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, contractors and producers to step forward and be recognised.
Hosted by the Bowen Basin Mining Club (BBMC) in partnership with the Queensland Resources Council, the QMA Gala Dinner will take place on Wednesday 22 July at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre as the peak event of QME 2026.
This year’s categories span the full breadth of the mining industry from frontline productivity to community leadership.
Contractors and suppliers can enter the Productivity category to demonstrate how they’ve saved time or cost for a client through innovation or process improvement. The Innovation – METS category recognises new concepts, technologies or processes that have driven operational efficiency or improved project delivery. The Best New Technology category is open to any company that has launched a game-changing technology in the past two years.
Mining companies can enter the Innovation – Miner category, which celebrates teams that have implemented a new approach, technology or process with measurable results on the ground.
Four categories are open to the entire industry. The Environment category recognises innovative approaches to environmental protection, rehabilitation or net zero commitments. Collaboration highlights the cross-industry partnerships that deliver outstanding outcomes. Community, Staff Engagement or Equal Opportunity showcases initiatives that engage staff, communities or diverse groups — including Indigenous, women in mining and regional programs. And the Safety category rewards dedicated projects that deliver quantifiable safety improvements.
Across all contractor and supplier finalists, judges will also select a Mining Contractor of the Year in recognition of sustained excellence across multiple categories.
BBMC Director, Jodie Currie, said the coverage of this year’s categories reflects the diversity of talent across the Queensland industry. “There is genuinely a category for every part of the supply chain,” she said. “We want any size of companies that are doing outstanding work – could be in safety, sustainability, staff engagement or straight-out productivity – to showcase their achievements. There’s no limit to the number of entries – a project sometimes suits more than one category and that’s great.”
Every entry is assessed by an independent judging panel of experienced industry leaders, using a peer-reviewed matrix that evaluates methodology, innovation, outcomes and entry quality. Projects must have been undertaken in Queensland between April 2024 and April 2026, and partially completed projects may still be eligible.
Entries close 5pm Friday 24 April 2026. Enter now at qldminingawards.com.