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Message: Benton & Royal Roads Intersect Nickel-Copper Sulphides

Benton & Royal Roads Intersect Nickel-Copper Sulphides

posted on Nov 18, 2009 10:34AM

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO--(Nov. 18, 2009) - Benton Resources Corp. ((TSX VENTURE:BTC) ("Benton") and Royal Roads Corp. (TSX VENTURE:RRO) ("Royal Roads") announced results from a recently completed four-hole diamond drilling program designed to test the recently discovered Portage Nickel-Sulphide Prospect on the Long Range property in central Newfoundland. The 265 metre program was undertaken as a shallow test of trenched bedrock mineralization where recent sampling returned assays up to 2.70% nickel, 0.58% copper and 0.24% cobalt in grab samples, as well as sawed channel samples assaying up to 2.18% nickel, 0.19% copper and 0.11% cobalt over 1.0 metre. Three of the holes intersected mineralization including an intersection of 1.36% nickel, 0.36% copper and 0.039% cobalt over a 1 metre core length. Highlight assay results for these three holes are presented in the table below. Assay results for the fourth hole are not yet available, but are not anticipated to return significant base metal mineralization.




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Intercept
From Width
Hole (m) To (m) (m) Cu% Ni% Co%
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LR-09-03 12.0 24.0 12.0 0.13 0.31 0.016
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Including 23.2 24.0 0.8 0.35 0.93 0.043
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LR-09-04 10.0 22.0 12.0 0.22 0.44 0.016
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Including 14.0 20.0 6.0 0.27 0.63 0.021
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Including 18.0 18.5 0.5 0.28 1.00 0.027
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Including 18.5 19.0 0.5 0.44 1.72 0.050
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LR-09-05 3.5 11.5 8.0 0.20 0.21 0.006
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The drill program targeted mineralized gabbro containing 5 to 15% disseminated sulphides and a 10 to 15 centimetre thick sulphide-rich band with approximately 30-40% pyrrhotite and pentlandite and lesser chalcopyrite exposed by recent trenching. Sawed channel samples taken across the sulphide-rich band including adjacent gabbro returned assays of up to 2.18% nickel, 0.19% copper, and 0.11% cobalt over 1 metre, while a grab sample of the band assayed 2.70% nickel, 0.58% copper and 0.24% cobalt. Channel samples taken from adjacent gabbro also returned favourable assays, including 0.40% nickel, 0.19% copper, and 0.17% cobalt over 1 metre. The sulphide-rich band was exposed over a minimum strike length of 5 metres and likely continues under overburden to the east and west. This band is also believed to be correlative with a weak VTEM conductive anomaly estimated to have a minimum strike length of 200 metres. This anomaly is considered to be more extensive than previously defined, as the conductor appears to be screened by conductivity associated with overhead power lines. Please visit our website (www.royalroadscorp.ca) for a map and photographs of the mineralization exposed in the trench.

Interpretation of the drill results suggest the sulphide-rich band represents one of several sulphide-rich segregations within the gabbro as similar sections of sulphide-rich gabbro were intersected in hole LR-09-03 between 23.2 and 24.0 metres, and in hole LR-09-04 between 18.0 and 19.0 metres. Each of the four holes was drilled along a single section line. Hole LR-09-03, was drilled at an angle of 45 degrees towards azimuth 315 degrees and collared 55 metres southeast of the mineralized zone. LR-09-04 was drilled at an angle of 45 degrees towards azimuth 135 degrees, and collared 16 metres northwest of the targeted mineralized zone. Hole LR-09-05 was drilled vertically into the mineralized zone, but was unsuccessful in coring the sulphide-rich band as the bedrock was found to be too oxidized and crumbly to allow recovery in core. Hole LR-09-06 was collared vertically, 20 metres southeast of the zone and intersected only weakly mineralized gabbro (assays pending).

Management's Opinion

Will Felderhof, President and CEO of Royal Roads stated, "We are very excited about these initial drill results as we believe the style and tenor of the mineralization in these drill intercepts, and channel samples may reflect nickel mineralization high up in a magmatic nickel sulphide system similar to the Voisey-Bay deposit, except in much younger rocks. This points to a potential massive sulphide deposit at depth which according to the accepted model should show higher nickel tenors. In addition to targeting a potential high grade underground deposit, further drill programs will test for a potential bulk tonnage style of deposit somewhat similar to the Aguablanca deposit being mined by Lundin Mining in Spain. The gabbro body being explored has never been explored before and measures approximately 20 km by 5 km. We think this is a very exciting development and look forward to continuing the exploration effort on this new discovery."

