Thunder Bay, ON, November 1, 2023 – Benton Resources Inc. (“Benton” or the “Company”) (TSXV: BEX) is pleased to announce that it has received partial assay results from its inaugural drill program at the Great Burnt Copper Gold project in Newfoundland. Holes GB-23-01 and GB-23-02, both intersected excellent copper grades including 4.13% Cu over 3.25m from 69.05 to 72.30m and 8.01% Cu over 4.30m from 82.8 to 87.10m in GB-23-01 and 8.31% Cu over 13.0m from 161.89 to 174.89m, including 12.80 over 3.00m from 169.89 to 173.89m, including 17.20% Cu over 1.00m from 171.89 to 172.89m in GB-23-02. Intervals reported for the 2023 drilling are core lengths, estimated to be 70% of true width. Due to the success encountered in early drilling, the Company is expanding the ongoing drill program to a minimum of 4,000m.
The Company is excited to report that all 11 holes drilled to date have intersected semi-massive and massive sulphides containing significant chalcopyrite (copper) mineralization. Benton’s first priority is the expansion of the Great Burnt high grade core in the Main Deposit which has been extremely successful to date. Holes GB-23-01 through GB-23-11 were completed over approximately 350m in strike length. Hole GB-23-01 and GB-23-02 are reported here while GB-23-03 intersected the zone 30m updip from GB-20-05 and cut a combined 1.3m of semi-massive/massive sulphides from 158.00 to 158.60m and 154.80 to 155.50m. GB-23-04 intersected the zone 12m south of historical drill hole GB-86 and intersected a combined total of 16.6m of semi-massive/massive sulphides from 186.60 to 193.20m and 200.00 to 210.00m. GB-23-05 was drilled from this same set-up and intersected the zone 15m updip from186.73 to 189.28m. GB-23-06 and GB-23-07 were collared a further 40m south of GB-23-04 and GB-23-05 with both drill holes intersecting semi-massive/massive sulphides from 196.72 to 203.46 (GB-23-06), 202.07 to 206.35 and 220.39 to 231.54m (GB-23-07). GB-23-08 and GB-23-09 were collared 25m south of GB-23-06 and 07 and both holes intersected the down plunge extension of the semi-massive/massive sulphides. Holes GB-23-10 and GB-23-11 were drilled 25m (GB23-10) and 50m (GB-23-11) along strike and both holes encountered semi-massive/massive sulphides from 276.50 to 296.00m (GB-23-10) and from 275.10 to 287.10m (GB-23-11).
Figure 1
Note: Intervals reported for the 2023 drilling are core lengths, estimated to be 70% of true width.
Drilling from 2016 to 2020 at Great Burnt Copper-Gold Project
The Great Burnt Main Zone has an NI 43-101 compliant resource prepared in 2022 for Spruce Ridge Resources Ltd. by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. of 667,000 Tonnes (47.2 Mlb) Cu at 3.21% (indicated) and 482,000 Tonnes (25.0 Mlb) Cu at 2.35% (inferred), contained within mining lease 211(10210M). The Copper resource remains open to the south and at depth. Highlights of the drill programs to date include:
- GB20-05: 27.20 m of 8.06% Cu, including 7.75 m of 16.88% Cu
- GB20-20: 22.75 m of 6.89% Cu, including 12.55 m of 10.59% Cu
- GB18-05: 20.94 m of 6.21% Cu, including 6.98 m of 10.71% Cu
- GB18-06: 9.97 m of 7.45% Cu, including 5.03 m of 11.42% Cu
- GB16-08: 7.50 m of 9.45% Cu, including 3.00 m of 19.30% Cu
- GB16-09: 5.75 m of 6.68% Cu, including 1.50 m of 11.70% Cu
Exploration at the South Pond Zone has identified potential for both copper and gold along several kilometers of strike. Highlights of the 2021 drill program include:
- SP21-01: 1.69g/t Au over 51.00 m, including 3.19g/t Au over 11.00 m, within 10 m of surface
- SP21-03: 2.36g/t Au over 15.00 m, including 11.33g/t Au over 1.00 m
- SP21-08: 1.75g/t Au over 21.20 m, including 2.82g/t Au over 10.20 m
- SP21-11: 1.34g/t Au over 17.60 m, including 2.48g/t Au over 4.20 m
- SP21-14: 2.06g/t Au over 21.00 m
- SP21-16: 1.72g/t Au over 10.00 m
Note: Widths quoted are true core length, true widths are estimated at approximately 70% of core lengths
QP
Stephen House (P.Geo.), Vice President of Exploration for Benton Resources Inc., the ‘Qualified Person’ under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release and prepared or supervised it’s preparation.
About Benton Resources Inc.
Benton Resources is a well-financed mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BEX. Following a project generation business model, Benton has a diversified, highly prospective property portfolio of gold, silver, nickel, copper, platinum group elements and, most recently, lithium and cesium assets. In addition, it currently holds large equity positions in other mining companies that are advancing high-quality assets. Whenever possible, BEX retains net smelter return (NSR) royalties with potential long-term cash flow.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Resources Inc.,
“Stephen Stares”
Stephen Stares, President
Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact Mr. Stares at the number below.
For further information, please contact:
Stephen Stares, President & CEO
Phone: 807-475-7474
Email: sstares@bentonresources.ca
Website: www.bentonresources.ca
Twitter: @BentonResources
Facebook: @BentonResourcesBEX
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