The Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME) 2018 has today announced the attendance of Michaelia Cash, Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Matt Canavan, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia and George Christensen MP, member for Dawson, reaffirming the importance of the sector to the Australian economy.
The Australian Government representatives will join engineers and mining personnel, production managers, and some of the industry’s largest corporations in Mackay from July 24–26 for Queensland’s largest mining and engineering exhibition, which will explore the theme, ‘Productivity, Profitability and Protection’.
According to the Mining in Australia 2018–2032 Report, mining production is likely to grow 5.5 per cent in the current financial year, with maintenance spending also on the rise and the investment decline winding down. To foster the industry growth trajectory, QME 2018 will bring together key industry players to improve collaboration, accelerate innovation and address future barriers.
“Since the doors opened 25 years ago to the very first QME, the event has built a longstanding reputation for bringing the best in Australian mining together, to collaborate and consider the industry’s domestic and international outlook,” said Brandon Ward, director of QME 2018.
“The event will also provide the Mackay region with national and international exposure and bolster its reputation as a mining hub, whilst providing visitors an opportunity to enjoy its diverse and vibrant community.”
This year’s exhibition will host more than 230 companies (an impressive 41 per cent increase from QME 2016) including global industry heavyweights Downer Group, Flender, Flexco, FLSmidth, Puma Energy, SMW Group, thyssenkrupp and Valley Longwall International.
Running alongside the exhibition will be a seminar series featuring more than 30 speakers across three days, providing visitors with exclusive access to the latest industry technologies and insights via keynote presentations, panel discussions and case study presentations. The seminar series will focus on six key areas including maintenance, automation and Internet of Things (IoT), procurement and supply chain, renewable energy, transport, and operational health and safety (OH&S).
QME 2018 will feature a Business Matching Program which offers visitors a personalised itinerary of products and companies matched to their areas of interest, to maximise their time on-site.