Benton Resources Corp. (TSX VENTURE:BTC) ("Benton") is pleased to announce that
the Company has learned that Coro Mining Corp. ("Coro" or the "Company") has
made its US$4 million payment to Lumina Copper Corp. ("Lumina") under the terms
of their San Jorge purchase agreement. Benton currently holds approximately 41%
of the issued and outstanding common shares of Coro. A portion of Coro's press
release of earlier today is quoted below:


"Alan Stephens, President and CEO commented, "This payment to Lumina
demonstrates our continued confidence in the San Jorge project and the outcome
of the Environmental Impact Study ratification process. We understand that the
review of the project by various committees of the Lower Chamber of the
Provincial Legislature of Mendoza is nearing its end and that, once complete,
the Chamber would be in a position to vote on the ratification. The timing of
this vote may be affected by the elections to the Legislature, which take place
in October 2011. As part of our commitment to the sustainable development of the
project area, we have established a foundation to assist in the socioeconomic
development of the Uspallata community, with emphasis on creation of new
employment opportunities, as well as promoting micro businesses to become
involved in developing the agricultural and eco-tourist potential of the large
ranch on which the project is located."


San Jorge:

The San Jorge copper-gold project is located in Mendoza, Argentina. The Company
completed an initial Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"), in April 2008
which contemplated production of 39,500 tonnes of copper per annum and 39,000
ounces of gold per annum over a 16 year mine life. The deposit remains open to
the west and at depth and using a $2.00 per pound copper and $600 per ounce gold
price returned an after tax NPV of $220 million, with a capital expenditure of
$277 million.


San Jorge has a measured and indicated sulphide resource of 2.15 billion pounds
of copper and 1.44 million ounces of gold and an inferred sulphide resource of
1.28 billion pounds of copper and 0.8 million ounces of gold at a 0.2% copper
cutoff. In addition, it has a measured and indicated oxide resource of 0.42
billion pounds of copper and 0.28 million ounces of gold at a 0.2% copper
cutoff.


Under the terms of the option agreement, the Company has paid a total of
US$7,500,000 in cash and issued a total of 1,000,000 shares and has the
following payments outstanding; US$5,000,000 in May 2012, and US$5,000,000 in
May 2013, less the aggregate deemed value of the 1,000,000 common shares of Coro
previously issued. If, after May 10, 2011, the Company completes a Bankable
Feasibility Study on either the Heap Leachable Copper Resources or the Sulphide
Copper Resources, or a combination of both, the Company shall pay the balance of
any amounts owing within six months from the date of completion of the Bankable
Feasibility Study.


US$16,000,000 of the cash payments will be treated as an advance payment on
either: (a) the obligation to pay $0.02 per pound on the mineable proven and
probable copper sulphide reserves upon commencement of commercial production or
(b) the obligation to pay $0.025 per pound on the mineable proven and probable
heap leachable copper reserves upon commencement of commercial production. For
any production of copper in excess of that derived from the total mineable,
proven and probable heap leachable reserves and the mineable, proven and
probable sulphide reserves the Company agreed to pay (i) $0.015 per pound of
copper contained in ore processed by a mill, in excess of the total pounds of
copper contained in the mineable, proven and probable sulphide reserves and (ii)
$0.02 per pound of copper contained in ore placed on leach pads, in excess of
the total pounds of copper contained in the mineable, proven and probable heap
leachable reserves.


In addition, Coro will pay a net smelter return production royalty of 1.5% on
all non-copper production from San Jorge.


Alan Stephens FIMMM, President and CEO of Coro, a geologist with more than 33
years of industry experience is the Qualified Person for Coro who has reviewed
and approved the contents of this News Release. In respect of the PEA, it should
be noted that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability."


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. Benton
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.


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.