NAICS Code 212230 — Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining

National Industry in the official 2022 North American Industry Classification System (U.S. Census Bureau). It is the only national industry under 21223 (Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining).

Code	212230
Title	Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining
Level	National Industry (6-digit)
Edition	NAICS 2022 edition
SBA size standard	1,400 employees

Official definition (2022 NAICS)

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in developing the mine site, mining, and/or beneficiating (i.e., preparing) ores valued chiefly for their copper, nickel, lead, or zinc content. Beneficiating includes the transformation of ores into concentrates. Establishments primarily engaged in recovering copper concentrates by the precipitation, leaching, or electrowinning of copper ore are included in this industry.

Is a business under 212230 "small"?

Under the SBA size standards (13 CFR 121.201, effective March 17, 2023), a business classified in NAICS 212230 qualifies as a small business if it does not exceed 1,400 employees. Small-business status determines eligibility for federal set-aside contracts, SAM.gov certifications and SBA loan programs — employee count is averaged over the latest 24 months.

Where 212230 sits in the hierarchy

Level	Code	Title
Sector	21	Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
Subsector	212	Mining (except Oil and Gas)
Industry Group	2122	Metal Ore Mining
NAICS Industry	21223	Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining
National Industry	212230	Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining

No direct SIC mapping is shown for this code: it was introduced or redefined after the official 1987 SIC ↔ 2002 NAICS concordance. Use the crosswalk tool to explore related legacy codes.

Data: official 2022 NAICS structure, descriptions and Census concordances, U.S. Census Bureau — U.S. government works in the public domain (17 U.S.C. §105). Suggested reference, not an official determination.