Benton Identifies Deep Electro-Magnetic Anomaly on the Great Burnt Copper Deposit and Continues to Intersect Significant Gold in Drilling at South Pond
Deep geophysical conductor identified which could substantially expand the Great Burnt Copper deposit to 1.1 km in length;
Excellent intercepts of gold at South Pond Area over 1.7 km with many results outstanding for Gold which could extend the zone to 2.3 km in length which remains open north and south;
Copper grades up to 3.48% with 2.21g/t Au over 0.90 m at South Pond Copper Zone along with high grade zones of 3.00 m grading 6.42g/t Au including 1.00 m of 15.72g/t Au with base metals pending;
New targets of Copper, Gold, Nickel and Zinc continuing to be identified for exploration follow up;
Large Nickel target outlined associated with a Magnetic Anomaly, untested EM conductors, large soil anomaly, up to 0.23% Ni in grab samples; and
A further 15,000 m drill program being planned for remaining 2024-2025.
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 26, 2024) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the identification of an off-hole electro-magnetic conductor situated just below its deepest and southernmost drill hole, GB 24-48. If drilling successfully intersects copper-rich massive sulphides, the Company could substantially extend the Great Burnt Copper Deposit ("GBCD") strike length from its current 850 m to 1,050 m. The Company is planning immediate follow up drilling in the coming weeks to test the new anomaly. In the past 12 months, the Company has conducted extensive exploration extending and upgrading the GBCD with excellent drill results stated below:
Highlighted drilling from 2023-2024 programs:
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% intersecting copper rich massive sulfide this will 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, 82.00g/t Ag, 4.43g/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
South Pond Gold Zone ("SPGZ") South Pond Copper Zone ("SPCZ")
The Company is also pleased to announce that drilling has extended the SPGZ gold mineralization in drilling to over 1.7 km strike length, with the zone remaining wide open to the north and south.
Located approximately 8 km north of the Great Burnt Lake Copper deposit, the SPGZ lies within a 3 km gold horizon which continues to yield wide gold intervals over substantial strike lengths. The Company remains optimistic about the area and is currently evaluating whether the large gold- bearing structure represents a continuous unit or a series of shallow plunging lenses. This will continue to be tested with several short drill holes.
Highlights from the SPGZ include 19.75 m grading 1.42g/t Au including 4.00 m of 3.08g/t Au in SP 24-13 and 22.50 m of 1.24g/t Au in SP 24-15 (See Figure 1, 2).
New higher grades from the far north at SPMZ indicate potential for higher grade lenses such as SP 24-23 which cut 3.00 m grading 6.42g/t Au including 1.00 m of 15.72g/t Au.
Results for SP 24-24 to SP 24-30 are expected shortly which could extend the SPGZ horizon to >2.3 km in strike.
Prior to this release, the SPGZ horizon has returned very significant intercepts including:
Hole SP-24-07 which intersected 74.20 m of 1.43g/t Au;
Hole SP-24-03 which intersected 43.75 m grading 1.62g/t Au;
SP-24-09also intersected 1.48g/t Au over 24.00 m, incl 3.09g/t Au over 2.00 m; and
Hole SP-24-10 cut two zones which returned1.04g/t Au over 20.00 m, incl 3.62g/t Au over 2.00 m in the upper zone and a lower zone of 1.54g/t Au over 25.00 m, incl 2.41g/t Au over 7.00 m, incl 5.74g/t Au over 1.00 m.
These current results confirm a robust gold-mineralized system at South Pond which compliment the earlier results.
The Company has diligently developed a robust exploration model to guide ongoing work at the GBCD and the SPGZ deposits. This model, informed by focused field geological mapping, ground magnetics surveying, EM surveys, and geophysical interpretations, was collaboratively developed by Benton personnel and consulting geoscientists Mike Cooley and Alan King.
The new geological and geophysical model indicates that the mineralized sequence is structurally thickened due to folding and/or faulting. This result has created a near-surface zone of thicker mineralization that may be amenable to shallow open-pit mining methods. Notably, all intersections to date at SPGZ have been shallow and less than 100 m from surface.
All holes have intersected significant mineralization and thicknesses with drill core being cut and delivered to Eastern Analytical on a regular basis.
A table of the results to date are listed below showing the mineralized zone. (see Table 1, Figure 2).
Table 1: South Pond Drill Results
DDH #
From (m)
To (m)
Length (m)
Au (g/t)
Cu (%)
SP-24-05
7.00
21.00
14.00
0.27
0.52
incl
7.00
10.30
3.30
0.75
0.91
incl
7.00
8.00
1.00
1.12
1.74
SP-24-06
21.90
32.30
10.40
0.44
0.67
incl
28.70
29.60
0.90
2.21
3.48
SP-24-13
3.25
23.00
19.75
1.42
incl
10.00
14.00
4.00
3.08
incl
12.00
13.00
1.00
5.30
SP-24-14
74.83
83.00
8.17
0.57
incl
80.00
81.00
1.00
1.09
SP-24-15
36.40
58.90
22.50
1.24
incl
41.40
45.40
4.00
2.08
SP-24-16
23.47
32.17
8.70
0.38
incl
31.50
32.17
0.67
1.19
SP-24-17
32.60
41.20
8.60
1.32
incl
36.60
38.60
2.00
2.10
and
50.05
59.30
9.25
0.47
SP-24-18
35.00
49.00
14.00
0.24
35.00
36.00
1.00
1.10
SP-24-19
64.70
65.30
0.60
1.05
SP-24-22
10.10
11.10
1.00
1.88
SP-24-23
59.75
66.50
6.75
2.90
incl
60.75
63.75
3.00
6.42
incl
60.75
61.75
1.00
15.72
Note: Widths quoted are true core length, at this early stage, further drilling is required to determine true width of mineralization
Futhermore, the Company would like to also report that is has identified a large Nickel anomaly that could be similar to that of First Atlantic Nickel, located 6 km to the East of the Great Burnt Project (see Figure 3). Soil sampling completed by Benton has identified a large nickel anomaly associated with a magnetic high, that continues for approximately 8 km. Limited rock sampling has identified a large ultramafic rock unit that graded from 0.13% Ni to 0.23% Ni. The magnetic anomaly is also in proximity to various EM conductors which are of interest to the company. Benton will plan diamond drilling on a few selected targets to evaluate its potential.
Benton has a 70% interest in the Great Burnt Copper-Gold Project and Homeland Nickel holds the remaining 30% where they are funding their respective interest with Benton as the operator.
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 25 km of strike and boasts six known Cu-Au-Ag zones over 15 km 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, 2 and 3 drill programs returned impressive results with 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.
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.
