Benton Stakes Large Land Position for Copper- Nickel- Platinum- Palladium

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jul 31, 2013) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:BEX) ("Benton" or "the Company") has acquired through staking 746 claim units representing approximately 194 square-kilometers within the Mealy Lake intrusion (the "Mealy Project"). The new project is contiguous and directly along strike of Altius Minerals Corp.'s ("Altius") 256 square-kilometre Natashquan property located approximately 140 kilometres southwest of Churchill Falls in Labrador. Altius has recently announced a new Ni-Cu-Co-PGE discovery and that they have entered into a joint venture agreement with Anglo American ("Anglo") whereby Anglo has the option to earn a 66-per-cent interest in the project through expenditures of $20-million over a five-year period. Exploration highlights from Altius' Nastashquan discovery include "2.68g/t combined Pt, Pd and Au (grab) - 6.14% Cu and 388ppb Pt - 1.04g/t combined Pt, Pd, Au and 1.06% Cu over 1.30m (channel) - 1.04 combined Pt, Pd, Au and 3.92% Cu over 1.00m (channel) - 2.49g/t combined Pt, Pd and Au and 1.07% Ni (grab) - several grab samples >7% Cu - soil samples up to 26,000ppm Cu" (http://altiusminerals.com/projects/natashquan).

Benton is currently planning an airborne magnetic and electromagnetic survey to be followed by geological mapping, prospecting, and soil sampling on anomalies identified from the new survey.

Additionally Benton has commenced exploration on the Company's 100% owned Cape Ray gold project in southwestern Newfoundland as well as permitting a further 15 to 20 new drill sites on its Elizabeth Anne gold project located in San Bernardino County, California.

About Benton Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:BEX):

Benton Resources Inc. is a newly listed and well funded Canadian based junior with multiple joint ventures and a diversified property portfolio in Gold-Silver, Nickel, Copper, and Platinum group elements.

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

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Resources Inc.,

Stephen Stares, President

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections