The event provider will host the Queensland Resources Expo on July 21-23 in Rockhampton, the Mining & Energy NSW Exhibition on September 22-24 in Muswellbrook, Hunter Valley and the Mining & Energy South Australia Exhibition in Adelaide on October 27-29.

On the timing, Reed Mining Events exhibition manager Soren Norgaard was positive.

“With the current international uncertainty in commodities markets, quality mining exhibitions are a proven means of getting in front of specialist buyers and decision-makers who are now looking to reduce costs and improve efficiencies,” he said.

“And by the time our events are rolled out, in the second half of 2009, we would expect to be seeing some stabilisation of world commodity markets – with hopefully a recovery in sight for some major economies which have recently gone into recession.

“In the key China market, we anticipate that the massive economic stimulus package recently announced by the Chinese government will have started to bite, stabilising coal and iron ore prices, and even putting a floor under prices.”

The two east coast events will focus on surface and underground coal mining.

“As we all know, coal has been under some pressure in recent months, but by mid-next year we will have firm indications of the mid and longer-term prospects for this mining sector,” Norgaard said.

“However, we can be sure that coal miners will be looking for all opportunities to reduce their operating costs, improve efficiency and maximise onsite safety.”

He added the exhibitions were attracting very strong support from state and local government organisations along with local, regional and national suppliers.

China expert Mark Dougan of research and consulting firm Wood Mackenzie – which owns coalportal.com – was mixed in his views of the stimulus package when he recently spoke to International Longwall News, but did indicate it could shore up commodity prices.

“The real value or impact of a fiscal stimulus package like this in an economy that remains over 50 per cent state-owned is debatable,” he said.

“The move should, however, help shore up commodity prices and demand to some extent – or at least reduce the extent of further falls.”