Eight reasons to enter the 2026 Queensland Mining Awards
The Queensland Mining Awards (QMA) are underway for 2026. With eight categories on offer, there’s never been a better opportunity for Queensland’s mining suppliers,…
Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition
QME
21st - 23rd
July 2026
9am-5pm
Daily
Mackay Showgrounds
Mackay QLD 4740
Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition: the largest regional mining event in Australia
For over 30 years the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) has been at the heart of the mining sector in Mackay. Returning to the Mackay Showgrounds in 2026, QME will be the ultimate showcase of supplier innovation and excellence and will illustrate the world class capabilities of Mackay and the broader Central Queensland region.
QME is the largest mining event in Queensland, featuring more than 300 suppliers and attracting more than 5,000 visitors in 2024. QME provides unmatched exposure for companies who want to get their products and services in front of mining professionals in Queensland.
Alongside the exhibition floor, QME includes a free-to-attend leadership series that addresses the current needs of the industry and will provide direct benefit to many mining functions.
What's On
Industry-leading exhibition
Discover and connect with hundreds of industry-leading exhibitors spread across an expansive exhibition floor, with both indoor and outdoor displays showcasing cutting-edge equipment, live demonstrations, and real-world mining operations in action from hundreds of leading exhibitors. It’s an unmissable experience for anyone in the resources sector.
Leadership Series
QME features a free-to-attend series designed to address the current needs of Queensland’s mining industry. Hear directly from industry experts as they explore the most pressing issues and opportunities – from workforce and safety to innovation, sustainability, and critical minerals. Tailored to deliver practical insights and real value across a wide range of mining functions, these sessions are a must for professionals looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving sector.
QME Mining Pavilion
The QME Mining Pavilion is a central hub for the Queensland mining industry, bringing together key mining companies and major contractors to showcase their latest projects, initiatives, and innovations. More than just a display space, the Pavilion offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the organisations driving the future of mining in the region. Attendees can explore current and upcoming developments, gain valuable insights into procurement and partnership opportunities, and build meaningful connections within Queensland’s thriving mining community.
QLD Mining AWARDS
The Bowen Basin’s Queensland Mining awards are the premier awards program for celebrating the innovation, excellence and collaboration fostered within the state’s highly competitive industry, with the glittering black-tie Gala Dinner delivered as part of QME.
Networking function
The QME Opening Party is the perfect end to the first day of the event, offering a fantastic chance to network with peers and the industry.
Audience Matters
Accessing Australia’s most engaged audience of Decision Makers
0
+
total attendees over two days in 2024
0
%
of attendees were engineers
0
%
of attendees were from Australian
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of attendees were international
0
%
of visitors were from Queensland
Hear From Industry Leaders
Don't miss out – gain insights from an impressive speaker lineup
Sponsors
Association Partners
Industry Partners
Charity Partner
Media Partners
21st - 23rd July 2026
Main Stage Schedule
Please be advised that the conference program is not final and is subject to change
Official welcome
The Queensland Mining & Engineering Conference officially begins with a welcome address from Mayor Greg Williamson.
Opening Remarks
Join us for the official opening of the Day One Queensland Mining & Engineering Conference.
LANDCROS – The next evolution of Hitachi Construction Machinery
Join Sean Ryan, General Manager – Mining Sales, at Queensland Mining Expo 2026 in Mackay as he unveils LANDCROS – the next evolution of Hitachi Construction Machinery. This presentation explores the global rebrand to LANDCROS and what it means for Australian mining customers, while showcasing the latest innovations including the EX5600-7P and EH4000AC-5. Discover how increased productivity, improved fuel efficiency, and advanced AC drive technology are delivering reliable, intelligent solutions for the future of mining – built on a proud foundation of Japanese engineering excellence.
Royalties and Regulation: What's Next for Coal?
This panel will examine coals position in the mining landscape going forward. Are higher royalties and tighter environmental standards accelerating transition or redefining coal’s strategic role in energy security and critical minerals supply chains?
Commodity Outlook: What Next for Coal, Metals & Minerals
This panel examines emerging strategies to expand mineral resource production across Queensland’s mining sector – both as a way to diversify the state’s portfolio and ensuring greater operational sustainability to meet global economic and political challenges.
From Data to Decisions: AI & Predictive Maintenance in Mining
As Queensland’s resources sector modernises, digital transformation is redefining productivity, safety, and sustainability. This session explores how data analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, and remote operations are driving the next era of operational excellence.
The Next Mining Boom: Advancing Downstream Processing Capabilities
Demand for critical minerals is increasing at a rapid rate - with Australia well positioned to capitalise on global supply and demand pressures. This panel will look at how Queensland can position itself to benefit from a shifting commodity outlook to ensure competitiveness and sustainability.
An Expert Panel Discussion
Hear from industry leaders as they explore the key themes and driving forces shaping the field today. Drawing on their combined expertise, panelists will share diverse perspectives to help attendees better understand the wider industry landscape.
