Mineral refers to an inorganic substance that can be collected and mined, which can be divided into two categories: metallic minerals and nonmetallic minerals. Metal minerals include copper, iron, lead, zinc and nickel. They usually exist in the rocks of mines, and metal elements can be obtained through chemical treatment and smelting. Non-metallic minerals include limestone, gypsum, graphite and sulfur. They generally do not contain metal elements, but they are indispensable raw materials in some industrial production and metallurgical processes.

In nature, the formation of minerals is a long and complicated process. Many metal minerals are formed in the interior of the earth. Due to the movement of the crust and the high temperature and high pressure environment inside the earth, some metal elements are dissolved and crystallized in the crust. The formation of nonmetallic minerals is mostly related to the water cycle and biological action of the earth. For example, limestone is formed from biological remains and detrital fossils in the ocean.

Minerals have a great influence on human production and life, and are widely used in construction, industry, energy and so on. People's modern life cannot be separated from building materials such as steel, aluminum and gypsum provided by minerals, and fuel minerals such as coal and oil are also needed to support industrial production and transportation. But at the same time, the exploitation and utilization of mineral resources will also cause serious damage to the environment. Therefore, in the rational development and utilization of mineral resources, we should adhere to the principle of sustainable development and take the protection of the environment and human survival as the premise.