July 2026
Daily
Mackay QLD 4740
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.
Please be advised that the conference program is not final and is subject to change
Join us for the official opening of the Day One Queensland Mining & Engineering Conference.
Join an engaging conversation with industry experts as they unpack important themes and discuss the dynamics currently influencing the field. Through their combined experience, panelists will offer a range of viewpoints designed to help attendees better understand the broader industry context.
This panel focuses on how coal operations continue to fuel regional growth and how the industry can continue to expand in the face of shifting demand and policy reform – from transport infrastructure to SME participation, investment opportunity and the evolution of operational process.
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.
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.
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.
A report reveals Queensland’s resources exploration sector remains resilient with significant potential for future growth if governments can provide policy and regulatory certainty, which will attract new capital investment. This panel shines a light on what that could look like whilst offering strategies for greater exploration potential through proven partnerships and collaboration.
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.
As global markets accelerate toward decarbonisation, mining companies face mounting pressure to deliver meaningful progress on their net-zero commitments. But how far has the sector truly come — and what barriers still stand in the way? This panel takes an honest, practical look at the mining industry’s path to net zero, separating aspiration from measurable action.
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.
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.
Join us as we kick off Day Two of the conference with a presentation from a leading industry expert.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Join us as we officially open Day Three of the conference.
This panel examines the dynamic economic and regulatory landscape shaping mining today with strategies on how to navigate the complex web of factors to make strategic decisions - from volatile commodity prices and global demand trends to evolving royalties, ESG expectations, and regulatory reforms.
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.
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.
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.
Queensland's mining sector is strengthening ties with local and indigenous communites, 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.
Digital transformation is reshaping mining at extraordinary speed, unlocking new levels of accuracy, safety, and productivity across the value chain. This panel examines how emerging technologies — from automation and robotics to AI-powered analytics, digital twins, and advanced sensing systems — are redefining how mines are planned, operated, and optimised.
Experts from across the industry will come together to explore relevant topics and provide meaningful commentary on the forces shaping the landscape. This session aims to give participants a comprehensive overview of where the industry stands and where it may be headed.
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The countdown is on for the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) returning to Mackay from 21–23 July 2026 and tickets are officially up for grabs. QME has always been…
