QME has been at the heart of the Queensland mining sector for over 30 years.
Returning to the Mackay Showgrounds in 2024, the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME) will again be the ultimate showcase of supplier innovation and excellence and will illustrate the world-class capabilities of Mackay and the central Queensland region.
With an impressive line-up of over 300 exhibitors, including Hitachi Construction Machinery, Komatsu, Hastings Deering, Makita, iMotion, Pirtek, Hidrive, Pinnacle Hire and MetaRock, QME has gone from strength to strength and outgrown its 2022 event, which at the time was the largest QME event held in several years.
Image: QME
Alongside the exhibition floor, QME features a free-to-attend seminar series sponsored by Komatsu, a series of masterclass workshops in the 500 Pavilion, live demonstrations and presentations, plus exclusive industry events including the QME opening party sponsored by Hastings Deering and the prestigious Queensland Mining Awards Gala Presentation Dinner.
The opening party kicks off festivities on Tuesday July 21. This exclusive event is hosted in conjunction with the Queensland Resources Council and is expected to attract hundreds of guests who will have the opportunity to hear from sponsor Hastings Deering and network with visitors and suppliers at the conclusion of the first day.
Returning to QME in 2024 is an extensive line-up of mining companies and contractors exhibiting in the Mining House Pavilion.
Participants include Anglo American, BHP and BMA, Bravus, BUMA, Glencore, MacKellar Group and Whitehaven Coal.
These companies are eager to share their many ongoing initiatives, discuss their job vacancies, engage with suppliers at the event, and connect face-to-face with people in the industry.
New to the event this year is the introduction of the Decarbonisation Showcase, which is focused on assisting companies to meet their growing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements. Industry leaders including Commodore Australia, Danfoss, Earthtrack Group, FLSmidth, Komatsu, Parker, and WEG will showcase their smart and sustainable ESG solutions.
Anyone participating in or supplying Queensland’s mining industry is welcome to visit the three-day event. In particular, engineers, management and site personnel will benefit from the program and exhibition.
Seminar series
Visitors can stay ahead of mining developments and get attuned with the latest industry knowledge through QME’s free-to-attend seminar series, sponsored by Komatsu.
The seminar series will look at the latest technological innovations and collaborative approaches to improve productivity and long-term strategy for the mining sector.
The latest advances in technology and innovation across the mining value chain will be discussed alongside specific technical developments that help miners maintain the highest level of safety and reliability.
Other topics covered at the seminar series include the future of mining, diversification, critical minerals, smart mining technology, clean energy, occupational health and safety, and investment outlook.
QME 2024 is gearing up to host an impressive gathering of experts from across the sector, boasting more than 70 industry speakers including government representatives, business leaders, corporate executives, industry personnel and educational experts.
Throughout the three-day seminar series, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King, Queensland Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals Scott Stewart, Queensland Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last, and Federal Department of Resources Director General Warwick Agnew.
Representatives from key mining bodies and companies will also be in attendance, including Queensland Resources Council chief executive officer (CEO) Janette Hewson, Austmine CEO Christine Gibbs-Stewart, Danfoss global business development director Craig Rapson, and Whitehaven Coal managing director Paul Flynn.
Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson will deliver the opening remarks at the QME seminar series to kickstart the three days of dynamic discussions.
Here are just some of the sessions being showcased across the three days of the event. For more details, see the seminar series program on the QME website.
Tuesday July 23
- Keynote ministerial address, ‘Fast-tracking the transition to critical minerals – milestones and opportunities’, presented by Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King
- ‘Reimagining the mining landscape: Exploiting new opportunities and steering through transformation’, presented by Minerals Council of Australia chief economist Ross Lambie
- Panel discussion, ‘Journey to net-zero: Are we there yet?’, presented by CEOs and representatives from North Star Energy, Symmetry Solar, CQUniversity and Queensland Treasury
- Panel discussion, ‘Enhancing mental health and wellbeing: Fostering a culture of inclusion and support’, presented by BMA infrastructure and services general manager Bobbie Foot, Anglo American work management superintendent Kristy Purdon, and Anglo American workplace support manager Kanae Dyas
Wednesday July 24
- Keynote ministerial address, ‘Investing in Queensland’s resources future – where to next?’, presented by Queensland Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals Scott Stewart
- ‘Assessing the mining potential of critical minerals as a clean energy source’, presented by Critical Minerals Group managing director and CEO Scott Winter
- ‘Fostering innovation and skills in the mining and METS sector’, presented by Austmine CEO Christine Gibbs-Stewart
- Panel discussion, ‘Ensuring mines invest in making workplaces safer’, presented by CEOs and representatives from Global Wellness Institute, Prescribe Australia, Techs4Biz Australia, ASI Solutions, and Evocativ Mental Fitness Coaching
Thursday July 25
- ‘Ensuring community safety by eliminating or reducing hazards at abandoned mine sites’, presented by Department of Resources georesources division technical services project manager Karin Fogarty
- ‘Advances in smart mining: Exploring the promise of zero entry mining and automation’, presented by Universal Field Robots director Jeff Sterling
- ‘Building collaboration across the traditional mining and emerging sectors’, presented by Resources Centre of Excellence CEO Steven Boxall
- Panel discussion, ‘Reimagining mine water management as a strategic asset rather than a mere expense’, presented by Waterstart Australia CEO Daniel Lambert, STAR Water Group CEO Chris Rochfort, and Dredge Robotics CEO Antony Old
The Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition will be held at the Mackay Showgrounds from July 23–25.
This feature appeared in the June 2024 issue of Australian Mining.
