The first enthusiastic groups to test out Xstrata's interactive stalls were children from schools all around the North West.

St Joseph's students Jordana Hoek, Bella Wigginton and Chayley Johnson all had a blast driving replica loaders around a course, loading pebbles into the backs of trucks.

Plenty of action was happening at the Mount Isa Skills Centre as well, with students from Cloncurry State School invited bright and early to find out about electrical, fitter and turner and diesel fitting apprenticeships.

Screams and giggles were heard from the underground mine tour where kids were led around a black plastic tunnel to simulate conditions miners face below the earth's surface.

Barkly Hire was offering residents a chance to see Mount Isa from above, lifting them 50 metres above the ground in a new piece of crane equipment.

Barkly Hire business owner Matt Vanderkamp said the crane, which could lift workers up to 108 metres in the air with adjustments, had lifted around 100 people on the first day at the expo.

Back down on the ground, it was AUS FUEL's chance to turn heads and inspire competition with a 'minute to win it' competition.

Cory Kirk was trying his hand at getting the remote control car around the track for more laps per minute than the last bloke in line, hoping to take out the gift voucher up for grabs.

For hearts left racing after an adrenalin-filled start to the day, Kinetic Health were on hand to test blood pressure, glucose levels and cholesterol levels.

Security guard Jason Tawera said his blood glucose was a little high after snacking on some lollys, but other than that he was in good health, getting the tick of approval from endorsed enrolled nurse Jo Lamont.

Mount Isa Fish Stocking Group vice-president John Blackman was also out and about promoting the group's work and upcoming fishing tournaments.

Steven Cremona picked up some pamphlets and, despite admitting he was more of a deep sea fisherman, said he'd like to try his hand fishing out of a kayak on Lake Julius or Moondarra.