What this class covers
ANZSIC class 2139 covers Australian businesses engaged in the primary smelting, secondary smelting, and refining of non-ferrous metals not classified elsewhere in the manufacturing division. This includes operations that recover valuable metals from industrial waste, dross, scrap materials, or ashes through specialized metallurgical processes. The resulting metals are typically cast into basic forms like ingots, bars, or other standard shapes for further industrial use.
This classification applies to facilities that transform raw materials or secondary sources into purified non-ferrous metals through high-temperature processes. Typical operations might include a gold refinery processing scrap jewelry and electronic waste, a nickel smelter converting nickel concentrates into pure metal, or a facility recovering titanium from industrial scrap. The class also encompasses manufacturers producing specialized metal powders and flakes of metals like molybdenum, tantalum, and tungsten for advanced industrial applications.
Primary activities in plain English
Businesses in this class typically engage in one or more of the following activities:
- Refining precious metals like gold from various sources excluding integrated mining operations
- Smelting and refining base metals including nickel, tin, titanium, and bismuth
- Producing bronze and other non-ferrous alloys not classified elsewhere
- Recovering non-ferrous metals from industrial waste, scrap, dross, or ash
- Manufacturing metal powders and flakes for specialized applications
- Producing welding rods, solder, and similar metal joining products
- Processing rare earth metals through smelting operations
- De-tinning operations for metal recovery from cans and containers
Exclusions and nearby codes
Several related activities are specifically excluded from this classification and fall under other ANZSIC codes:
Production of unrefined gold bullion as part of an integrated mining operation is classified under ANZSIC 0804 (Gold Ore Mining) rather than this class. Manufacturing of metallic compounds not associated with smelting operations falls under ANZSIC 1813 (Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing). Similarly, production of welding and foundry fluxes is classified under ANZSIC 1899 (Other Basic Chemical Product Manufacturing n.e.c.).
Businesses involved in aluminum, copper, or zinc production—the major non-ferrous metals—are classified separately under ANZSIC classes 2131, 2132, and 2133 respectively.
Practical guidance
When registering your business or updating details with the Australian Business Register, use Business Industry Code (BIC) 21390, which corresponds directly to ANZSIC 2139. This classification affects how regulatory agencies including the ATO and state revenue offices categorize your operations for reporting purposes.
Workers' compensation premiums may vary significantly depending on the specific metal processes involved, as smelting and refining operations often involve high-temperature processes and hazardous materials. Businesses in this sector should maintain detailed safety protocols and environmental management plans, as state environmental regulators closely monitor emissions and waste management practices in metal processing industries.
Industry grants and assistance programs occasionally target advanced manufacturing sectors including metal processing, particularly for operations involving rare earth metals or sustainable recycling processes. The Australian Bureau of Statistics uses this classification for industry data collection, so accurate reporting helps maintain reliable industry statistics.