For Additional Information:
John Grasser (202) 463-2651
Karen Batra (202) 463-2651

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2000

MINEXPO INTERNATIONAL 2000® BREAKS SALES RECORDS! EXHIBIT SALES FIGURES MAKE MINEXPO 2000 THE BIGGEST EVER

Washington -- MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2000SM, the mining industry's preeminent and most comprehensive trade show in the world, has broken all previous MINExpo exhibit space sales records in its preparation to host over 40,000 industry personnel and exhibitors from around the world at the Las Vegas Convention Center, October 9-12, 2000.

At MINExpo, 650,000 square feet of exhibits will showcase the latest mining and minerals processing technologies, and state-of-the-art equipment and machinery from around the globe for the coal, metal and nonmetal mining and processing industries. Already the MINExpo exhibit hall is 84 percent full with 545,608 square feet of exhibition space reserved by over one thousand exhibitors - surpassing the previous record set in 1996 of 531,031 square feet of exhibits. MINExpo's current exhibit sales figures, compared with the same timeframe (21 weeks out) in 1996, represent 177 more companies for a 21 percent increase in the number of exhibitors and nearly 75,000 more square feet, for a 16 percent increase in exhibit space reserved.

"MINExpo 2000 will showcase everything that mining is proudest of -- the technological advances that truly make the mining industry an industry of the future," said NMA President and Chief Executive Officer Richard L. Lawson. "This is the largest premier mining exposition in the world, and this year's record-setting exhibit space sales will make this the biggest and best MINExpo ever."

This year's exhibitors will focus on the technologies and innovations that will reinforce mining's role as a key player in our world's future. Several companies exhibiting at MINExpo 2000 are "dot.com" companies, offering web-based services such as internet publications, information resources and an online marketplace for the buying and selling of mining equipment and machinery.

Anyone interested in learning more about the companies exhibiting at MINExpo can visit the MINExpo Virtual Trade Show (VTS). MINExpo's VTS provides prospective attendees the opportunity to access up-to-date information on exhibitors, educational sessions, and more. Users are able to search on-line for exhibitors by company name and product listing, and some exhibitor listings have a direct link to company web sites.

The VTS also has a "Personal Planner" feature that enables the user to scroll through a list of MINExpo exhibitors and education sessions and select specific items of interest to add to the user's calendar or "planner," allowing MINExpo attendees to plan their visit before they even arrive.

The Virtual Trade Show is accessible by logging on to the MINExpo web site (www.minexpo.com) and clicking on the "virtual trade show" link. Users can also click on the link to the NMA web site and get booth locations for NMA members.

Sponsored by Washington, D.C.-based National Mining Association, MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2000 will also offer 23 education sessions covering topics such as underground mining and development for coal and hardrock, reclamation, minerals processing, water and air quality, surface mining, bulk materials handling, safety and health, exploration and more, with presentations by experts from around the world just a few steps away from the MINExpo exhibit floor. The XVIII World Mining Congress, representing 48 countries, will also meet in conjunction with MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2000, and will host four additional sessions on coal techniques, mining technologies, world mining policies, and world aspects of mining.

Housing information and on-line registration is available on the MINExpo web site (www.minexpo.com) along with an updated list of exhibitors and speakers.

For additional information about MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2000, contact NMA's MINExpo coordinator at (202) 463-2611, via fax at (202) 463-9799, or via email at kallen@nma.org.

The U.S. mining industry produces coal, metals, building materials, and many other essential minerals that define the daily lives of 267 million Americans. The industry generates nearly $525 billion in total economic benefit each year and helps to sustain nearly 5 million U.S. jobs.