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Viva Gold Initiates Technical Studies in Preparation for Feasibility Study at Its Tonopah Gold Project in Nevada; Provides Drilling Update

Exploration Programs

NR 20-12

Viva Gold Initiates Technical Studies in Preparation for Feasibility Study at Its

Tonopah Gold Project in Nevada; Provides Drilling Update

VANCOUVER, BC – August 20, 2020 – Viva Gold Corp. (TSX-Venture: VAU; OTCQB: VAUCF) (the

“Company” or “Viva”) is pleased to advise that is has retained a number of industry leading consultants

to initiate technical studies at its Tonopah gold project (“Tonopah”) in Nevada , in the areas of

groundwater hydrology, geotechnical slope s tudy, metallurgical testwork and to update existing

archeological studies with the intent to advance toward a carefully prepared feasibility study and to build

on the foundation of the robust PEA economics announced May 12, 2020.

“These technical studies are expected to further de-risk and generate data that will be used as the basis

for future permitting and feasibility studies for the potential open pit mine, heap leach gold recovery

operation at Tonopah. This work will provide greater insight into gold recovery and mine design and assist

management in determining the most effective ways to improve upon a strong PEA, it is our intention to

unlock the full value of the project for our shareholders,” remarked James Hesketh, President & CEO. “In

addition, Viva is currently drilling hole number seven of its 14-hole reverse circulation drill program at

Tonopah, previously announced on July 2nd, 2020. Assay results will be released as they become available

and we expect to report on initial results soon. We anticipate mobilizing a core drilling rig to the site in

early September for a five-hole program to capture core samples for geologic review, assay, metallurgical,

geotechnical and environmental testwork,” he added.

The groundwater hydrology study is initially focused on analyzing the extensive database of information

generated by prior operators on the site, including Kennecott, Newmont, and Midway Gold, as well as a

large volume of publicly available data. This analysis will be used to determine if any additional study,

monitoring, or testwork is required. Geotechnical studies will commence with analysis of existing data

that includes over 20 oriented core holes completed by Newmont and Midway, prior structural and

geotechnical studies and available geologic and hydrologic data. This study will provide initial slope angle

recommendations for open pit design with recommendations for further optimization study. A

metallurgical testwork program is currently being designed to include crushing testwork including the use

of high-pressure grinding rolls, bottle roll, column leach recovery tests and rock characterization studies.

It is anticipated that this program will provide information for initial heap leach and plant design. The

archeological study will update a prior study completed by Newmont in 2003 and is designed to meet all

current regulatory guidelines.

James Hesketh, MMSA-QP, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this press

release. Mr. Hesketh is not independent of the Company; he is an Officer and Director.

About Viva Gold Corp:

Viva Gold is a gold exploration and project development company with a focus on Nevada. Viva

holds 100% of the advanced Tonopah Gold Project, a large land position of approximately 8,800 acres

with demonstrated high-grade measured, indicated and inferred gold resources, located on the prolific

Walker Lane gold trend in Nevada, about 30 kilometers south-east of the Round Mountain mine of Kinross

Gold and 20 kilometers north from the Town of Tonopah. Viva’s management team has extensive

experience in mining exploration, development and production and are supported by a Board of Directors

and advisors who are proven mine finders, deal makers and financiers. Viva trades on the TSX-V as “VAU”,

on the OTCQB in the US as “VAUCF” and on the Frankfurt exchang e under “7PB”. For additional

information on Viva Gold and the Tonopah Gold Project, please visit our website: www.vivagoldcorp.com.

For further information please contact:

James Hesketh, President & CEO

(720) 291-1775

[email protected]

Valerie Kimball, Director Investor Relations

(720) 933-1150

[email protected]

Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains certain information that may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking

statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking information”), including

but not limited to drilling operations and estimates of gold mineral resource at the Tonopah Gold Project. This

forward-looking information entails various risks and uncertainties that are based on current expectations, and

actual results may differ materially from those contained in such information. These uncertainties and risks include,

but are not limited to, the strength of the global economy; the price of gold; operational, funding and liquidity risks;

the potential for achieving targeted drill results, the degree to which mineral resource estimates are reflective of

actual mineral resources; the degree to which factors which would make a mineral deposit commercially viable are

present; the risks and hazards associated with drilling and mining operations; and the ability of Viva to fund its capital

requirements. Risks and uncertainties about the Company’s business are more fully discussed in the Company’s

disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada available at www.sedar.com. Readers

are urged to read these materials. Viva assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to

update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by law.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors --- The United States Securities and Exchange Commission permits U.S. mining

companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and

legally extract or produce. We use certain terms in this report, such as "measured," "indicated," "inferred," and

"resources," that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the

SEC.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX

Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.