QME 2026 set to ignite Mackay
Less than 12 months from now, the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) 2026 is gearing up to return to Mackay as Queensland’s largest…
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
0
%
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
Industry Partners
21st - 23rd July 2026
Main Stage Schedule
Please be advised that the conference program is not final and is subject to change
Opening Remarks
Join us for the official opening of the Day One Queensland Mining & Engineering Conference.
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.
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.
The Next Mining Boom: Diversifying Production Portfolio to Deal with Upcoming Commodities
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.
The Need to Explore: How New Exploration Methods Are Changing the Mining Landscape Across Queensland
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.
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.
Journey to Net Zero: Are We There Yet?
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.
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.
Regional Development and Coal: Supply Chain, Logistics, Local Business Impacts
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.
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.
The Expert Angle: Industry Focus
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.
The Expert Angle: Industry Focus
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.
Unlocking the Critical Minerals Value Chain: From Exploration to Processing
As the mining industry evolves, its workforce must evolve with it. Building the workforce of the future requires more than technical expertise — it demands diverse perspectives, inclusive practices, and a commitment to developing skills that match a rapidly changing sector. This panel will explore how mining organisations can attract, upskill, and retain talent by fostering diversity, supporting inclusive workplaces, and preparing people for the new capabilities and technologies shaping the industry.
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 Greater Growth
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.
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.
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 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.
Tech-Driven Mining Operations: A Window to Enhanced Efficiency and Precision
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.
Industry Spotlight: Expert Voices
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.
News and Blogs
Latest QME News
Mackay’s about to get loud – are you coming?
You know that feeling when you show up late and everyone’s already at the party? Don’t let that be you. The Queensland Mining &…
Big crowds, big impact: one booth away
QME is coming back to Mackay – the beating heart of Queensland’s mining industry. For over 30 years, the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition…
QLD’s Biggest Mining Show Is Filling Fast
In less than 12 months, Queensland’s largest regional mining showcase returns to Mackay – and momentum is building fast, with 60% of the exhibition…