Future Exploration

Royal Roads and Benton are encouraged by these initial results from the Portage Nickel prospect and are currently planning further exploration work consisting of, line cutting and deep-seeking, electromagnetic geophysical surveys over the Portage Nickel prospect and surrounding area to explore for accumulations of nickel-rich massive sulphides. This work is expected to commence later this month and will likely extend into 2010. The Companies are also planning a comprehensive exploration program for 2010 that will include additional diamond drilling of the Portage Nickel prospect and adjacent conductive anomalies as well as further drilling to test the joint venture's Range Zone discovery where the companies recently intersected semi-massive to massive sulphides assaying 0.39% copper and 0.032% cobalt over 29.11 m (estimated true width). The Companies also anticipate undertaking airborne geophysical surveys over recently staked properties comprising over 180 km2 in five additional properties covering other nearby prospective gabbro bodies. Details will be released once programs and budgets have been finalized.

Background

The Long Range joint venture controls 1,674 map staked claims in central Newfoundland covering an area of 41,850 hectares (418.5 km2). The project was acquired to explore for magmatic nickel-copper sulphide deposits within a previously unexplored area, recently recognized to be prospective for magmatic sulphide deposits. The project is well situated with ready access to a paved highway, power and port facilities. The project is a 50/50 joint venture between Royal Roads and Benton with Royal Roads as the operator. Portions of the property are subject to net smelter royalties of up to 2%, of which 1% can be purchased for $1 million and are also subject to underlying option agreements requiring cash payments and share issuances for the joint venture to earn a 100% interest.

Qualified Person

Paul Moore, M.Sc., P.Geo., (NL), Royal Road's Vice President of Exploration, is acting as Qualified Person in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 with respect to this release and has reviewed the contents for accuracy. The drilling program was supervised by David Butler, B.Sc. (Hons), P. Geo (NL), Royal Roads' Exploration Manager. Logging, sampling and assaying procedures were completed as per Royal Roads' QA/QC protocols as described in Royal Roads' press release dated February 27th, 2007. All assays were completed by Eastern Analytical Limited of Springdale, Newfoundland by the ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy) method (ICP-11) and Ore Grade Assay for Ni, Cu and Co by the atomic absorption (AA) method. Gold assays were completed by standard 1/2 assay ton fire assay using the AA method. Appropriate QA/QC protocols were applied, including duplicate analyses and monitoring of assay results through the insertion of control standards.

About Royal Roads

Royal Roads is a resource company based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and is primarily focused on exploring and developing mineral properties in the famous historic Buchans mining camp in central Newfoundland, Canada. Acadian Mining Corporation (ADA-TSX) owns 29.18% of Royal Roads.

About Benton Resources

Benton is a Canadian based junior with multiple joint ventures and a diversified property portfolio in Gold, Nickel, Copper, and Platinum group elements which can be view on the company's web site post below. The company currently has approximately $15.0 million in cash, owns a 32.2% interest in Coro Mining Corp (TSX: COP.TO), holds an approximate 5% interest in Marathon PGM Corp (TSX: MAR.TO) and retains a 2% Net Smelter Royalty on the northern portion of the Marathon PGM deposit.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although Royal Roads and Benton (the "Companies") believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, they can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. The Companies caution that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond their control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what the Companies currently foresee. The Companies' forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.

INVESTOR COMMUNICATIONS:

Benton Resources Corp. utilizes the AGORACOM Investor Relations System. AGORACOM has created a Benton Resources Investor Relations Hub that allows both AGORACOM and management to communicate with investors anytime and in real-time, thus ensuring the fastest and most transparent method of information dissemination to our valued shareholders. In addition, investors are able to amalgamate and discuss information pertaining to Benton Resources in a monitored discussion environment, as well as, ask questions and receive answers pertaining to every facet of the company. Please click on the AGORACOM logo in order to be taken directly into the Benton Resources Investor Relations Hub. http://www.agoracom.com/ir/benton.

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

For more information, please contact

Royal Roads Corp
Will Felderhof
President & CEO
(902) 444-3637
Halifax, Nova Scotia

or

Royal Roads Corp.
David Felderhof
Vice-President
(902) 444-3637
Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.royalroadscorp.ca

or

Benton Resources Corp.
Stephen Stares
President & CEO
(807) 475-7474
(807) 475-7200 (FAX)
Thunder Bay, Ontario
www.bentonresources.ca

or

Benton Resources Corp.
611 Montreal Street
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 3P2

or

Investor Relations
AGORACOM Investor Relations
BTC@agoracom.com
http://agoracom.com/ir/benton

or

Clair Calvert
(204) 799-2086
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