Benton Partners with Metals Creek to Acquire 6 Projects with Natural Hydrogen Potential in Newfoundland
Benton Partners with Metals Creek to Acquire
6 Projects with Natural Hydrogen Potential in
Newfoundland
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 25, 2026) -
Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX)
(the
"Companies" or "Benton") and Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (OTC Pink:
MCREF) (FSE: M1C1) (the "Companies" or "Metals Creek")
are pleased to announce that they
have jointly acquired through staking 6 potential natural white hydrogen projects located in
Newfoundland, Canada (the "Projects").
The Projects (see Figure 2) were selected and staked after extensive research of historical data in
areas of comparable geological settings to those that current hydrogen companies across the USA and
Canada are targeting.
Of particular interest is that 3 of the 6 projects have identified gas from historical drill holes or the surface
venting of gas. The Projects, all located on the west coast of Newfoundland, are hosted in geological
environments considered prospective for natural white hydrogen.
A total of
763 claim units
were staked
to acquire the mineral lands with geological characteristics that support the targeting potential.
Stephen Stares, President and CEO of Benton, stated, "While Benton is primarily focused on advancing
its Copper-Gold assets, there are times when unique opportunities allow management to act decisively
as an early mover. Partnering with Metals Creek enables the Companies to share relatively low-cost
exploration risk while maintaining meaningful upside, should even one of these projects lead to a
significant discovery of hydrogen or helium. In neighboring Nova Scotia, companies such as Quebec
Innovative Materials Corp. are already demonstrating success in exploring for natural hydrogen. We
believe Newfoundland's geological setting offers comparable potential for these emerging and highly
prospective discoveries."
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/289811_43f07ae4c48dfbb0_002full.jpg
Source:
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/aas-infographic-hydrogen-factories
Listed below are brief descriptions of the 6 projects acquired through staking.
Parson's Pond
A large sedimentary basin in a thrust fault system, with gas noted in historical drill holes near serpentine
and glauconite mineralization. In addition, gas venting at surface is documented in Newfoundland
government files. See:
https://gis.gov.nl.ca/mods/ModsCard.asp?NMINOString?temp=n&NMINOString=012I/04/Btm002
Cape St. Gregory
A large serpentinized ultramafic unit near documented structures and faults.
Bond Pond
15 historical drill holes noted, intensely sheared and serpentinized ultramafic intrusions and likely in
contact with fault structures within a sedimentary basin environment.
Deer Lake Basin
Explosive gas encountered in historical hole that flowed for a minimum of 12 months in uranium-thorium
rich basin environment. See:
https://gis.gov.nl.ca/mods/ModsCard.asp?NMINOString?temp=n&NMINOString=012H/03/Btm002
Bay St George
Gas noted in historical drilling. See:
https://www.gov.nl.ca/em/files/publications-energy-fwr-port-au-port-no-1-final-well-report-volume-2.pdf
Bay of Islands
A large serpentinite-bearing ultramafic unit near documented structures and faults.
At
Parson's Pond
(see Figure 1) research of the historical drill logs from two holes 14.2 km apart has
observed C1 methane gas levels reaching 72%. The area is underlain by thrust faulted rocks of the
Humber Arm Supergroup. Drill logs indicate unique sedimentary units composed of shales along with
sandstones, containing fragments of
serpentine
and
chrome
. Of particular interest is the presence of
mineral
glauconite
, which, combined with these geological indicators, suggests a highly prospective
environment for the potential formation
white hydrogen
(natural hydrogen) to form within the basin. The
presence of such high concentrations of methane alongside hydrogen indicators suggests a potentially
active gas system within the basin. In addition, surface areas have been noted to vent gas within the
project boundaries.
(Ref NALCOR ENERGY - OIL AND GAS INC FINAL HOLE REPORT For Nalcor Energy et al SEAMUS #1
https://www.gov.nl.ca/em/files/publications-
energy-nalcorseamusfwr.pdf
and
NALCOR ENERGY - OIL AND GAS INC FINAL HOLE REPORT For Nalcor Energy et al Finnegan #1
https://www.gov.nl.ca/em/files/FinniganFWR.pdf
).
Figure 1: Parson's Pond Regional Cross Section/Geology and Hole Location (Seamus & Finnigan)
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/289811_43f07ae4c48dfbb0_003full.jpg
Source: NALCO Energy - Oil and Gas Inc. Final Well Report for Nalcor Energy et al FINNIGAN #1 & NALCO Energy - Oil and Gas Inc. Final Well
Report for Nalcor Energy et al SEAMUS #1.
Figure 2: Project Location Map
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/289811_43f07ae4c48dfbb0_004full.jpg
Source: Newfoundland. Geological Survey of Canada, "A" Series Map, 1678A.
https://doi.org/10.4095/126990
.
Please note that the presence of gas or methane on these staked projects or gas discovered on
adjacent properties does not guarantee the presence of hydrogen or helium. Further studies are
required to validate their presence.
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 15 km 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.
For further information, please contact:
Stephen Stares, President & CEO
Phone:
807-474-9020
Email:
Nick Konkin, Investor Relations
Phone
: 647-249-9298 ext. 322
:
Website:
www.bentonresources.ca
Twitter:
@BentonResources
Facebook:
@BentonResourcesBEX
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