The Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) has wrapped up for another year following an action-packed three days that brought the mining industry together in a spectacular showcase of technology, innovation, equipment and expertise.
With more than 9,000 registered attendees, QME 2026 brought the mining community together at the Mackay Showgrounds, connecting industry professionals with 370 exhibitors across an expanded exhibition footprint.
From massive mining machinery and cutting-edge technology to live demonstrations, networking and high-level industry discussions, this year’s QME delivered a powerful snapshot of where Queensland mining is heading next.
The exhibition floor featured some of the biggest names in the industry, including: Hitachi Construction Machinery | LANDCROS, Liebherr Australia, Epiroc, Hastings Deering, Milwaukee Tool, Fulton Hogan, Brooks/XCMG and Flexco Australia, alongside hundreds of mining equipment, technology and services (METS) companies and specialist suppliers.
Major mining operators and contractors were also at the heart of the event, with the QME Mining Pavilion bringing together organisations including Glencore, Macmahon, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance, Mackellar Group, Thiess, Stanmore Resources and Whitehaven Coal. The pavilion provided attendees with direct access to major operators and insight into projects, procurement pathways and the priorities shaping the sector.
Big equipment was a major drawcard, with Hitachi Construction Machinery | LANDCROS showcasing its EX1200-7 excavator, while Liebherr Australia showcased its PR776 G8 hydrostatic dozer to the exhibition floor.
QME was about more than what was on display. The event also created a space for the industry to talk about what comes next.
The QME Leadership Series Conference brought together influential voices from across mining, government, research and industry to tackle some of the biggest issues facing the sector, including AI and automation, critical minerals, sustainability, safety, workforce development, wellbeing and investment.
The program featured senior industry figures including Queensland Resources Council CEO Janette Hewson, Whitehaven Coal Regional General Manager Queensland Dan Iliffe, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility CEO Neil MacDonald and Coal Australia CEO Stuart Bocking, alongside government and industry leaders.
For QME Relationship Manager – Mining Events Rebecca Todesco, the response from the industry demonstrated the strength of the Queensland mining community.
“QME 2026 has been an incredible reflection of the energy, innovation and collaboration that exists across Queensland’s mining industry,” Todesco said.
“To welcome more than 9,000 people through the doors and bring together 370 exhibitors is a fantastic achievement, but what really stood out was the quality of the conversations happening across the show.”
Todesco said the event’s success was ultimately driven by the people who came together in Mackay.
“QME is about bringing the industry into one place; operators, suppliers, innovators, decision-makers and the people working on the ground every day. We saw those connections happening everywhere, from the exhibition floor and conference sessions through to the networking events,” she said.
The week also included the Queensland Mining Awards, present by the Bowen Basin Mining Club, celebrating excellence and innovation across the state’s resources sector and providing another opportunity for the industry to come together and recognise the people and businesses driving it forward.
The industry has spoken, the connections have been made, and the future of mining is moving forward, with QME by the must-attend event for Queensland’s mining and resources community. Stay tuned for more information regarding QME 2028 by visiting www.queenslandminingexpo.com.au