Platinum Exploration (PGM)

[kraftdinner]

Benton cuts 3.11 g/t tpm over 11.6 m at Bermuda/Bamoos


2005-12-21 08:32 MT - News Release

Mr. Stephen Stares reports

BENTON INTERSECTS 3.11 GRAMS OVER 11.6 METRES ALONG STRIKE OF MARATHON DEPOSIT.

Benton Resources Corp. has released the results for a further five diamond drill holes on its Bermuda/Bamoos property. The results continue to show that the large system of PGE (platinum group elements) and copper mineralization defined on the Marathon deposit to the south continues northward onto the Bermuda/Bamoos property. The five holes, BO-05-06 to BO-05-10 inclusive, were drilled approximately 450 to 600 metres north along strike from the Marathon deposit. The best intersection was returned from drill hole BO-05-06, which undercut previously released BO-05-05. Hole BO-05-06 cut two zones of precious metal and copper mineralization with the upper zone grading 2.01 grams per tonne of total precious metals and 0.15 per cent copper over 6.1 metres, followed further downhole by a second higher-grade zone of 3.11 grams per tonne of total precious metals and 0.41 per cent copper over 11.6 metres. This lower intersection includes 8.66 grams per tonne of total precious metals and 0.38 per cent copper over 1.0 metre. The zones are open at depth and along strike.

A table of holes BO-06-05 to BO-05-10 inclusive is listed below.

 
  
 Hole     From    To Width   Au   Pt 
             m     m     m  gpt  gpt 
  
 BO-05-06 7.5   13.6   6.1 0.11 0.35 
 and      64.0  75.6  11.6 0.22 0.57 
 Incl.    74.6  75.6   1.0 0.47 1.86 
 BO-05-07 79.8  88.8   9.0 0.07 0.14 
 Incl.    85.6  88.8   3.2 0.11 0.25 
 BO-05-08 71.3 102.7  31.5 0.05 0.23 
 Incl.    73.3  79.4   6.1 0.09 0.58 
 BO-05-09 98.2 107.5   9.3 0.17 0.40 
 BO-05-10 33.6  44.4  10.8 0.16 0.44 
  
 Continued ... 
  
 Hole     From    To    Pd  tpm   Cu 
             m     m   gpt  gpt    % 
  
 BO-05-06 7.5   13.6  1.55 2.01 0.18 
 and      64.0  75.6  2.32 3.11 0.41 
 Incl.    74.6  75.6  6.33 8.66 0.38 
 BO-05-07 79.8  88.8  0.59 0.80 0.21 
 Incl.    85.6  88.8  1.03 1.39 0.07 
 BO-05-08 71.3 102.7  0.80 1.08 0.05 
 Incl.    73.3  79.4  1.41 2.08 0.08  
 BO-05-09 98.2 107.5  1.81 2.38 0.24  
 BO-05-10 33.6  44.4  1.69 2.29 0.53 
 

Benton currently has 19 holes completed on the Bamoos option and six new holes completed on the Four Dam Lake zone. Previous drilling at Four Dam Lake intersected 0.67 per cent copper over 65 metres with anomalous platinum group elements, nickel, cobalt and silver. The drill has been stopped for Christmas break and the company will resume in January. Benton is very pleased with the success of the first 10 holes for which it has received assays. The intersections continue to show good grades and widths in this very early stage of exploration. Benton has identified surface PGE and Cu mineralization along a strike length of 17 kilometres at the Bermuda/Bamoos project. The Marathon deposit has been drill defined to the boundary of the Bermuda property and currently has a drill delineated resource of 1.9 million ounces of PGEs and 290 million pounds of copper (see news issued in Stockwatch March 30, 2005).

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

Additionally, Benton is pleased to announce that the Windward Agency Corp. has been retained by the company to provide global investor relations services. Windward is a consulting company based in Charlotte, N.C., that specializes in expanding investor awareness for mining and energy based companies in North America and Europe. Windward will assist with introductions into strategic financial markets as well as enhancing communication efforts designed to improve overall communications within existing shareholder bases.

Windward will consult to the company on a month-to-month basis for an all-inclusive cash fee of $5,000 (U.S.) per month. The arrangement may be terminated by the company on 14 days notice in writing. Windward currently has no direct or indirect interest in the company nor does it have any rights to acquire an interest at a later date.

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

We seek Safe Harbor.