The event, which starts today, will feature more than 600 exhibitors for its four-day duration at Sydney Showground.

Reed Mining Events exhibition director Paul Baker said the growth indicated the mining industry was changing rapidly.

"We have equipment and service suppliers who had not even been heard of outside their home markets just a few years ago, yet today they're competing on global markets," he said.

The Asia-Pacific's largest mining exhibition will feature international trade pavilions, trade delegations and the largest footprint of international exhibitors.

Countries represented at the international pavilions will include China, Germany, US, Canada, France and Chile.

Noteworthy companies attending AIMEX include Belarusian mining truck specialist BelAZ, Polish company Kopex, Dutch surface miner manufacturer Vermeer and Chinese haul truck specialist Xiangtan Electric Manufacturing Corporation.

"Both established and emerging market regions will have international pavilions at AIMEX, proving an opportunity for niche suppliers of products and services, and initiating an approach to the Australian market," Baker added.

Almost 30 international companies, mostly first-timers, will be showcasing their products and services at AIMEX.

In total, they will cover more than 3600sq.m, almost 10% more than the previous event in 2011.

Baker said the growth of international companies attending AIMEX reflected the importance of the Australian mining industry to the mining supply sector worldwide.

"For Australian mining companies, these non-traditional sources of supply are claiming to offer opportunities to reduce their upfront capital equipment costs, as well as their whole-of-life operating costs," he said.