Benchmark Discovers New Gold-Silver Zone over 500 Metres with Surface Samples Grading up to 24.2 g/t Gold and 1,425 g/t Silver

Edmonton, October 18, 2019 - Benchmark Metals Inc. (TSXV: BNCH) (OTCQB: CYRTF) (WKN: A2JM2X) (the "Company" or "Benchmark") is pleased to report the discovery of a new gold-silver zone that extends over an area of 500 by 250 metres where individual rock grab samples from surface have graded up to 24.2 g/t gold and 1,425 g/t silver. The Lawyers Project is situated in the Stikine Terrane of northern British Columbia, Canada, and falls within the prolific, mineral-endowed 'Golden Horseshoe'.

John Williamson, Chairman and CEO, commented, "The new Marmot East Zone was never drilled during previous work campaigns and remains under-explored. We are generating new high-priority drill targets for 2020 at both the Marmot and Marmot East areas where geochemical results (soil and rock samples) are coincident with radiometric anomalies that exhibit similar gold and silver potential to that seen from drilling in the heart of the Lawyers Trend."

The newly identified Marmot East zone is in the east-central portion of the Lawyers Property, approximately 3 kilometres directly south along strike from the main Lawyers trend mineralization (Figure 1). The zone spans 500 by 250 metres (Figure 2) within a larger 2400 by 650 metre K-radiometric anomaly and is defined by bedrock mapping, soils, and rock samples (Table 1).

Table #1 - 2019 rock sample results

*Gold equivalent (AuEq) calculated using 80:1 gold to silver ratio.

The structure, mineralization, and alteration relationships at Marmot East are consistent with other zones on the Lawyers Trend (Cliff Creek, Cliff Creek South, Dukes Ridge, AGB, Phoenix, Phoenix East), where hydrothermal low-sulphidation systems developed within pre-existing northwest to north trending fault systems that acted as conduits for fluids to migrate, alter host rocks and precipitate various metals (Figure 3). The relative geometry of these fault systems may control the distribution of high-grade mineralization where faults of different orientations intersect, as observed at both Marmot and Marmot East.

Benchmark is awaiting results from bedrock channel sampling, rock, and soil data from both Marmot and Marmot East. Results will be announced once they have been received from the laboratory and interpreted by Benchmark.

Figure #1 - Lawyers Property map on K-radiometrics highlighting the different zones and their relative stage of exploration

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6169/48892_18a79c6c54a4287b_001full.jpg

Figure #2 - Plan map with surface sample locations over geology and geochemistry

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6169/48892_18a79c6c54a4287b_002full.jpg

Figure #3 - East-West cross section illustrating the interpreted faulting and associated mineralization and alteration zones across the Marmot Area

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6169/48892_18a79c6c54a4287b_003full.jpg

Quality Assurance and Control

Results from samples were analyzed at ALS Global Laboratories (Geochemistry Division) in Vancouver, Canada (an ISO 9001:2008 accredited facility). The sampling program was undertaken by Company personnel under the direction of Rob L'Heureux, P.Geol. A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic emission spectrometry and gravimetric finish when required (+10 g/t Au). Analysis by four acid digestion with 48 element ICP-MS analysis was conducted on all samples with silver and base metal overlimits re-analyzed by atomic absorption or emission spectrometry. Rock chip samples from outcrop/bedrock are selective by nature and they may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on the project.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne,
P.Geol., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Benchmark Metals Inc.

Benchmark is a Canadian mineral exploration company with its common shares listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada, the OTCQB Venture Market in the United States, and the Tradegate Exchange in Europe. Benchmark is managed by proven resource sector professionals, who have a track record of advancing exploration projects from grassroots scenarios through to production.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

s/ "John Williamson"
John Williamson, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:
Jim Greig
Email: jimg@BNCHmetals.com
Telephone: +1 604 260 6977

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release may contain certain "forward looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/48892