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New Frontier Minerals Advances its Australian Copper Project with its Partner Austral Resources

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New Frontier Minerals (OTCQB:NFMXF) reported preliminary metallurgical test work from its NWQ Copper Project in Australia showing copper recoveries of 83–99%, with multiple samples above 95%. The Big One Deposit hosts an Inferred Resource of 2.1 Mt at 1.1% Cu (21,886 tons contained copper).

New Frontier and partner Austral Resources executed an MOU for a strategic alliance, targeting a toll treatment pathway using Austral’s Mt Kelly processing facilities. This could allow New Frontier to monetize potential future ore without funding stand-alone processing infrastructure, subject to definitive agreements and exploration success.

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AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Positive

  • Metallurgical tests report 83–99% copper recoveries, with samples above 95%
  • Big One Deposit Inferred Resource: 2.1 Mt at 1.1% Cu (21,886 tons Cu)
  • MOU signed for strategic alliance with Austral Resources at NWQ Copper Project
  • Potential toll treatment at Mt Kelly reduces need for New Frontier processing capex
  • Historical Mt Storm production reported at 1,100 tons ore grading 6% Cu

Negative

  • Toll treatment pathway remains subject to definitive agreements and exploration success
  • Big One resource currently classified only as JORC 2012 Inferred

Preliminary Metallurgical Test Work Shows Strong Copper Recoveries of 83-99% with Samples Exceeding 95% Recovery

PERTH, Australia, May 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New Frontier Minerals Limited (ASX: NFM | LSE: NFM | OTCQB: NFMXF) announced that following a joint field visit to its NWQ Copper Project in Australia, with its strategic partner, Austral Resources, the two companies are expected to continue evaluation of potential near-term development pathways.

The NWQ Copper Project includes the Big One Deposit, which hosts a JORC 2012 Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 2.1 Mt at 1.1% Cu for 21,886 tons of contained copper metal as well as the historical Mt. Storm prospect.

"The current copper market continues to be exceptionally strong due to a variety of factors, and we believe there is significant value in our partnership with Austral Resources as we advance the NWQ Copper Project," said Gerrard Hall, chairman of New Frontier Minerals. He noted that in particular, the Big One Deposit benefits from established regional infrastructure and significant land position within one of Australia's premier and proven copper districts.

The recent joint visit to the site was conducted with the geological team from Austral Resources, with the objectives of assessing both the Big One Deposit and the Big One North anomaly in the context of broader exploration potential. In addition, the team from Austral also conducted a reconnaissance assessment of the historical Mt Storm prospect within the broader Copper Project tenure. Historically small-scale mining at Mt Storm was reported to have produced approximately 1,100 tons of ore at copper grade of 6% Cu. More detailed information can be found here: https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-03090763-6A1325775&v=undefined.

New Frontier Minerals and Austral Resources have executed an MOU that sets the foundation for a strategic alliance combining NFM's exploration expertise across the NWQ Copper Project with Austral's advanced copper processing facilities at Mt Kelly. The arrangement calls for a toll treatment pathway under which, subject to definitive agreements and ongoing exploration success, future ore supplied from New Frontier's tenements could be processed at Mt Kelly to provide Austral with additional sources of high-grade copper ore feedstock and New Frontier with a defined route to monetize their exploration success without the capital outlay of stand-along processing infrastructure.

New Frontier Minerals is an Australian-based explorer, with a strategy to develop multi-commodity assets that demonstrate future potential as economic mining operations. Through the application of disciplined and structured exploration. In addition to it's the NWQ Copper asset activities, the company is also advancing exploration activity at the Harts Range Niobium, Uranium and Heavy Rare Earths Project, also in the Northern Territory of Australia, as well as an option on a rare earths project in Quebec, Canada.

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-frontier-minerals-advances-its-australian-copper-project-with-its-partner-austral-resources-302774362.html

SOURCE New Frontier Minerals

FAQ

What did New Frontier Minerals (NFMXF) announce about its NWQ Copper Project in May 2026?

New Frontier Minerals announced preliminary metallurgical results and a strategic MOU with Austral Resources for its NWQ Copper Project. According to New Frontier Minerals, copper recoveries ranged from 83–99%, and a toll treatment pathway at Mt Kelly is being evaluated.

What copper recoveries were reported for New Frontier Minerals’ NWQ Copper Project tests?

Preliminary metallurgical tests reported copper recoveries between 83% and 99%, with several samples exceeding 95%. According to New Frontier Minerals, these results come from early test work and support evaluation of potential near-term development pathways for the NWQ Copper Project.

What is the current resource estimate at the Big One Deposit in New Frontier Minerals’ NWQ Copper Project?

The Big One Deposit hosts a JORC 2012 Inferred Mineral Resource of 2.1 million tons at 1.1% copper. According to New Frontier Minerals, this equates to 21,886 tons of contained copper within a well‑established Australian copper district.

What is the strategic MOU between New Frontier Minerals and Austral Resources for NFMXF shareholders?

New Frontier Minerals and Austral Resources executed an MOU for a strategic alliance at the NWQ Copper Project. According to New Frontier Minerals, the arrangement contemplates toll treatment of potential future ore at Austral’s Mt Kelly plant, creating a defined potential monetization route.

How could the Mt Kelly toll treatment pathway impact New Frontier Minerals’ capital needs?

The contemplated toll treatment pathway would allow New Frontier to process future ore at Austral’s Mt Kelly facilities. According to New Frontier Minerals, this could provide a route to monetization without the capital outlay of building stand‑alone processing infrastructure, if definitive agreements are reached.

What historical copper production is mentioned at the Mt Storm prospect in New Frontier Minerals’ tenure?

Historical small‑scale mining at the Mt Storm prospect reportedly produced about 1,100 tons of ore grading 6% copper. According to New Frontier Minerals, Austral’s team conducted reconnaissance of Mt Storm as part of broader exploration at the NWQ Copper Project.

What other projects besides NWQ Copper is New Frontier Minerals (NFMXF) advancing?

New Frontier Minerals is also advancing the Harts Range Niobium, Uranium and Heavy Rare Earths Project in Australia. According to New Frontier Minerals, the company additionally holds an option on a rare earths project in Quebec, supporting a broader multi‑commodity exploration strategy.