Benton Resources Drilling Continues to Delineate the South Pond Gold-Copper Deposit with Shallow - Wide Intercepts

Rhea-AI Summary

Benton Resources (OTC:BNTRF) reported results from the first seven resource drill holes at the South Pond gold-copper deposit on October 30, 2025, confirming multiple shallow, wide gold intersections and widespread chalcopyrite. Key intercepts include SP-25-35: 19.0 m @ 0.60 g/t Au (incl. 3.0 m @ 1.86 g/t) and SP-25-39: 20.0 m anomalous. Two aggressive step-outs (SP-25-40/41) hit anomalous gold ~340 m and ~190 m north, and bedrock grabs returned highs up to 31.35 g/t Au and 3.22% Cu. Base metal assays remain outstanding and follow-up drilling and mapping are planned to define continuity along a 2.7 km horizon that remains open along strike.

Positive

• Multiple shallow wide gold intersections in first seven holes
• SP-25-35: 19.00 m @ 0.60 g/t Au (incl. 3.00 m @ 1.86 g/t)
• Step-out holes show continuation ~340 m and ~190 m north
• Bedrock grabs up to 31.35 g/t Au and 3.22% Cu

Negative

• Base metal assay results still outstanding, leaving Cu impact unknown
• Two east-directed holes did not intersect significant mineralization

Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received encouraging gold results from its first seven holes from resource drilling at the South Pond Gold-Copper Deposit (see Table 1, Figures 2 and 3). The ongoing program is focused on demonstrating continuity along the 2.7 km long gold-copper horizon, which remains open north and south of the current drilling limits. Results to date confirm the presence of multiple well-mineralized zones, including hole SP 25-35, where folding or faulting may have resulted in the additional intersections. Further drilling is planned to determine the extent and control of the multiple zones. Chalcopyrite mineralization was noted in many holes and base metal assay results are still outstanding. A table of results is listed below.

Table 1: South Pond Drill Results

DDH #		From (m)	To (m)	Length (m)	Au (g/t)
SP-25-35		6.60	25.60	19.00	0.60
	incl	22.60	25.60	3.00	1.86
	incl	23.60	24.60	1.00	2.53
	and	45.60	55.60	10.00	0.73
	incl	46.60	47.60	1.00	1.38
SP-25-36		27.20	38.55	11.35	1.01
	incl	29.55	31.55	2.00	2.39
SP-25-37		19.75	35.75	16.00	1.13
	incl	22.75	26.75	4.00	2.15
	incl	24.75	25.75	1.00	3.50
SP-25-38		9.35	24.75	15.40	1.11
	incl	12.55	17.55	5.00	2.14
	incl	15.55	16.55	1.00	2.98
SP-25-39		30.30	50.30	20.00	0.26
	incl	42.30	43.30	1.00	0.84
SP-25-40		28.40	29.40	1.00	0.42
SP-25-41		27.20	29.40	2.20	0.51

 

Note: True widths estimated to be ~90% of reported core lengths.

The Company also completed two aggressive step-out drill holes, SP 25-40 and 41, located approximately 340 m and 190 m north of the South Pond deposit. Both holes intersected highly anomalous gold values confirming the continuation of gold mineralization to the north and highlighting the strong expansion potential to the system.

A further two holes (GB 25-67/68) were drilled beneath and approximately 25 m north along strike from previous announced NGB target (see Company news release dated September 10, 2025), where drill hole GB-25-63 intersected 5.46 g/t gold and 0.35% copper over 2.75 m, and 2.16 g/t gold and 1.09% copper over 3.00 m. The east-directed holes did not intersect significant mineralization, however, subsequent stripping and detailed mapping revealed steep east-dipping folding, which may explain the result. Bedrock sampling located approximately 100 m to the east-northeast returned assays of 31.35, 4.57, 2.56 and 1.19 g/t gold, coupled with high-grade copper results up to 3.22%, indicating that the mineralized horizon continues to the north. The area is currently being further sampled and mapped to better understand the zone prepare it for drilling in the future.

Stephen Stares, Company President and CEO, stated, "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 km-long gold-copper system on the same property. We are really excited to continue unlocking the Great Burnt Project's true potential."

Figure 1: Great Burnt Target Areas

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/272512_1fe1d6c8c4aab9f3_003full.jpg

Figure 2: South Pond Drilling Plan Map

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/272512_1fe1d6c8c4aab9f3_004full.jpg

Figure 3: South Pond Longitudinal Section

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/272512_bentonmap.jpg

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 its preparation.

QA/QC Protocols

Core and rock samples, including standards, blanks and duplicates, are submitted to Eastern Analytical Ltd., Springdale, Newfoundland for preparation and analysis. All samples were acquired by saw-cut (channels/drill core) with one-half submitted for assay and one-half retained for reference, or hand (rocks) and delivered, by Benton personnel, in sealed bags, to the Springdale lab of Eastern Analytical, which is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples are analyzed using Eastern's Au (Fire assay) @ 30g + ICP-34 method that delivers a 34-element package utilizing a 200 mg subsample totally dissolved in four acids and analyzed by ICP-OES analytical technique. Overlimits are analysed with Eastern's atomic absorption method, using a 0.200 g to 2.00 g of sample, digested with three acids. All reported assays are uncut. Eastern Analytical Ltd. achieved ISO 17025 accreditation in February 2014 (for more details on the scope of accreditation visit the CALA website). Grab samples are selective in nature and may not represent the average mineralization of a bedrock exposure.

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 @ 3.21% Cu Indicated and 482,000 @ 2.35% Cu Inferred. The Project has an excellent geological setting covering 25km of strike and boasts six known Cu-Au-Ag zones over 15km that are all open for expansion. Further potential for discovery is excellent given the extensive number of untested geophysical targets and Cu-Au soil anomalies. Phase 1 and 2 drill programs returned impressive results including 25.42 m of 5.51% Cu, including 9.78 m of 8.31% Cu, and 1.00 m of 12.70% Cu. Drilling at the South Pond Gold Zone, approximately 7.5 km north of the Great Burnt Copper-Gold Zone, has confirmed a robust gold-mineralized system over 2.5 km with results of 74.20 m of 1.43g/t Au and 43.75 m of 1.62g/t Au and is open for expansion in all directions.

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.

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FAQ

What were the headline drill results from Benton Resources' South Pond on October 30, 2025 (BNTRF)?

Benton reported multiple wide shallow gold intercepts, including SP-25-35: 19.00 m @ 0.60 g/t Au with higher-grade internal intervals.

Do Benton step-out holes at South Pond extend mineralization north for BNTRF?

Yes; step-out holes SP-25-40 and SP-25-41 returned highly anomalous gold ~340 m and ~190 m north, indicating strike extension.

What high-grade surface results support Benton Resources' South Pond potential (BNTRF)?

Bedrock sampling returned grab assays up to 31.35 g/t Au and copper up to 3.22%, supporting high-grade potential.

Are copper/base metal assays from South Pond available for BNTRF?

No; chalcopyrite was observed but base metal assay results are still outstanding.

How long is the mineralized gold-copper horizon at Great Burnt near South Pond (BNTRF)?

The company reports a gold-copper horizon of approximately 2.7 km that remains open along strike.

What are Benton's near-term plans for the South Pond area (BNTRF)?

Benton plans additional drilling, detailed mapping and sampling to define continuity and prepare future drill targets.