About Us

Meet our dynamic team, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to Independent Mining Services:

General Manager, Michael Hilton: Known for his exceptional people skills and adept teamwork, Michael Hilton brings over 35 years of experience in Heavy Earth Moving Equipment. His extensive background includes overseeing 150+ new dragline bucket builds, 500+ new Truck Trays, and over 800 heavy equipment rebuilds. With a blend of trades and supervisor/management roles, Michael plays a pivotal role in driving collaboration and excellence across all levels of the workforce.

Operations Manager, Shaun Saron: With a remarkable career spanning over 25 years, Shaun Saron is a versatile industry expert. His diverse experience encompasses operations in the Bowen Basin and Southern Queensland across Open Cut Coal Mining, Construction, and Sugar Industries. Shaun’s roles have ranged from tradesman to Leading Hand, Supervisor, OEM Structural Representative, and Dragline/Shovel Service Department Foreman. His proficiency in new machinery construction, maintenance of mobile and fixed plant, and Dragline bucket maintenance and construction has earned him the reputation of being the best in the industry. Shaun holds a Welding Supervisor Certificate #10 for over a decade, a testament to his expertise and leadership.

Processing Manager / Estimator, Kevin Caesar: Kevin Caesar brings over 25 years of experience in Engineering Tradesperson (Fabrication), specializing in the quoting and processing of cold steels (Press and Roll). His expertise extends to CAD/SolidWorks training, ensuring precision and efficiency in our operations.

Business Development Manager, Ryan McGovern: With over 25 years in the industry, Ryan McGovern is synonymous with customer satisfaction. Starting with a qualification in Engineering Tradesperson (Fabrication) in 2002, Ryan has steadily progressed in his career. His journey includes pivotal roles such as a BMA Dragline Maintenance team member for 7 years, followed by contributing his skills to the BMA Business Improvement Team (Dragline Maintenance) for 2 years. Currently serving as Engineering Workshop Manager, Ryan’s extensive knowledge and experience are integral to our success.

Safety Advisor, Peter Primrose: Introducing our Workplace Health and Safety Advisor, a seasoned professional with over 3 years of dedicated service at IMS. Holding a Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety, Peter brings specialized expertise to our team, ensuring the highest standards of safety across our operations. Additionally, as a Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator and Fire Safety Advisor, Peter plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being of our workforce. Beyond his core responsibilities, Peter diligently manages IMS employee licenses and qualifications, ensuring that our team remains proficient and up to date with industry standards. Peter’s multifaceted role underscores our unwavering commitment to excellence in workplace health and safety.

Senior Estimator, Freek Loots;, a seasoned professional who brings a wealth of experience to our team. With a background in heavy fabrication and repair processes, Freek’s journey from the trades to estimating has equipped him with a broad knowledge base and a keen eye for detail. In his role, Freek oversees our team of estimators, ensuring that every estimate is conducted with due diligence, consistency, and standardization. He is dedicated to actively seeking better results for our clients, leveraging his expertise to deliver accurate and comprehensive estimates that meet and exceed expectations. Freek’s commitment to excellence is instrumental in driving our mission to provide unparalleled service and satisfaction to our valued clients.

Business Development Representative, Iain MacDonald, a valued member of our team who embodies the dedication and expertise that define Independent Mining Services. As a boilermaker with a deep understanding of mining equipment, Iain brings a wealth of knowledge to our operations. With roots in an OEM background, Iain appreciates the importance of collaboration between clients and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to achieve common goals. His adeptness in navigating this dynamic landscape positions him as a valuable intermediary, consistently delivering successful outcomes and innovative solutions for our clients. At IMS, we are proud to have Iain on board, driving excellence and client satisfaction through his commitment to quality service and repair.

Welding Inspector, Kahlani Mooney: Our esteemed Welding Inspector and integral member of the IMS team. Having completed his trade here at IMS, Kahlani’s exceptional talent and dedication were quickly recognized, leading to his continued role within our organization. With a calm demeanour and a keen eye for quality, Kahlani’s journey from a Trade qualified boilermaker to a qualified Welding Inspector underscores his commitment to excellence. As a senior member of our team, Kahlani manages the Quality systems at IMS, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of quality and safety. His approachable nature and guidance offer invaluable support to our workshop systems, team members, and clients alike. At IMS, we are proud to have Kahlani driving our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction forward.