The US$64 million deal, which stemmed from a tender process, will have Stracon helping to meet higher waste stripping requirements for the miner through the end of 2021.

Specifically, the activities will include removal of vegetation, drilling, blasting, loading and transport, and clearing, as well as preparations for the access and drainage systems, construction and maintenance of the haul roads, and maintenance of both production and support fleet equipment.

Guyana Goldfields said turning the overburden work over to Stracon will help it to focus on the mining and processing aspect of Aurora. The contractor is set to step into its work in July.

"We are very satisfied with the entrance to this project in Guyana, which motivates us to continue growing as leaders in the sector," Stracon CEO Steve Dixon said.

"We are starting this new stage as an independent company with a very good footing."

Stracon was recently acquired by Ashmore Group.

The miner also noted that it is advancing its bidding process for contract mining of the initial underground development work at the site. The move to retain follows its positive results from the operation's optimised life of mine (OLM) study.

A site visit for potential underground contract miners has been completed, and movement of underground equipment it had already purchased has begun.

Guyana's open-pit and underground Aurora is located in Bartica, Guyana; both the mine and contract team will be made up of local personnel and suppliers.