The countdown is on to the 2026 Queensland Mining Awards and the listing of 28 finalists has today been released, with entries from multinational companies right through to Mackay-based small businesses stepping into the spotlight.
Winners of each of the 8 categories, plus the Queensland Mining Contractor of the Year, will be announced at the Gala Dinner, held in Mackay on Wednesday July 22 and sponsored by MyPass.
Safety, productivity and process improvements are recurring themes across categories, with the judges commenting that this year’s cohort of entrants took important steps towards solving age-old problems.
The peer-judging panel had a high percentage of return judges, with the addition of new insights from Whitehaven’s Dan Iliffe to support the prestige of the Awards process.
Jodie Currie, Bowen Basin Mining Club Director, says that while the industry is facing challenging headwinds, the recognition of contractors and producers doing exceptional work in producing Australia’s world-class coal is more important than ever.
“Every finalist this year has earned their recognition, with some categories as tough as we’ve ever seen them. It’s a privilege to be able to shout Queensland mining’s capabilities from the rooftops.”
Returning judge Dr Sharna Glover of Imvelo judged this year’s innovation entries as part of the panel, and was excited by the ideas on display.
“Judging the Awards this year was a genuine reminder of how much innovation exists within Queensland’s mining sector. The diversity of mining challenges on show was striking, and the quality and ambition behind the solutions was consistently high.”
Finalists now have a countdown to the Gala Presentation Dinner on Wednesday 22 July in Mackay at the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition. Along with the announcement of winners, the black-tie evening will feature speeches from industry leaders, networking and an impeccable celebration of what makes our industry excellent.
Tickets to the gala dinner are selling quickly, but still available.
2026 QUEENSLAND MINING AWARDS FINALISTS
Note: finalists are announced in alphabetical order
Austmine Innovation (METS) Award
FMS Group: Dipper Skid & Hoist Rope Install Jig
HNA Group: Strut Handling Tool
IMIS Asset Integrity: Robotic Ultrasonic Inspection of Operating Bins
QME Best New Technology Award
2Censor: Abrasive Wear Monitoring 2C-LINK
Decoda: Precision Haul Road Intelligence
Lucas Drilling: ‘Illuminator’ Integrated Coal Seam Drilling and Boundary Mapping Service
Blackwoods Collaboration Award
Anglo American, JET Group: Mini Face Bolter
Avetta + Whitehaven: Ready to Work at Scale
Pentacon + BMA: HVLV Separation Road
Glencore Productivity Award
FMS Group: R9800 Module Removal while Supported on Jacks
Mammoet Australia: Peak Downs Dragline Relocation
PETRA Data Science: MAXTA Drill&Blast® 5.0
Macmahon Safety Initiative Award
Anglo American: The Armadillo: Eliminating High-Risk Excavation over Live Conveyors
Coldwell Drilling: Lightweight Drill Bit Sub Adaptor
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal: Ships’ Lines (Snap Back) Risk Control
Glencore Oaky Creek Coal: Redefining High Voltage Safety: A Human Factors Approach
Soft Rigging Solutions: Tray Retention System
National Group Community, Staff Engagement or EEO Initiative Award
BMA, Barada Barna & Greening Australia: Bargala Nanhi Seed Project
BUMA Australia: “Braking the Cycle” Mentoring Program
KAEFER Australia: Scaffold Cadetship Program
Hastings Deering Innovation (Miner) Award
Anglo American: The Armadillo: Eliminating High-Risk Excavation over Live Conveyors
Anglo American: Mini Face Bolter
Kestrel Coal: Development Conveyor Bunkering Automation
Mackay Safety Environment Award
BMA: Beyond Fertiliser: Harnessing Abattoir Waste to Restore Soil Function
Bravus Mining and Resources: Foodie: Automated Food Waste Reduction
Peabody: Centurion Mine Gas-to-Power Station