The mission coincides with the Coal Mining and Equipment and Services Trade Exhibition in Shanghai this week.

The mission is dominated by mining services companies from Mackay and Rockhampton and include Callidan Instruments, Longwall Associates Australia and JSIS Engineering from Mackay, ComEnergy from Pullenvale, Central Highland Safety Services from Rockhampton.

A significant number of the participants are involved in the provision of expertise related to mine safety training and management.

"As well as having the opportunity to attend the Coal Mining and Equipment and Services Trade Exhibition to drum up business, they will also visit a number of key mine sites in Shanxi Province such as the Shanxi coal mine site and Yanzishan coal mine,” said Queensland premier Peter Beattie.

The Queensland Government's Coal Mining Mission to China follows on from the Queensland Government's successful coal equipment mission held in 2003 which resulted in almost US$30 million worth of business for Queensland companies.

"It paved the way for the signing of a $14 million contract for ComEnergy to supply unique technology to Chinese mining company Hebi Heavy Coal Group,” Beattie said.

"The 2004 mission will give Queensland mining related businesses the opportunity to build on these achievements."

Companies participating in the Queensland Coal Mining Mission to China include:

Anderson Group of Companies (Mackay), Callidan Instruments (Mackay), Central Highland Safety Services (Rockhampton), Central Queensland University (Rockhampton), TAFE Queensland Mining Services (Rockhampton) ComEnergy (Pullenvale), Current Training Queensland (Rockhampton), IML International (Mackay), JSIS Engineering (Mackay), KPMG (Brisbane), Lennon Training Consultant (Emerald), Longwall Associates Australia (Mackay), Mackay Area Industry Network Cooperative (Mackay), Mechatricity (Sunshine Coast) Simtars (Brisbane), Coalbiz.com (Mackay).