Organisers said the number of overseas visitors was up nearly 40% on the previous exhibition, establishing AIMEX as a truly international mining show.

“We had good numbers of visitors from around Australia, as well as delegations from India, China, South America, North America and Russia," said John Gorton, director of industrial events with organiser Reed Exhibitions.

An unaudited visitor breakdown shows 12,367 visitors over the four days, with more than 15% from interstate and over 7% from overseas.

"This reflects growth of more than 17% in interstate visitors compared with 2003, and nearly 40% growth in international visitors - who represented a total of 38 countries," Gorton said.

A fully audited report on visitor numbers, where they came from, types of business and job descriptions will be provided to all exhibitors within three months.

"We've also had reports of plenty of business being done at AIMEX, including a number of exhibitors selling high-value equipment off their stands, and others looking to sign major deals with Australian and overseas companies," Gorton said.

AIMEX 2011 will again be held at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, on September 6-9, 2011.