The Queensland Mining Awards celebrate their 10th year in 2024, and officially launched last week in front of a sold-out crowd in Mackay at the Bowen Basin Mining Club’s final lunch for the year.
The Awards are hosted by the Bowen Basin Mining Club in conjunction with the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane was on hand to help launch the Awards as one of his final tasks before retiring as head of the industry advocacy body.
“For almost a decade, the QRC has been partnering with the Bowen Basin Mining Club to recognise and reward our world-leading mining industry through this unique, peer-judged program,” he said.
“The Queensland Mining Awards Awards are a significant event on our calendar because they always uncover new stories of excellence, innovation and tenacity that are the hallmark of our sector.
“With the Mining and energy industry contributing a record $116.8 billion to Queensland’s economy in the 2022-23 period, I’m looking forward to our 2024 awards revealing some of the incredible innovations that have been developed during this time.”
Reviewing projects and innovations that have been implemented in the period from April 2022 to April 2024, the Awards are some of the most transparent in their class. The panel of peer judges, drawn from the industry’s C-suite, give constructive feedback to entrants and in some cases, even go on to form business relationships with them.
Entries are judged across categories encompassing productivity, safety, innovation, engagement, and environmental excellence. Finalists and winners will be on display in front of a 500-strong crowd at the Gala Dinner held during the 2024 Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME) in Mackay.
Samantha Martin, Event Director of QME, also helped to launch the Awards, saying the event adds an extra layer of excitement to QME.
“QME is the largest exhibition of its kind in Australia, and to have it held in the heart of the Bowen Basin is always a thrill. As the gala event of QME, we love the prestige and the exclusivity of the Awards, and there’s nothing like seeing the winner of the Queensland Mining Contractor of the Year accept their trophy.”
Bowen Basin Mining Club Director Jodie Currie is also excited to see the stories that this year’s Awards will unearth when entries open in early January.
“We’ve had an unprecedented level of enquiries this year before the Awards had even launched, so we are looking forward to a record-breaking year all around.
“With the industry more competitive now than ever, the Awards form the perfect platform for businesses to put their zone of genius in the spotlight.
“Our judging panel is nearly locked in, and while I’m not spoiling anything yet, these are the kind of people that entrants will really want to showcase their capabilities in front of.”
The 2024 Awards also sees Mackay Regional Council returning as partners.
Award Entries will open on Monday January 19, 2024. Limited sponsorships are now available.