Mackay-Sarina reveals foundations of mining-boom success

The heart of Queensland’s economic boom will be on show this week as hundreds of businesses that sustain the local mining industry join dozens of overseas buyers at the 2008 Queensland Mining and Engineering Expo (QME).

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade, John Murphy, said the eighth QME would showcase 515 mining and engineering businesses to more than 10,000 professional visitors.

“In addition, Austrade is bringing almost 40 overseas buyers – including around 20 from India – to see first-hand the advanced technology, equipment and processes which underpin Queensland’s mining boom,” Mr Murphy said.

Mr Murphy said the Australian mining equipment, technology and services (MTS) sector generated estimated annual sales of $12 billion.

“Fifty per cent of firms in the Australian sector are exporters, with combined exports of around $2.5 billion annually. This is expected to rise to $6 billion by 2010,” Mr Murphy said.

“This is all too often the untold story of Australia’s primary industry success in global markets: the innovative products and processes that make our industries so efficient and internationally competitive,” Mr Murphy said.

“Take, for example, 2007 Australian Export Award winner Callidan Instruments, based here in Mackay, which recently began selling their on-line microwave moisture analysers to Tata Steel as a first step into the Indian market. Their other export markets include China, the US and Brazil.”

Mr Murphy said Austrade was particularly well-placed to match international customers with Australian mining and engineering expertise.

“Austrade’s Mining Industry Network comprises a large team of Australian-based export advisers, as well as business development managers at Austrade posts in over twenty crucial mining markets,” Mr Murphy said.

“So, in addition to trade events like QME, Austrade’s Mining Industry Network is continuously business-matching international buyers with Australian exporters of equipment, technology and services,” Mr Murphy said.

Mr Murphy said the development of this sector was consistent with Government trade policy, which aims to build on the services sector and “intelligent” exports.

“The government is keen to promote products and processes which are well known to – and in many cases pioneered by – members of the Mackay region mining industry,” Mr Murphy said.

“The Mackay-Sarina region is one of the powerhouses of the broader mining industry at all levels: from getting the goods out of the ground to manufacturing the machinery to do it, and then providing high-end services which support entire operations,” Mr Murphy concluded.

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What: Mr Murphy will be attending a port visit and mining industry briefing during the day on Wednesday 23 July, before speaking at an Austrade-Queensland Government industry networking event in the evening.

Where: Networking event: Artspace, Gordon St, Mackay

When: Wednesday, 23 July – speaking 5.20-5.30pm

Who: Media are welcome to attend any or all of the:

port visit
mining industry briefing
industry networking event.

Media inquiries: Mr Murphy's office 02 9390 2118 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555