NAICS 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.

• Encompasses mining and quarrying of nonmetallic minerals excluding fuels.
• Includes beneficiation processes like crushing, grinding, and washing.
• Covers well and brine operations related to nonmetallic minerals.
• Applies mechanical preparation methods distinct from chemical manufacturing.
• Supports industries such as construction, manufacturing, and environmental projects.

• Developing mine sites for nonmetallic minerals extraction.
• Mining and quarrying materials such as sand, gravel, and stone.
• Operating beneficiation plants for crushing, grinding, and washing minerals.
• Performing magnetic and centrifugal separation processes.
• Supplying raw materials for government infrastructure projects.
• Conducting site reclamation and environmental compliance activities.
• Transporting quarried minerals to processing or delivery points.

• Independent mining and quarrying companies specializing in nonmetallic minerals.
• Beneficiation and mineral preparation plants.
• Contractors providing mining and material supply services.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises focused on regional quarry operations.
• Environmental service firms engaged in mine site reclamation.