PANELS TO PROGRESS INDUSTRY CONVERSATIONS

Australia’s largest regional mining event, the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME), returns this month to the Mackay Showgrounds, raising the standard with its largest-ever Seminar Series.

From 23-25 July, the free-to-attend Seminar Series hosted by Komatsu will feature 13 panel discussions with an impressive lineup of high-profile speakers from the C-suite to peak bodies, research and industry associations.

The Seminar Series runs across all three days of the exhibition, covering a wide range of industry topics from mining royalties to sustainability milestones and mental health and wellbeing.

Tuesday’s panel discussions start off with a bang, as the Bowen Basin Mining Club’s Jodie Currie moderates a panel on royalties and their impact to Queensland. The panelists include Paul Flynn of Whitehaven Coal, Janette Hewson of the Queensland Resources Council, Dr Matt Anderson of Commodity Insights and Dr Ross Lambie of the Minerals Council of Australia.

Ms Currie says that the panel’s discussion will probe the flow-on effects of changes to Queensland’s royalties scheme, also looking at alternative approaches for alternative outcomes.

“It’s no secret that the Queensland industry has felt the impacts of royalties and the associated policy and risk environment affecting investor confidence levels over the last few years. I’m looking forward to frank discussion and key insights on real issues for the sector at QME, starting with this panel opportunity,” said Ms Currie.

Later on Tuesday, a panel will discuss trends that are reshaping Queensland’s mining landscape, and the opportunities they present to build a sustainable mining sector. Discussion will dive into volatile commodity prices, decarbonisation, corporate social responsibility, and emerging demand in the Indo-Pacific.

Wednesday’s panel discussions cover ground in safety and collaboration, with one panel discussing mining’s future workforce and how industry and academia can build the next generation of miners. Moderated by Bec Murton of Murton Consulting, this panel features Jan Norberger of the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance, Robert Buttery of CQUniversity and Larnie Mackay of Mynesight.

The Seminar Series is free to attend with free registration to QME. Registering online ahead of time is recommended to avoid queueing at the gate. QME runs 23rd to 25th July at Mackay Showgrounds.

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