Analysis
NAICS 21211 is the 2022 NAICS industry for coal mining, part of 2121 (Coal Mining). Census lists 24 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 28% and employment fell 13%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
County Business Patterns counts 491 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 42,347 people at an average annual payroll of $106,318 per employee (87th percentile of national industries). 24% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which points to larger operations.
Across its national industries Census lists 24 index entries; typical ones are bituminous coal, lignite, or anthracite beneficiating… and bituminous coal or anthracite underground mine site….
Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 32419, 33111 and 21311. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
For example, manufacturing coke oven products in coke oven establishments are classified in 32419 (Other Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1) mining bituminous coal, anthracite coal, and lignite by underground mining, auger mining, strip mining, culm bank mining, and other surface mining; (2) developing coal mine sites; and (3) beneficiating (i.e., preparing) coal (e.g., cleaning, washing, screening, and sizing).
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing coke oven products in coke oven establishments | 32419 Other Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing |
| Manufacturing coal products in steel mills | 33111 Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing |
| Providing support activities (except geophysical surveying and mapping, site preparation, construction, and transportation) for the mining of coal on a contract or fee basis | 21311 Support Activities for Mining |
Index entries (24)
- Bituminous coal, lignite, or anthracite beneficiating (e.g., cleaning, crushing, screening, washing, sizing)
- Bituminous coal or anthracite underground mine site development for own account