African Underground Mining Services (AUMS) has strengthened its relationship with Roxgold in West Africa with a $US160 million ($219.6 million) contract in Burkina Faso.

AUMS, a joint venture between Australian contractors Ausdrill and Barminco, will provide rollover/extension of services at the Zone 55 deposit at the Yaramoko underground gold mine.

It will also launch work on the Bagassi South mining contract for the Canadian-listed Roxgold.

The 30-month contract, with a 12-month extension option, involves supplying all underground mining services for the Zone 55 and Bagassi South underground mines, including development and production activities, diamond drilling and associated services.

AUMS will start work in the current quarter. The project will employ around 300 people, including 225 Burkinabe employees.

Blair Sessions, AUMS chief operating officer, commented, “We are delighted to have secured this work and look forward to extending our important, highly valued relationship with Roxgold on their flagship project.”

The contract with Roxgold builds on AUMS’ presence in Burkina Faso. In May, AUMS secured a $US211 million mining services contract with Canadian-based miner SEMAFO at the Siou gold operation.