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Jun. 4, 2009 (TheNewswire.ca) --
Benton Resources Corp (BTC: TSX.V, "Benton" or "the Company") is pleased to release to following updates on the Company's projects.
Benton and Golden Harp Resources Inc. (TSXV:GHR) have started the first phase of exploration on the Block A option ground located 30 km west of Gowganda, Ontario. A seven hole, 1625 meter drill program has recently been completed to verify historical gold mineralization as well as test the down dip and southeast strike extension of the Cook Zone. The Cook Zone, first discovered in the 1930's, is hosted within silicified and carbonate altered mafic and ultramafic volcanic rocks that have been intruded by altered felsic porphyry dykes. The zone has been subject to several past diamond drilling campaigns that have intersected significant gold mineralization from several sub-parallel zones. Some of the better down hole drill intersections include 54.2 gpt Au (gram per tonne gold) over 4.0m (metres) in hole B-04 and 5.71 gpt Au over 4.6m in hole B-06 drilled in 1952 by Bessey Mining Syndicate; 5.4 gpt Au over 7.6m (hole T-14) drilled in 1953 by Tenendo Mining; 10.6 gpt Au over 3.1m (hole ORC-01) drilled by Orcana in the 1980's; and 2.7 gpt Au over 13m (KC-12) drilled by KRL Resources in 1995. In addition to the diamond drill program, a 41 km grid has been established and ground geophysics, mapping, soil sampling and prospecting are planned. The new grid extends southeast from the Cook Zone through to the MC Zone discovered by Golden Harp in 2008. The MC Zone, located 1.3 km east southeast of the Cook Zone, is hosted in a thick package of pyritic, green carbonate, albite and hematite altered ultramafic and mafic volcanic rocks. To date five holes have tested the MC Zone over a strike length of 220m. All holes intersected widespread anomalous gold mineralization with some of the better down hole mineralized intervals returning 44.0m of 0.89 gpt Au (including 2.0m of 4.01 gpt Au) from hole GH-025 and 9.0m of 3.6 gpt Au (including 2.0m grading 14.29 gpt Au) from hole GH-019. The results of the current exploration program will be followed up by a second phase diamond drill program as soon as the data is finalized and compiled.
In the Thunder Bay area, Benton has recently staked approximately 127 square km of land adjacent to and along strike from the new Magma Metals (OOTC:MMTDF) Pt-Pd-Cu-Ni (platinum-palladium-copper-nickel) discovery (see www.magmametals.com.au) known as the Thunder Bay North project (TBN). Recent multiple high grade drill results from TBN include intercepts up to 63.8 meters grading 5.66gpt Pt+Pd with significant Cu and Ni credits. Benton has identified several gabbro and or ultramafic units on their new adjacent ground which is now subject to further exploration including mapping and prospecting and sampling. One of Benton's new claim blocks named the Hele claims has been optioned to HTX Minerals Inc. ("HTX") whereby HTX can earn 100% by paying Benton $65,000 cash over 2 years subject to a 2% Net Smelter Royalty held by Benton. The Hele claims, which are non-core to the Company are comprised of 62 claim units located approximately 35 km northeast of the Magma discovery.
Southwest of Thunder Bay on the Saganaga Gold Project, a surface exploration program including grid establishment, ground geophysics (magnetics and induced polarization), prospecting and mapping is currently underway. The compiled data will then be used to prioritize targets for a diamond drill program anticipated to start later in the year.
In the Marathon area, a second phase diamond drilling program to follow-up untested VTEM anomalies on the Goodchild Ni-Cu property is scheduled to begin within the next few weeks. The program is funded by Benton's joint venture (J.V.) partner Stillwater Mining (NYSE:SWC) Corp.
Further updates will be given shortly on the Kingurutik Lake Nickel Project currently under J.V. and operated by Teck Resources Limited, the Rex Lake Copper-Gold project under J.V. and operated by Puget Ventures Inc. (TSXV:PVS) and on the Portage Lake Nickel Project under J.V. and operated by Royal Roads Corp. (TSXV:RRO)
Benton has several 100% owned gold and base metal projects for which they are currently seeking joint venture partners. These properties can be viewed on the company's web site.
Benton currently has approximately $13.5 million in cash, owns a 34.3% interest in Coro Mining Corp (OOTC:CROJF) (TSX:COP) (TSX.COP), holds an approximate 5% interest in Marathon PGM Corp (TSX:MAR') (TSX:MAR) (TSX.MAR) and retains a 2% Net Smelter Royalty on the northern portion of the Marathon PGM deposit.
Clinton Barr (P.Geo.), V.P. Exploration for Benton Resources Corp. (TSXV:BTC) , is the qualified person responsible for this release.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Resources Corp.
"Stephen Stares"
Stephen Stares, President
THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.
For further information contact Stephen Stares @:
611 Montreal Street
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 3P2
Phone (807)475-7474
Fax (807)475-7200
www.bentonresources.com
Investor relations:
In Canada:
First Canadian Capital
Daniel Boase
Phone (416) 742 5600
Fax (416) 742 6410
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