Perenti has announced that its underground mining division, Barminco, has secured a A$200m ($130m) contract with Westgold Resources to deliver underground mining services at the Great Fingall project in Western Australia.

The Great Fingall project is expected to operate as a long-life, high-margin underground mine with an annual production exceeding 45,000oz. It is a relatively small mine, making it suitable for contract mining.

The mine is expected to be a high-grade operation characterised by cost efficiency and productivity, and supported by a comprehensive mine plan, reliable drilling data, favourable ground conditions and well-established mine infrastructure.

Westgold managing director and CEO Wayne Bramwell said: “Westgold continues to focus on increasing mine productivity and further leveraging its extensive capital base. Our in-house mining team and fleet is best deployed in our larger, strategic assets and this capability gives us the optionality to utilise specialist contractors in our smaller mines.”

Barminco was chosen for the Great Fingall project based on the company’s safety protocols, mining efficiency, and proven delivery record, following a competitive tender process.

The three-year contract encompasses a range of services including mine development, production and related underground mining services. It includes an option to extend by 12 months.

Perenti managing director and CEO Mark Norwell said: “We are excited to be partnering with Westgold on the Great Fingall project. This award highlights the depth and scale of Barminco’s mining and technical capability and supports the ongoing focus of growing our underground mining business in Australia and select regions internationally.”

Mobilisation for the project is scheduled to commence in July 2025, with first production from the mine expected in 2026.

Perenti expects the capital requirement for the project to be around A$16m of growth capital in fiscal year 2026.

Perenti Contract Mining president Gabrielle Iwanow said: “We are proud to mark the beginning of a new relationship between Westgold and Barminco on the Great Fingall project.

“Westgold’s decision is an endorsement of the strength of our technical capability and our commitment to safe and efficient operations. We look forward to building a strong partnership that delivers value for both companies and the communities in which we operate.”

Earlier this month, Perenti secured a contract worth A$1.1bn to carry out underground mining operations in the Siou and Wona regions of the Mana complex in Burkina Faso, West Africa.