Boliden ABStockholm, Sweden (Pink Sheets: BDNNF)

US Construction Spending Decreases - US spending on construction, a demand driver for metal ores, declined 6 percent in May 2008 compared to a year earlier. Although residential construction dropped nearly 30 percent, spending for nonresidential construction increased 11.6 percent. Key areas of strength in nonresidential construction included lodging, which rose nearly 36 percent, and manufacturing, which increased more than 34 percent.

Metal Ore Imports, Exports Rise - US exports of metal ores increased nearly 33 percent in the first four months of 2008 compared to a year earlier; US imports increased more than 24 percent. US imports from Canada, the US' largest trading partner for metal ores, increased more than 117 percent; US exports to Canada rose 51 percent. Other regions where US metal ore exports increased dramatically include Spain, 1,461 percent; Mexico, 295 percent; and Belgium, 130 percent.

Iron Ore, Steel Prices Soar - The world's iron ore producers are commanding higher prices for ore. Many of the top steel companies have recently renegotiated prices for ore with top iron ore producers. Some of the new negotiated prices represent a near doubling of prices at a time when steel producers are registering profits not seen in years. Some concern has been raised that dramatic increases in iron ore prices could drive steel prices even higher, resulting in increased inflation. Iron ore prices have increased seven-fold since 2000; steel prices grew more than 32 percent in May 2008 compared to a year earlier.