Queensland has approved a 21‑year extension of Stanwell’s Meandu thermal coal mine, enabling access to about 200 million tonnes of additional coal reserves. The project secures ongoing supply to the adjacent Tarong and Tarong North coal‑fired power stations, which together generate roughly 20 per cent of Queensland’s electricity. For mine planners and geotechnical teams, the decision signals two more decades of pit development, overburden management and slope stability work in the South Burnett coalfield.

QME 2026 will return to the Mackay Showgrounds as Australia’s largest regional mining gathering, combining a full-scale equipment and technology exhibition with structured networking and deal-making. Organisers are positioning the event less as a static display of trucks, drills and processing kit and more as a hub for supplier–operator collaboration, with dedicated business development sessions and evening networking drinks. For contractors, OEMs and mine operators, the emphasis on in-person relationship building signals continued value in regional trade shows alongside remote procurement and digital vendor engagement.

TECO’s new E710 Next Gen Compact Current Vector Control Variable Speed Drive adds built‑in predictive maintenance to mining auxiliary drives by continuously monitoring internal components from commissioning and issuing advance failure warnings. The unit delivers full rated output up to 50°C and 150% torque at 0.5Hz in Sensorless Vector mode, targeting demanding conveyor, pump and fan duties. A plug‑in Copy Module can transfer complete parameter sets between drives on site, cutting commissioning and replacement time for maintenance teams.