China Minmetals Group started its US business operations in the early 1980s. There are currently nine Minmetals subsidiaries and joint venture companies in the US, covering businesses of import and export, finance and securities, hotels, international shipping & forwarding, and real estate development. These companies generate an annual business turnover beyond US$100 million from a wide range of commodities such as steel, nonferrous metals, metal products, minerals, construction materials, machinery, electrical equipment, chemicals, auto parts, consumer electronic products and hi-tech products.