Minerals have an important place in human evolution and expansion of civilizations. People primitive stone age flint tools used. With about 10 000 years ago, they learned the technique of extraction of copper from its natural minerals, and invented bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, which marked the starting of the Bronze Age. Since the early Iron Age, with 3 300 years ago, people have found more and more ways to use the materials found in the earth's crust, and modern industry continue to depend on the exploitation of mineral wealth of the earth.
