Benton drills one m of 3.5 g/t Au at South Pond

Executive Summary

• Benton Resources Inc. reports encouraging gold results from the first seven drill holes at the South Pond gold-copper deposit, confirming continuity along a 2.7-kilometre-long mineralized horizon.
• Two aggressive stepout holes drilled approximately 190–340 metres north of the deposit intersected highly anomalous gold values, confirming the continuation of mineralization and highlighting strong expansion potential.
• Drilling at the NGB target beneath the previous discovery did not intersect significant mineralization, but subsequent surface sampling to the east-northeast returned high-grade gold and copper assays, indicating the mineralized horizon continues northward.

Key Details

• South Pond Deposit (Holes SP 25-35 and others):
  • First seven holes from resource drilling completed.
  • Results confirm multiple well-mineralized zones.
  • Hole SP 25-35 showed intersections potentially influenced by folding or faulting.
  • Chalcopyrite mineralization noted in many holes; base metal assay results outstanding.
  • Program focused on demonstrating continuity along the 2.7-kilometre-long gold-copper horizon, which remains open north and south.
• Stepout Drilling (Holes SP 25-40 and SP 25-41):
  • Located approximately 340 metres and 190 metres north of the South Pond deposit, respectively.
  • Both holes intersected highly anomalous gold values.
  • Confirms continuation of gold mineralization to the north.
• NGB Target Drilling (Holes GB 25-67/68):
  • Two holes drilled beneath and ~25 m north along strike from previous NGB target (GB-25-63).
  • East-directed holes did not intersect significant mineralization.
  • Steep east-dipping folding identified, potentially explaining the lack of intersection.
  • Bedrock sampling ~100 m to the east-northeast returned:
    • Gold assays: 31.35, 4.57, 2.56, and 1.19 g/t Au.
    • Copper assays: Up to 3.22% Cu.
  • Area currently being sampled and mapped for future drilling.
• Company Context (Great Burnt Project):
  • Mineral resource estimate: 667,000 tonnes of 3.21% Cu (indicated) and 482,000 tonnes of 2.35% Cu (inferred).
  • Phase 1 and 2 drill results included:
    • 25.42 m of 5.51% Cu, including 9.78 m of 8.31% Cu.
    • 1.00 m of 12.70% Cu.
  • South Pond gold zone confirmed as a robust system over 2.5 km with results including:
    • 74.20 m of 1.43 g/t Au.
    • 43.75 m of 1.62 g/t Au.

Notable Quotes

• Stephen Stares, President and CEO: "We are confident that the Great Burnt and South Pond deposits will continue to deliver excellent results as we move them forward. Being in the industry and having drilled hundreds of drill holes on various projects, the Great Burnt project is truly a rare gem. These are once-in-a-lifetime projects, where you can get continuous mineralization over such a large area. We now have high-grade copper systems and at least a 2.7-kilometre-long gold-copper system on the same property. We are really excited to continue unlocking the Great Burnt project's true potential."