Benton Resources Corp (TSX VENTURE:BTC) ("Benton" or "the Company") is pleased
to announce that the Company has signed a letter of intent to acquire a 100%
interest in the Melba gold project (the "property") from Nordex Explosives Ltd.
("Nordex"), subject to a 2-per-cent net smelter return royalty retained by
Nordex.


The property, which consists of 9 mining leases totaling 284 hectares, is
located in western Melba Township, approximately 20 kilometres north of Kirkland
Lake, Ontario. The property is situated between the Destor-Porcupine and the
Kirkland Lake-Larder Lake fault systems and gold mineralization on the property
is associated with northwest structures believed to be associated with the Ross
Fault, a major northwest structure associated with numerous gold deposits
including the former past producing Ross mine located 20 km to the northwest
near Ramore, Ontario.


Gold was first discovered on the property in 1934 and in 1937 an inclined shaft
was sunk on the main gold-bearing vein to a depth of 247 feet (75 metres) with
900 feet (274 metres) of lateral development completed on the 225 foot (69
metre) level. In 1939, Teck-Hughes completed a 4 ton bulk sample along 60 feet
(18.3 metres) of the main vein which returned 0.21 ounces per tonne (7.2 grams
per tonne) over an average width of 4.5 feet (1.4 metres). The property was
dormant from 1939 to 1959, when Pitchvein Mines Ltd. dewatered the shaft and
drilled 28 short underground drill holes from the 225 foot level. Significant
results from the underground drilling program are listed below:




   13.89 gpt Au over   7.2 metres (Hole A-60)
    7.55 gpt Au over 12.35 metres (Hole B-60)
    5.46 gpt Au over 14.85 metres (Hole C-60)
    4.42 gpt Au over  8.26 metres (Hole F-60)



Gold mineralization on the property is associated with quartz veins and
stringers hosted within sheared and altered diorite porphyry and brecciated
silicified sedimentary rocks. The drill hole information was obtained from MNDMF
assessment files and although the Company believes the information is relevant
and presented for information purposes only the reader is cautioned that the
data is historical and not compliant with current NI 43-101 standards.


The terms of a four-year option agreement, subject to the completion of Benton's
due diligence and receipt of regulatory approval, provides for staged payments
to Nordex totaling $450,000 and 700,000 shares. As well Benton shall complete
$500,000 in work commitments on the Melba property of which $200,000 must be
completed by the first anniversary and the remaining $300,000 completed by the
third anniversary of the closing date. After the completion of the cash
payments, the share issuances and the work commitments, Benton will have earned
a 100-per-cent interest in the Melba property, subject to a 2-per-cent net
smelter return royalty to be granted to Nordex, with a buyback privilege of
Benton of 1 per cent of the NSR from Nordex for $1-million. 


President Stephen Stares Comments "the historical results are exciting as there
appears to be limited previous work completed on the property. The acquisition
of the Melba property provides Benton the opportunity to explore a property with
significant gold mineralization in the Kirkland Lake-Timmins mining district. We
look forward to immediately initiating work on this project."


In addition Benton has terminated the Deloro option located near Timmins,
Ontario due to only obtaining anomalous gold results from the last drill
campaign. 


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 $14.75 million in cash, owns approximately
55.4 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). Benton is currently in the process of spinning
out the majority of its assets by a plan of arrangement into a new listed
company in order to separate its 41.6% investment in Coro Mining from its cash,
equities and exploration assets. Benton shareholders will receive a pro-rata
interest in this new company at a ratio as yet to be determined and pursuant to
regulatory approval.


Clint 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.