Benton Mobilizes Crews to Commence Regional Exploration and Prepares for Phase 3 Drill Program at Great Burnt Copper-Gold Project, Newfoundland

Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 16, 2024) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has mobilized a field crew to open the Great Burnt camp and commence regional prospecting and soil geochemical sampling.

In addition, Benton has executed a minimum 3,000 m drill contract with a local company, MCL Drilling from Deer Lake, NL, with crews expected to arrive in late May to start its Phase 3 drill program. Benton anticipates that the drill program will be increased substantially as it ramps up its exploration program.

The Phase 3 exploration program will consist of:

• Regional soil geochemical sampling, prospecting and geological mapping;
• Trenching, washing, mapping and channel sampling of the Great Burnt Main and South Pond Deposits;
• Trenching, washing, mapping and channel sampling an extensive number of regional targets;
• Drill testing the down plunge extents of the Great Burnt Main Deposit;
• Infill drilling on the Great Burnt Main Deposit;
• Drill testing the parallel plate conductor east of the Great Burnt Main Deposit;
• Drill testing the South Pond Deposit;
• Drill testing the South Pond B Gold zone;
• Mineral deposit studies and lithogeochemical investigations in conjunction with Memorial University;
• Structural geological mapping with experienced consulting geologist; and
• Ongoing interpretation of historic and new geophysical data to generate targets for additional work.

President and CEO Stephen Stares stated: "With copper prices hovering at all-time highs, this is truly an exciting time for us at Benton as this will be our first full season of exploration at Great Burnt, and we anticipate that the coming months will continue to show the true potential of this highly prospective copper project. We will continue to update shareholders on our progress as the exploration program ramps up as well as when drilling commences. The Company is well funded to complete up to 15,000 m of drilling on immediate targets, with plans to continue drilling based on continued success."

Highlights from Benton's first two phases of drilling include:

• GB-23-02: 13.00 m of 8.31% Cu, incl 3.00 m of 12.80% Cu
• GB-23-04: 26.87 m of 7.18% Cu, incl 11.16 m of 10.28% Cu
• GB-23-07: 12.30 m of 7.20% Cu, incl 7.00 m 10.60% Cu
• GB-23-12: 25.42 m of 5.51% Cu, incl 1.00 m of 8.77% Cu, 82.00 g/t Ag, 4.43 g/t Au
• GB-23-15: 22.59 m of 5.03% Cu, incl 0.50 m of 20.00% Cu
• GB-23-16: 13.67 m of 5.80% Cu, incl 1.00 m of 20.60% Cu
• GB-23-18: 8.17 m of 4.22% Cu, incl 7.05 m of 4.11% Cu
• GB-23-21: 24.00 m of 5.81% Cu, incl 7.00 m of 11.47% Cu
• GB-23-22: 21.68 m of 3.59% Cu, incl 2.00 m of 15.3% Cu
• GB-24-23: 7.00 m of 2.02% Cu, incl 4.00 m of 3.01% Cu
• GB-24-32: 11.29 m of 3.10% Cu, incl 6.63 m of 5.57% Cu
• GB-24-33: 20.92 m of 2.26% Cu, incl 2.98 m of 4.17% Cu
• GB-24-37: 18.10 m of 1.99% Cu, incl 4.50 m of 7.24% Cu

Note: Widths quoted are true core length, true widths are estimated at approximately 70% of core lengths

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).

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.

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.

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: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Iryna Zheliasko, Investor Relations
Phone: [phone] ext. 322
Email: [e-mail]

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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