Benton Resources Corp. (TSX VENTURE:BTC) ("Benton") and Royal Roads Corp. (TSX
VENTURE:RRO) ("Royal Roads") (the "Companies") are pleased to announce that
diamond drilling has commenced at their Range Zone copper prospect within their
Long Range Nickel joint venture property in central Newfoundland. The program is
expected to consist of 1,150 metres of drilling in five holes designed to
further test a strong conductive anomaly detected by Geotech VTEM airborne
geophysical surveys in 2008. An initial test of the anomaly in October 2009
(press release dated November 3, 2009) returned a 37.80 metre intercept of
banded, semi-massive and massive sulphides averaging 0.39% copper and 0.032%
cobalt over an estimated true width of 29.11 metres. The program will test the
conductor's dip extents and 400 metre strike. The Companies believe the Range
Zone has potential to be a large sulphide accumulation that may host significant
grades of copper and other base metals. 


Background

The work is being undertaken as part of a $1.17 million 2010 program designed to
explore for nickel and copper sulphide deposits within an area recently
recognized to be prospective for magmatic sulphide deposits. The joint venture
controls six properties covering 381,500 hectares (381.5 km2) held as a 50/50
joint venture between Royal Roads and Benton, with Royal Roads as the operator.
The project is located close to infrastructure, including power lines and roads
that provide ready access to port facilities 40 kilometres to the west. The area
is considered receptive to mining, and is located 65 kilometres southwest of the
former mining center of Buchans. 


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. The
company currently has approximately $13 million in cash, owns approximately
36.3% interest in Coro Mining Corp (TSX.COP), holds an approximate 5% interest
in Marathon PGM Corp (TSX.MAR) and retains a 2% Net Smelter Royalty on the
northern portion of the Marathon PGM deposit. 


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 & Labrador. Acadian Mining
Corporation (ADA-TSX) owns 29.18% of Royal Roads. 


Clinton Barr (P.Geo.), V.P. Exploration for Benton Resources Corp., is the
qualified person responsible for this release.


On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Resources Corp.

Stephen Stares, President

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.