Events during the week include daily tours to central Queensland mines, processing plants and resources research centres, while a resources careers market will encourage employment in the sector.

Reed Exhibitions’ exhibition manager Soren Norgaard said QREX provided a very cost-effective method of communicating directly to customers and potential customers.

“Despite the downturn in the resources sector and the broader economy, suppliers of equipment and services to the mining industry realise that events such as QREX provide unique opportunities for face-to-face dialogue with substantial numbers of buyers, specifiers and end users in their key markets,” he said.

Reed Exhibitions will also host the International Industry Conference at the start of the week on July 20.

QREX event manager Ellie Traynor says the conference will cover challenges such as energy security and the outlook for a low carbon future.

Of the QREX Australian Resources Conference, Traynor says the event will highlight what is necessary to continue the strong resource industry growth of this decade.

During the QREX Trade Exhibition there will be daily industry tours departing from the Rockhampton Showgrounds to various industry hotspots.

A trip to the Blackwater International Coal Centre is available, which also incorporates a mine tour.

Another tour will go to the Stanwell Power Station.