Benton Cuts Massive Sulphides in First Two Holes Expanding the Great Burnt Copper Deposit and Exposes Excellent Copper Mineralization in Trenching at South Pond 15km North

Rhea-AI Summary

Benton Resources announced significant progress in its Phase 3 diamond drill program at the Great Burnt Copper Deposit, intersecting substantial sulphide mineralization. The drill holes GB 24-38 and GB 24-39 revealed copper-rich zones, with the latter cutting 9.00m of semi-massive/massive sulphides.

Additionally, trenching at South Pond has exposed promising mineralization, enhancing targets for the summer drilling campaign. The company also initiated regional prospecting and geochemical sampling to expand exploration. Previous drilling phases reported high copper grades, including 13.00m at 8.31% Cu and 26.87m at 7.18% Cu.

President and CEO Stephen Stares expressed optimism about the project's potential, highlighting its high-grade copper, gold, silver, and cobalt in a prime jurisdiction. Analytical protocols have been adhered to, ensuring accurate and reliable assay results.

Positive

• Phase 3 drilling at Great Burnt Deposit reveals significant sulphide mineralization.
• GB 24-39 drill hole intersects 9.00m of semi-massive/massive sulphides.
• High-grade grab samples obtained from trenching at South Pond.
• Previous drilling phases reported high copper grades, e.g., 13.00m at 8.31% Cu.
• The project includes copper, gold, silver, and cobalt in a Tier 1 jurisdiction.
• Initiation of regional prospecting and geochemical sampling to expand exploration.

Negative

• GB 24-38 intersected sulphides 16m above target, indicating deviation from planned depth.
• Analytical results from recent drilling are pending, creating uncertainty about immediate impacts.
• No financial data or projected revenue impact provided in the release.

Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 5, 2024) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it's Phase 3 diamond drill program is well underway at the Great Burnt Deposit. Field crews have also started exploration trenching at South Pond located, 15 km to the north. Additionally, regional prospecting and soil geochemical sampling have been initiated along the northern part of the belt.

The Company has completed two diamond drill holes and started the third, all of which were designed to target the updip geophysical anomalies identified in last winter's down-hole Pulse EM survey. The Pulse EM survey was conducted on GB 24-34 and 35 and identified a strong anomaly updip as well as down plunge to the south. The first Phase 3 drill hole, GB 24-38, was anticipated to be 30-40m updip above GB 24-34 but didn't shallow as expected, intersecting 3.00m semi-massive/massive sulphides approximately 16m above hole GB 24-34. GB 24-39, also drilled updip of GB 24-34, cut 9.00 m of semi-massive/massive sulphides containing sections of visual chalcopyrite (see GB-24-39 photo below) approximately 46m above GB-24-34 (see Figure 1). Once the Company defines the limits of the updip boundary of the deposit, it will move south, targeting expansion in that direction.

GB-24-39:

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The Company would also like to update readers that the ongoing trenching program has exposed some spectacular geology and mineralization in the South Pond Area. This mineralization is exposed in several areas where the Company received high-grade grab samples in initial trenching completed in the fall of 2023. The recently washed exposures (see photos below) will be channel cut and mapped, which will aid in accurate targeting for the upcoming drill campaign at South Pond later this summer.

Figure 1:

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Malachite, Chalcopyrite and Bornite in Shear Zone:

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Semi massive/massive sulphide with Pyrrhotite with Chalcopyrite:

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Semi massive/massive sulphide with Pyrrhotite with Chalcopyrite:

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Highlights from the Benton's first 2 phases at the Great Burnt Deposit include:

• GB-23-02: 13.00 m of 8.31% Cu, incl 3.00 m of 12.80% Cu
• GB-23-04: 26.87 m of 7.18% Cu, incl 11.16 m of 10.28% Cu
• GB-23-07: 12.30 m of 7.20% Cu, incl 7.00 m 10.60% Cu
• GB-23-12: 25.42 m of 5.51% Cu, incl 1.00 m of 8.77% Cu, 82.00g/t Ag, 4.43g/t Au
• GB-23-15: 22.59 m of 5.03% Cu, incl 0.50 m of 20.00% Cu
• GB-23-16: 13.67 m of 5.80% Cu, incl 1.00 m of 20.60% Cu
• GB-23-18: 8.17 m of 4.22% Cu, incl 7.05 m of 4.11% Cu
• GB-23-21: 24.00 m of 5.81% Cu, incl 7.00 m of 11.47% Cu
• GB-23-22: 21.68 m of 3.59% Cu, incl 2.00 m of 15.3% Cu
• GB-24-23: 7.00 m of 2.02% Cu, incl 4.00 m of 3.01% Cu
• GB-24-32: 11.29 m of 3.10% Cu, incl 6.63 m of 5.57% Cu
• GB-24-33: 20.92 m of 2.26% Cu, incl 2.98 m of 4.17% Cu
• GB-24-37: 18.10 m of 1.99% Cu, incl 4.50 m of 7.24% Cu

