NAICS 213115

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal standard for classifying business establishments, enabling agencies to collect and publish statistics about the U.S. economy. Developed by the Office of Management and Budget in partnership with Canada and Mexico, NAICS replaced SIC in 1997 and is maintained in the current 2022 vintage. ¹

NAICS 213115 covers establishments that, on a fee or contract basis, provide support services necessary for the mining and quarrying of nonmetallic minerals (except fuels). Exploration is included when it uses traditional prospecting methods (e.g., core sampling, geological observations) and excludes geophysical surveying and mapping. Supported commodities include stone, sand, gravel, clay, and other nonmetallic minerals. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 213115 overview
• G2X — NAICS 2123 Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying
• G2X — NAICS 541360 Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services

What this NAICS covers

• Contract exploration for nonmetallic minerals using traditional prospecting methods, including taking core samples and making geological observations. ²
• Test drilling and related fieldwork in support of nonmetallic mineral extraction (e.g., for stone, sand, gravel, clay), excluding geophysical surveys. ²
• Fee-based services performed at prospective or active quarry sites that aid extraction of nonmetallic minerals (except fuels). ²
• Specialized support tasks typically performed in-house by mine/quarry operators but provided here under contract (e.g., coring programs, site geological logging). ²
• Support services for the extraction and quarrying of nonmetallic minerals other than coal, oil, or gas. ²
• Exploration services distinct from operating a mine or quarry; operating mines/quarries is classified elsewhere. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Official boundaries and cross‑references

• Geophysical surveying and mapping are excluded; classify such services under NAICS 541360. ²
• Contract mining, quarrying, or beneficiating are not in NAICS 213115; classify under Subsector NAICS 212 based on the mineral mined. ²
• Construction and site‑preparation activities supporting mines/quarries are excluded; classify in Sector 23 (e.g., NAICS 237990 or 238910). ²
• Transportation support activities for mining are excluded; classify in Transportation and Warehousing (e.g., NAICS 488490). ²

Frequently asked questions

• What kinds of work fit under NAICS 213115?

  Fee- or contract-based support to nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying, including exploration by traditional prospecting (core sampling, geological field observations) for stone, sand, gravel, and clay. It excludes geophysical surveys, construction/site prep, transportation support, and operating mines or quarries. ²

• How is NAICS 213115 different from NAICS 2123?

  NAICS 2123 covers establishments that operate nonmetallic mineral mines and quarries or perform beneficiating. NAICS 213115 covers third‑party support services for those operations, typically performed on a contract or fee basis rather than by the mine operator. ²

• Are geophysical surveys included in 213115?

  No. Geophysical surveying and mapping services belong in NAICS 541360. Exploration under NAICS 213115 refers to traditional prospecting like coring and geological observation, not geophysical methods such as seismic or electromagnetic surveys. ²

• Do site preparation and construction for quarries fall under 213115?

  No. Grading, excavating, and other construction or site‑preparation work for quarry or mine sites are classified in Sector 23, such as NAICS 237990 or 238910, not in NAICS 213115. ²

• Are oil and gas field services part of 213115?

  No. Oil and gas contract drilling and field services fall under NAICS 213111 and 213112, respectively. NAICS 213115 is limited to nonmetallic minerals (except fuels). ²

Useful resources

• U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS main site and 2022 vintage overview. ¹
• 2022 NAICS Manual (official definitions and cross‑references), including NAICS 213115. ²
• 2022 Economic Census data releases (Mining sector schedules and tables). ³

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau, NAICS — Introduction and 2022 NAICS search. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=ec&year=2022
2. U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS Manual (official industry definitions). https://www.census.gov/naics/reference_files_tools/2022_NAICS_Manual.pdf
3. U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census — Data Releases. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/news-updates/ecdata-releases.html