This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) smelting copper ore and/or (2) the primary refining of copper by electrolytic methods or other processes. Establishments in this industry make primary copper and copper-based alloys, such as brass and bronze, from ore or concentrates.

Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

Recovering copper or copper alloys from scrap and making primary forms and/or alloying purchased copper--are classified in U.S. Industry 331423, Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Copper;

Mining and making copper concentrates by processes, such as solvent extraction or electrowinning--are classified in U.S. Industry 212234, Copper Ore and Nickel Ore Mining;

Drawing copper wire (except mechanical) from purchased copper or recovering copper from scrap and drawing wire (except mechanical)--are classified in U.S. Industry 331422, Copper Wire (except Mechanical) Drawing; and

Rolling, drawing, or extruding copper shapes (except communication and energy wire) from purchased copper or recovering copper from scrap and rolling, drawing, and extruding copper shapes--are classified in U.S. Industry 331421, Copper Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding.