212390 - Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying

NAICS Code 212390 represents a specialized and vital segment of the mining industry—Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying. If you're involved in or researching industries related to mining unique nonmetallic minerals such as potash, salt, gypsum, or mica, understanding NAICS 212390 is essential. This code defines a diverse array of mining activities outside of the more commonly known categories like sand, gravel, or stone mining, encompassing an extensive range of valuable mineral extraction and processing operations.

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What Is NAICS Code 212390?

NAICS Code 212390 covers establishments primarily engaged in mining and quarrying nonmetallic minerals, excluding those specifically categorized under sand, gravel, and stone. This industry is a vital part of the Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction sector, focusing on the extraction and beneficiation (processing) of a broad spectrum of nonmetallic minerals.

Examples include mining various abrasive stones like emery and pumice, minerals used in fertilizers or chemical processes like potash and gypsum, as well as specialty minerals such as mica, talc, and industrial diamonds. Beneficiation activities may involve cleaning, crushing, grinding, or otherwise preparing mined minerals for industrial use.

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Sector Overview and Typical Business Activities

The 212390 industry falls under the Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction sector and involves activities such as:

• Mining and processing of natural abrasives and specialty stones (e.g., emery, grindstones, pumice).
• Extraction of fertilizer minerals like phosphate rock and potash.
• Mining of various industrial minerals including mica, gypsum, talc, and borates.
• Quarrying of less common minerals such as apathite, alum, asbestos, and celestite.
• Beneficiating by-products like volcanic ash, diatomaceous earth, and peat.
• Extraction and beneficiation of precious or semiprecious stones such as amethyst, garnet, sapphire, and ruby.

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Size Standards and Eligibility

For government contracting and small business classification purposes, businesses under NAICS 212390 typically have a size standard of up to 600 employees to qualify as small businesses. Understanding this classification can help companies target government contracts, comply with regulations, and access various business development resources.

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Examples of Businesses Under NAICS Code 212390

• Potash mining companies extracting potassium salts for fertilizer production.
• Salt mining operations harvesting rock salt for industrial and consumer use.
• Gypsum extraction firms providing raw materials for drywall and cement.
• Mica mining businesses supplying mica for electronics, cosmetics, and automotive industries.
• Companies engaged in mining abrasive stones such as emery and pumice.
• Firms extracting specialty minerals like borates, talc, or industrial-grade diamonds.

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NAICS Code 212390: Comprehensive Code Details Table

Mineral/Material	Activity
Abrasive stones (emery, grindstones)	Mining and/or beneficiating
Alum	Mining and/or beneficiating
Amethyst	Mining and/or beneficiating
Apatite	Mining and/or beneficiating
Asbestos	Mining and/or beneficiating
Barite / Barytes	Mining and/or beneficiating
Borate & Borax	Mining and/or beneficiating
Celestite	Mining and/or beneficiating
Diatomaceous earth / Diatomite	Mining and/or beneficiating
Emery	Mining and/or beneficiating
Fertilizer minerals (natural)	Mining and/or beneficiating
Fluorite / Fluorspar	Mining and/or beneficiating
Garnet	Mining and/or beneficiating
Gypsum	Mining and/or beneficiating
Industrial diamonds	Mining and/or beneficiating
Jade	Mining and/or beneficiating
Lithium minerals	Mining and/or beneficiating
Mica	Mining and/or beneficiating
Peat (various forms)	Mining and/or beneficiating
Perlite	Mining and/or beneficiating
Phosphate rock	Mining and/or beneficiating
Potash	Mining and/or beneficiating
Pumice	Mining and/or beneficiating
Quartz crystal, pure	Mining and/or beneficiating
Rock salt	Mining and/or beneficiating
Salt, common and rock	Mining and/or beneficiating
Sapphire & Ruby	Mining and/or beneficiating
Talc	Mining and/or beneficiating
Vermiculite	Mining and/or beneficiating
Wollastonite	Mining and/or beneficiating
And many others (see full list below)

Note: The full list covers many additional minerals, including alabaster, alunite, arsenic mineral, brimstone, celestite, cryolite, diatomite, gilsonite, glauber's salt, graphite, limestone variants, marcasite, meerschaum, mica, native asphalt, ocher, oilstones, ozokerite, pyrite, pyrophyllite, pyrrhotite, scoria, selenite, soapstone, soda ash, sodium compounds, spodumene, staurolite, steatite, strontianite, sulfur, tripoli, trona, turquoise, ulexite, umber, whetstones, and wurtzilite.

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Frequently Asked Questions about NAICS Code 212390

What industries are included in NAICS 212390?

NAICS 212390 includes all industries involved in mining and quarrying nonmetallic minerals that are not classified under the more common sand, gravel, or stone mining codes. This covers minerals like potash, salt, mica, talc, and various abrasive stones.

How is NAICS 212390 different from other mining codes?

While other mining codes focus on metallic minerals, fossil fuels, or common construction materials (sand, gravel, stone), NAICS 212390 specifically targets "other" nonmetallic minerals that are less frequently mined but equally important for industrial and commercial applications.

What is the small business size standard for NAICS 212390?

The Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard for NAICS 212390 is 600 employees. This means companies with 600 or fewer employees may qualify as small businesses under this NAICS code.

Which government agencies use NAICS 212390 for contracting?

Many federal and state agencies use NAICS codes to classify and award contracts. Agencies involved in infrastructure, construction, environmental cleanup, agriculture, and defense may contract with companies under 212390 for nonmetallic mineral supplies.

Can businesses in this industry bid on government contracts?

Yes. Businesses classified under NAICS 212390 can compete for government contracts. Understanding this NAICS code helps companies identify contracting opportunities and qualify for small business programs.

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Conclusion

NAICS Code 212390 - Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying represents a niche but essential segment in the mining sector. Covering a diverse array of minerals beyond the common sand and stone, this classification connects companies mining potash, salt, mica, gypsum, and many more with the broader industrial economy. Whether you're a business owner, government contractor, or industry researcher, understanding NAICS 212390 is crucial for navigating business opportunities, regulatory compliance, and market analysis in the mining industry.

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For more information about NAICS codes and federal contracting opportunities, always consult official resources such as the U.S. Census Bureau and the Small Business Administration.