Note: Widths quoted are true core length, true widths are estimated at approximately 70% of core lengths

President and CEO Stephen Stares stated "We are off to another encouraging start in drilling at Great Burnt. Our team is extremely energized and excited for the current and upcoming aggressive exploration programs at this exciting project in 2024 and beyond. The project boasts a large land position in a Tier 1 jurisdiction with high grades in multiple commodities; Copper, Gold, Silver and Cobalt. These attributes are every explorationist's dream and we look forward to updating our shareholders regularly throughout the exciting exploration season ahead."

QA/QC Protocols

Core and rock samples, including standards, blanks and duplicates, are submitted to Eastern Analytical Ltd., Springdale, Newfoundland for preparation and analysis. All samples were acquired by saw-cut (channels/drill core) with one-half submitted for assay and one-half retained for reference, or hand (rocks) and delivered, by Benton personnel, in sealed bags, to the Springdale lab of Eastern Analytical, which is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples are analyzed using Eastern's Au (Fire assay) @ 30g + ICP-34 method that delivers a 34-element package utilizing a 200 mg subsample totally dissolved in four acids and analyzed by ICP-OES analytical technique. Overlimits are analysed with Eastern's atomic absorption method, using a 0.200 g to 2.00 g of sample, digested with three acids. All reported assays are uncut. Eastern Analytical Ltd. achieved ISO 17025 accreditation in February 2014 (for more details on the scope of accreditation visit the CALA website).

QP

Stephen House (P.Geo.), Vice President of Exploration for Benton Resources Inc., the 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release and prepared or supervised its preparation.

About Benton Resources Inc.

Benton Resources is a well-financed mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BEX. Benton has a diversified, highly prospective property portfolio and holds large equity positions in other mining companies that are advancing high-quality assets. Whenever possible, BEX retains net smelter return (NSR) royalties with potential long-term cash flow.

Benton is focused on advancing its high-grade Copper-Gold Great Burnt Project in central Newfoundland, which has a Mineral Resource estimate of 667,000 tonnes @ 3.21% Cu Indicated and 482,000 @ 2.35% Cu Inferred. The Project has an excellent geological setting covering 25km of strike and boasts six known Cu-Au-Ag zones over 15km that are all open for expansion. Further potential for discovery is excellent given the extensive number of untested geophysical targets and Cu-Au soil anomalies. Phase 1 and 2 drill programs returned impressive results including 25.42 m of 5.51% Cu, including 9.78 m of 8.31% Cu, and 1.00 m of 12.70% Cu.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Resources Inc.,

"Stephen Stares"
Stephen Stares, President

Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact Mr. Stares at the number below.

For further information, please contact:

Stephen Stares, President & CEO
Phone: 807-474-9020
Email: sstares@bentonresources.ca

Nick Konkin, Investor Relations
Phone: 647-249-9298 ext. 322
Email: nick@grovecorp.ca

Website: www.bentonresources.ca
Twitter: @BentonResources
Facebook: @BentonResourcesBEX

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

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FAQ

What are the key findings from Benton's Phase 3 drilling at the Great Burnt Copper Deposit?

The Phase 3 drilling intersected significant sulphide mineralization, with GB 24-39 cutting 9.00m of semi-massive/massive sulphides.

What did Benton Resources discover during the trenching at South Pond?

Trenching at South Pond exposed promising mineralization, enhancing targets for the upcoming summer drilling campaign.

What are the highlights of Benton's previous drilling phases?

Previous drilling phases reported high copper grades, including 13.00m at 8.31% Cu and 26.87m at 7.18% Cu.

What is the significance of Benton's regional prospecting and geochemical sampling?

The regional prospecting and geochemical sampling aim to expand exploration along the northern part of the belt, potentially identifying new mineral-rich zones.