NAICS 212323 Quarterly Industry Report
Kaolin, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 212323Sector: Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction (21)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Kaolin, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining (NAICS 212323) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[8], U.S. Geological Survey[4], Bureau of Labor Statistics[9], and SBA size standards database[5]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, industrial minerals analysts, and mining industry investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the kaolin, clay, and ceramic and refractory minerals mining industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Kaolin, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining (NAICS 212323) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in mining and beneficiating kaolin, ball clay, fire clay, bentonite, fuller's earth, and other ceramic and refractory mineral clays per the U.S. Census Bureau[3]. Activities include kaolin open pit mining and processing, ball clay extraction for ceramic products, bentonite mining for drilling muds, and fire clay production for refractory brick manufacturing.
Georgia produces the majority of U.S. kaolin from a 200-mile belt of cretaceous-age deposits stretching from Macon to Augusta, supplying paper coating, paint filler, rubber extender, and ceramic manufacturing industries per USGS[4] mineral commodity data. Ball clay production centers in Kentucky and Tennessee for use in floor tile, sanitaryware, and ceramic manufacturing. Wyoming and South Dakota dominate bentonite production, with sodium bentonite serving drilling fluid, iron ore pelletizing, and environmental sealing applications. Major industry producers include BASF (through its minerals division), Imerys, and regional operators throughout the Southeastern clay belt.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[5], the size standard is $30.5 million in average annual receipts. The Mine Safety and Health Administration[6] inspects surface clay mines under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act. EPA[7] mining effluent guidelines govern wastewater discharge from clay processing operations, with settling ponds and water recycling systems commonly used to manage process water at kaolin and bentonite facilities.
What's Included in This Industry
- Kaolin open pit mining and wet processing
- Ball clay extraction for ceramic manufacturing
- Bentonite mining for drilling fluids and sealants
- Fire clay mining for refractory brick production
- Fuller's earth mining for absorbent products
- Clay washing, degritting, and centrifuge classification
- Kaolin calcining and surface treatment operations
- Clay drying, pulverizing, and bagging for shipment
- Clay deposit evaluation and mine development
- Mine site reclamation and land 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 | Kaolin, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining | 212323 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 212390 | Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying extracts minerals including potash, soda ash, and phosphate that share similar surface mining and beneficiation methods with clay mining operations, with both classifications falling under common MSHA regulatory frameworks for surface mining safety |
| 327110 | Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing | Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing consumes ball clay and kaolin as primary raw materials for ceramic body formulations, with clay mineral properties including plasticity, firing color, and shrinkage directly determining the quality and performance of finished ceramic products |
| 327120 | Clay Building Material and Refractories Manufacturing | Clay Building Material and Refractories Manufacturing uses fire clay, ball clay, and kaolin in brick, tile, and refractory product manufacturing, with clay chemistry and firing behavior determining product strength, thermal resistance, and dimensional stability for construction applications |
| 322120 | Paper Mills | Paper Mills consumes processed kaolin as a paper coating pigment that improves sheet brightness, opacity, and printability, with paper-grade kaolin requiring specific particle size, brightness, and viscosity characteristics from specialized beneficiation processing at mining operations |
| 325510 | Paint and Coating Manufacturing | Paint and Coating Manufacturing uses kaolin as a functional filler and extender pigment in architectural and industrial coatings, with kaolin particle size and surface treatment level affecting paint film hiding power, scrub resistance, and rheological properties |
| 213115 | Support Activities for Nonmetallic Minerals (except Fuels) Mining | Support Activities for Nonmetallic Minerals (except Fuels) Mining provides contract drilling, overburden removal, and mine construction services to clay mining operators, with support service companies supplementing mine operator workforces during peak production periods and new pit development |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for kaolin mining?
NAICS 212323 covers kaolin, ball clay, bentonite, fire clay, and other ceramic and refractory mineral mining per the U.S. Census Bureau[3]. Multiple clay mineral types are grouped under this single classification.
Where is kaolin mined in the United States?
Georgia produces the majority of U.S. kaolin from a 200-mile belt of deposits stretching from Macon to Augusta per USGS[4] mineral data. South Carolina and other Southeastern states also contribute to domestic kaolin production.
What is the SBA size standard?
Per the SBA size standard[5], the threshold is $30.5 million in average annual receipts for federal small business contracting eligibility and SBA lending products available to clay mining firms.
What is kaolin used for?
Kaolin serves as paper coating pigment, paint filler, rubber extender, ceramic raw material, and pharmaceutical ingredient per USGS[4] mineral data. Paper coating historically consumed the largest share of production, though construction and specialty applications have grown in relative share.
What is bentonite?
Bentonite is a clay mineral derived from volcanic ash with high swelling capacity in water. Sodium bentonite from Wyoming and South Dakota serves as drilling mud for oil and gas wells, iron ore pelletizing binder, and waterproofing sealant per USGS[4] mineral descriptions.
What is ball clay?
Ball clay is a fine-grained, highly plastic clay mined primarily in Kentucky and Tennessee for ceramic manufacturing. Ball clay contributes plasticity and green strength to ceramic body formulations used in floor tile, sanitaryware, and tableware production per industry mineral specifications.
What environmental regulations apply to clay mining?
What is fire clay?
Fire clay is a refractory-grade clay with high alumina content and heat resistance used in manufacturing firebrick, kiln linings, and other refractory products that withstand temperatures above 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit in industrial furnaces, steel mills, and glass manufacturing plants.
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 census.gov
- [4]USGS usgs.gov
- [5]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [6]Mine Safety and Health Administration msha.gov
- [7]EPA epa.gov
- [8]U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [9]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [10]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]504 loans sba.gov
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