Platinum Exploration (PGM)

[kraftdinner]

Benton intersects 4.97 g/t TPM and 0.5% Cu over 3.4 m


2005-12-01 13:57 MT - News Release

Mr. Stephen Stares reports

BENTON FIND WIDE ZONES OF PGM'S AND COPPER ON BERMUDA 400 METRES NORTH OF MARATHON DEPOSIT

Benton Resources Corp. has received assay results from the first five diamond drill holes on its Bermuda-Bamoos property. The results show that the large local system of platinum group elements (PGE) and copper mineralization defined on the Marathon deposit to the south definitely continues northward onto the Bermuda-Bamoos property. Four holes, BO-05-01 to BO-05-04, were drilled approximately 50 metres north along strike from the Marathon deposit, with the best intersection coming from hole BO-05-04, which intersected 1.74 grams per tonne total precious metals (TPM) over 29.3 metres with 0.28 per cent copper, including 4.97 grams per tonne TPM and 0.5 per cent copper over 3.4 metres.

Benton Management believes that the most significant intersection from these first five holes comes from drill hole BO-05-05, which was drilled approximately 450 metres north of the Marathon deposit. Drill hole BO-05-05 cut multiple zones over very large widths, including 1.55 grams per tonne TPM over 8.4 metres with 0.16 per cent copper. A second zone assayed 0.62 gram per tonne TPM with 0.17 per cent copper over 10.3 metres. A third zone graded 0.49 gram per tonne TPM and 0.19 per cent copper over 177.5 metres, including 1.16 grams per tonne TPM and 0.43 per cent copper over 41.5 metres. Drill hole BO-05-05 is a very important discovery for the company, as it confirms that large PGE and copper zones are present at least 450 metres to the north and along strike from the Marathon deposit.

Benton currently has 19 holes completed and is very pleased with the success of the first few holes for which it has received assays. The intersections are comparable to the drilling results from Marathon PGM Corp.'s (MAR) Marathon deposit that has been drill defined to the boundary of the Bermuda property. Benton has identified surface PGE and copper mineralization along a strike length of 17 kilometres at Bermuda and Bamoos. The company will continue its extensive drill program well into 2006 in an effort to further outline PGE mineralization north of the Marathon deposit. The Marathon deposit currently has a drill delineated resource of 1.9 million ounces PGEs and 290 million pounds of copper (see Stockwatch news on Marathon, March 30, 2005).

Benton expects results from additional holes within the next two weeks. All samples were submitted to Accurassay Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Tables of the first five holes is listed below.

 
   
 HOLE   From   To   Width  Au    Pt    Pd  
 No.           (m)            (gp/t)  
  
 BO-05 
 -01    1.5   8.6   7.1  0.07  0.18  0.60  
       24.7   37.5 12.8  0.06  0.14  0.51    
 incl. 34.0   37.5  3.5  0.11  0.27  1.1    
       41.9   47.5  5.6  0.11  0.26  0.91     
  
 BO-05 
 -02    0.5   47.5  47.0 0.07  0.17  0.38    
 incl.  2.5    7.6   5.1 0.18  0.61  1.13    
  
 BO-05 
 -03    Volc.             nsv   nsv   nsv    
  
 BO-05 
 -04    3.0   32.3  29.3 0.12  0.32  1.30    
 incl. 19.8   23.2   3.4 0.33  0.75  3.89    
  
 BO-05 
 -05    5.3   13.7   8.4 0.10  0.25  1.20   
       20.9   31.2  10.3 0.08  0.11  0.43   
       63.25 240.8 177.5 0.053 0.08  0.35   
 incl. 63.25 104.7  41.5 0.13  0.17  0.86   
 Incl. 70.1   89.9  18.8 0.19  0.25  1.23 
  
  
 HOLE   From   To   Width   TPM   Cu 
 No.           (m)         (g/t)  (%) 
  
 BO-05 
 -01    1.5   8.6   7.1    0.85  0.40 
       24.7   37.5 12.8    0.71  0.27 
 incl. 34.0   37.5  3.5    1.38  0.53 
       41.9   47.5  5.6    1.3   0.33 
  
 BO-05 
 -02    0.5   47.5  47.0   0.62  0.26 
 incl.  2.5    7.6   5.1   1.92  0.37 
  
 BO-05 
 -03    Volc.              nsv   nsv 
  
 BO-05 
 -04    3.0   32.3  29.3   1.74  0.28 
 incl. 19.8   23.2   3.4   4.97  0.50 
  
 BO-05 
 -05    5.3   13.7   8.4   1.55  0.16 
       20.9   31.2  10.3   0.62  0.17 
       63.25 240.8 177.5   0.49  0.19 
 incl. 63.25 104.7  41.5   1.16  0.43 
 incl. 70.1   89.9  18.8   1.67  0.54 
 

Clinton Barr, PGeo, vice-president exploration for Benton Resources Corp., is the qualified person responsible for this release.