NAICS 212220 - Gold Ore and Silver Ore Mining
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What is NAICS 212220
NAICS code 212220 covers establishments primarily engaged in the development and operation of mines extracting gold and silver ores. This sector includes businesses involved in mining activities, mine site development, and beneficiation processes that prepare gold and silver ores for further processing. Some establishments also transform mined gold and silver into bullion or dore bars when combined with mining operations. Companies in this industry utilize advanced geological, mining, and metallurgical technologies to efficiently extract and prepare precious metal ores for commercial use. Government agencies contract these services to support resource management, strategic reserves, and economic development initiatives tied to critical mineral production. The extraction of gold and silver remains vital for financial systems, industrial applications, and national security considerations.
Industry Classification for NAICS 212220
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.
Breakdown for NAICS 212220
- Covers mining and beneficiation of gold and silver ores primarily.
- Includes mine site development and preparation of bullion or dore bars.
- Applies to businesses operating on public and private lands.
- Typical size standards vary but often include small to large mining enterprises.
- Involves both exploration and full-scale mining operations.
- Relevant for government contracts supporting resource security and environmental compliance.
Included Activities for NAICS 212220
- Developing and preparing mine sites for gold and silver extraction.
- Mining gold and silver ores using surface or underground methods.
- Beneficiating ores to concentrate precious metal content.
- Transforming gold and silver into bullion or dore bars on site.
- Conducting geological surveys and sampling for precious metals.
- Implementing environmental monitoring and reclamation activities.
- Operating and maintaining mining equipment and processing plants.
- Reporting and compliance with federal mining regulations.
Business Types for NAICS 212220
- Mining companies specializing in precious metals extraction.
- Ore beneficiation and processing firms.
- Mine development and engineering contractors.
- Environmental consulting firms with mining expertise.
- Geological survey and exploration service providers.
- Integrated mining and metallurgical transformation businesses.
Subcategories for NAICS 212220
- Bullion, gold, produced at the mine
- Bullion, silver, produced at the mine
- Calaverite mining and/or beneficiating
- Gold lode mining and/or beneficiating
- Gold ore mine site development for own account
- Gold ore mining and/or beneficiating plants
- Gold ores, concentrates, bullion, and/or precipitates mining and/or beneficiating
- Gold placer mining and/or beneficiating
- Lode gold mining and/or beneficiating
- Placer gold mining and/or beneficiating
- Placer silver mining and/or beneficiating
- Silver ore mine site development for own account
- Silver ores mining and/or beneficiating
- Sylvanite mining and/or beneficiating
- Telluride (gold) mining and/or beneficiating
Government Buyers for NAICS 212220
Federal and state government agencies frequently procure services related to gold and silver ore mining to support strategic mineral reserves, research and development of mining technologies, and environmental compliance monitoring. Agencies such as the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Department of Defense require mining operations to secure critical resources and maintain supply chains for defense-related manufacturing. Additionally, contracts may be awarded to ensure responsible mining practices on public lands and to promote sustainable resource extraction aligned with environmental and economic policies.
Contract Types & Procurement for NAICS 212220
Contracts in the gold and silver ore mining sector typically include fixed-price agreements for mining operations, cost-reimbursement contracts for exploration and beneficiation research, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts for ongoing site development services. Procurement methods range from competitive sealed bidding to negotiated contracts, depending on project complexity and urgency. Contract values vary widely but often range from several hundred thousand dollars for exploratory services to multimillion-dollar contracts for full-scale mining and ore processing projects, especially when combined with environmental compliance requirements or infrastructure development.
Details for NAICS 212220
Explore the hierarchy and related codes for this industry
| NAICS Code | Industry Title |
|---|---|
| 21222 | Gold Ore and Silver Ore Mining |
| 2122 | Metal Ore Mining |
| 212 | Mining (except Oil and Gas) |
| NAICS Code | Industry Title |
|---|---|
| 212210 | Iron Ore Mining |
| 212230 | Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining |
| 212290 | Other Metal Ore Mining |
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