Benchmark said highlights include 30.48m of 8.96 grams per tonne gold and 233.05g/t silver or 11.87g/t AuEq, with 15.24m of 17.59g/t gold and 454.33g/t silver or 23.27g/t AuEq, in a drill hole in the upper southeast portion of Cliff Creek North. 

At-depth testing of the southern portions at Cliff Creek North intersected a 38.33m core length of 4.18g/t gold and 117.32g/t silver or 5.64g/t AuEq, with 4m of 8.80g/t gold and 433.75g/t silver or 14.22 g/t AuEq. 

Benchmark also found "excellent" continuity of infill and expansion drilling within the Cliff Creek North zone, including 153m of 1.24g/t gold and 17.73g/t silver or 1.46g/t AuEq with 6.44m of 2.51g/t gold and 54.94g/t silver or 3.19g/t AuEq. 

"The new results are filling gaps with tighter drill spacing that is demonstrating mineralisation that will grow the forthcoming mineral resource estimate," Benchmark CEO John Williamson said. 

"In addition, the high-grade, near-surface mineralisation is showing potential as an initial mining area (pit) that could significantly boost economics in the preliminary economic assessment," he added. 

In 2021, Benchmark delivered nearly 3 million oz AuEq in a mineral resource estimate and was expecting to provide an update early this year. 

The company traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange at C$1.08/share on February 7, which was up 6% day-on-day. The 52-week high/low trading range was C$1.64/C$0.90. 

Benchmark had a market capitalisation of C$183.4 million.