Australian mineral drilling contractor Swick Mining Services has secured its first diamond drilling contract in the US.

Swick said it has secured an underground diamond drilling contract from an unnamed company for a project based in Alaska.

The contract is Swick’s second deal in the US, following on from the drilling trial secured in June 2009 with Agnico-Eagle Mines at the LaRonde gold mine, and would boost the company’s North American expansion programme, Swick said.

Under the contract, Swick will provide one underground diamond rig for a four-month drilling programme expected to begin next month.

The company plans to use its new underground diamond drill rig from Canada for the drilling activity.