Vizsla Silver Appoints Guillermo Hernandez as VP Exploration & Promotes Jesus Velador to Chief Geologist

Vizsla Silver strengthens technical leadership at Panuco with senior exploration appointments targeting production transition and district-scale resource growth. The company has appointed Guillermo Hernandez as Vice President of Exploration and promoted Jesus Velador from Vice President of Exploration to Chief Geologist, effective immediately. Hernandez brings 20 years of international mineral exploration expertise, most recently delivering Outcrop Silver & Gold's maiden NI 43-101 Mineral Resource at Santa Ana and previously contributing to resource conversion programs at Lundin Gold's Fruta del Norte that added 1.2 million ounces of gold. Velador's promotion reflects his role advancing Panuco from discovery-stage exploration through the November 2025 Feasibility Study, which outlined 17.4 million ounces of silver equivalent annual production over a 9.4-year mine life with an after-tax net present value at 5% discount rate (NPV5%) of US$1.8 billion.

Company Overview

Vizsla Silver Corp. (NYSE: VZLA | TSX: VZLA | FRA: 0G3) is a Canadian development company advancing Panuco, its 100%-owned silver-gold project in Sinaloa, Mexico. The November 2025 Feasibility Study outlines 17.4 million ounces AgEq annual production over an initial 9.4-year mine life, an after-tax NPV at 5% discount rate of US$1.8 billion, a 111% IRR, and a seven-month payback at US$35.50 per ounce silver and US$3,100 per ounce gold. Vizsla Silver is concurrently advancing mine development and district-scale exploration, intending to become a leading primary silver producer.

Leadership Transition Reflects Panuco's Development Stage

Vizsla Silver announced two senior technical appointments on May 21, 2026, designed to support the company's transition from feasibility-stage developer to producer while maintaining exploration momentum across the 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project in Sinaloa, Mexico.

The appointments follow completion of a Feasibility Study in November 2025 and position the company's geological leadership for concurrent development execution and district-scale exploration. Jesus Velador's promotion from Vice President of Exploration to Chief Geologist recognises his role in advancing Panuco from early-stage discoveries through resource definition to development readiness over 4 years. Guillermo Hernandez's appointment as Vice President of Exploration brings two decades of Latin American mineral exploration experience to the project.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Vizsla Silver, Michael Konnert, stated:

“What Jesus has helped to build at Panuco over the past four years is remarkable, and we're just getting started. From the Napoleon and Copola discoveries through to a completed Feasibility Study and the development milestones we are now executing, he has guided Vizsla Silver through its transition from discovery-stage exploration toward development readiness, and his promotion to Chief Geologist is a reflection of that contribution and ensures that his expertise remains central to the project as we advance toward production.”

He added:

“Additionally, appointing Guillermo bolsters our already strong technical team. His experience in high-grade Latin American silver and gold systems and track record of delivering resources make him exactly the right person to lead our exploration program into its next chapter.”

Hernandez's Track Record Across Resource Discovery & Development

Guillermo Hernandez brings 20 years of international experience in mineral exploration, resource estimation, and mine development across Latin America and Asia. His appointment targets the expansion of Vizsla Silver's exploration program while the company advances Panuco toward production. Hernandez joins from Outcrop Silver & Gold, where, as Vice President of Exploration, he led technical and strategic exploration at the Santa Ana project in Colombia and delivered the company's maiden NI 43-101 Mineral Resource.

Before Outcrop, he served as Senior General Geology Supervisor at Lundin Gold's Fruta del Norte mine in Ecuador, contributing to resource conversion programs that added 1.2 million ounces of gold in new resources. He previously held the role of Reserves and Exploration Manager at Luca Mining Corp. in Mexico, where he played a key role in the restart of the Campo Morado Mine and the development of the Tahuehueto Mine. Earlier in his career, he led the discovery of the high-grade Switchback epithermal vein system at Gold Resource Corp.'s Arista Mine in Oaxaca.

Hernandez holds a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering and a Master of Science in Geochemistry from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. He is a Certified Professional Geologist by the American Institute of Professional Geologists and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

Velador's Promotion Consolidates Project Geological Continuity

Jesus Velador's promotion to Chief Geologist ensures continuity of geological leadership as Panuco transitions from feasibility-stage development to construction and operations. Velador has guided the project through discovery drilling at the Napoleon and Copala veins, resource definition programs, and completion of the November 2025 Feasibility Study.

Dr. Velador commented:

“Guillermo's technical depth, strategic instinct, and experience with high-grade silver deposits are exactly what this district calls for. His background across discovery, resource definition, and development transition is directly applicable to not only where Panuco stands today but also where we intend to take it over the coming years. The district's exploration upside remains substantial, and I look forward to moving ahead with our strengthened team as we continue to unlock it.”

Next Steps

Vizsla Silver is concurrently advancing mine development and district-scale exploration across the Panuco project. The company has stated its objective of becoming a leading primary silver producer through continued exploration success, project development, and operational execution. No specific timelines for construction decision, permitting completion, or production commencement were provided in the May 21, 2026 announcement.