We prove that every finite, simple, surjective algebra having no proper subalgebras is either quasiprimal or affine or isomorphic to an algebra term equivalent to a matrix power of a unary permutational algebra. Consequently, it generates a minimal variety if and only if it is quasiprimal. We show also that a locally finite, minimal variety omitting type 1 is minimal as a quasivariety if and only if it has a unique subdirectly irreducible algebra.