Benton Resources Corp. ("Benton") (TSX VENTURE:BTC) and Platinum Group Metals
Ltd. ("PTM") (TSX:PTM)(NYSE Amex:PLG), based in Vancouver B.C and Johannesburg
South Africa, have signed a binding agreement (the "Agreement") which grants PTM
the exclusive right to earn up to a 75% interest in Benton's Bark Lake
platinum-palladium project. The property is comprised of 19 mineral claims
totaling 3,884 hectares and located approximately 120 kilometres west of Thunder
Bay, Ontario. Under the terms of the Agreement PTM must complete staged option
payments and work commitments totaling $145,000 cash, 215,000 shares and
$1,625,000 in exploration over a 7 year period. PTM has the option to earn the
final 5% (75% total) by completing a pre-feasibility study. The Agreement is
subject to regulatory approvals.


The Bark Lake property is host to platinum, palladium, copper and nickel
showings contained in mineralized ultramafic rock either in outcrop or
mineralized boulders. The mineralized occurrences are situated along the Quetico
Fault which is a major crustal-scale east west oriented structure. Recently
discovered new styles of PGM mineralization are located proximal to this
structure to the east. 


Of particular interest was the discovery of the semi-massive, net-textured
sulphide boulders measuring up to one cubic metre in size on the Bark Lake
Property. The boulders are angular, spread over a 200m distance, and believed to
be located proximal to source. Selective grab samples submitted for assay by
Benton personnel from the boulders returned grades including 5.84 grams per
tonne 3 PGM, 2.65gpt platinum, 1.46gpt palladium, 0.73gpt gold, 1.21% copper,
1.55% nickel. Benton completed several exploration programs on the property that
included grid establishment, aeromagnetics, ground magnetics, ground IP,
geological mapping, prospecting, and limited shallow diamond drilling. Although
the source of the mineralized boulders has not been determined the work programs
did identify a small ultramafic intrusion to the north where two shallow drill
holes intersected anomalous platinum, palladium, and gold. The platinum
palladium ratio exceeding 1:1 is also noteworthy in the new deposit model.


About Benton

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 $17.2 million in cash, owns approximately
55.37 million shares and 2.43 million warrants in Coro Mining Corp. (TSX:COP),
holds approximately 348,000 shares of Stillwater Mining Company (NYSE:SWC),
holds 782,500 shares in Marathon Gold Corp. (TSX:MOZ), holds 1.6 million shares
in Puget Ventures (TSX VENTURE:PVS), holds 4 million shares of Mineral Mountain
Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:MMV), and holds 815,000 shares of Bell Copper
Corporation (TSX VENTURE:BCU).


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


About Platinum Group Metals 

Platinum Group Metals (TSX:PTM)(NYSE Amex:PLG) is an experienced company in
platinum group metals exploration and development. Platinum Group is in
construction of a 275,000 ounce per year platinum mine in South Africa. Platinum
Group Metals started as a Canadian explorer for PGMs and continues to hold a
significant mineral rights position in the Thunder Bay region near the North
American Palladium Mine.


R. Michael Jones President of Platinum Group Metals said from Johannesburg, "As
we focus on our platinum mine construction in Africa it is exciting to become
active once more in our original exploration camp, where Platinum Group Metals
was created, at a time when a new deposit model has emerged as an exploration
target".


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.