The Bowen Basin Mining Club’s bi-annual awards program, the Queensland Mining Awards, returns next year – with entries set to open next month.

The awards were officially launched last week in front of industry and state leaders at the Queensland Resources Council’s State of the Sector Luncheon.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the awards played an important part in acknowledging and encouraging the sector, which had shown incredible resilience in recent years.

“Resources in Queensland added $84.3 billion to our economy in the last financial year and supported a record number of jobs – one in every six for the state,” he said.

“As we move towards a more sustainable sector, it’s so very important to recognise the businesses that are excelling in areas like productivity, environmental management and safety, as they are the true leaders of tomorrow.”

The 2022 awards are due to be held on July 20 during the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME) in Mackay.

Bowen Basin Mining Club director Jodie Currie described the awards as a fantastic opportunity for businesses large and small to tell their stories.

“There’s nothing that builds business credibility quite like an industry award, particularly when it’s been peer-judged by major players in that industry,” she said.

“Launching this awards program for 2022 always gets me excited about the stories we’ll uncover. Last year’s Mining Contractor of the Year, Gas Field Services, was a true diamond in the rough – an amazing Indigenous-owned business that’s pushing boundaries in the drilling and exploration sector.”

Award entries will open on Monday January 17, 2022. Find out more about categories and last year’s winners at www.qldminingawards.com.