Mr. Stephen Stares reports

BENTON RESOURCES ANNOUNCES GRANT OF STOCK OPTIONS

Subject to regulatory approval, Benton Resources Inc.'s board of directors has approved the grant of 2.25 million incentive stock options to directors, officers, employees, advisers and consultants of the company at an exercise price of seven cents for a period of five years from the date of grant. The options are subject to vesting provisions contained within the company's stock option plan.

About Benton Resources Inc.

Benton Resources is a well-financed mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BEX. Following a project generation business model, Benton has a diversified, highly prospective property portfolio of gold, silver, nickel, copper, platinum group element, and, most recently, lithium and cesium assets. In addition, it currently holds large equity positions in other mining companies that are advancing high-quality assets. Whenever possible, BEX retains net smelter return (NSR) royalties with potential long-term cash flow.

We seek Safe Harbor.