Industries in the Mining (except Oil and Gas) subsector primarily engage in mining, mine site development, and beneficiating (i.e., preparing) metallic minerals and nonmetallic minerals, including coal. The term "mining" is used in the broad sense to include ore extraction, quarrying, and beneficiating (e.g., crushing, screening, washing, sizing, concentrating, and flotation), customarily done at the mine site.
Beneficiation is the process whereby the extracted material is reduced to particles which can be separated into mineral and waste, the former suitable for further processing or direct use. The operations that take place in beneficiation are primarily mechanical, such as grinding, washing, magnetic separation, centrifugal separation, and so on. In contrast, manufacturing operations primarily use chemical and electrochemical processes, such as electrolysis, distillation, and so on. However some treatments, such as heat treatments, take place in both stages: the beneficiation and the manufacturing (i.e., smelting/refining) stages. The range of preparation activities varies by mineral and the purity of any given ore deposit. While some minerals, such as petroleum and natural gas, require little or no preparation, others are washed and screened, while yet others, such as gold and silver, can be transformed into bullion before leaving the mine site.
Establishments in the Mining (except Oil and Gas) subsector include those that have complete responsibility for operating mines and quarries (except oil and gas wells) and those that operate mines and quarries (except oil and gas wells) for others on a contract or fee basis. Establishments primarily engaged in providing support services, on a contract or fee basis, required for the mining and quarrying of minerals are classified in Subsector 213, Support Activities for Mining.
2121 Coal Mining
21211 Coal Mining
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1)
mining bituminous coal, anthracite, and lignite by underground mining, auger mining, strip
mining, culm bank mining, and other surface mining; (2) developing coal mine sites; and (3)
beneficiating (i.e., preparing) coal (e.g., cleaning, washing, screening, and sizing coal).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in -
- Manufacturing code oven products in coke oven establishments - classified in Industry 32419, Other Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing coal products in steel mills - classified in Industry 33111, Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing.
212111 Bituminous Coal and Lignite Surface Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following:
(1) surface mining of bituminous coal and lignite; (2) developing bituminous coal and lignite
surface mine sites; (3) surface mining and beneficiating (e.g., cleaning. washing, screening, and
sizing coal) of bituminous coal; or (4) beneficiating (e.g., cleaning, washing, screening, and
sizing coal), but not mining, bituminous coal.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing coke oven products in coke oven establishments - classified in U.S. Industry 324199, All Other Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing;
- Underground mining of bituminous coal - classified in U.S. Industry 212112, Bituminous Coal Underground Mining; and
- Mining and/or beneficiating anthracite coal - classified in U.S. Industry 212113, Anthracite Mining.
212112 Bituminous Coal Underground Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following:
(1) underground mining of bituminous coal; (2) developing bituminous coal underground mine sites;
and (3) underground mining and beneficiating of bituminous coal (e.g., cleaning, washing,
screening, and sizing coal).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing coke oven products in coke oven establishments - classified in U.S. Industry 324199, All Other Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing;
- Surface mining and/or beneficiating of bituminous coal or lignite - classified in U.S. Industry 212111, Bituminous Coal and Lignite Surface Mining; and
- Mining and/or beneficiating anthracite coal - classified in U.S. Industry 212113, Anthracite Mining.
212113 Anthracite Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following:
(1) mining anthracite coal; (2) developing anthracite coal mine sites; and (3) beneficiating
anthracite coal (e.g., cleaning, washing, screening, and sizing coal).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing coke oven products in coke oven establishments - classified in U.S. Industry 324199, All Other Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing;
- Surface mining and/or beneficiating bituminous coal or lignite - classified in U.S. Industry 212111, Bituminous Coal and Lignite Surface Mining; and
- Underground mining of bituminous coal - classified in U.S. Industry 212112, Bituminous Coal Underground Mining.