Choosing the Right Wall Liner and Conveyor Components Through Wear Testing
From testing lab to mite site, this presentation will provide practical insights into component selection for mining applications. It covers an overview of state-of-the-art experimental wear testing, such as testing of wall liners, and computer modelling of bulk materials and resulting wear. The presenters will also discuss testing methods and wear mechanisms of a wide range of conveyor components, such as conveyor belts. Finally, the session will explore meaningful selection criteria derived from the lab tests, to optimise reliability, efficiency, and service life on the mine site.
Mining Megatrends and Future Opportunities
Hear from Minerals Council of Australia CEO Tania Constable on how regional and global megatrends such as growing demand for critical minerals, urbanisation and the growing middle class in Asia, electrification and the energy transition are influencing demand for our high-quality Australian coal and other minerals. Tania will also provide insights into how the Federal Budget will affect mining including its impact on taxation, skills, costs and mining’s competitiveness.
Operational Resilience Through Sustainability‑Driven Efficiency
The mining sector across Queensland is under growing pressure to operate smarter, leaner and more reliably - with sustainability a key driver in efficiency gains. This panel explores how energy-efficient technologies, smarter resource use, and low-impact operational practices are strengthening resilience across mine sites.
Unlocking Operational Efficiency Through Trusted Strategic Partners
This panel will delve into how operational efficiency isn’t always driven by innovative ways of working, but rather, underpinned by pivotal partnerships to offer the equipment and services that fit the bespoke issues facing mine sites.
Opening Remarks
Join us as we kick off Day Two of the conference with a presentation from a leading industry expert.
The Changing Face of the Queensland Resources Sector
This panel explores how Queensland’s resources sector is evolving amid shifting commodity cycles. Industry leaders discuss optimising operations, leveraging local talent and the METS sector, and maximising resource value. The conversation will examine strategies to attract investment, unlock new projects and commodities, and position Queensland for long-term, resilient growth success.
Skills, Diversity and Inclusion: Building the Workforce of the Future
As mining shifts toward remote and digitally connected operations, worker well-being demands renewed focus. Beyond physical safety, mental health, fatigue management, and the pressures of isolation are becoming critical risk factors. This panel explores how the industry can strengthen support systems, build resilience, and create safer, healthier workplaces for a modern mining workforce.
Less is More: How to Balance Operational Efficiency with Sustainability
Everyone wants to get the most out of their equipment. This panel looks at actionable insights on how data-driven analytics can help with asset recovery and downtime through proactive predictive analysis and how to ensure operations also remain sustainable.
Inside the Industry: An Expert Panel Discussion
Join industry leaders for a dynamic discussion exploring key themes and the forces shaping the field today. Drawing on their collective expertise, panelists will share diverse perspectives to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the broader industry landscape.
Unlocking the Critical Minerals Value Chain: From Exploration to Processing
Queensland and Australia are positioning themselves as key suppliers of critical minerals needed for batteries, electric vehicles and renewable energy. This panel examines how production is being scaled, policy and investment settings enable growth, and how industry can move beyond extraction to capture greater value in supporting global supply chains.
Building Collaboration Across the Traditional Mining and Emerging Sectors
As the mining industry redefines itself for a rapidly changing global landscape, the ability to bridge established practices in traditional mining with the innovation of emerging sectors is more critical than ever. This panel will explore pathways for genuine collaboration — not just co-existence — between legacy mining operations and cutting-edge players in areas like critical minerals, battery metals, automation, and green mining technologies.
Exploration to Exit: Sustainable Mining Through the Lifecycle
This panel will look at actionable strategies that can be taken throughout a mine site's life to ensure sustainable operations, greater efficiency and a more conscious rehabilitation process.
Opening remarks
Join us as we officially open Day Three of the conference.
Strategies for Expanding Coal Processing
This panel will explore the strategic, technical, and financial pathways to scaling coal processing operations.
Mental Health, Fatigue Management and Remote Operations Challenges
The mining industry has long been associated with rigorous safety standards for physical hazards, but the well-being of the workforce extends far beyond personal protective equipment and compliance protocols. This panel will explore the evolving landscape of worker safety in mining, with a particular focus on mental health, emotional well-being, and holistic support systems.
Becoming “Investment Ready”: What Mine Sites can do to Attract Both Local and International Partnership Opportunities
This panel highlights the necessity for investment to level-up mine operations and what actionable strategies can be taken to not just be ready for investment in the future, but right now.
Expert Perspectives on the Industry
This panel brings together leading industry professionals who will share their knowledge, insights, and real-world observations on timely subjects. Whether addressing trends, challenges, or innovations, the discussion will offer valuable takeaways for attendees.
Stronger Together: Building Lasting Community Partnerships in Queensland’s Mining Future
Queensland's mining sector is strengthening ties with local and Indigenous communities, with Indigenous Land Use Agreements being registered across 51.5 per cent of the state as of July 2024. This panel explores how genuine partnerships, local procurement, and shared value initiatives are shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for Queensland’s resources industry.
News and Blogs
Latest QME News
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