NAICS 212290 - Other Metal Ore Mining

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What is NAICS 212290

NAICS code 212290 covers establishments primarily engaged in the mining and beneficiation of metal ores other than iron, manganese valued for iron content, gold, silver, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc. This sector focuses on extracting and preparing less common metal ores such as antimony, tantalum, columbite, tungsten, ilmenite, uranium, radium, vanadium, and molybdenum. Businesses operating in this sector include specialized mining companies that develop mine sites, conduct extraction operations, and perform ore processing to meet quality standards for further industrial use. Government agencies contract these services to secure critical and strategic metals essential for defense, energy, and advanced manufacturing applications. The rarity and strategic importance of these ores make reliable mining and beneficiation services crucial for national security and industrial supply chains.

Industry Classification for NAICS 212290

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

Breakdown for NAICS 212290

  • Includes mining and beneficiation of metal ores excluding iron, gold, silver, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc.
  • Focuses on rare and strategic metals such as antimony, tantalum, tungsten, and uranium.
  • Covers mine site development, extraction, and ore preparation activities.
  • Typical establishments range from small specialized miners to larger companies with beneficiation facilities.
  • Government contracts support national security and strategic resource supply chains.
  • Size standards vary but often involve capital-intensive operations with significant regulatory compliance.

Included Activities for NAICS 212290

  • Developing and preparing mining sites for extraction of non-common metal ores.
  • Extracting metal ores such as antimony, tantalum, columbite, and tungsten.
  • Beneficiating ores by crushing, grinding, flotation, and other preparation techniques.
  • Conducting environmental and regulatory compliance activities related to mining operations.
  • Transporting and storing mined ores for further processing or government delivery.
  • Supporting research and development for advanced ore processing technologies.
  • Performing geological surveys and resource assessments for rare metal deposits.
  • Providing consulting and technical services related to strategic metal mining projects.

Business Types for NAICS 212290

  • Specialized metal ore mining companies focusing on rare and critical minerals.
  • Mining contractors providing site development and extraction services.
  • Beneficiation and mineral processing firms preparing ores for industrial use.
  • Consulting and engineering firms specializing in mining and mineral resources.
  • Research institutions collaborating on advanced mining technologies.
  • Environmental compliance and remediation service providers for mining operations.

Subcategories for NAICS 212290

  • Antimony concentrates beneficiating
  • Antimony ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Bastnaesite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Bauxite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Beryl mining and/or beneficiating
  • Beryllium concentrates beneficiating
  • Beryllium ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Carnotite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Cerium concentrates beneficiating
  • Cerium ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Chromite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Chromium concentrates beneficiating
  • Chromium ore mining and/or beneficiating
  • Cinnabar mining and/or beneficiating
  • Cobalt concentrates beneficiating
  • Cobalt ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Columbite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Columbium ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Ferberite ores and concentrates mining and/or beneficiating
  • Ferroalloy ores (e.g., chromium, columbium, molybdenum, tungsten) mining and/or beneficiating
  • Hafnium mining and/or beneficiating
  • Huebnerite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Ilmenite ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Iridium mining and/or beneficiating
  • Leaching of uranium, radium, or vanadium ores
  • Manganese concentrates beneficiating
  • Manganese ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Manganiferous ores (not valued for iron content) mining and/or beneficiating
  • Manganite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Mercury (quicksilver) mining and/or beneficiating
  • Mercury ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Microlite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Molybdenite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Molybdenum ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Molybdite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Monazite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Osmium mining and/or beneficiating
  • Palladium mining and/or beneficiating
  • Pitchblende mining and/or beneficiating
  • Platinum mining and/or beneficiating
  • Psilomelane mining and/or beneficiating
  • Pyrolusite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Quicksilver ores and metal mining and/or beneficiating
  • Radium ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Rare earth metal concentrates beneficiating
  • Rare earth metal ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Rhodium mining and/or beneficiating
  • Rhodochrosite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Roscoelite (vanadium hydromica) mining and/or beneficiating
  • Ruthenium ore mining and/or beneficiating
  • Rutile mining and/or beneficiating
  • Scheelite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Tantalite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Tantalum ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Thallium mining and/or beneficiating
  • Thorite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Thorium ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Tin metal concentrates beneficiating
  • Tin metal ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Titaniferous-magnetite ores, valued chiefly for titanium content, mining and/or beneficiating
  • Titanium concentrates beneficiating
  • Titanium ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Tungsten concentrates beneficiating
  • Tungsten ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Tyuyamunite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Uraninite (pitchblende) mining and/or beneficiating
  • Uranium ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Uranium-radium-vanadium ore mine site development for own account
  • Uranium-radium-vanadium ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Vanadium ores mining and/or beneficiating
  • Wolframite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Wulfenite mining and/or beneficiating
  • Zirconium concentrates beneficiating
  • Zirconium ores mining and/or beneficiating

Government Buyers for NAICS 212290

Federal government agencies such as the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DoE), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are primary buyers of services under NAICS 212290. These agencies require access to critical metal ores for defense technology, nuclear energy programs, and research purposes. State and local governments may also contract these services for regional mining development and resource management projects. The importance of securing a stable domestic supply of strategic metals drives government procurement to support national security objectives and reduce dependence on foreign sources.

Contract Types & Procurement for NAICS 212290

Contracts in this sector typically include firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) types. Procurements often involve competitive bidding, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and simplified acquisitions depending on project scope and urgency. Contract values range widely from small-scale exploration and site development projects to multi-million-dollar long-term mining operations and beneficiation facility contracts. Government contracting also includes research and development partnerships focusing on innovative extraction and processing technologies for critical metals.

Details for NAICS 212290

Explore the hierarchy and related codes for this industry

NAICS Code Industry Title
211 Oil and Gas Extraction
2111 Oil and Gas Extraction
21112 Crude Petroleum Extraction 
211120 Crude Petroleum Extraction 
21113 Natural Gas Extraction 
211130 Natural Gas Extraction 
212 Mining (except Oil and Gas)
2121 Coal Mining
21211 Coal Mining
212114 Surface Coal Mining
212115 Underground Coal Mining
2122 Metal Ore Mining
21221 Iron Ore Mining
212210 Iron Ore Mining
21222 Gold Ore and Silver Ore Mining
212220 Gold Ore and Silver Ore Mining
21223 Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining
212230 Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining
21229 Other Metal Ore Mining
212290 Current Other Metal Ore Mining
2123 Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying
21231 Stone Mining and Quarrying
212311 Dimension Stone Mining and Quarrying
212312 Crushed and Broken Limestone Mining and Quarrying
212313 Crushed and Broken Granite Mining and Quarrying
212319 Other Crushed and Broken Stone Mining and Quarrying
21232 Sand, Gravel, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining and Quarrying
212321 Construction Sand and Gravel Mining
212322 Industrial Sand Mining
212323 Kaolin, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining
21239 Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying
212390 Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying
213 Support Activities for Mining
2131 Support Activities for Mining
21311 Support Activities for Mining
213111 Drilling Oil and Gas Wells
213112 Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations
213113 Support Activities for Coal Mining
213114 Support Activities for Metal Mining
213115 Support Activities for Nonmetallic Minerals (except Fuels) Mining

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