- In 2003, four mining shares rose over four times in price, with one gaining ten times.

- In just the first two months of 2004, 26 mining shares increased more than 20%, with five shares doubling.

- Merrill Lynch's World Mining Trust is the UK's best performing fund over the past three years, having risen by over 200 per cent.

But is the mining boom about to end?

Not according to this book, by Michael Coulson, Chairman of the Association of Mining Analysts. Coulson argues that, if anything, we are still in the early stages of prolonged strength in mining stocks and despite what some commentators are saying, the boom is far from over.