For Brisbane locals and broader South East Queensland, the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) is a classic family outing that highlights the state’s achievements and agricultural background.
However, this year, the Queensland Government’s Delivering for Queensland initiative is prominent at the show, highlighting the state’s push for critical minerals.
With Redland City receiving a public holiday yesterday (10 August) and Brisbane City set to have tomorrow (12 August) off for the Ekka holiday, crowds are sure to swarm the RNA Brisbane Showgrounds.
The Delivering for Queensland precinct can be found on level one in the Royal International Convention Centre, featuring critical minerals and manufacturing initiatives.
As reported by Mining.com.au, the Queensland Government launched its Delivering Queensland’s Critical Minerals Future 2026–30 strategy at the end of July, outlining the state’s vision to be a globally recognised supplier of critical minerals.
Delivering Queensland’s Critical Minerals Future 2026–30 sets a clear plan to grow the sector, build sovereign capability, and attract new investment as the state emerges as a destination of choice for critical minerals projects.
This new plan follows the Queensland Government’s $146 million budget investment to unlock critical minerals and accelerate the extraction, processing, and export of high-quality critical minerals.
A key critical mineral that has been in focus recently is copper.
Last week, copper reached record highs, trading at US$6.90 ($9.80) per pound on Thursday 6 August trading times in the US.
Trading Economics reports the commodity trading at US$6.62 per pound as of 11 August, which, while lower than last week’s highs, still represents a 47.06% increase for this year over year.
150 years of Ekka and Queensland copper
The 2026 Ekka is celebrating 150 years of the RNA tradition. But the Ekka isn’t the only thing celebrating a sesquicentenary.
According to the Queensland Government, the state has a 150-year history of copper production.
Following the first copper mines and smelters established in Central Queensland and South East Queensland in the 1860s, the state has grown to produce over 200,000 tonnes of refined copper annually — equalling around 50% of the country’s total refined copper output.
Queensland’s copper industry directly employs around 5,000 people and provided $2.7 billion in annual export revenue in 2023.
Most produced copper in Queensland is refined to over 99.99% purity and exported to international markets, particularly in Asia.
According to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) June 2026 Resources and Energy Quarterly, Australia is ranked as second globally for its copper resources.
By 2050, global demand for copper is projected to double, making the base metal a key focus for Queensland.
North of Queensland and the Ekka event, sits the historical Dianne Copper Project.
Owned by Revolver Resources (ASX:RRR), the Dianne Project historically produced 63,758 tonnes of ‘high-grade’ copper ore with an average grade of 22.7% copper from open cut and underground operations between 1979 and 1983 before mining operations ceased.
The company is targeting a final investment decision for the project, after finalising the layout of the proposed project in June 2026, as reported.
The final Dianne 3D earthworks and facilities layout implements a compact and environmentally conscious design to minimise operational footprint that spans around 800,000m3.
Dianne is located around 260km from Carina in Far North Queensland. The mine covers six active mining leases and an exploration permit.
Revolver Resources is an Australian explorer focused on developing resources needed for the global shift towards electrification.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Mining Queensland & Ekka
