NAICS 212322 Quarterly Industry Report
Industrial Sand Mining
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 212322Sector: Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction (21)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Industrial Sand Mining (NAICS 212322) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[9], U.S. Geological Survey[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[10], and SBA size standards database[6]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, mining sector analysts, and industrial minerals investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the industrial sand mining industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Industrial Sand Mining (NAICS 212322) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in mining, quarrying, and processing silica sand and other industrial-grade sand products per the U.S. Census Bureau[4]. Activities include silica sand mining for glassmaking, foundry sand production for metal casting, hydraulic fracturing proppant sand extraction, filter sand processing for water treatment, and specialty sand production for recreational and horticultural applications.
Industrial sand serves distinct end markets separated from construction-grade sand by strict chemical purity and grain size requirements. Hydraulic fracturing (frac sand) demand transformed the industrial sand sector beginning in 2010 as horizontal drilling in shale formations created massive proppant consumption. Wisconsin, Illinois, and Texas rank as leading producing states, with in-basin sand mines in West Texas capturing market share from northern sources due to lower transportation costs to Permian Basin drilling operations per USGS[5] mineral reporting. Glass manufacturing consumes high-purity silica sand meeting specific iron oxide and alumina content limits. Foundry sand supports ferrous and non-ferrous metal casting operations requiring controlled grain shape and sintering temperature properties.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], the size standard is $30.5 million in average annual receipts. The Mine Safety and Health Administration[7] inspects sand mining operations at least twice annually. OSHA[8] respirable crystalline silica standards under 29 CFR 1926 apply to industrial sand processing, with silica dust exposure representing the primary occupational health hazard at sand mining and processing facilities.
What's Included in This Industry
- Silica sand mining for glass manufacturing
- Frac sand extraction and processing for oil and gas proppant
- Foundry sand production for metal casting molds
- Filter sand processing for water treatment systems
- Specialty sand production for golf courses and sports fields
- Sand washing, drying, screening, and classification
- Resin-coated proppant sand manufacturing
- Sand storage, blending, and load-out operations
- Mine site development and deposit evaluation
- Sand mine reclamation and environmental restoration
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 21 |
| Subsector | Mining (except Oil and Gas) | 212 |
| Industry Group | Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | 2123 |
| NAICS Industry | Sand, Gravel, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining and Quarrying | 21232 |
| National Industry | Industrial Sand Mining | 212322 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 212321 | Construction Sand and Gravel Mining | Construction Sand and Gravel Mining produces lower-purity aggregate sand for concrete and fill applications, while industrial sand mining extracts chemically pure silica sand meeting strict specifications for glass, foundry, and oilfield proppant markets at premium price points |
| 327211 | Flat Glass Manufacturing | Flat Glass Manufacturing consumes high-purity silica sand as the primary raw material for float glass production, with glass plant sand specifications requiring strict limits on iron oxide, chromium, and other colorant impurities that affect glass clarity and color |
| 327212 | Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware Manufacturing | Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware Manufacturing uses silica sand in container glass, fiberglass, and specialty glass production, with each glass type requiring specific sand chemistry and grain size distributions from qualified industrial sand suppliers |
| 331511 | Iron Foundries | Iron Foundries uses foundry-grade sand for green sand and resin-bonded casting molds, with foundry sand requiring controlled grain shape, size distribution, and sintering temperature properties to produce quality metal castings without surface defects |
| 213111 | Drilling Oil and Gas Wells | Drilling Oil and Gas Wells consumes frac sand as proppant pumped into hydraulically fractured wells to hold fractures open and allow oil and gas flow, with proppant demand volumes directly tied to horizontal well drilling activity in major shale basins |
| 327910 | Abrasive Product Manufacturing | Abrasive Product Manufacturing uses industrial silica sand as a raw material in sandblasting media and abrasive products, with grain hardness, angularity, and size uniformity determining sand suitability for specific abrasive surface preparation applications |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 26.5% | 50 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | 12.7% | 24 |
| 3 | Florida | 6.3% | 12 |
| 4 | Illinois | 4.8% | 9 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 4.2% | 8 |
| 6 | Ohio | 4.2% | 8 |
| 7 | South Carolina | 3.7% | 7 |
| 8 | New Jersey | 3.7% | 7 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 3.7% | 7 |
| 10 | Arkansas | 3.7% | 7 |
% Of Establishments
0%
26%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for industrial sand mining?
NAICS 212322 covers industrial sand mining including silica sand for glass, foundry, frac sand, and filtration applications per the U.S. Census Bureau[4]. Construction sand mining is classified separately under NAICS 212321.
What is frac sand?
Frac sand is high-purity silica sand pumped into hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells as proppant material that holds fractures open per USGS[5] mineral data. Sand grain strength, roundness, and size must meet API (American Petroleum Institute) specifications for downhole proppant performance.
What is the SBA size standard?
Per the SBA size standard[6], the threshold is $30.5 million in average annual receipts for federal small business contracting eligibility and SBA lending products for industrial sand mining firms.
What makes industrial sand different from construction sand?
Industrial sand must meet strict chemical purity standards (high silica content, low iron and impurities) and precise grain size specifications per USGS[5] classifications. Construction sand serves as bulk aggregate where chemical composition is less critical than gradation and volume.
Where is frac sand produced?
Wisconsin and Illinois produce northern white sand prized for grain strength, while in-basin mines in West Texas have captured growing market share by reducing transportation costs to Permian Basin drilling operations per USGS[5] production data.
What safety hazards exist in industrial sand mining?
OSHA[8] respirable crystalline silica standards apply to all sand processing operations under 29 CFR 1926. Silica dust inhalation causes silicosis, a serious and irreversible lung disease, making dust control and respiratory protection the primary occupational health concern in the industry.
What is foundry sand?
Foundry sand is industrial-grade silica sand used to create casting molds in metal foundries. Sand properties including grain shape, size distribution, and high-temperature sintering resistance determine casting surface quality per American Foundry Society specifications and industry practice.
How is industrial sand processed?
Raw sand undergoes washing to remove clay and organic material, drying in rotary kilns, screening through multi-deck vibratory screens, and classification by grain size per industry processing practice. Frac sand may receive additional resin coating to improve proppant crush resistance in high-pressure well conditions.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]USGS usgs.gov
- [6]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [7]Mine Safety and Health Administration msha.gov
- [8]OSHA osha.gov
- [9]U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [10]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [11]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [12]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [13]504 loans sba.gov
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