Stephen Stares has decades of experience working in mineral exploration. His early days were at Noranda Exploration at Hemlo Gold mines, Eagle River deposit, and the Geco and Mattabi base metal camps. His entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and Stares Contracting Corp was created. In 2004 he became the president of Benton Resources Inc. Stephen is known for finding excellent properties of merit, raising millions to build value, and later dividending shares to his shareholders once the projects are sold. He has been directly involved in the start-up, funding, and advising of ten Venture-listed companies during his career. Stephen and his brother Michael Stares, along with the rest of the Stares, Keats, Crocker, and Barrett families, were the proud recipients of the Prospectors and Developers Association (PDAC) Bill Dennis Prospector of the Year Award. This award was given to recognize the families’ contributions to the industry over a 40-year period.