Vysarn’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Pentium Hydro, has confirmed another major mining contract, this time with the AngloGold Ashanti and Independence Group joint venture Tropicana gold mine in Western Australia.

Pentium, which was only acquired from Ausdrill last month, is to provide dual rotary drilling and waterwell construction services at the mine.

Earlier this month, Pentium announced a purchase order worth up to A$800,000 ($549,866) with Fortescue Metals Group at the Cloudbreak iron ore operation.

Under the contract, Pentium will drill and construct de-watering at various locations at the Tropicana mine site including the bore fields, tailings storage facility and open pit areas.

Pentium has commenced procurement of the long lead time materials with mobilisation of the drill rig and auxiliary plant to be completed by early October, Vysarn said. The scope of work is expected to commence shortly thereafter and be complete by mid December 2019.

Pentium Managing Director, Sheldon Burt, said: “This is the fourth rig mobilised by the company in less than a month since acquiring the hydrogeological drilling assets from Ausdrill and confirms the board’s confidence in the underlying demand for the company’s assets and services. We are delighted to be working for a company of AngloGold Ashanti’s standing.”

Tropicana is owned 70% by AngloGold (manager) and 30% by Independence Group. The open-pit operation poured first gold in September 2013.