2122 Metal Ore Mining
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing mine sites or mining
metallic minerals, and establishments primarily engaged in ore dressing and beneficiating (i.e.,
preparing) operations, such as crushing, grinding, washing, drying, sintering, concentrating,
calcining, and leaching. Beneficiating may be performed at mills operated in conjunction with the
mines served or at mills, such as custom mills, operated separately.
21221 Iron Ore Mining
See industry description for 212210 below.
212210 Iron Ore Mining
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) developing mine sites, mining,
and/or beneficiating (i.e., preparing) iron ores and manganiferous ores valued chiefly for their
iron content and/or (2) producing sinter iron ore (except iron ore produced in iron and steel
mills) and other iron ore agglomerates.
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing pig iron ore are classified in U.S. Industry 331111, Iron and Steel Mills.
21222 Gold Ore and Silver Ore Mining
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site, mining,
and/or beneficiating (i.e., preparing) ores valued chiefly for their gold and or silver content.
Establishments primarily engaged in the transformation of the gold and silver into bullion or
dore bar in combination with mining activities are included in this industry.
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing gold or silver bullion or dore bar without mining are classified in Industry 33141, Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining.
212221 Gold Ore Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site,
mining, and/or beneficiating (i.e., preparing) ores valued chiefly for their gold content.
Establishments primarily engaged in transformation of the gold into bullion or dore bar in
combination with mining activities are included in this industry.
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing gold bullion or dore bar without mining are classified in U.S. Industry 331419, Primary Smelting and Refining of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum).
212222 Silver Ore Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site,
mining, and/or beneficiating (i.e., preparing) ores valued chiefly for their silver content.
Establishments primarily engaged in transformation of the silver into bullion or dore bar in
combination with mining activities are included in this industry.
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing silver bullion or dore bar without mining are classified in U.S. Industry 331419, Primary Smelting and Refining of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum).
21223 Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site, mining,
and/or beneficiating (i.e., preparing) ores valued chiefly for their copper, nickel, lead, or
zinc content. Beneficiating includes the transformation of ores into concentrates.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Refining copper concentrates - classified in Industry 33141, Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining; and
- Developing the mine site, mining, and/or beneficiating iron and manganiferous ores valued for their iron content - classified in Industry 21221, Iron Ore Mining.
212231 Lead Ore and Zinc Ore Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site,
mining, and/or beneficiating (i.e., preparing) lead ores, zinc ores, or lead-zinc ores.
212234 Copper Ore and Nickel Ore Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in: (1) developing the mine site,
mining, and/or beneficiating (i.e, preparing) copper and/or nickel ores; and (2) recovering
copper concentrates by the precipitation, leaching, or electrowinning of copper ore.
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged in refining copper concentrates are classified in U.S. Industry 331411, Primary Smelting and Refining of Copper.
21229 Other Metal Ore Mining
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site, mining,
and/or beneficiating (i.e., preparing) metal ores (except iron and manganiferous ores valued for
their iron content, gold ore, silver ore, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc ore).
Illustrative Examples:
Antimony ores mining and/or beneficiating; Tantalum ores mining and/or beneficiating;
Columbite ores mining and/or beneficiating; Tungsten ores mining and/or beneficiating;
Ilmenite ores mining and/or beneficiating; Uranium-radium-vanadium ores mining
and/or beneficiating; Molybdenum ores mining and/or beneficiating.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Developing the mine site, mining, and/or beneficiating iron and manganiferous ores valued chiefly for their iron content - classified in Industry 212210, Iron Ore Mining;
- Developing the mine site, mining, and/or beneficiating ores valued chiefly for their gold or silver content - classified in Industry 21222, Gold Ore and Silver Ore Mining;
- Developing the mine site, mining, and/or beneficiating ores valued chiefly for their copper, nickel, lead, or zinc content - classified in Industry 21223, Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining; and
- Enriching uranium - classified in Industry 32518, Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing.
212291 Uranium-Radium-Vanadium Ore Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site,
mining, and/or beneficiating (i.e., preparing) uranium-radium-vanadium ores.
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged in enriching uranium are classified in U.S. Industry 325188, All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing.
