Annual volumes of minerals produced vary by mineral from billions of tons for iron ore to less than 100 tons for diamonds. Cement and quarry stone are found throughout the world, and many others are found in few places. Some elements are being defined as “critical raw materials” that are both needed and limited in availability for technical, economic, or political reasons. Minerals are used in many ways-gases, liquids, metals, crystals, raw materials for chemicals, bulk rocks, quarry stone, ornaments, energy, and currency. The kinds of elements used have increased with technologies. The mining of some minerals has increased; however, mining of other minerals have not because recycling satisfies the increasing demand. Cement production has risen sharply in China as it develops its infrastructure; in contrast, the United States uses relatively little because its infrastructure is already in place. Minerals commonly accumulate so slow that we will be unable to rely on natural cycling systems. Consequently, we will need a combination of ways to avoid shortages, including recycling, substitution, synthesis of molecules and compounds, and forecasting and adjusting various productions.