# Benton Trenching Program in Progress at Dominion Project and Discovers New Gold Zone at Stoney Caldera Canonical Atlas analysis: https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba Original source: https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/310588/Benton-Trenching-Program-in-Progress-at-Dominion-Project-and-Discovers-New-Gold-Zone-at-Stoney-Caldera Publisher: newsfile Original announcement: 2026-08-20T11:30:00.000Z Analysis by Minestarters Atlas Atlas analysis published: Unknown date Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date - Company: Benton Resources Inc. - Ticker: BEX - Exchange: Unavailable - Region: Newfoundland - Primary commodity: Gold - Secondary commodities: Zinc, Lead, Copper, Silver - Document categories: Drill results, Other - Extracted: 2026-08-20 12:08:52 UTC Narrative sentiment: 0.60 · Bullish ## Minestarters Atlas summary Benton Resources has announced the discovery of a new gold horizon, the Reid Zone, at its Stoney Caldera project and is progressing with trenching at the Dominion project. The release highlights several high-grade surface samples across multiple targets, including gold, zinc, lead, and copper. Reasoning: The company reports multiple high-grade surface/grab samples and the discovery of a new gold horizon \(Reid Zone\), though formal drill assay results are not yet included in this release. - Positive factor: New gold zone discovery at Stoney Caldera - Positive factor: High-grade grab samples at Bear \#3 - Positive factor: Significant strike length at Rickirb zone - Positive factor: QA/QC protocols clearly disclosed - Negative factor: Results are primarily grab/surface samples rather than drill intercepts - Negative factor: Channel results for Rickirb zone are pending Facts used in scoring: 13 ## Classification and evidence **QA/QC Disclosed** Polarity: positive Definition: Release includes QA/QC disclosure — certified lab, QP sign-off, or stated methods \(blanks, standards, duplicates\). Why it applies: Release includes detailed QA/QC protocols, mentioning accredited lab Eastern Analytical Ltd. and ISO/IEC 17025 compliance. Evidence · text > All samples were acquired by saw-cut \(channels/drill core\) with one-half submitted for assay and one-half retained for reference, or hand \(rocks\) and delivered, by Benton personnel, in sealed bags, to the Springdale lab of Eastern Analytical, which is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. **Step-Out Extension** Polarity: positive Definition: Mineralization extended beyond the previously known limit. Why it applies: The company reports the discovery of a new gold horizon \(Reid Zone\) at Stoney Caldera. Evidence · text > identified a potential new gold horizon named the new Reid Zone at its Stoney Caldera Copper-Gold Project ## Extracted facts Stored fact records: 13. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record. ## Drill Results (13) ### Fact 1 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-0) Bear \#3 · gold #### Identity - Project: Bear \#3 - Commodity: gold - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 10.8 - Grade Unit: g/t Au #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: High grade grab sample of 10.8 g/t Au reported at Bear \#3. - Positive factor: High grade grab sample - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > A new Gold Zone at Bear \#3, with grab samples up to 10.8 g/t Au ### Fact 2 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-1) Rickirb gold zone · gold #### Identity - Project: Rickirb gold zone - Commodity: gold - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 6.41 - Grade Unit: g/t Au #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Grab samples up to 6.41 g/t Au returned from the Rickirb zone. - Positive factor: Significant strike length - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > The Rickirb gold zone with grab samples up to 6.41 g/t Au ### Fact 3 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-2) Trinity Base Metal Zone · zinc #### Identity - Project: Trinity Base Metal Zone - Commodity: zinc - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 14.6 - Grade Unit: % Zn #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface samples at Trinity returned up to 14.6% Zn. - Positive factor: High grade surface sample - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > surface samples returning assays up to 14.6% Zn ### Fact 4 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-3) Trinity Base Metal Zone · lead #### Identity - Project: Trinity Base Metal Zone - Commodity: lead - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 1.31 - Grade Unit: % Pb #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface samples at Trinity returned up to 1.31% Pb. - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > 1.31% Pb ### Fact 5 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-4) Trinity Base Metal Zone · copper #### Identity - Project: Trinity Base Metal Zone - Commodity: copper - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 2.53 - Grade Unit: % Cu #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface samples at Trinity returned up to 2.53% Cu. - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > 2.53% Cu ### Fact 6 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-5) Trinity Base Metal Zone · silver #### Identity - Project: Trinity Base Metal Zone - Commodity: silver - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 68.7 - Grade Unit: g/t Ag #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface samples at Trinity returned up to 68.7 g/t Ag. - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > 68.7 g/t Ag ### Fact 7 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-6) Trinity Base Metal Zone · gold #### Identity - Project: Trinity Base Metal Zone - Commodity: gold - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 0.17 - Grade Unit: g/t Au #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Surface samples at Trinity returned 0.17 g/t Au. - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > 0.17 g/t Au ### Fact 8 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-7) Bear \#2 · zinc #### Identity - Project: Bear \#2 - Commodity: zinc - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 19.2 - Grade Unit: % Zn #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: High grade float sample of 19.2% Zn at Bear \#2. - Positive factor: High grade float sample - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > high-grade float sample returned 19.2% Zn ### Fact 9 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-8) Bear \#2 · copper #### Identity - Project: Bear \#2 - Commodity: copper - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 0.09 - Grade Unit: % Cu #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Float sample at Bear \#2 returned 0.09% Cu. - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > 0.09% Cu ### Fact 10 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-9) Bear \#2 · lead #### Identity - Project: Bear \#2 - Commodity: lead - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 2.26 - Grade Unit: % Pb #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Float sample at Bear \#2 returned 2.26% Pb. - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > 2.26% Pb ### Fact 11 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-10) Bear \#2 · silver #### Identity - Project: Bear \#2 - Commodity: silver - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 80.9 - Grade Unit: g/t Ag #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Float sample at Bear \#2 returned 80.9 g/t Ag. - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > 80.9gpt Ag ### Fact 12 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-11) Bear \#2 · gold #### Identity - Project: Bear \#2 - Commodity: gold - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 2.27 - Grade Unit: g/t Au #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Float sample at Bear \#2 returned 2.27 g/t Au. - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > 2.27gpt Au ### Fact 13 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/benton-trenching-program-in-progress-at-dominion-project-and-discovers-new-gold--17ebc64a-97f0-4f33-879d-f7e9c758bdba#fact-drill-facts-12) Stoney Caldera \(Reid Zone\) · gold #### Identity - Project: Stoney Caldera \(Reid Zone\) - Commodity: gold - Region: canada\_nl - Reported Region: Newfoundland - Ticker: BEX #### Geometry - Grade: 2.01 - Grade Unit: g/t #### Classification - Sample Type: surface #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Discovery of new Reid Gold Zone with grab samples up to 2.01 g/t Au. - Positive factor: New gold horizon discovery - Negative factor: Grab sample selectivity Evidence · text > returned anomalous results from 82 ppb to 2,014 ppb \(2.01g/t\) ## How Atlas produces this analysis Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.