212299 All Other Metal Ore Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site,
mining, and/or beneficiating (i.e., preparing) metal ores (except iron and manganiferous ores
valued for their iron content, gold ore, silver ore, copper, nickel, lead, zinc, and
uranium-radium-vanadium ore).
Illustrative Examples:
Antimony ores mining and/or beneficiating; Rare-earth metal ores mining and/or beneficiating;
Columbite ores mining and/or beneficiating; Tantalum ores mining and/or beneficiating;
Ilmenite ores mining and/or beneficiating; Tungsten ores mining and/or beneficiating;
Molybdenum ores mining and/or beneficiating.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Developing the mine site, mining, and/or beneficiating iron and manganiferous ores valued for their iron content - classified in Industry 212210, Iron Ore Mining;
- Developing the mine site, mining, and/or beneficiating ores valued chiefly for their gold or silver content - classified in Industry 21222, Gold Ore and Silver Ore Mining;
- Developing the mine site, mining, and/or beneficiating ores valued chiefly for their copper, nickel, lead, or zinc content - classified in Industry 21223, Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining; and
- Developing the mine site, mining, and/or beneficiating uranium-radium-vanadium ores - classified in U.S. Industry 212291, Uranium-Radium-Vanadium Ore Mining.
2123 Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing mine sites, or in
mining or quarrying nonmetallic minerals (except fuels). Also included are certain well and brine
operations, and preparation plants primarily engaged in beneficiating (e.g., crushing, grinding,
washing, and concentrating) nonmetallic minerals.
Beneficiation is the process whereby the extracted material is reduced to particles which can be separated into mineral and waste, the former suitable for further processing or direct use. The operations that take place in beneficiation are primarily mechanical, such as grinding, washing, magnetic separation, and centrifugal separation. In contrast, manufacturing operations primarily use chemical and electrochemical processes, such as electrolysis and distillation. However, some treatments, such as heat treatments, take place in both the beneficiation and the manufacturing (i.e., smelting/refining) stages. The range of preparation activities varies by mineral and the purity of any given ore deposit. While some minerals, such as petroleum and natural gas, require little or no preparation, others are washed and screened, while yet others, such as gold and silver, can be transformed into bullion before leaving the mine site.
21231 Stone Mining and Quarrying
This industry comprises (1) establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site, mining
or quarrying dimension stone (i.e., rough blocks and/or slabs of stone), or mining and quarrying
crushed and broken stone and/or (2) preparation plants primarily engaged in beneficiating stone
(e.g., crushing, grinding, washing, screening, pulverizing, and sizing).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Producing lime - classified in Industry 32741, Lime Manufacturing; and
- Quarrying and dressing dimension stone - classified Industry 32799, All Other Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing.
212311 Dimension Stone Mining and Quarrying
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site and/or
mining or quarrying dimension stone (i.e., rough blocks and/or slabs of stone).
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged in dressing dimension stone and manufacturing stone products are classified in U.S. Industry 327991, Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing.
212312 Crushed and Broken Limestone Mining and Quarrying
This U.S. industry comprises (1) establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site,
mining or quarrying crushed and broken limestone (including related rocks, such as dolomite,
cement rock, marl, travertine, and calcareous tufa); and (2) preparation plants primarily engaged
in beneficiating limestone (e.g., grinding or pulverizing).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Producing lime - classified in Industry 327410, Lime Manufacturing; and
- Mining or quarrying bituminous limestone - classified U.S. Industry 212319, Other Crushed and Broken Stone Mining and Quarrying.
212313 Crushed and Broken Granite Mining and Quarrying
This U.S. industry comprises: (1) establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site,
and/or mining or quarrying crushed and broken granite (including related rocks, such as gneiss,
syenite, and diorite); and (2) preparation plants primarily engaged in beneficiating granite
(e.g., grinding or pulverizing).
