The inaugural issue of Tunneling & Underground Construction Magazine, the official publication of the UCA of SME, was published in March. Inside is a discussion of European tunneling projects, equipment and techniques, many of which are making their way to the North American underground construction industry. Highlights from the George A. Fox conference in New York are also presented. In addition, T&UC features the Tunnel Demand Forecast, which provides a list of underground construction projects in the United States and their current status.

T&UC is also available online for UCA of SME and SME members at: http://www.smenet.org/uca. Members will also be able to view updated versions of the Tunnel Demand Forecast online. T&UC will be published quarterly in March, June, September and December. The new magazine will be bound into those issues of Mining Engineering Magazine. And UCA of SME members will receive a separate copy.

2006 was another good year for the global mining industry. And the industry appears to be headed for another good one in 2007. The May issue of Mining Engineering features its Annual Review of the mining industry during 2006. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that demand from places like China has kept demand high for minerals throughout the world, especially metals and construction materials. However, high energy prices cut into profits and continued to put pressure on companies to lower costs. Strong demand for metals also allowed many mining companies to increase their exploration expenditures during 2006 and into 2007. And coal production and demand in the United States continued to its increase during the year. The Annual Review also reports the 2006 results from selected states.

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