Benton and Metals Creek Complete Hydrogen-Helium Soil Gas Sampling at Smoking Gun and Parson's Pond in Newfoundland, Acquire Additional Claims

Benton Resources Inc. and Metals Creek Resources Corp. have completed large-scale soil gas sampling programs at their Parson's Pond and Smoking Gun Hydrogen-Helium projects in Newfoundland. The companies entered a purchase agreement to jointly acquire a 100% interest in two mineral licenses, comprising 30 claim units, from G2B Gold on a 50/50 basis. The consideration for this transaction includes the issuance of 120,000 Metals Creek shares and 82,500 Benton shares to G2B Gold, subject to a 2% Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) with a $1 million buyback option.

Separately, Benton acquired one additional mineral license, consisting of 4 claim units, tied to its Dominion Copper-Gold-Zinc project for 17,500 Benton shares and a 2% NSR. Soil gas results are expected within two weeks, with plans to test favorable targets for hydrogen and helium based on historical anomalies showing up to 8,900 ppb helium and 72% methane. Both acquisitions remain subject to TSX Venture Exchange regulatory approvals.

The company structured the acquisition with a low cash cost, utilizing equity-based transactions that include NSR buyback options, a approach consistent with Benton’s historical capital discipline and generator model.

The share issuances associated with the deal are dilutive but immaterial relative to the approximately 244 million shares outstanding and the company’s approximately $15.5 million market capitalization. No immediate financial or operational impact is expected from the transaction. The materiality of the acquisition hinges on upcoming soil gas results, which are already priced into the company's current range-bound trading.

Benton Resources Inc. (BEX) is a junior mineral exploration company focused on high-grade copper and gold projects in Newfoundland, Canada. Its flagship asset is the Great Burnt copper-gold deposit, which holds a NI 43-101 resource estimate of 667,000 tonnes at 3.21% Cu in the Indicated category and 482,000 tonnes at 2.35% Cu in the Inferred category. The company’s South Pond gold-copper zone has demonstrated robust mineralization, including intercepts of 74.20m @ 1.43 g/t Au and 43.75m @ 1.62 g/t Au.

In addition to its base and precious metal assets, Benton Resources is exploring natural white hydrogen and helium through a 50/50 joint venture with Metals Creek Resources Corp. across multiple Newfoundland properties. Management is executing a generator model, retaining equity stakes and NSR royalties while seeking joint venture partners to advance projects.