Benton Partners with Metals Creek to Acquire 6 Projects with Natural Hydrogen Potential in Newfoundland
Rhea-AI Summary
Benton Resources (BNTRF) and Metals Creek jointly staked 763 claim units on March 25, 2026 to acquire six prospective natural (white) hydrogen projects on Newfoundland's west coast.
Three projects have historical gas shows; Parson's Pond drill logs report up to 72% C1 methane in two holes. The companies caution that further studies are required to confirm hydrogen or helium.
Positive
- 763 claim units staked to acquire six projects
- 3 of 6 projects have historical gas shows
- 72% C1 methane recorded in Parson's Pond drill logs
Negative
- Presence of gas does not guarantee hydrogen or helium discovery; further validation required
- Projects are at an early exploration stage with no binding commercial terms or resource estimates
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
BNTRF is down 2.13% with mixed peer action: CCOOF down 5.92%, TGOLF down 32.2%, GBMCF up 25.6%, while SJRNF and ATBHF are flat. Moves do not show a unified sector direction.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-02 | Conference attendance | Neutral | -28.2% | Announcement of PDAC convention attendance and investor presentation schedule. |
| 2026-02-11 | Management update | Positive | -9.9% | Appointment of special technical advisor and exploration planning update. |
| 2026-01-27 | Drill results | Positive | -37.3% | Encouraging copper and gold drill assays at End Zone and South Pond. |
| 2026-01-14 | Metallurgy results | Positive | -11.3% | Positive gold recovery testwork and prior strong copper recovery data. |
| 2025-12-23 | Year-end update | Positive | +7.7% | Year-end exploration summary, cash position, and multiple strategic acquisitions. |
Recent history shows a tendency for the stock to trade down on generally positive or neutral news, with only one recent event seeing a positive price reaction.
Over the past few months, Benton reported several exploration-focused updates, including new VMS copper discovery and metallurgical results at South Pond with notable gold and copper recoveries. A year-end update on Dec 23, 2025 highlighted cash, equity holdings, extensive drilling, and strategic acquisitions, and was the only event to see a positive 7.69% reaction. Subsequent technical and corporate updates in early 2026 all saw double-digit percentage declines, providing context for how the market had been treating news before this hydrogen-focused project staking.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement adds a natural hydrogen angle to Benton’s portfolio through 6 staked projects covering 763 claim units in western Newfoundland. Three projects show historical gas occurrences, including C1 methane levels up to 72% and at least 12 months of historical gas flow in one basin, but the companies emphasize this does not confirm hydrogen or helium. Recent history shows mixed market responses to exploration news, so validating any hydrogen potential through further studies and clear technical milestones will be important to watch.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 25, 2026) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) (the "Companies" or "Benton") and Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (OTC Pink: MCREF) (FSE: M1C1) (the "Companies" or "Metals Creek") are pleased to announce that they have jointly acquired through staking 6 potential natural white hydrogen projects located in Newfoundland, Canada (the "Projects").
The Projects (see Figure 2) were selected and staked after extensive research of historical data in areas of comparable geological settings to those that current hydrogen companies across the USA and Canada are targeting.
Of particular interest is that 3 of the 6 projects have identified gas from historical drill holes or the surface venting of gas. The Projects, all located on the west coast of Newfoundland, are hosted in geological environments considered prospective for natural white hydrogen. A total of 763 claim units were staked to acquire the mineral lands with geological characteristics that support the targeting potential.
Stephen Stares, President and CEO of Benton, stated, "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 neighboring 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."
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/289811_43f07ae4c48dfbb0_002full.jpg
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/aas-infographic-hydrogen-factories
Listed below are brief descriptions of the 6 projects acquired through staking.
Parson's Pond
A large sedimentary basin in a thrust fault system, with gas noted in historical drill holes near serpentine and glauconite mineralization. In addition, gas venting at surface is documented in Newfoundland government files. See:
https://gis.gov.nl.ca/mods/ModsCard.asp?NMINOString?temp=n&NMINOString=012I/04/Btm002
Cape St. Gregory
A large serpentinized ultramafic unit near documented structures and faults.
Bond Pond
15 historical drill holes noted, intensely sheared and serpentinized ultramafic intrusions and likely in contact with fault structures within a sedimentary basin environment.
Deer Lake Basin
Explosive gas encountered in historical hole that flowed for a minimum of 12 months in uranium-thorium rich basin environment. See:
https://gis.gov.nl.ca/mods/ModsCard.asp?NMINOString?temp=n&NMINOString=012H/03/Btm002
Bay St George
Gas noted in historical drilling. See:
https://www.gov.nl.ca/em/files/publications-energy-fwr-port-au-port-no-1-final-well-report-volume-2.pdf
Bay of Islands
A large serpentinite-bearing ultramafic unit near documented structures and faults.
At Parson's Pond (see Figure 1) research of the historical drill logs from two holes 14.2 km apart has observed C1 methane gas levels reaching
(Ref NALCOR ENERGY - OIL AND GAS INC FINAL HOLE REPORT For Nalcor Energy et al SEAMUS #1 https://www.gov.nl.ca/em/files/publications-energy-nalcorseamusfwr.pdf and NALCOR ENERGY - OIL AND GAS INC FINAL HOLE REPORT For Nalcor Energy et al Finnegan #1 https://www.gov.nl.ca/em/files/FinniganFWR.pdf).
Figure 1: Parson's Pond Regional Cross Section/Geology and Hole Location (Seamus & Finnigan)
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/289811_43f07ae4c48dfbb0_003full.jpg
Source: NALCO Energy - Oil and Gas Inc. Final Well Report for Nalcor Energy et al FINNIGAN #1 & NALCO Energy - Oil and Gas Inc. Final Well Report for Nalcor Energy et al SEAMUS #1.
Figure 2: Project Location Map
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/289811_43f07ae4c48dfbb0_004full.jpg
Source: Newfoundland. Geological Survey of Canada, "A" Series Map, 1678A. https://doi.org/10.4095/126990.
Please note that the presence of gas or methane on these staked projects or gas discovered on adjacent properties does not guarantee the presence of hydrogen or helium. Further studies are required to validate their presence.
About Benton Resources Inc.
Benton Resources is a well-financed mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BEX. Benton has a diversified, highly prospective property portfolio and 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.
Benton is focused on advancing its high-grade Copper-Gold Great Burnt Project in central Newfoundland, which has a Mineral Resource estimate of 667,000 tonnes @
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: 807-474-9020
Email: sstares@bentonresources.ca
Nick Konkin, Investor Relations
Phone: 647-249-9298 ext. 322
Email: nick@grovecorp.ca
Website: www.bentonresources.ca
Twitter: @BentonResources
Facebook: @BentonResourcesBEX
THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289811
FAQ
What did Benton (BNTRF) and Metals Creek announce on March 25, 2026?
Which BNTRF project reported high methane levels and what was measured?
How many of the six BNTRF projects have documented gas shows?
What geological settings are BNTRF and Metals Creek targeting in Newfoundland?
Does the BNTRF announcement guarantee discovery of natural hydrogen or helium?
What are the near-term steps for BNTRF and Metals Creek after staking these projects?
