Interview with Stephen Stares, President & CEO of Benton Resources Inc.

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/benton-resources-tsxvbex-raising-funds-drilling-copper-gold-project-5787

Recording date: 18th October 2024

Benton Resources (TSXV:BEX) is advancing a compelling copper-gold exploration story at its Great Burnt project in Newfoundland, where recent drilling has intersected significant mineralization including 74+ meters at 1.4 g/t gold. The company's systematic approach and understanding of the structural complexity is unlocking value in a historically explored area.

The project boasts several key advantages that position it favorably for development:
Infrastructure: Located near power facilities with excellent road access
Scale: 25 kilometers of prospective stratigraphy containing six known occurrences and three deposits
Clean footprint: Minimal environmental constraints with no towns, lakes, or rivers directly impacting the ore zones
Technical approach: Advanced geophysics and new geological modeling improving targeting success

In less than a year of ownership, Benton has completed over 12,000 meters of drilling across three phases, with an additional 3,500 meters currently underway in phase four. The company's exploration strategy differs significantly from historical approaches by targeting compressed sulfide zones using detailed magnetic surveys and structural interpretation.

The Great Burnt project features two parallel zones - the East Zone (primarily gold) and the West Zone (primarily copper). While copper mineralization has been identified in two main deposits, the gold horizon extends for nearly 15 kilometers, offering substantial exploration potential. The company aims to delineate a gold resource within the next 12 months, focusing on open-pit potential in the top 50-60 meters.

Beyond the flagship project, Benton offers additional value drivers through major shareholding in Clean Air Metals (share price appreciation from 3¢ to 78¢) with 0.5% royalty on Clean Air Metals' deposits, and pending spinout of Vinland Lithium project, backed by Piedmont Lithium. Near-term catalysts include:
Ongoing drill results expected within 10 days
Continued systematic testing of the 3-kilometer gold trend
Vinland Lithium spinout anticipated before year-end
Expansion of known copper deposit beyond current 850-meter depth

CEO Stephen Stares emphasizes the project's potential: "I rarely see a company that's completed the amount of work that we had with this amount of success so I anticipate that success will continue as we unfold the treasures in this project." The investment opportunity is underpinned by exposure to both precious and base metals in a tier-one jurisdiction, with regular news flow expected from ongoing drilling. The systematic exploration approach, combined with strategic assets and near-term catalysts, positions Benton as a noteworthy junior explorer in the current market.

The company's focus on open-pit potential in the initial 50-60 meters demonstrates a practical approach to future development scenarios, while deeper exploration success could provide additional upside. With multiple work programs underway and a clear path toward resource delineation, investors have several opportunities to assess and participate in the company's development trajectory.

View Benton Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/benton-resources-inc

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