New Frontier Minerals (ASX:NFM) said the mining lease application over the Big One deposit within its NWQ project in Queensland progressed into the technical assessment phase, according to a Monday filing with the Australian bourse.

The application is supported by a development plan proposing an open-cut mining scenario aimed at testing and extracting near-surface copper mineralization, the filing said.

Preparatory earthworks are expected to start in the third quarter of the year, subject to approvals, per the filing.

Shares fell nearly 6% in midday trade Monday.