Throughout the history of planet Earth, minerals have formed through diverse geologic processes and at different locations, depending on the prevailing geologic conditions. Early civilizations mined minerals and rocks for a variety of purposes, initially for use in construction if the material had strength or for personal adornment if the mineral was attractive. Subsequently, minerals have been mined for a multitude of other purposes, where their chemical and physical properties have been of importance in a wide range of industrial processes. At the present time, large volumes of a variety of minerals are needed for society, and this demand is continuously increasing.