Planned project starts in the North American Metals & Minerals Industry have increased by 53% compared with last year, according to the September update of Industrial Info's North American Industrial Spending Index. The index compares projects that have started construction, or are scheduled to start construction, in the calendar year compared with last year at the same time. Mining projects account for almost half of the construction activity in the Metals & Minerals Industry, with $7.6 billion already underway.