Benton, Metals Creek stake 6 natural hydrogen projects

Executive Summary

• Benton Resources Inc. and Metals Creek Resources Corp. have jointly acquired six natural white hydrogen projects in Newfoundland, Canada, through staking 763 claim units.
• The projects are located on the West Coast of Newfoundland in geologically prospective settings, with three sites showing historical gas indicators from drill holes or surface venting.
• The partnership aims to share low-cost exploration risk while preserving meaningful upside potential for hydrogen or helium discoveries, leveraging Newfoundland's geological similarity to successful hydrogen exploration areas in Nova Scotia and the broader North American market.

Key Details

• Transaction Structure: Joint acquisition via staking of six projects, totaling 763 claim units, targeting mineral lands with geological characteristics supportive of natural white hydrogen.
• Geological Targeting: Projects selected following extensive historical data research, focusing on sedimentary basins, thrust fault systems, and serpentinized ultramafic units comparable to current US/Canada hydrogen targets.
• Parson's Pond Project: Large sedimentary basin in a thrust fault system; historical drill holes near serpentine and glauconite mineralization noted gas; surface gas venting documented in Newfoundland government files; C1 methane levels reached 72% in two historical holes 14.2 km apart; underlain by thrust faulted Humber Arm supergroup rocks with unique sedimentary units (shales, sandstones, serpentine/chrome fragments).
• Cape St. Gregory Project: Large serpentinized ultramafic unit located near documented structures and faults.
• Bond Pond Project: Contains 15 historical drill holes; features intensely sheared and serpentinized ultramafic intrusions likely in contact with fault structures within a sedimentary basin environment.
• Deer Lake Basin Project: Historical drill hole encountered explosive gas that flowed for a minimum of 12 months within a uranium-thorium-rich basin environment.
• Partnership Rationale: Benton and Metals Creek will share relatively low-cost exploration risk while maintaining meaningful upside, positioning themselves as early movers in the emerging natural hydrogen sector.
• Market Context: Newfoundland's geological setting is considered comparable to successful natural hydrogen exploration in neighboring Nova Scotia (e.g., Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.).

Notable Quotes

• Stephen Stares, President and CEO of Benton: "While Benton is primarily focused on advancing its copper-gold assets, there are times when unique opportunities allow management to act decisively as an early mover. Partnering with Metals Creek enables the companies to share relatively low-cost exploration risk while maintaining meaningful upside, should even one of these projects lead to a significant discovery of hydrogen or helium. In neighbouring Nova Scotia, companies such as Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. are already demonstrating success in exploring for natural hydrogen. We believe Newfoundland's geological setting offers comparable potential for these emerging and highly prospective discoveries."