Rio Grande Resources to Conduct High-Resolution Airborne Survey at Winston Gold/Silver Project, New Mexico

Survey Will Cover 100% of the Project and Support Structural Interpretation and Target Refinement Following Recent High-Grade Gold and Silver Results

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / February 23, 2026 / Rio Grande Resources Ltd. (CSE:RGR)(OTCQB:RGRLF) ("Rio Grande" or "RIO" the "Company"), announces that it has engaged Precision GeoSurveys Inc. ("Precision") to complete a high-resolution airborne magnetic survey covering approximately 19.2 square kilometers, representing 100% of the claim blocks at the Winston Gold-Silver Project ("Winston" or the "Project"), located in the Black Range Mountains of Sierra County, New Mexico (see figure 1). This next phase of work follows the Company's recently reported high-grade surface sampling results, which returned gold values up to 41.2 g/t Au and silver values up to 1,435 g/t Ag and confirmed an approximately 2.0 kilometre north-south structurally controlled mineralized corridor across the property (see Press Release February 19, 2026).

Fig 1. Map showing the claim blocks of Winston project

The survey is scheduled to commence in late February 2026, subject to weather and operational conditions. The high-resolution airborne magnetic survey will be flown at 50-metre line spacing across the Winston claim block, with tie lines collected at wider spacing to support data quality control. The planned survey parameters are summarized below:

High-Resolution Airborne Survey Parameters

"The recent high-grade results demonstrated that Winston hosts multiple mineralized structural zones over a 2-kilometre corridor.Engaging Precision represents another important step in unlocking the potential scale of Winston," said Jason Barnard, President and CEO of Rio Grande Resources. "Airborne geophysics is a powerful tool for mapping structures beneath surface cover, and the data should help us better define the fault architecture across the property and refine priority targets. Our focus is disciplined target refinement so that when we drill, we are testing the most technically compelling zones."

Rio Grande is taking the next step to refine its property-wide exploration model and prioritize follow-up work as multiple mineralized zones have now been confirmed across both historically developed workings and previously unsampled areas. The airborne magnetic data is expected to help define the broader structural corridors that may control mineralization, identify branching splays and areas of structural complexity, delineate key lithological contacts and potential intrusive features, and evaluate whether interpreted trends extend between the Ivanhoe, Emporia, Little Granite and Poverty Creek areas. By integrating these results with the Company's mapping and sampling datasets, it expects to better focus future ground validation and drill planning on the most technically compelling targets.

Winston is interpreted to host a structurally controlled low-sulfidation epithermal system centered along the Paymaster Fault corridor and subsidiary splays. "Splays" are smaller branching faults that split off the main fault and can create additional pathways for mineralizing fluid. Recent high-grade assays confirmed mineralization across multiple structural trends, expanding the mineralized footprint beyond historically developed workings. In structurally controlled systems, high-grade shoots commonly localize at fault intersections, flexures, and areas of structural complexity. The Company believes this dataset will significantly enhance its ability to refine these zones.

Upon completion, the magnetic data will be:

1. Processed and leveled to produce total magnetic intensity and derivative maps

2. Integrated with surface mapping, channel sampling, and rock chip assay results

3. Compared against historic workings and known high-grade zones

4. Used to identify structural offsets, concealed splays, and undrilled extensions

The goal is to generate a prioritized list of structurally coherent targets that demonstrate:

• Alignment with high-grade surface mineralization
• Structural continuity along the 2 km corridor
• Evidence of dilation zones or structural complexity
• Favorable geometry for drill testing

Next Steps

The results will be integrated into the Company's existing datasets to refine its exploration model. Following interpretation, Rio Grande intends to complete targeted ground validation, and build detailed structural mapping where required to refine and prioritize targets in advance of future drill testing. Further updates will be provided as results are received and interpreted.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Jacob Anderson CPG, MAusIMM, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Anderson is independent of Rio Grande Resources.

Historical results referenced in this news release have not been verified by a Qualified Person and should not be relied upon as indicative of mineral resources or reserves. The Qualified Person has reviewed the sampling and mapping data disclosed herein but has not independently verified the data. Verification included a review of field procedures, sample locations, and consistency with historical records.

About Rio Grande Resources

Rio Grande Resources (CSE:RGR)(OTCQB:RGRLF) is a burgeoning mineral exploration company focused on unlocking the high-grade gold and silver potential within its 3,000-acre drill-ready property in the Black Range of Sierra County, New Mexico. The company holds 100% interest in the Winston project group, which includes the 2 patented historic Ivanhoe & Emporia Claims, and Little Granite mines, all known for their past production of high-grade precious metals. Rio Grande Resources is led by a team of experienced professionals with expertise in mineral exploration and development, who are targeting large-scale precious metal discoveries within the property's well-documented low-sulfidation epithermal setting.

To view the company fact sheet and corporate presentation, please visit our website at www.riogranderesources.ca

Contact and Information

Company
Jason Barnard, President CEO and Director
(604) 767-6598
jason.barnard@riogranderesources.ca

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Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company are or may constitute "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws and including, without limitation, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, for which the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the proposed benefits of the Arrangement. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect," "is expected," "anticipates" or "does not anticipate," "plans," "estimates" or "intends," or stating that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that the identification of structural features or geophysical anomalies does not necessarily indicate the presence of economic mineralization, and there can be no assurance that the Company's geological interpretation or exploration objectives will result in a discovery. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, continuity of agreements with third parties, the satisfaction of the conditions to the Arrangement, risks and uncertainties associated with the environment and delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings on SEDAR+. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Please refer to the Company's most recent filings under its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca for further information respecting the risks affecting the Company and its business.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

SOURCE: Rio Grande Resources