Benton and Metals Creek Acquire an Additional 262 Claim Units at Smoking Gun Hydrogen-Helium in Newfoundland, Awaiting Final Results from the Gas Sampling Program

Benton Resources Inc. and partner Metals Creek Resources Corp. have acquired an additional 262 claim units via staking, expanding the Smoking Gun Hydrogen/Helium Project in the Deer Lake Basin, Western Newfoundland. The companies are awaiting compilation of results from a recently completed regional soil gas program at the Parson's Pond and Smoking Gun projects.

Following the soil gas data review, an inaugural drill program will be initiated to test favorable targets for Hydrogen (H2) and Helium (He). Geological context highlights porous sandstones, conglomerates, mudstones, shales, chrome, serpentine, associated groundwater, and regional fault structures as migration pathways. Technical oversight is provided by Rudy Willick of Rudiger Re-Chem.

The release includes a standard disclaimer that the presence of gas or methane does not guarantee the presence of hydrogen or helium and further studies are required.

Benton Resources Inc. (BEX) has acquired 262 claim units, a move that continues its land assembly strategy for its hydrogen and helium exploration program. This acquisition aligns with previous announcements made in March, May, June, July, and August 2026, during which the company progressively staked and acquired land, hired technical advisors, and completed soil gas sampling.

The announcement contains no new financial data, assay results, or changes to strategic partnerships. The news remains purely exploratory and procedural. While the move confirms management's continued commitment to the hydrogen and helium thesis, it is not expected to alter the company's fundamental risk profile or valuation.

Benton Resources Inc. is a junior mineral exploration company focused on Newfoundland, Canada. Its flagship asset is the Great Burnt copper-gold project, which holds an NI 43-101 resource of 667,000 tonnes at 3.21% copper in the Indicated category and 482,000 tonnes at 2.35% copper in the Inferred category. The company also operates the South Pond Gold Zone, a robust gold-copper system spanning 2.7 km, which includes historical intercepts such as 74.20m at 1.43 g/t Au.

In addition to its base and precious metals projects, Benton Resources Inc. holds a joint venture with Metals Creek Resources Corp. targeting natural white hydrogen and helium in the Deer Lake Basin and Parson's Pond. The company follows a generator model strategy, focusing on high-grade discoveries while retaining equity stakes and NSR royalties. It aims to spin out assets to unlock value, such as the previously established Silverback Metals Corp.