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Benton and Sokoman Report First Drill Assay Results from the Kraken Pegmatite Field - Golden Hope Project, SW Newfoundland The 8.4 metre pegmatite dike averaged 0.95% Li2O with grades hitting a high of 1.76% Li2O

Drill Results

Benton and Sokoman Report First Drill Assay

Results from the Kraken Pegmatite Field -

Golden Hope Project, SW Newfoundland

The 8.4 metre pegmatite dike averaged 0.95% Li2O with grades

hitting a high of 1.76% Li2O

Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 24, 2022) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX)

("Benton") and Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SIC) (OTCQB: SICNF) ("Sokoman") together, ("the

Alliance") are pleased to report the first assay results from the 1,025 m reconnaissance drilling program,

that tested the recently discovered Kraken pegmatite field on the Golden Hope Joint Venture Property in

southwestern Newfoundland. The samples were cut from an 8.40 m wide (drilled thickness), spodumene-

bearing, pegmatite dike that returned the following assays:

Widths reported are believed to be 90% of true thickness

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/117981_8c6b5b92c4c7b816_003full.jpg

Assay values ranged from 0.08% to 1.76% Li

2

O reflecting variations of spodumene content,

and the presence of occasional barren wall rock or quartz vein inclusions, averaging 0.95%

Li

2

O over 8.40 m from 47.8 to 56.2 m.

Other pegmatite dikes ranging from 0.40 m to 2.30 m with

variable spodumene content were also intersected in hole GH-22-01 with assays pending. Gold analysis

results from the host sericite schist units carrying variable pyrite are also pending. All samples submitted,

1,165 including blanks and standards, for the remainder of GH-22-01 as well as for holes GH-22-02 to

06 are pending.

Golden Hope Project - Kraken Pegmatite Swarm Drilling/Sampling Update

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/117981_map1.png

The 1,025 m program focused on a 100 m by 150 m area in the vicinity of the initial discovery (see map),

which included more than 100 float and outcrop grab samples and composite chip samples, that

returned lithium values ranging from 0.05% to 2.37% Li

2

O. Multiple mineralized, spodumene-bearing

dikes were intersected in all drill holes ranging from less than 1.0 m to 8.40 m in drilled thickness (true

thicknesses believed to be 90% of drilled thickness), from surface to approximately 50 m vertically below

surface. The Kraken pegmatite field has been sampled over a strike length of 2,200 metres and an

apparent width of 1,200 metres, and historical assessment work reports pegmatite dikes exposed up to

6 kilometres along trend.

All samples have been shipped to Activation Laboratories in Ancaster, Ontario for multi-element analysis

including lithium, tantalum, cesium and other rare/critical metals by Sodium Peroxide Fusion ICPOES +

ICPMS. Gold will be analyzed by fire assay.

The property lies along the Bay d'Est fault system, a gold prospective fault structure in southern

Newfoundland that extends through the Sokoman/Benton licences. The Alliance continues to evaluate

historical data for significant gold and lithium mineralization and will restart ground prospecting and

follow-up exploration once weather conditions permit.

Benton's President and CEO Stephen Stares, states:

"The first drill hole drilled for lithium on the

Island of Newfoundland has confirmed good grades of lithium comparable to other lithium pegmatite

systems worldwide. We've barely scratched the surface of this extensive system and we're anxious to

get back on the ground, prosecting, sampling, mapping and drilling and completing more regional

exploration in general. Both companies are very well financed to execute our upcoming field season

plans. I'm confident that this summer will unveil excellent value for our shareholders."

Sokoman's President and CEO Tim Froude, comments:

"The Alliance is pleased with the first

assays from our recon drilling program at the Kraken pegmatite field. Our objectives for the program

were to establish significant lithium values to depth and to better understand the distribution and

orientation of the dikes - the results have confirmed our objectives, with grades reported comparing

favourably to many global lithium projects currently known. We wish to emphasize that we have just

scratched the surface with the exploration to date, and that we have extensive work ahead of us to

establish the limits of the dike swarm given that previous workers have reported pegmatites at least six

kilometres on trend from the area just drilled. The Alliance is purchasing a camp to facilitate a larger drill

program that will be put in place once we receive all required permits. In the meantime, as soon as

conditions allow, we will be prospecting and sampling the many reported dike occurrences beyond the

area already sampled to establish the true extent of the lithium-enriched dike swarm."

The Alliance has created a short video for this announcement.

Investors can watch it HERE

.

QP

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Froude, P. Geo., President and CEO of

Sokoman Minerals Corp. a 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101.

COVID-19 Protocols

To ensure a working environment that protects the health and safety of the staff and contractors, Benton

and Sokoman will continue to use best practices in the course of performing our work programs and will

follow any future federal or provincially mandated or recommended COVID-19 guidelines.

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 in Gold, Silver, Nickel, Copper, Lithium, and Platinum

Group Elements and currently holds large equity positions in other mining companies that are advancing

high-quality assets. Whenever possible, BEX retains Net Smelter Return (NSR) royalties for potential

long-term cash flow. In 2021, Benton entered into a 50/50 strategic alliance with Sokoman Minerals

Corp. (TSXV: SIC) through three large-scale joint-venture properties including Grey River Gold, Golden

Hope and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland that are now being explored.

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, that is targeting Dalradian-type orogenic gold

mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland, and Cononish in

Scotland. The company has also entered into a strategic alliance (the Alliance) with Benton Resources

Inc. through three large-scale joint-venture properties including Grey River Gold, Golden Hope and

Kepenkeck on the island of Newfoundland. Sokoman now controls independently and through the

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 district. Sokoman 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.

For further information, please contact:

CHF Capital Markets

Cathy Hume, CEO

Phone:

416-868-1079 x 251

Email:

[email protected]

Benton Resources Inc.

Stephen Stares, President & CEO

Phone:

807-475-7474

Email:

[email protected]

Sokoman Minerals Corp.

Timothy Froude, P. Geo., President & CEO

Phone:

709-765-1726

Email:

[email protected]

Website:

www.bentonresources.ca

,

www.sokomanmineralscorp.com

Twitter:

@BentonResources

,

@SokomanMinerals

Facebook:

@BentonResourcesBEX

,

@SokomanMinerals

LinkedIn:

@BentonResources

,

@SokomanMinerals

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 Alliance's

expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and

uncertainties related to the Alliance's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the

Alliance'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

Alliance 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 Alliance's expectations or

projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit

https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/117981