Overview

The Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME) is an annual trade exhibition and conference held at Mackay Showgrounds in Central Queensland, Australia. Now in its fourth decade, it is the largest regional mining event in the state, covering the full range of the mining and engineering supply chain. The event serves the Bowen Basin mining community and the broader resources sector across Queensland. While it is not an architecture or design event in the traditional sense, it intersects directly with building materials, infrastructure engineering, and industrial construction.

Focus

QME focuses on the operational, technological, and commercial dimensions of the Queensland mining sector. Core topics include equipment innovation, automation and AI in mining operations, ESG and sustainability, critical minerals and commodity outlooks, workforce development, mine site safety and mental health, and mine rehabilitation. The event also covers downstream processing and the transition toward critical minerals production, reflecting shifts in the global resources economy. For professionals in architecture and construction, the exhibition is relevant as a window into the industrial infrastructure and materials supply chain that underpins large-scale resource extraction projects in regional Queensland.

With over 300 exhibitors and more than 5,000 visitors recorded in 2024, QME operates as the primary annual gathering point for the mining supply and services sector across Queensland’s Bowen Basin region.

Program

The three-day programme combines an open exhibition floor with a free-to-attend Leadership Series conference, a Mining Pavilion, industry awards, and networking events.

Exhibition Floor

Over 300 suppliers exhibit across indoor and outdoor displays, showcasing equipment, live demonstrations, and real-world mining technology. The format allows direct product comparison and supplier engagement across the full mining and engineering supply chain, including materials, machinery, digital systems, and safety solutions.

Leadership Series Conference

A free-to-attend three-day conference programme running on the main stage. Day One covers sustainability and ESG, commodity outlooks for coal and critical minerals, AI and predictive maintenance, and downstream processing. Day Two addresses workforce diversity and skills, digital transformation, fleet reliability, mine site rehabilitation, and community and Indigenous partnerships. Day Three focuses on mental health and fatigue management in remote operations, investment readiness, and fleet condition monitoring. Speakers represent government, academia, engineering firms, and major mining operators including BMA, Whitehaven, Stanmore Resources, and L&T.

QME Mining Pavilion

A dedicated hub where major mining companies and contractors display current and upcoming projects, procurement opportunities, and regional initiatives. It functions as a structured engagement zone within the wider construction and development context of the Queensland resources sector.

Queensland Mining Awards

A black-tie Gala Dinner held on Wednesday 22 July, organised by the Bowen Basin Mining Club. The awards programme recognises innovation, excellence, and collaboration across Queensland’s mining industry. 28 finalists have been announced for 2026.

QME Opening Party and Mine Pitch

A networking function closes Day One. On Day Three, Mine Pitch hosted by the Resource Industry Network presents five companies pitching innovations to a panel including representatives from BHP, Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, and Aurecon, with one-on-one breakout sessions following.

Audience

The event targets mining engineers, construction contractors, procurement managers, equipment suppliers, resources sector executives, government representatives, researchers, and regional business operators. Engineers represented a significant portion of 2024 attendees, with the majority drawn from Queensland and the rest from other Australian states and internationally.

Event Details

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

QME sits outside the traditional scope of architectural and design events, yet it is directly relevant to built environment professionals working in industrial, infrastructure, and resource sector contexts. The conference programme reflects the operational pressures facing regional Queensland mining: decarbonisation timelines, automation adoption, workforce sustainability, and the structural shift toward critical minerals. These forces have direct consequences for industrial construction typologies, from processing plant design to remote worker accommodation infrastructure. For researchers and practitioners engaged in resource region urbanism or industrial facility design, the event provides practical industry intelligence that formal design conferences rarely surface. Its strength lies in regional specificity and decision-maker density rather than in design discourse.

Closing Note

As Australia’s largest regional mining event, QME holds a defined and well-established position in the Queensland resources calendar. Its relevance to the architecture and construction community lies primarily in the industrial infrastructure, materials, and engineering supply chains it represents, rather than in design or spatial thinking.