Benton Intersects Copper-Rich Massive Sulfides in Early Drilling at Great Burnt Copper-Gold Project, Newfoundland

Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 16, 2023) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed 858m of drilling in 4 holes with all holes intersecting semi-massive and massive sulfides containing significant chalcopyrite mineralization at the Great Burnt Copper Project in Newfoundland. The first holes were designed for infill and expansion of the Great Burnt Main Deposit and has been extremely successful to date. Hole GB-23-01 through GB-23-04 were drilled from 3 drill set-ups over a 200m distance. Hole GB-23-01 was an infill hole to test the zone 12m updip from GB-18-05 and 20m downdip from GB-20-20 and intersected 12.30m of semi-massive/massive sulphide (from 69.05 to 72.30m, 82.75 to 87.10m, 90.00 to 94.05m and 95.05 to 95.70m). GB-23-02 intersected the zone 20m updip from GB-20-05 which cut 12.91m of semi-massive/massive sulphides from 162.89 to 175.80m. GB-23-03 intersected the zone 30m updip from GB-20-05 and cut 1.3m of semi-massive/massive sulphides from 158.00 to 158.60m and 154.80 to 155.50m. GB-23-04 intersected the zone 12m south from historical drill hole GB86 and intersected 16.6m of semi-massive/massive sulphides from 186.60 to 193.20m and 200.00 to 210.00m. Pictures containing significant chalcopyrite for holes GB 23-02 and GB 23-04 are included below and the Company also notes that wider sections of lower grade stringer mineralization was also encountered outside the semi-massive/massive zones. Drilling continues with GB 23-05 currently well underway.

Stephen Stares, President and CEO of the Company commented, "This is an exciting time for Benton and its shareholders, with the high demand for critical minerals and Piedmont Lithium helping us advance the Killick Lithium project in southwestern NL as well as the excellent start in expanding the high-grade zones at the Great Burnt Copper-Gold Project, we are well positioned for success on multiple fronts moving forward. We look forward to our assay results and providing continued updates as we progress through this program."

GB-23-02

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GB-23-04

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Great Burnt Copper-Gold Project

The Great Burnt Main Zone has an NI 43-101 compliant resource prepared in 2022 for Spruce Ridge Resources Ltd. by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. of 667,000 Tonnes (47.2 Mlb) Cu at 3.21% (indicated) and 482,000 Tonnes (25.0 Mlb) Cu at 2.35% (inferred), contained within mining lease 211(10210M). The Copper resource remains open to the south and at depth. Highlights of the drill programs to date include:

• GB20-05: 27.20 m of 8.06% Cu, including 7.75 m of 16.88% Cu
• GB20-20: 22.75 m of 6.89% Cu, including 12.55 m of 10.59% Cu
• GB18-05: 20.94 m of 6.21% Cu, including 6.98 m of 10.71% Cu
• GB18-06: 9.97 m of 7.45% Cu, including 5.03 m of 11.42% Cu
• GB16-08: 7.50 m of 9.45% Cu, including 3.00 m of 19.30% Cu
• GB16-09: 5.75 m of 6.68% Cu, including 1.50 m of 11.70% Cu

Exploration at the South Pond Zone has identified potential for both copper and gold along several kilometers of strike. Highlights of the 2021 drill program include:

• SP21-01: 1.69g/t Au over 51.00 m, including 3.19g/t Au over 11.00 m, within 10 m of surface
• SP21-03: 2.36g/t Au over 15.00 m, including 11.33g/t Au over 1.00 m
• SP21-08: 1.75g/t Au over 21.20 m, including 2.82g/t Au over 10.20 m
• SP21-11: 1.34g/t Au over 17.60 m, including 2.48g/t Au over 4.20 m
• SP21-14: 2.06g/t Au over 21.00 m
• SP21-16: 1.72g/t Au over 10.00 m

Note: Widths quoted are true core length, true widths are estimated at approximately 70% of core lengths

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 it's preparation.

About Benton Resources Inc.

Benton Resources is a well-financed mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BEX. Following a project generation business model, Benton has a diversified, highly prospective property portfolio of gold, silver, nickel, copper, platinum group elements and, most recently, lithium and cesium assets. In addition, it currently 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 also a 50/50 partner in a strategic alliance with Sokoman Minerals Corp. through three large-scale joint-venture properties, including Grey River Gold, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland.

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.

For further information, please contact:

Stephen Stares, President & CEO
Phone: 807-475-7474
Email: sstares@bentonresources.ca

Website: www.bentonresources.ca
Twitter: @BentonResources
Facebook: @BentonResourcesBEX

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.

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