Benton Announces Appointment of Darin Wagner as Special Advisor and Provides Exploration Update

Executive Summary

• Benton Resources announced the appointment of Darin Wagner, P.Geo., as a special technical advisor and granted him 300,000 incentive stock options at $0.10 per share.
• The company provided an update on its Newfoundland exploration program, noting a temporary drilling pause due to severe winter weather and outlining upcoming soil sampling, camp upgrades, and planned trenching at the Dominion Lake project.
• No immediate financial impact disclosed; the announcement is primarily informational with potential future operational relevance.

Key Details

• Advisor Appointment: Darin Wagner, P.Geo., joins Benton as a special technical advisor, bringing 35+ years of exploration and corporate development experience, including involvement in multiple M&A transactions valued at $424 M and $160 M.
• Option Grant: Board approved issuance of 300,000 incentive stock options to Mr. Wagner, exercise price $0.10, five‑year term, vesting per the company’s stock option plan.
• Exploration Update – Drilling Pause: Due to unusually heavy snowfall, drilling activities in Newfoundland are postponed until ground conditions improve.
• Soil Sampling: Ongoing limited soil sampling program north of the South Pond deposit continues during the pause.
• Camp Upgrade: Upgrades to the Great Burnt exploration camp are underway, expected completion within a few weeks to support a larger field season.
• Future Trenching Program: Planned trenching at Dominion Lake to expose new gold and base‑metal surface showings identified during prior prospecting.
• Regional Context: Recent discoveries by Equinox Gold in Central Newfoundland highlighted the exploration potential of Benton’s adjacent land packages (Dominion Lake and Victoria West).
• Qualified Person Statement: Stephen House, P.Geo., VP of Exploration, qualified under NI 43‑101, approved the scientific and technical disclosure.
• QA/QC Protocols: Samples processed by Eastern Analytical Ltd. using fire assay + ICP‑34 method; all assays uncut; ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab.

Notable Quotes

• Stephen Stares, President & CEO: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Darin to the Benton team… his experience in exploration, discovery and financial markets will be a great addition as we advance our excellent portfolio of projects.”
• Darin Wagner: “I began my exploration career in Central Newfoundland… I am excited to return to the area working with the Benton team.”