The countdown is nearly complete: Australia’s largest regional mining event, the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition, will open its gates at Mackay Showgrounds on July 23.

Next week’s exhibition and accompanying Seminar Series are set to showcase the industry’s leading innovations, trends and products, with over 300 exhibitors, the largest ever outdoor area and 29 seminar sessions held over the 3-day event.

The build for QME started in Mackay a few weeks ago, and with clear weather, has stayed right on track. The event is sure to be bigger than ever, with three pavilions being built, along with a sold-out floor plan.

General Manager – Events for Prime Creative, Siobhan Rocks, says the enthusiasm surrounding QME spells great things for the week ahead. Pre-registrations are tracking strongly, showing just how excited the community is for this biennial event.

“QME is a wonderful time for the Queensland mining industry to connect. It’s truly unique to have an event of this scale right on the doorstep of the Bowen Basin and we are excited to host the individuals and organisations involved in QME, whether it’s their first time or their tenth,” says Ms Rocks.

This year, QME has partnered with Decarbonisation Accelerated to shine a spotlight on decarbonisation in mining and its supply chain. This free one-day program will explore real-world examples of decarbonisation challenges and opportunities in mining, while facilitating discussions that encourage the industry to transform, innovate and remain competitive.

The Decarbonisation Accelerated project is supported by the Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3), the Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE), BHP’s Local Buying Foundation and the Queensland Government. The program brings together industry leaders and stakeholders, with an exciting speaker line-up including Dr Peter Whitbread-Abrutat, Graham Winkelman, Vice President of Climate at BHP, and Ashleigh Morris, CEO of Coreo.

GW3 CEO Kylie Porter says this addition at QME is not to be missed if your business is serious about remaining competitive in the mining supply chain and understanding key industry opportunities.

“We are thrilled to see the introduction of the Decarbonisation Accelerated program to QME this year, alongside their existing decarbonisation-related exhibitors and seminar sessions. This is set to be a critical component for the entire mining supply chain to understand and embrace, creating positive change for the Greater Whitsunday Region,” said Ms Porter.

In 2024, QME is delivering its biggest Seminar Series program to date, looking at the latest technological innovations and developments, technical best practice, health and safety, and collaborative approaches in the industry. A wide range of panelists rounds out the series, including The Hon Madeleine King, The Hon Scott Stewart, Janette Hewson, and Warwick Agnew.

Panel topics dive deep on current industry trends and challenges, looking towards long-term strategy for the mining sector. ‘Royalties and the impact to Queensland’, ‘Ensuring mines invest in making workplaces safer’, and ‘Tech-driven mining operations: a window to enhanced efficiency and precision’ are just a few of the panels to engage with across the three-day expo.

QME 2024 also features three exclusive Masterclass workshop sessions hosted by MinRes and TUNRA Bulk Solids on Tuesday 23rd July. These workshops are designed with engineering professional development in mind, exploring topics such as leadership, safety, and critical skills gaps, in an effort to elevate proficiency.

Engineers in particular, may find the third Masterclass, ‘Optimising Belt Conveyor Systems’ to be of particular interest as it explores design optimisation and current research findings. The scenario-based workshops offer a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application where participants can discuss perspectives and experiences.

172 new exhibitors join QME’s exhibition this year, adding to the wide variety of mining equipment, technology and services (METS) on display. This year’s exhibition features Komatsu, Hastings Deering, Metarock, Pirtek, and Hitachi Construction Machinery among hundreds of others. The expanded Mining Pavilion will also host some of Australia’s leading mining producers and contractors including Anglo American, Bravus, BHP + BMA, BUMA, MacKellar Group, Whitehaven Coal, and Glencore.

Register now for free at www.qmeexpo.com.au. Pre-registrations close soon, however, on-site registration will be available on the day to gain free access to the exhibition and Seminar Series.