Athena Gold Provides Exploration Update From Excelsior Springs, Nevada

Mar 19, 2026

Drilling returns 1.25 g/t Au over 33.54m; Buster Trend further expanded

WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 /
Athena Gold Corporation (CSE:ATHA)(OTCQB:AHNRF) (“Athena” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an exploration update from its Excelsior Springs Project in Nevada. Mammoth Minerals Limited (ASX: M79) (formerly Firetail Resources Limited) has been aggressively exploring Excelsior, per its option agreement to earn an 80% interest in the project over five years, providing Athena a free-carry to Definitive Feasibility Study thereafter. Recently, Mammoth reported significant results from its ongoing RC drilling campaign. As of today, Athena remains a significant (>5%) shareholder of Mammoth Minerals Limited.

Highlights from Mammoth Minerals (Excelsior Springs Project, Nevada)

  • Multiple significant new assay results received from the current RC drilling program along the 7 km long Buster Trend:
    • 33.54m @ 1.25 g/t Au from surface (MEXRC2617), including:
      • 9.15m @ 3.18 g/t Au from 18.29m
      • 3.05m @ 7.70 g/t Au from 51.83m
    • 13.72m @ 1.15 g/t Au from 62.5m (MEXRC2601)
      • Represents new area of mineralization approximately 100m west of previous drilling, with further drilling planned along strike and down-dip.
    • 7.62m @ 2.1 g/t Au from 219.51m (MEXRC2605)
      • Extends mineralization over 100m down-dip from previous drilling and remains open below 180m.
    • Additional wide shallow intercepts include 12.20m @ 2.56 g/t Au from surface (MEXRC2613)
    • RC drilling is continuing along strike and down-dip to expand the mineralized footprint.

Figure 1
Figure 1: Plan map showing recent drilling at Buster Trend, Excelsior Springs.

Figure 2
Figure 2: Cross-section of MEXRC2605.

Figure 3
Figure 3: Cross-section of MEXRC2601.

QUALIFIED PERSONS STATEMENT

The technical information presented has been reviewed and approved by Benjamin Kuzmich, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for Athena Gold Corporation, and the Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

OPTIONS AND SHARE ISSUANCE

The Company has granted 2,020,000 stock options at an exercise price of CDN$0.06 per share to certain directors under its Equity Incentive Plan.

The Company has also issued 100,000 common shares to the Wabauskang First Nation at CDN$0.065 per share under an exploration agreement dated February 20, 2026.

About Athena Gold Corporation

Athena is engaged in mineral exploration and acquisition of mineral assets across North America, focusing on precious and base metals.

For further information, visit www.athenagoldcorp.com

Contact:
Athena Gold Corporation
Koby Kushner, CEO
Phone: 416-846-6164
Email: kobykushner@athenagoldcorp.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements.

SOURCE: Athena Gold Corporation