The awards are part of the Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference held in Townsville this week, which has attracted a record 530 delegates.

The conference is hosted by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), the Department of Natural Resources Mines and Water, and mining unions the CFMEU and AWU.

QRC Chief Executive Michael Roche said a record 33 submissions were made this year, each representing improved health and safety practices for mine sites.

"The submissions speak volumes for the innovative nature of mine employees and their determination to improve health and safety by coming up with inventive solutions when problems or potential problems are identified,” Roche said.

He said one of the best aspects of the awards is the opportunity they bring for the sharing of information between companies and operational sites.

“The awards demonstrate how mining companies—who in other areas are business rivals—share a common objective of improving the health and safety of their operations,” Roche said.

James O’Loghlin, host of ABC Television’s The New Inventors, will compere the awards ceremony with the Minister for Natural Resources Mines and Water Henry Palaszczuk presenting the awards.