Benton Resources - Drill Results Unveil Multi-Commodity Potential in Newfoundland

• Benton Resources is exploring the Great Burnt project in Newfoundland, focusing on copper-gold VMS deposits.
• Recent drilling results include 74+ meters at 1.4g/t gold, with 12,000m completed in first three phases and currently 3,500m into Phase Four.
• The Great Burnt Project includes 25km of favorable stratigraphy hosting six known occurrences and three deposits across 15km.
• The company employs advanced geophysics and new geological model targeting compressed sulfide zones, improving historical drilling approach.
• Benton Resources' additional assets include stake in Clean Air Metals and pending spinout of Vinland Lithium project backed by Piedmont Lithium.

Benton Resources (TSXV:BEX) represents an emerging exploration story in Newfoundland's mineral-rich terrain, where systematic exploration and modern geological understanding are breathing new life into historically identified mineralization. The company's flagship Great Burnt project combines copper and gold potential across a 25-kilometer strike length, with recent drilling results highlighting significant mineralization potential.

Unlocking Newfoundland's Copper-Gold Potential

The Great Burnt project benefits from excellent infrastructure, including nearby power dam facilities and road accessibility. Notably, the project area is free from significant environmental constraints such as towns, lakes, or rivers that might complicate future development. As CEO Stephen Stares notes:

"It's a perfect opportunity for a mining project. The geology has been compressed by folding and structurally complexed, but with a lot of detail mapping and logging of old core, we've put a model together that seems to be working very well for us."

The company has completed over 12,000 meters of drilling in its first three phases since acquiring the property less than a year ago, has completed 23 drill holes in its ongoing program at South Pond, and Phase 4 diamond drill program with 4 drill holes completed and the 5th drill hole underway. Recent results include intercepts of 74+ meters at 1.4 g/t gold, demonstrating the potential scale of the mineralized system. Benton's approach differs significantly from historical exploration efforts. Rather than simply drilling across stratigraphy, the company has developed a sophisticated model targeting compressed sulfide zones.

Interview with President & CEO, Stephen Stares

Geological Model & Exploration Strategy

The project is interpreted as a Besshi-type VMS system, though the relationship between the gold and VMS mineralization remains under investigation. The company's geological model accounts for post-depositional deformation, where original VMS deposits have been compressed and folded, creating ball-like masses with extending limbs. This understanding has proven crucial for effective targeting.

The project features two parallel zones: the East Zone (primarily gold) and the West Zone (primarily copper). While only two significant copper deposits have been identified to date, the gold horizon appears to extend for nearly 15 kilometers. Historical copper results include intervals of 13 meters at significant grades, and the deposit remains open at depth.

Recent Developments

The company's current focus includes:

• Expanding the known copper deposit beyond its current 850-meter depth
• Systematic exploration of the 3-kilometer gold trend
• Testing new geological concepts with vertical drilling to better understand mineralization geometry
• Advancing regional exploration across the broader 25-kilometer belt

Beyond Great Burnt, Benton maintains strategic investments including a significant shareholding and 0.5% royalty on Clean Air Metals' deposits, which has seen substantial share price appreciation, and a pending spinout of Vinland Lithium, supported by Piedmont Lithium.

The Investment Thesis for Benton Resources

• High-grade discovery potential: Recent drilling success (74+ meters at 1.4g Gold) suggests significant resource potential, with 25km of favorable stratigraphy still largely unexplored.
• Dual commodity exposure: Focus on both copper and gold provides natural hedge and multiple paths to value creation, particularly relevant in current market conditions.
• Near-term catalysts: Multiple pending drill results within 10 days and continuous news flow from ongoing 4,000-5,000m program provides frequent value inflection points.
• Strategic portfolio diversification: Investment in Clean Air Metals (PGM-Cu-Ni) and upcoming Vinland Lithium spin-out with Piedmont Lithium provides shareholders exposure to additional commodities and value drivers.
• Infrastructure advantage: Excellent existing infrastructure (power, roads) and minimal environmental concerns significantly reduce potential development costs and timeline.
• Resource definition timeline: Management's target to define initial gold resource within 12 months provides clear path to value creation and re-rating potential.
• Proven geological model: Besshi-type VMS system provides well-understood exploration framework, reducing technical risk and improving targeting efficiency.
• District-scale potential: With only 15km of 25km strike length explored, significant potential exists for additional discoveries beyond known deposits.
• Management execution: Rapid advancement since acquisition (12,000m+ drilling in under a year) demonstrates ability to efficiently deploy capital and advance projects.
• Jurisdictional advantage: Located in mining-friendly Newfoundland, with increasing major company interest in the region supporting potential future strategic opportunities.

Benton Resources represents an emerging exploration opportunity combining systematic technical approach, strategic asset positioning, and multiple near-term catalysts. The company's Great Burnt project offers exposure to both copper and gold through a well-structured exploration program, while additional assets provide diversification and potential catalysts through strategic investments and spinouts.

The best way to summarize the opportunity quoted from Benton Resources' CEO:

"I rarely see a company that's completed the amount of work that we have, with this amount of success we've had so I anticipate that success will continue as we unfold the treasures in this project."

With regular news flow expected from ongoing drilling and a clear path toward resource delineation, investors have multiple opportunities to assess and participate in the company's development trajectory. The combination of commodity exposure, jurisdiction, and execution strategy positions Benton as a noteworthy exploration story in the current market environment.

Macro Thematic Analysis

The Benton Resources story intersects with several compelling macro themes in the mining sector. First, the focus on copper aligns with growing demand from electrification and renewable energy infrastructure. The International Energy Agency projects copper demand for clean energy technologies could increase by up to 600% by 2040.

Gold exposure provides a hedge against monetary uncertainty and inflation concerns, while the company's lithium assets through the Vinland spinout offer exposure to the battery metals theme.

The project's location in Newfoundland positions it within a tier-one mining jurisdiction experiencing renewed exploration interest. Recent discoveries in the region have highlighted the potential for new interpretations of known mineralized systems.