Sokoman and Benton Report Kraken Lithium Discovery Best Drill Intercepts to Date Soil sampling expands footprint.
Sokoman and Benton Report Kraken Lithium Discovery Best Drill Intercepts to
Date
Soil sampling expands footprint.
GH-22-27 cuts 15.23 m @ 1.04% Li2O; including 4.18 m @ 1.48% Li2O
St. John’s, NL - February 16, 2023 Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SIC) (OTCQB: SICNF)
(“Sokoman”) and Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) (“Benton”) together, (the “Alliance”) are
pleased to report the final assays from the Phase 3 drill program , completed in December 2022 , on
the Golden Hope Joint Venture. The drilling totalled 1,607 m in 11 drill holes including initial drilling
on the Killick Zone (see October 18, 2022, and November 30, 2022 news releases), the Kraken Dyke
and the Kraken West Dyke.
All three holes drilled at the Killick Zone (GH-22-25 to 27) gave the best lithium intersections on
the project to date as follows:
• GH-22-25 - multiple spodumene -bearing pegmatite dykes with 14.74 m of 0.64% Li 2O,
including 5.73 m of 0.92% Li2O
• GH-22-26, 26 m behind GH-22-25 - multiple spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes with 9.5
m of 1.08% Li2O, including 2.15 m of 2.01% Li2O
• GH-22-27, 30 m N of holes 25 and 26 along strike - 15.23 m of 1.04% Li2O, including 4.18
m of 1.48% Li2O and 2.98 m of 1.23% Li2O.
The Killick Zone remains open in all directions.
Six holes tested the Kraken Discovery Zone (see Figure 1) (see June 30, 2022 news release) with
three, GH-22-28, 29 , and 35 intersecting multiple spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes , including
2.10 m of 1.02% Li 2O in hole GH-22-28, 2.10 m of 1.18% Li 2O in hole GH-22-29 and 1.50 m of
1.25% Li2O in hole GH-22-35.
Two drill holes on the Kraken West Dyke and one hole on the Kraken Discovery Zone had no
visible spodumene, with only narrow (<1 m) pegmatite dykes in hole GH-22-30. A summary of the
results follows in Table 1, drill locations are shown in Figure 1, cross-sections in Figures 2 and 3 and
lithium-in-soil data in Figure 4.
Soil geochemistry continues to expand the overall footprint of potential lithium- (+/- cesium, tantalum
and rubidium) enriched dykes at least 2 ,000 m to the northeast of the known mineralization at the
Killick Zone (see Figure 4). Soil anomalies in lithium are of a similar tenor (less than detection limit
to 390 ppm Li) to those over known mineralization that have recently been received and are priority
prospecting targets for this spring.
A minimum 5,000 m Phase 4 drill program is planned to begin in early spring along with continued
prospecting, geological mapping, and soil geochemistry to continue through 2023.
Table 1 - Summary of Drill Results – Phase 3 drilling
DDH # Target From(m) To(m) Length(m)* Li2O %
GH-22-25 Killick Zone 31.43 34.40 2.97 0.74
and 59.32 74.06 14.74 0.64
incl 62.80 64.46 1.66 1.03
and 65.80 70.53 4.73 1.05
GH-22-26 Killick Zone 73.70 75.81 2.11 0.85
and 85.15 94.65 9.50 1.08
incl 91.25 93.40 2.15 2.01
GH-22-27 Killick Zone 26.82 42.05 15.23 1.04
incl 26.82 31.00 4.18 1.48
and 29.60 30.30 0.70 2.05
GH-22-28 Kraken
Discovery
Zone
4.39 15.36 10.97 0.32
incl 14.05 15.36 1.31 1.39
and 41.45 43.55 2.10 1.02
and 52.20 54.85 2.65 0.64
GH-22-29 Kraken
Discovery
Zone
36.30 38.40 2.10 1.18
and 57.50 59.00 1.50 1.38
GH-22-30 Kraken West
Dyke
NVS
GH-22-31 Kraken West
Dyke
NDI
GH-22-32 Kraken
Discovery
Zone
2.80 4.50 1.70 0.24
GH-22-33 Kraken
Discovery
Zone
NDI
GH-22-34 Kraken
Discovery
Zone
38.25 39.25 1.00 0.25
GH-22-35 Kraken
Discovery
Zone
85.40 90.65 5.25 0.55
incl 88.40 89.90 1.50 1.25
* Core lengths – true thickness believed to be 90% of core lengths
NVS – no visible spodumene
NDI – no dyke (pegmatite) intersected
Figure 1 - Golden Hope Project – Plan Map GH-22-25 to GH-22-35
Figure 2 - Killick Zone Drill Section 5299206N – Holes GH-22-25 and GH-22-26
Figure 3 - Killick Zone Drill Section 5299242N – Hole GH-22-27
Figure 4 - Golden Hope Project - Lithium in Soils Map
The Alliance has applied for a drill permit for the newly discovered Hydra Zone, where a cesium +/-
lithium/tantalum/rubidium-rich dyke was discovered in late 2022 , 12 km to the northeast of the
Kraken Dyke Swarm. Channel sampling of the dyke gave values of 1.20 m @ 8.76% Cs2O, 0.405%
Li2O, 0.025% Ta 2O5, and 0.33% Rb 2O incl. 0.40 m @ 13.57% Cs2O, 0.316% Li 2O, 0.012%
Ta2O5, and 0.38% Rb2O. Recent cesium, lithium, tantalum, and rubidium results extend the cesium-
rich dyke(s) to at least a 60 m strike length, remaining open to the north, south, and to depth. Results
of three grab samples of coarse-grained pegmatite, located up to 40 m to the north of the channel
samples, ranged from 133 to 4 ,210 ppm Cs, 53 to 852 ppm Li, 71 to 98 ppm Ta , and 201 to 3 ,410
ppm Rb.