212319 Other Crushed and Broken Stone Mining and Quarrying
This U.S. industry comprises: (1) establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site
and/or mining or quarrying crushed and broken stone (except limestone and granite); (2)
preparation plants primarily engaged in beneficiating (e.g., grinding and pulverizing) stone
(except limestone and granite); and (3) establishments primarily engaged in mining or quarrying
bituminous limestone and bituminous sandstone.
Illustrative Examples:
Bituminous limestone mining and/or beneficiating; Marble crushed and broken stone mining
and/or beneficiating; Bituminous sandstone mining and/or beneficiating;
Sandstone crushed and broken stone mining and/or beneficiating.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Mining or quarrying crushed and broken limestone - classified in U.S. Industry 212312, Crushed and Broken Limestone Mining and Quarrying; and
- Mining or quarrying crushed and broken granite - classified in U.S. Industry 212313, Crushed and Broken Granite Mining and Quarrying.
21232 Sand, Gravel, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory
Minerals Mining and Quarrying
This industry comprises (1) establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site and/or
mining, quarrying, dredging for sand and gravel, or mining clay, (e.g., china clay, paper clay
and slip clay) and (2) preparation plants primarily engaged in beneficiating (e.g., washing,
screening, and grinding) sand and gravel, clay, and ceramic and refractory minerals.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Calcining, dead burning, or otherwise processing (i.e., beyond basic preparation) clay or refractory minerals - classified in Industry 32799, All Other Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing;
- Shaping, molding, baking, burning, or hardening nonclay ceramics, clay and nonclay refractories, and structural clay products - classified in Industry 32712, Clay Building Material and Refractories Manufacturing; and
- Shaping, molding, glazing, and firing pottery, ceramics, and plumbing fixtures - classified in Industry 32711, Pottery, Ceramics and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing.
212321 Construction Sand and Gravel Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following:
(1) operating commercial grade (i.e., construction) sand and gravel pits; (2) dredging for
commercial grade sand and gravel; and (3) washing, screening, or otherwise preparing commercial
grade sand and gravel.
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged in mining industrial grade sand are classified in U.S. Industry 212322, Industrial Sand Mining.
212322 Industrial Sand Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following:
(1) operating industrial grade sand pits; (2) dredging for industrial grade sand; and (3)
washing, screening, or otherwise preparing industrial grade sand.
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged in mining commercial (i.e., construction) grade gravel are classified in U.S. Industry 212321, Construction Sand and Gravel Mining.
212324 Kaolin and Ball Clay Mining
This U.S. industry comprises (1) establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site
and/or mining kaolin or ball clay (e.g., china clay, paper clay, and slip clay) and (2)
establishments primarily engaged in beneficiating (i.e., preparing) kaolin or ball clay.
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged in calcining, dead burning, or otherwise processing (i.e., beyond basic preparation) kaolin and ball clay are classified in U.S. Industry 327992, Ground or Treated Mineral and Earth Manufacturing.
212325 Clay and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following:
(1) mining clay (except kaolin and ball), ceramic, or refractory minerals; (2) developing the
mine site for clay, ceramic, or refractory minerals; and (3) beneficiating (i.e., preparing) clay
(except kaolin and ball), ceramic, or refractory minerals.
Illustrative Examples:
Bentonite mining and/or beneficiating; Fuller's earth mining and/or beneficiating;
Common clay mining and/or beneficiating; Magnesite mining and/or beneficiating;
Feldspar mining and/or beneficiating; Nepheline syenite mining and/or beneficiating;
Fire clay mining and/or beneficiating; Shale (except oil shale) mining and/or beneficiating.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Shaping, molding, baking, burning, or hardening clay and nonclay refractories, and structural clay products - classified in Industry 32712, Clay Building Material and Refractories Manufacturing;
- Developing the mine site, mining, and/or beneficiating kaolin or ball clay - classified in U.S. Industry 212324, Kaolin and Ball Clay Mining; and
- Shaping, molding, glazing, and firing pottery, ceramics, and plumbing fixtures - classified in Industry 32711, Pottery, Ceramics and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing.
