Upside Gold Corp. Expands 2026 Exploration Program at Kena Project with Additional Drilling

CALGARY, Alberta — October 1, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Upside Gold Corp. announced plans to restart diamond drilling at its Kena Gold-Copper Project in southeastern British Columbia, adding approximately 1,000 metres to its 2026 exploration program. This expansion brings the total planned drilling for 2026 to approximately 6,180 metres, significantly exceeding the initial plan of 4,000 metres.

The decision to resume drilling stems from geological observations made during the logging of drill core from the Company's recently concluded 5,180-metre, 19-hole diamond drilling program. Mineralization identified in core samples from the South Zone and Kena Copper-Gold Zone was deemed by the Company’s technical team to warrant further investigation.

The new drilling phase will involve approximately 1,000 metres of diamond drilling. Four drill holes, each estimated at 250 metres, are planned to target both the South Zone and the Kena Copper-Gold Zone. Notably, these target areas are situated outside the boundaries of the 2021 historical mineral resource estimate, presenting an opportunity to explore for gold and copper mineralization beyond the previously defined resource.

Drilling will commence from existing, permitted drill pads, utilizing modified dip angles and orientations. Geological observations suggest that sulphide mineralization and associated hydrothermal alteration may follow a more sub-vertical orientation, potentially cutting across the host rock foliation. The additional holes are designed to more effectively assess the geometry and continuity of these identified mineralized trends.

“After completing 5,180 metres of drilling this year, our technical team identified mineralization trends in the core that we believe warrant additional follow-up,” said Sophy Cesar, CEO and Director of Upside Gold. “With time remaining in our permitted exploration season, we made the decision to put the drill back to work and add approximately another 1,000 metres to the program. We originally planned approximately 4,000 metres for 2026 and now have the opportunity to complete more than 6,000 metres. We want to make the most of the field season and continue advancing Kena wherever the geology gives us a reason to do so.”

Trevor Boyd, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Upside Gold, added, “Detailed logging of the first 5,180 metres has continued to refine our understanding of the geology at Kena and identified areas that warrant further testing. The additional drilling allows us to act on those observations now and gather important geological information from the South Zone and Kena Copper-Gold Zone before the end of the field season.”

The Company also noted that its Mines Act Permit MX-100000131 has been extended to October 31, 2026, which permits the completion of this additional drilling from approved locations before the permit's expiration.

Results from this additional drilling are expected to be integrated into an updated mineral resource evaluation. This evaluation is being conducted by Moose Mountain Technical Services and is contingent upon the receipt and validation of the required assay and QA/QC data. An updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate is currently targeted for Q1 2027.

Upside Gold Corp. is a Canadian gold-copper exploration company focused on advancing its Kena Gold-Copper Project in southeastern British Columbia. The project consists of 207 mineral claims and 11 crown grants covering 10,578 hectares.

Source: Upside Gold Corp.