Meet the Makers

When it comes to the mining industry, you want to work with industry leaders like the expert team at PIMS Group. PIMS Group is an underground mining contractor operating from Australia’s eastern seaboard, with offices in North Mackay, QLD and Wollongong, NSW. We specialise in underground coal mining projects, delivering the right innovative solutions, equipment, and workers that our clients require.

PIMS – Meet the Makers

PIMS is operated by an expert team of directors:

Andrew Itzstein - Director

With a Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, Andrew is a Mining Engineer with almost twenty years of experience in planning, operational, statutory, and management roles within the mining industry. Heavily involved in the management of major mining contract projects, including emergency and risk management, he has a track record for delivering safe and efficient results-driven work. Andrew is statutory-qualified with a 2nd-Class Mine Managers Certificate & 3rd-Class (Deputy) Certificate. He brings a wealth of experience as a Project Manager, Superintendent, Undermanager, Deputy, and Production Supervisor.

Mark Johnston - Director

Bringing to PIMS Group more than 26 years of experience working in NSW & QLD coal mines, Mark is a mining engineer and also holds an MBA. He has worked on international projects in China and India and has experience in both operational and supervisory positions in the underground coal industry (including statutory roles as a Deputy and Ventilation Officer). His technical background in geotechnical support, ventilation design, and mine planning, as well as involvement in Mines Rescue and site emergency exercises, translate to a robust background in emergency preparedness. Mark’s role at PIMS Group includes frontline management and risk management functions which include conducting onsite specialised training and assessment in an array of technical fields.

Phil Harms - Director

An experienced, qualified diesel fitter mechanic, Phil has vast experience in both practical and management engineering positions. With a proven track record for improving maintenance systems and equipment reliability, Phil has managed machinery fleet maintenance, longwall relocations, various support activities, and he coordinates engineering for operational projects and site infrastructure. Phil’s focus is running PIMS engineering workshop in Moranbah, servicing and repairing passenger and 4WD light vehicles to light and heavy road transport vehicles, and the workshop for the region’s mine site compliance inspections and repairs.

Richard Mills - Director

Richard has more than 25 years’ experience in the coal mining industry and is a degree-qualified mining and mechanical engineer. His varied background in operational and technical roles includes Underground Mine Manager, Longwall Superintendent, Development Superintendent, mine planning, mine ventilation, contract management, and production management. Richard holds 1st-Class, 2nd-Class and 3rd-Class Mine Manager’s Certificates. As such, he acts in a statutory capacity as Mine Manager, Undermanager and Deputy. Additionally, Richard has qualifications and experience in risk management, incident investigation, training, and assessment. He provides clients with systems development, risk management, procedure development and implementation, and review and audit functions.

Our Story

Pacific International Mining Solutions formed in 2006, and in 2008 combined with Diahminco to form PIMS Group.In 2010 saw PIMS Group awarded a major diesel maintenance and development contract with a Tier 1 miner. In 2012, we opened PIMS Engineering & Machine Hire in Moranbah, QLD. This was soon followed in 2013 by a business model review. The decision was undertaken to primarily focus on underground services and mining consultation. It included a focus on development services, longwall relocations, statutory mine services, secondary support, conveyor installations, stone driveage, outbye services. PIMS Group also added a fleet of five brand new Sandvik LHDs & 2x VHI Driftrunners at this time. Following the mining cycle downturn, PIMS Group was awarded a major development contract with Oaky No1 mine; two more of these followed in 2015 with North Goonyella and Broadmeadows. We are very proud to be a market leader and underground mining solutions expert with a long term, sustainable blue-chip client base. We are committed to providing unparalleled mining services to the coal industry, including equipment hire, project management, labour coverage, training and mentoring, and much more.

Contact PIMS

To learn more about PIMS and the services we offer, please visit our capabilities page, our training page, or contact us now by calling Head Office on (07) 4969 3900. Alternatively, please email us at admin@pimsgroup.com.au