed to both advance and expand mineralization within the McIntosh and Castle zones while dedicating approximately two-thirds of the drilling budget towards high-impact exploration targets focused on identifying new mineralization. These targets include on-trend and southern extensions of the McIntosh Zone, as well as multiple compelling geophysical targets within both the Range and Pediment areas. The scale of this program reflects our confidence in the Eastside geological model and its demonstrated potential to host additional zones of mineralization. This systematic approach positions Eastside as a district-scale opportunity with significant upside as we move into 2026."

Peter Gianulis, CEO of A2Gold, commented: "Expanding the Eastside drill program from 18,000 metres to 30,000 metres is a direct reflection of our confidence in the project and the strength of the geological model that has been developed to date. With the addition of John Marma as Vice President of Exploration, we are executing an ambitious but disciplined program that balances near-term advancement of known zones with aggressive step-out and discovery drilling. Importantly, the expanded program is fully funded from our existing cash resources, underscoring the strength of our balance sheet and allowing us to advance Eastside without shareholder dilution. Eastside continues to demonstrate the characteristics of a district-scale gold system, and this program is designed to unlock that potential for our shareholders."

The Company expects drilling to commence in within the next two weeks, with results to be released as they become available.

QUALIFIED PERSON

John Marma is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) with the American Institute of Professional Geologists and is the Qualified Person under NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, who has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content of this press release.

ABOUT EASTSIDE

The Eastside Gold-Silver Project is located in Esmeralda County, Nevada, approximately 20+ miles northwest of Tonopah, within the prolific Walker Lane Trend. The project hosts a current inferred resource of 1.4 million ounces of gold and 8.8 million ounces of silver, with mineralization open in all directions. Eastside covers a 92 km² land package that includes multiple high-priority zones such as McIntosh, Castle, and other exploration targets yet to be named.

*Source: "Updated Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report, Eastside and Castle Gold-Silver Project Technical Report, Esmeralda County, Nevada" conducted by Mine Development Associates of Reno, Nevada, with an effective date of July 30, 2021. Pit-constrained Inferred Resources (cut-off grade of 0.15 g/t Au) of 61,730,000 tonnes grading 0.55 g/t Au and 4.4 g/t Ag at the Original Pit Zone (1,090,000 ounces gold and 8,700,000 ounces silver) and 19,986,000 tonnes grading 0.49 g/t Au at the Castle Area (314,000 ounces gold) with a gold price of $1,725/ounce. A copy of the Eastside Technical Report can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

ABOUT A2GOLD CORP

A2Gold Corp. owns three highly prospective gold projects in the United States all of which are in the mining-friendly jurisdiction of Nevada. A2Gold's flagship, district-scale Eastside Gold-Silver Project hosts a large and expanding gold and silver resource and is in an area of excellent infrastructure. Preliminary metallurgical testing indicates that both oxide and sulphide gold mineralization at Eastside is amenable to heap leaching.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Peter Gianulis, CEO

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Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements and information contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which are referred to collectively as "forward-looking statements". The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. A2Gold Corp.'s ("A2Gold") exploration plans for its gold exploration properties, the drill program at A2Gold's Eastside project, the preparation and publication of an updated resource estimate in respect of the Original Zone at the Eastside project, A2Gold's future exploration and development plans, including anticipated costs and timing thereof; A2Gold's plans for growth through exploration activities, acquisitions or otherwise; and expectations regarding future maintenance and capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "seek", "expect", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "estimate", "continue", "forecast", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Some of the known risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in A2Gold's Listing Application, dated January 24, 2018, as filed with the TSX Venture Exchange and available on SEDAR under A2Gold's profile at www.sedar.com. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. A2Gold undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements.

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