Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 14, 2020) - Benchmark Metals Inc. (TSXV:BNCH) (OTCQB:CYRTF) (WKN: A2JM2X) (the "Company" or "Benchmark") is pleased to announce that a shipment of representative drill core samples collected from multiple gold-silver zones (Cliff Creek, Duke's Ridge and Amethyst Gold Breccia or "AGB" zones) at the Lawyers Gold-Silver Project has been received in Vancouver, BC. These samples were selected to investigate the metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization for potential bulk-tonnage mining. This work will expand upon historical metallurgical studies that focused on the high-grade (>10 gram per tonne [g/t]) material from underground historical mining. The historical metallurgical recoveries of the high grade gold-silver mineralization mined at the Lawyers property during the period 1989-1992, averaged 93% for gold (Au) and 78% for silver (Ag) (Lane et al., 2018). Benchmark's flagship Lawyers gold-silver project is located in the Golden Horseshoe of north-central British Columbia, Canada.

The expanded metallurgical program will focus on characterizing the metallurgical properties for the bulk tonnage gold-silver mineralization at three targets, as well as confirming historical data of related higher grade zones within the bulk-tonnage targets. The testing techniques will comprise chemical and mineralogical analysis, comminution testing along with standard recovery techniques including gravity separation, sulphide froth flotation and various cyanidation testing. From this, a conceptual flowsheet will be established along with projected precious metal recoveries. Optimum process conditions including grind, retention times, and reagent requirements will be investigated for the various mineralized zones. The test work will be conducted on extended continuous intervals of drill core rejects obtained primarily from the 2019 exploration program. A total of 416 core sample rejects totaling approximately 975 kilograms of material have been received at the laboratory. This material will be tested to confirm the high-grade historical results and to provide metallurgical composites for the testing of potential open-pit, bulk-tonnage targets.

Benchmark has engaged Frank Wright, P.Eng., of F. Wright Consulting Inc., of Delta, BC to oversee the metallurgical program. Mr. Wright has over 30 years of operating and consulting experience in the fields of mineral processing and hydrometallurgy. His career has spanned 20 years as a qualified independent professional engineer managing projects similar to Lawyers, worldwide. His work to date has included the oversight of test programs leading to selected process development, the related technical reporting and supervision of detailed engineering, as well as project commissioning and trouble shooting.

The historical metallurgical recoveries of the high-grade gold-silver mineralization mined at the Lawyers property during the period 1989-1992 averaged 93% for gold (Au) and 78% for silver (Ag). These historical mining recoveries are considered good and provide a preliminary indication that metallurgical characteristics for the Lawyers low-sulphidation epithermal deposits are suitable for standard processing techniques, which should provide acceptable rates of metals recovery (Lane et al., 2018).

Limited metallurgical testing was performed in 2011 by BV on high-grade rock samples from mine site material at the Cliff Creek zone (BV Project 1106711 report "Metallurgical Testing of Samples from the Mountainside Exploration Management Inc., Cliff Creek Mine Gold Project of central BC", April 27, 2012). The study results indicate that a sample with a head grade of 13.1 g/t Au and 765 g/t Ag at a primary grind of P80 108 microns was amenable to sulphide flotation yielding a sulphide concentrate containing 318 g/t Au and 18,500 g/t Ag at recoveries of 88.8% Au and 83.1% Ag .

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 over-limits being re-analyzed by atomic absorption or emission spectrometry.

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.