What this class covers
ANZSIC class 0990 classifies businesses primarily engaged in mining or quarrying non-metallic minerals, excluding construction materials like sand, gravel, or dimension stone. This category captures a diverse range of extraction activities for minerals used in industrial processes, agriculture, and specialty applications. Operations typically involve extracting minerals from natural deposits through open-cut mining, quarrying, or harvesting methods.
In the Australian context, this classification applies to operations such as salt harvesting from coastal salt pans or inland lakes, gypsum mining for plasterboard manufacturing, and opal mining in regions like Coober Pedy. Other examples include extracting talc for cosmetics and ceramics, mining lithium-bearing minerals for battery production, and quarrying silica sand for glass manufacturing. These activities are distinguished from metallic ore mining (such as iron ore or gold) and from the quarrying of construction materials like crushed rock or dimension stone.
The ANZSIC classification system is used by government agencies, researchers, and businesses for statistical reporting, market analysis, and regulatory purposes. Businesses in this sector may need to report under this classification for Australian Bureau of Statistics surveys, tax purposes, and industry benchmarking.
Primary activities in plain English
This class includes businesses mainly engaged in:
- Mining abrasive minerals used for grinding and polishing
- Extracting alum and alunite for chemical applications
- Barite mining for drilling muds and weighting agents
- Diamond and gemstone mining (but not cutting or polishing)
- Diatomite mining for filtration and absorbent products
- Felspar and flint quarrying for ceramic and industrial uses
- Fluorspar mining for metallurgical and chemical processes
- Graphite mining for lubricants and battery components
- Gypsum mining for plasterboard and cement production
- Horticultural peat extraction for gardening products
- Lithium mineral mining for battery and technology applications
- Magnesite mining for refractory and chemical products
- Mica mining for electrical insulation and construction
- Opal mining and other gemstone extraction
- Phosphate rock mining for fertiliser production
- Salt harvesting through evaporation processes
- Silica mining for industrial purposes (not construction sand)
- Talc quarrying for cosmetics, plastics, and ceramics
- Vermiculite mining for insulation and horticulture
- Zeolite mining for absorbents and catalysts
Exclusions and nearby codes
Several related activities are specifically excluded from this class and classified elsewhere:
- Cutting peat from brown coal mine overburden is included in ANZSIC 0600: Coal Mining
- Salt refining and processing is classified under ANZSIC 1199: Other Food Product Manufacturing n.e.c.
- Gemstone cutting, polishing and jewellery manufacturing falls under ANZSIC 2591: Jewellery and Silverware Manufacturing
Related classifications within the same group include other non-metallic mineral mining activities that may share similar operational characteristics but are classified separately based on specific mineral types or processes.
Practical guidance
When registering your business with the Australian Business Register, you may need to select ANZSIC 0990 if your primary activity involves mining non-metallic minerals as described. This classification can influence your Business Industry Code (BIC) for tax reporting purposes with the ATO.
Workers' compensation premiums in Australia are typically risk-rated by industry classification, so businesses in this sector should ensure they're correctly classified to avoid incorrect premium calculations. Mining operations often face higher premium rates due to the hazardous nature of extraction activities.
Businesses in this sector should be aware of state and federal regulations governing mining operations, including environmental approvals, native title considerations, and workplace health and safety requirements specific to mining. Some grant programs or industry assistance measures may be targeted specifically at mining operations, though eligibility criteria vary.
For statistical reporting purposes, businesses may be surveyed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics about their operations under this classification. Maintaining accurate records of production volumes, employment figures, and financial data can help with compliance when these surveys occur.