The breakfast, Trade Minister De-Anne Kelly was organised as part of the 2006 Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME).
The bi-annual QME, held this week in Mackay, is renowned internationally as a major showcase for Australian suppliers of mining equipment and technologies, consulting and engineering services, underground mining contract services, research and development and mining education courses.
This year more than 460 companies will be exhibiting at QME, which is expected to attract the largest-ever contingent of international buyers, including the China Mining Association delegation.
Kelly said while China continued to be a major buyer of Australia's resources it was also rapidly developing its own mining industry, providing an enormous opportunity for Australian companies who had a proven track-record of suppling world-class mining technology and services.
She said last year Australia's mining servicing industry contributed more than $A3 billion to the country's GDP, with export earnings well in excess of $2 billion.
She said the industry was set to continue its strong growth with the potential to earn exports sales of $6 billion annually by the end of the decade.
"While Australian sales of mining services and technology to China are already significant, this market will be increasingly important in helping to drive export growth in the local industry," Kelly said.
"An excellent example of local businesses which are creating export earnings and employment is Longwall Associates Australia, which manufactures, rebuilds and services a range of mining systems from their base here in Mackay.
"With its reputation for innovation and a strong focus on customer needs, Longwall has firmly established its business in China over the past five years by securing a number of multi-million dollar deals with major Chinese mining companies."
The Australian Government's export promotion agency, Austrade, has assisted many of the international buyers attending QME, including the China Mining Association delegation, as well as running networking events and business matching services.
