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Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 8, 2025) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has discovered additional new areas containing gold values from grab samples returning < 5 ppm up to 10.8 g/t Au (gold), along with multiple occurrences of massive sulphides in local float and bedrock with high anomalous gold up to 0.63g/tAu (see Figure 1).

These new findings indicate an elevated precious metal endowment in the massive sulphides similar to other massive sulphide deposits within the Tulks Volcanic Belt of the Victoria Lake Supergroup. Base metal values for the latest sampling are expected in the next two weeks as further prospecting, sampling and mapping continues over the large property. These new results compliment the Company's recent releases, including:

• Rickirb gold zone (see Company news release dated November 28, 2024) with grab samples up to 6.41 g/tAu
• The Trinity Base MetalZone (see Company news release dated June 5, 2025) with grab samples returning assays up to 14.6% Zn (zinc), 1.31% Pb (lead), 2.53% Cu (copper) and 68.7 g/t Ag (silver) and 0.17 g/t Au.

The Company is permitting for trenching work to expose any new zones and areas of interest for mapping and channel sampling in preparation for drilling later in the season.

The Company acquired the Dominion Project in 2024 after a large parcel of land became available for staking and is pleased to announce that it has now entered a fourth purchase agreement with local prospectors to increase its prospective land position.

Subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, the Company will acquire one (1) claim encompassing 11 units (the Property) by making a one-time payment to arm's-length vendors of $10,000 cash and 240,000 Company common shares for a 100% interest in the Property subject to a 2% NSR (net smelter royalty) whereby Benton can buy back one-half (1%) for $1 million at anytime. No finders' fees were paid by the Company for the acquisition of the Property described above.

In addition, the Company has amended the recently announced purchase agreement with Puddle Pond Resources whereby one of the claims purchased had a previous undisclosed outstanding NSR agreement with Alexander and Margret Duffitt (the "Duffitt's") on claim licence number 27481M (the "Duffitt Claim"). The agreement was amended so that the Duffitt's will retain a 1.5% NSR and Puddle Pond will retain a 0.5% net smelter royalty on the Duffitt Claim. Benton shall have the right to purchase from Puddle Pond, one-half of Puddle Pond's NSR (0.25% of the 0.5%) and one-half (0.5% of the 1% NSR) on the original claims by paying the Puddle Pond $500,000. All other terms remain the same.

Figure 1: Regional Compilation and Mineral Occurrence Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/258086_e73a63d0c416d9de_002full.jpg

The Company would also like to announce that it has started a large soil sampling program to cover the southern 12 km of trend on the Great Burnt Project. The program will consist of 3000 samples covering excellent geology that is similar to that of the Company's Great Burnt Copper deposit and South Pond Copper Gold deposit. Prospecting and Mapping will also be conducted throughout the summer and drilling on the project is expected to recommence it the next few weeks. Updates from the exploration efforts will be released when received and compiled.

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.

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). Grab samples are selective in nature and may not represent the average mineralization of a bedrock exposure.

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 25km of strike and boasts six known Cu-Au-Ag zones over 15km 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 and 2 drill programs returned impressive results including 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.

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