New Frontier Minerals has reported strong surface copper grades at its Mt Storm prospect in Queensland, with assays up to 6.88% Cu and promising acid-leach recoveries, reinforcing the prospect’s potential within the NWQ Copper Project.
- Surface samples at Mt Storm return up to 6.88% copper
- Sequential leach tests show high acid-soluble copper recoveries
- Historical mining extracted 1,100 tonnes at ~6% copper
- Exploration Target estimates 0.5–3.7Mt at 0.5–1.5% copper
- Detailed geological mapping planned to guide drilling
High-Grade Surface Copper Confirmed at Mt Storm
New Frontier Minerals Limited (ASX:NFM) has delivered a compelling update from its Mt Storm Copper Prospect, part of the NWQ Copper Project in northwest Queensland. Recent fieldwork in May 2026 produced rock chip and grab samples grading up to 6.88% copper at surface, with laboratory analyses confirming that the copper is largely acid-leachable. This finding suggests that conventional acid-leach processing could be effective, a positive indicator for future metallurgical treatment options.
Historical Context and Exploration Target
The Mt Storm prospect has a modest but notable mining history, with approximately 1,100 tonnes of ore previously extracted at an average grade around 6% copper. Historical pit sampling even recorded copper grades as high as 10.4% over narrow intervals. New Frontier’s current Exploration Target, developed under JORC guidelines, estimates between 0.5 and 3.7 million tonnes of ore grading 0.5% to 1.5% copper, translating to contained copper ranging from 2,500 to 55,500 tonnes. However, the company cautions that this target is conceptual, with insufficient data to define a formal resource at this stage.
Geological Setting and Sampling Methodology
Mt Storm lies within the Mount Isa Inlier, a geologically complex Proterozoic terrain known for structurally controlled copper-cobalt-gold mineralisation. The prospect features a steeply dipping porphyritic syenite dyke extending over 750 metres, with mineralisation aligned along malachite veins striking northeast. The recent sampling campaign focused on geological mapping and collecting representative rock chips and grab samples from mineralised outcrops, ex-mine dumps, and pit walls. Eight samples were analysed at ALS Perth, including multi-element assays and sequential copper leach tests.
Encouraging Metallurgical Indicators and Next Steps
Sequential leach analysis revealed that the highest-grade sample (6.88% Cu) contained 6.83% copper in the sulphuric acid-soluble fraction, indicating the copper is predominantly in oxide and secondary mineral forms amenable to acid leaching. Minor associated elements such as silver, cobalt, nickel, and zinc were also detected. Country rock samples showed low background copper levels, providing a clear geochemical contrast with mineralised material.
New Frontier’s geological team plans to return to Mt Storm for detailed mapping to refine the geological model, focusing on the porphyritic dyke and mineralised structures. This work will underpin the design and timing of a future drilling program. Parallel efforts will address landowner engagement, cultural heritage, and site access planning.
Strategic Implications within NWQ Copper Project
Mt Storm sits just 8 kilometres from New Frontier’s Big One deposit, which has seen recent progress including mining lease applications and resource updates. The close proximity of these prospects within the NWQ Copper Project highlights a growing portfolio of targets with potential for near-surface, high-grade copper mineralisation. With the company actively advancing exploration and metallurgical testing across its assets, Mt Storm’s new assay results add valuable momentum.
Bottom Line?
Mt Storm’s high-grade surface copper and promising acid-leach recoveries provide a solid foundation for targeted drilling and metallurgical testwork to clarify its resource potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will detailed geological mapping reveal extensions of high-grade mineralisation suitable for drilling?
- How will metallurgical testwork confirm the amenability of Mt Storm’s copper to acid-leach processing at scale?
- What timeline and scale will New Frontier set for drilling given the conceptual nature of the current Exploration Target?