QME 2026 showcases mining’s next chapter

The QME conference program explored themes ranging from digital transformation and automation to international investment strategies, while the Queensland Mining Awards celebrated excellence across the industry.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson officially opened the event, welcoming attendees from Queensland, across Australia and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

“On behalf of the regional council and a grateful community underpinned by the resources sector, I’d like to say welcome. Welcome to the people who actually drive a significant part of the Australian economy and should be very, very proud of it,” Williamson said.

More than 360 suppliers showcased the latest mining equipment, technology and services to around 6500 attendees, reinforcing QME’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading mining exhibitions.

Major industry names including Milwaukee Tools, Hitachi Construction Machinery | LANDCROS, Liebherr Australia, Fulton Hogan, Epiroc, Hastings Deering, Brooks/XCMG and Flexco Australia featured across the exhibition floor.

Among the biggest attractions were the large-scale machines on display, with Hitachi | LANDCROS showcasing its EX1200-7 excavator complete with the imposing EX8000-7BH bucket manufactured by Bradken.

Opening the conference, Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia general manager – mining sales and technology Sean Ryan unveiled LANDCROS as the company’s next evolution in mining technology.

“Thank you to the Queensland Mining Expo for inviting us to be the keynote sponsor this year. It’s fantastic to see so many people from throughout Queensland’s mining industry, including many colleagues, past colleagues and friends,” Ryan said.

Ryan said the mining industry was entering a period of unprecedented change.

“Mining has always been an industry built on optimism. Every investment we make today is based on confidence in tomorrow. Yet I’d argue we’ve never seen a period of change quite like the one we’re experiencing now,” he said.

The Liebherr PR776 G8 hydrostatic dozer – the world’s largest – also drew strong interest in the outdoor area.

Liebherr Australia key account manager Jason Gundry said the G8 model had only been launched globally within the past two years.

“We’ve now got five G8s in operation here in Australia, and this dozer in particular was manufactured in our Telfs facility in Austria, and it made its way over here by ship, unloaded in Brisbane and then road transported to site.”

Alongside the big machines and abundant displays of the very latest in mining equipment and technology, the QME conference and leadership series brought together representatives from government, industry and academia to discuss many of the sector’s biggest challenges while highlighting opportunities for the future of mining.

Panels covered topics from workforce mental health and artificial intelligence to quantum sensing for critical minerals exploration.

QME also served as the stage for significant policy announcements.

Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last announced a full review of the state’s Financial Provisioning Scheme (FPS), with reforms aimed at removing unnecessary barriers to investment while maintaining strong environmental safeguards.

Last acknowledged the policy reform “might not be the most exciting topic on today’s agenda, but I would argue that it is one of the most important.”

He said the review formed part of a broader effort to strengthen investment confidence across Queensland’s resources sector.

“Confidence begins long before a mine is built,” Last said.

That confidence extended to the exhibition floor, where exhibitors reported strong engagement throughout the three-day event.

CAPS Australia Mackay branch manager Glen Camilleri said the company had experienced strong foot traffic and quality enquiries.

“It’s been a stronger show than the last one a couple of years ago. We’ve had some enquiries from some of the coal companies and people have been asking about service trucks and portable air compressors,” he said.

Flexco used QME to showcase its digital conveyor rip detection solution to the Australian market for the first time.

“It’s a new take on rip detection in the market through the use of non-fixed sensors – so it’s exciting to show off something like this here,” Flexco national sales manager Joshua Abberton said.

Abberton said events such as QME provided an opportunity to discuss how new technologies could address safety and productivity challenges.

“What we’re really trying to do is identify operational gaps that businesses are having, whether that’s with safety or production gaps. Flexco as a business develops and designs products and solutions to fill those gaps.”

Madison Technologies solutions engineer team lead Corey Nesbitt said QME was an important opportunity to connect with customers and discuss wireless mesh, LTE and 5G communications technologies.

“We sell traditional wireless and Mesh solutions but there’s a big push towards LTE and 5G on sites so we’re talking to people about providing hybrid Mesh and LTE solutions to our customers.”

REMA TIP TOP senior marketing manager Ellaina Mackay said QME remained invaluable for strengthening customer relationships.

“Being at QME is hugely important to us, as supporting the local industry that keeps REMA TIP TOP running is our priority. The connections we’ve made at QME have been invaluable in our mission in providing top tier support and product for mines in the region.”