Tim Froude, President and CEO of Sokoman, says: “We are very pleased with the latest results
from the Golden Hope JV. Killick is turning into an interesting and higher-grade zone and combined
with the soil geochemical results, this means we still do not know the full extent of the lithium and
other critical minerals poten tial on this property. It remains entirely possible that the best
mineralization may be as yet untouched, and we look forward to an exciting year at Golden Hope.”
Stephen Stares, President and CEO of Benton, says: “Benton is extremely pleased with the new
results, especially with the new Killick discovery , which is wide open for expansion in every
direction. To date, every drill program has been very successful and has provided excellent
information that continues to guide us into the next drill phase and exploration follow -up. We are
looking forward to our upcoming spring-summer program and the potential of our continued success
in discovering these critical metals.”
QA/QC Protocols
Rock and core samples are submitted to SGS Canada Inc. in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland for
preparation and then sent to the SGS Canada Inc. analytical laboratory in Burnaby, British Colombia.
All samples submitted were taken or saw cut by Sokoman personnel and delivered in sealed bags
directly to the Grand Falls-Windsor prep lab by Sokoman personnel. SGS Canada Inc. (SGS) is an
accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples are analyzed using
SGS’s GS_IMS91A50 method that delivers a 56-element package utilizing sodium peroxide fusion,
ICP-AES and ICP -MS analytical techniques. All reported assays are uncut. Soil samples were
collected by Sokoman/Benton personnel utilizing a standard Dutch -auger collecting B Horizon soil
where possible. Where B was not present, the material collected was noted. The soil samples were
sent to Eastern Analytical Ltd., in Springdale, NL, for Li, Ta, Sn and Nb assaying by a four -acid
digestion and analyzed by ICP-OES. Eastern Analytical Ltd. in February 2014 achieved ISO 17025
accreditation (for more details on the scope of accreditation visit the CALA website).
QP
This news release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President and CEO
of Sokoman Minerals Corp., and Stephen House, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Benton Resources Inc.,
both the 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101.
About Sokoman Minerals Corp.
Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company with projects in Newfoundland and
Labrador, Canada. The company’s primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects: flagship, 100%-
owned Moosehead, Crippleback Lake (optioned to Trans Canada Gold Corp.) and East Alder
(optioned to Canterra Minerals Corporation) along the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt, and the
district-scale Fleur de Lys project in northwestern Newfoundland, which is targeting Dalradian-type
orogenic gold mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland,
and Cononish in Scotland. The company also recently entered into a strategic alliance with Benton
Resources Inc. through three large-scale joint-venture properties including Grey River Gold, Golden
Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland. Sokoman now controls independently and through the
Benton alliance over 150,000 hectares (>6,000 claims – 1,500 sq. km), making it one of the largest
landholders in Newfoundland, Canada’s newest and rapidly-emerging gold districts. The company
also retains an interest in an early-stage antimony/gold project (Startrek) in Newfoundland, optioned
to White Metal Resources Inc., and in Labrador, the Company has a 100% interest in the Iron Horse
(Fe) project that has Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) potential.
About Benton Resources Inc.
Benton Resources Inc. is a well-funded 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 also recently entered into a 50/50 strategic alliance with Sokoman Minerals Inc. (TSXV: SIC)
through three large-scale joint-venture properties including Grey River Gold, Golden Hope, and
Kepenkeck in Newfoundland that are now being explored.
For further information, please contact:
Sokoman Minerals Corp.
Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President & CEO
Phone: 709-765-1726
Email: [email protected]
Benton Resources Inc.
Stephen Stares, President & CEO
Phone: 807-475-7474
Email: [email protected]
CHF Capital Markets
Thomas Do, IR Manager
Phone: 416-868-1079 x 232
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sokomanmineralscorp.com, www.bentonresources.ca
Twitter: @SokomanMinerals, @BentonResources
Facebook: @SokomanMinerals, @BentonResourcesBEX
LinkedIn: @SokomanMinerals, @BentonResources
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the potential for delays in exploration or d evelopment 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,
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