Benchmark Metals achieves 93% gold recovery from tests for Lawyers project

 Benchmark Metals (TSXV: BNCH; OTC: BNCHF) has achieved gold and silver recoveries averaging 93% and 65% respectively from advanced metallurgical testing of materials obtained from its Lawyers project in north-central B.C.

The results confirm that a simple preliminary design using conventional whole rock cyanide leaching and incorporating Merrill-Crowe zinc precipitation can be used to produce onsite gold and silver doré. The tests build on a large data set throughout the main Amethyst gold breccia (AGB) and Cliff Creek resource areas, in addition to composites representing potentially the first years of mining in a conceptual mine plan.

"The results demonstrate exceptional gold recovery from rocks utilizing a conventional and proven method that results in pouring gold and silver doré bars. Technical results and participation from miners like Yamana Gold in Benchmark Metals continues to validate the potential to become Canada's next major gold and silver mine," Jim Greig, Benchmark's president and director, commented.

The Lawyers property hosts a historic mine that operated from 1989-92 and produced 171,200 oz. gold and 3.6 million oz. silver over the 4-year period. However, the deposit was never fully mined, nor was the surrounding area thoroughly explored. In late 2021, the company secured a financing of $40.3 million, including a strategic investment by precious metals producer Yamana Gold, to fund its development of the project.

The project now consists of four mineralized zones - AGB, Cliff Creek, Dukes Ridge and Phoenix - that remain open for expansion, in addition to over 20 new target areas along a 20-km trend.

An initial bulk-tonnage mineral resource estimate in May 2021 showed total indicated (in pit and out of pit) metal content of 1.5 million oz. gold and 50.2 million oz. silver (40.3 million tonnes grading 1.19 g/t gold and 38.7 g/t silver). The inferred portion totalled 620,000 oz. gold and 18.1 million oz. silver (16.2 million tonnes grading 1.19 g/t gold and 34.7 g/t silver).

Benchmark is planning to compelte a feasibility study for the Lawyers project this year.

Visit www.BenchmarkMetals.com for more information.