From July 21 to 23, 2026, the 30th Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME 2026) is being held at the Mackay Showgrounds in Australia, with the exhibition area expanded to 9,000 square meters, the largest in the event's history. Booths sold out months in advance, with over 300 suppliers participating.
Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson stated in his opening address: "Mining is not just another industry in our region; it is the economic backbone of regional communities. The Mackay Bowen Basin area has the second-highest GDP per capita nationally, behind only the Pilbara region. Without a strong resources sector, Australia cannot have a strong economy."
Sean Ryan, General Manager of Mining Sales and Technology at Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia, delivered the opening keynote speech, unveiling the next-generation mining technology platform LANDCROS. Ryan noted: "Mining is facing an unprecedented period of transformation - the need to produce more materials with fewer people, while achieving lower emissions, higher safety standards, and lower unit costs. Modern mines are becoming some of the most technologically advanced operations on Earth."
This year's expo brings together industry giants including Milwaukee Tools, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Fulton Hogan, Epiroc, Hastings Deering, Brooks/XCMG, and Flexco Australia. A dedicated Mining Pavilion allows mining companies and major contractors to connect directly with suppliers. Free leadership series and main stage conferences cover topics including ESG practices, commodity outlooks, AI and predictive maintenance, and downstream processing capacity enhancement. The Queensland Resources Council provides official support for the event.