This division covers extraction from a quarry, but also dredging of alluvial deposits, rock crushing and the use of salt marshes. The products are used most notably in construction (e.g. sands, stones etc.), manufacture of materials (e.g. clay, gypsum, calcium etc.), manufacture of chemicals etc.

This division does not include processing (except crushing, grinding, cutting, cleaning, drying, sorting and mixing) of the minerals extracted. Vertically integrated units that are processing self-extracted mineral materials are classified under manufacturing (e.g. cement plants or brick making plants). Salt production includes refining salt, to render it suitable for human consumption.