Aya Gold & Silver Announces High-Grade Silver Discoveries at Zgounder Mine

Aya Gold & Silver Announces High-Grade Silver Discoveries at Zgounder Mine

MONTREAL, Feb. 18, 2026 – Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA; OTCQX: AYASF) has released impressive high-grade silver drill results from its ongoing at-depth exploration program at the Zgounder Silver Mine located in the Kingdom of Morocco. The findings highlight significant mineralization extensions, particularly near the Western Fault, reinforcing the mine's resource potential.

Key Drill Results and Highlights

The exploration program has yielded exceptional silver grades across multiple areas of the Zgounder site. All intersections reported are based on core lengths, providing a reliable measure of the mineralized zones.

Open-Pit Area Intersections:

• Hole ZG-RC-25-853 intercepted 781 grams per tonne (g/t) silver (Ag) over 9.0 metres (m), including a high-grade section of 1,295 g/t Ag over 5.0m.
• Hole ZG-RC-25-855 returned 1,454 g/t Ag over 3.0m, indicating robust silver concentrations in this region.

Depth Intersections Near Western Fault:

• Hole ZG-SF-25-340 showed 336 g/t Ag over 5.5m, extending mineralization further west and pushing the boundaries of the current resource model.
• Hole ZG-SF-25-350 recorded an impressive 2,198 g/t Ag over 1.0m, showcasing the high-grade nature of the deposit at depth.

Central Area Intersections:

• Hole ZG-SF-25-347 intercepted 3,581 g/t Ag over 4.5m, with an included section of 5,893 g/t Ag over 2.5m, and another intersection of 1,729 g/t Ag over 4.1m, including 4,480 g/t Ag over 1.5m.
• Hole T28-26-1072 revealed 6,223 g/t Ag over 3.6m, while Hole T28-26-1104 returned 4,489 g/t Ag over 6.0m, demonstrating consistent high-grade silver across the central zone.

To date, 3,117 metres, or 10.3% of the planned 2026 exploration program, have been drilled, indicating active progress in uncovering the mine's full potential.

Executive Commentary and Program Details

Benoit La Salle, President and CEO of Aya Gold & Silver, commented on the results, stating, "Today's high-grade results once again confirm the strong continuity of silver mineralization both at depth and around the open-pit area. Moreover, the new intersection at depth near the Western Fault contact in hole ZG-SF-25-340 extends mineralization further west, continuing to push the boundary of our current resource model."

The release encompasses data from 256 drill holes, comprising 13 surface diamond drill holes (DDH), 69 underground DDH, 41 reverse circulation drill holes (RC), 101 T28 holes, and 32 YAK holes. T28 and YAK refer to percussion drilling methods utilizing an air-compressed hammer, showcasing the diverse techniques employed in the exploration efforts.

For a comprehensive summary of the results, including detailed tables such as Table 1 – Best Intercepts at Zgounder in 2025, stakeholders are directed to Appendix 1 of the full report. These findings underscore Aya Gold & Silver's commitment to expanding its resource base and enhancing the economic viability of the Zgounder Silver Mine through rigorous exploration and technological advancements.