Westward Gold Inc. (WG:CSE; WGLIF:OTC; IM50:FSE) provided additional details regarding its 2026 exploration plans at the SSD Target, one of three zones scheduled for reverse-circulation and core drilling at the company's Toiyabe Hills Property in Lander County, Nevada. The property spans 84 square kilometers.
Field activities for 2026 are already underway, including sampling programs across newly staked ground, 1:5000 surface geological and alteration mapping, and expanded geophysical surveys. The company expects drilling to commence in early June, with trenching, road, and pad construction scheduled to begin in May.
The SSD Target was originally identified through analysis of legacy drill hole data and is described as a separate zone of gold mineralization located beneath the Courtney Zone. Westward conducted drilling at SSD in 2022 and 2023 and has since completed additional systematic programs, including surface mapping, relogging of legacy drill holes, soil and rock-chip sampling, and gravity and magnetic surveys. Based on this work, SSD has been designated a priority target for follow-up in 2026.
Steven Koehler, Westward's Lead Technical Advisor, stated, "Combining these time-tested exploration techniques with fresh, experienced eyes on the rocks led to the confirmation of a new and unique geological setting — the SSD Zone." He added that "the setting is characterized by crosscutting high-angle faults, a blind thrust fault, multiple pulses of igneous intrusion within a northeast-striking fault corridor, deeper — potentially hypogene — oxidation, and a hydrothermal system that creates higher gold grades (>10 g Au/t) in select outcrop and drill samples."
The SSD Target covers an area approximately 1.6 km long by 0.8 km wide and is located along a northeast-striking fault corridor. Gold mineralization is hosted within the lower-plate Wenban Formation and is associated with structural and alteration features, including decalcification, silicification, oxidation, dolomitization, and quartz porphyry and lamprophyre dikes.
Historical drilling at SSD reported gold intervals ranging from 9.1 to 50.3 meters in thickness at depths between 255 and 570 meters, with grades ranging from 0.34 to 3.03 g Au/t and sub-intervals up to 17.0 g Au/t. Mineralization remains open in multiple directions.
The company also completed a re-logging campaign ahead of the 2026 drilling program, covering 3,273 meters of core and 4,116 meters of reverse-circulation chips. The work identified evidence of a hydrothermal system at depth and confirmed the presence of multiple igneous rock types, as well as structural and alteration features associated with gold mineralization.
Gold Markets Navigate Volatility, Inflation Pressures, and Steady Demand
Market commentary from Kitco News on April 24 described a period of consolidation in gold prices following earlier volatility. The report stated that "trading volumes have dropped in recent weeks as prices fluctuate within a broad range between US$4,600 and US$4,900 an ounce." It added that "despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and elevated economic anxiety, there is little sense of urgency driving near-term positioning." Kitco also wrote that gold "continues to act as an anchor in a financial system showing increasing strain," while noting that "steady official-sector accumulation over the past several years suggests growing unease with traditional reserve assets." The report further stated that "price dips are being treated as opportunities, not warning signs."
According to an April 26 report from Reuters, gold prices declined amid geopolitical uncertainty and monetary policy expectations. The report stated that "spot gold was down 0.6% at US$4,682.13 per ounce," while U.S. gold futures settled 1% lower at US$4,693.70. Bart Melek, global head of commodity strategy at TD Securities, said "the market continuing to have doubts that a robust agreement… is going to happen imminently" had weighed on sentiment. He also stated that "it's going to be very difficult for the U.S. central bank to cut rates in the months to come, and that is a negative for gold."
A more recent market wrap from Stockhead on April 27 highlighted relative strength in gold equities during a broader market decline. The report stated that "gold stocks dominated the top end of the market," as "investors leaned into that side of safer ground," while noting that gains were limited and "not exactly a wide-reaching rally."
2026 Exploration Program and Drilling Activities
Westward outlined multiple exploration and development activities planned for 2026 at the SSD Target. The company plans to conduct between 8 and 12 drill holes totaling approximately 4,500 to 9,000 meters using a combination of reverse-circulation and core drilling methods. The program will focus on three target types, including high-grade gold along dike margins, thrust-controlled mineralization, and laterally disseminated gold within lower-plate carbonate rocks.
The company indicated that reverse-circulation drilling has previously reached depths exceeding 900 meters at the property and may be used for pre-collaring before transitioning to core drilling.
A 468-meter trenching program is scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks to support structural mapping and sampling. The results from this work will be used to determine final drill collar locations, as well as dip and azimuth orientations.
High-grade structures identified at surface, including those associated with a 16.4 g Au/t sample, will be projected at depth using mapped structural data. Drill targeting will aim to intersect these structures within favorable carbonate host rocks.
Streetwise Ownership Overview*
Westward Gold Inc. (WG:CSE;WGLIF:OTC;IM50:FSE)
| Date | Old Symbol | Old Shares | New Symbol | New Shares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/07/21 | IM | 1 | WG | 1 |
| 04/14/04 | IGM | 1 | IM | 1 |
| 04/22/99 | PCG | 6 | IGM | 1 |
Permitting for the 2026 drill program has been completed across all three target areas. At SSD, activities will be conducted under the existing Exploration Plan of Operations, which allows for up to 100 acres of disturbance. To date, 9.3 acres have been utilized. The company will file a Work Plan Concurrence and provide bonding to the Bureau of Land Management prior to drilling.
At the Campfire target, operations will proceed under a previously approved Notice of Intent, while at El Segundo, the company has received approval for a new Notice of Intent and has posted the required bond.
Ownership and Share Structure1
Management, directors, and advisors hold 9.3% of Westward Gold. Institutional ownership was 23.3%, with Crescat Capital holding the most at 12.1%, Concept Capital Mgmt at 9.9%, and US Global Investors at 1.3%. Keith Neumeyer, CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp. (AG:TSX; AG:NYSE; FMV:FSE), owns 2.7%. EMX Royalty Corp. (EMX:TSX.V; EMX:NYSE.American)owns 1.3%, Starcore International Mines Ltd. (SAM:TSX) owns 1.7%, and MinQuest Ltd. (MNQ:ASX) owns 1.5%. The rest are high-net-worth retail investors.
As of the most recent data, Westward Gold Inc. reported approximately 229.3 million shares outstanding and a public float of about 140.60 million shares.
The company's market capitalization stands at roughly CA$34.4 million. Its 52‑week trading range spanned from CA$0.07 to CA$0.165.
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Important Disclosures:
- Westward Gold is a billboard sponsor of Streetwise Reports and pays SWR a monthly sponsorship fee between US$3,000 and US$6,000.
- As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Westward Gold, EMX Royalty, and First Majestic Silver.
- James Guttman wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.
- This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.
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1. Ownership and Share Structure Information
The information listed above was updated on the date this article was published and was compiled from information from the company and various other data providers.