21239 Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site, mining,
and/or milling or otherwise beneficiating (i.e., preparing) nonmetallic minerals (except coal,
stone, sand, gravel, clay, ceramic, and refractory minerals).
Illustrative Examples:
Barite mining and/or beneficiating; Phosphate rock mining and/or beneficiating;
Borate, natural, mining and/or beneficiating; Potash mining and/or beneficiating;
Peat mining and/or beneficiating; Rock salt mining and/or beneficiating.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Mining or quarrying dimension stone - classified in Industry 21231, Stone Mining and Quarrying;
- Mining or quarrying sand, gravel, clay and ceramic and refractory minerals - classified in Industry 21232, Sand, Gravel, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining and Quarrying;
- Calcining, dead burning, or otherwise processing (i.e., beyond basic preparation) minerals, such as talc, mica, feldspar, barite, and soapstone - classified in Industry 32799, All Other Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing boron compounds and potassium salts - classified in Industry 32518, Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing table salt - classified in Industry 31194, Seasoning and Dressing Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing salt (except table salt) - classified in Industry 32599, All Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing phosphoric acid, superphosphates, or other phosphatic fertilizer materials - classified in Industry 32531, Fertilizer Manufacturing.
212391 Potash, Soda, and Borate Mineral Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site, mining
and/or milling, or otherwise beneficiating (i.e., preparing) natural potassium, sodium, or boron
compounds. Drylake brine operations are included in this industry, as well as establishments
engaged in producing the specified minerals from underground and open pit mines.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing boron compounds and potassium salts - classified in U.S. Industry 325188, All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing sodium carbonate - classified in U.S. Industry 325181, Alkalies and Chlorine Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing table salt - classified in U.S. Industry 311942, Spice and Extract Manufacturing.
212392 Phosphate Rock Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site,
mining, milling, and/or drying or otherwise beneficiating (i.e., preparing) phosphate rock.
Cross-References.
- Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing phosphoric acid, superphosphates, or other phosphatic fertilizer materials are classified in U.S. Industry 325312, Phosphatic Fertilizer Manufacturing.
212393 Other Chemical and Fertilizer Mineral Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site,
mining, milling, and/or drying or otherwise beneficiating (i.e., preparing) chemical or
fertilizer mineral raw materials (except potash, soda, boron, and phosphate rock).
Illustrative Examples:
Barite mining and/or beneficiating; Rock salt mining and/or beneficiating;
Celestite mining and/or beneficiating; Sulfur mining and/or beneficiating;
Fluorspar mining and/or beneficiating.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Mining and/or milling or otherwise beneficiating natural potassium, sodium, or boron compounds - classified in U.S. Industry 212391, Potash, Soda, and Borate Mineral Mining;
- Manufacturing industrial salt - classified in U.S. Industry 325998, All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing;
- Mining, milling, drying, and/or sintering or otherwise beneficiating phosphate rock - classified in U.S. Industry 212392, Phosphate Rock Mining; and
- Manufacturing table salt - classified in U.S. Industry 311942, Spice and Extract Manufacturing.
212399 All Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site, mining
and/or milling or otherwise beneficiating (i.e., preparing) nonmetallic minerals (except stone,
sand, gravel, clay, ceramic, refractory minerals, chemical and fertilizer minerals).
Illustrative Examples:
Gypsum mining and/or beneficiating; Soapstone mining and/or beneficiating;
Mica mining and/or beneficiating; Talc mining and/or beneficiating;
Pyrophyllite mining and/or beneficiating.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Mining or quarrying dimension stone - classified in Industry 21231, Stone Mining and Quarrying;
- Mining, quarrying, or beneficiating sand, gravel, clay, and ceramic and refractory minerals - classified in Industry 21232, Sand, Gravel, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining and Quarrying;
- Mining, quarrying or beneficiating natural potash, soda, and borate - classified in U.S. Industry 212391, Potash, Soda, and Borate Mineral Mining; and
- Mining and/or milling or otherwise beneficiating phosphate rock - classified in U.S. Industry 212392, Phosphate Rock Mining.
Information courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau.
