The company said it opted to taps Trigusa because of its experience with open-pit operations, crushing, heap leach pads and tailings dam construction as well as ponds in multiple states across the country.

No financial or timeline details were disclosed, though it noted Trigusa is currently active at Santana and has recently completed civil works for its gold recovery (carbon) plant, solution ponds and heap leach pad.

The newest contract, Minera Alamos confirmed, encompasses all mining activities for Santana from drilling and blasting to the transport and loading of mineralised material onto pads for leaching.

The contractor will also be managing all needed support services with the exception of mine planning, as the Minera engineering team will oversee that element.

There is room in the contract for amendments, including increases in mining and production rates should its exploration efforts return positive results.

CEO Darren Koningen pointed out that Trigusa has a long history with the mining company, including work it performed for construction and operations at the El Castillo/Castle Gold mine.

"Given the logistical challenges surrounding the construction of a new mine during the Covid pandemic we have witnessed firsthand, and in the toughest of environments, the commitment and execution of Trigusa," he added.

Minera, in related news, said that the major construction work for its gold recovery caron plant are now complete, and it is now preparing to test the facility. The final piping and electrical work will be finished simultaneously with the other last activities needed prior to operations start-up.

The miner has also wrapped up work on the project's initial heap leach pad area. Its expansion will run concurrent with mining as it begins. Additionally, it has readied the solution ponds and will soon conduct final testing for the pumping system it will use to circulate its gold leaching and recovery solutions.

Santana, in western Mexico northeast of Promontorios, is 100% owned by Minera Alamos.