GE is pursuing acquisitions of two underground mining equipment manufacturers in support of the global expansion of its mining business.  GE has signed a binding Letter of Intent to acquire Fairchild International, an independently owned and operated underground mining equipment manufactuer located in Glen Lyn, Virginia and the first associate member of WVCA. The new company will be known as GE/Fairchild.  GE has also entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of Australia-based Industrea Limited, a provider of safety and productivity-enhancing mining equipment and services.