Question

Why do we need to conserve mineral resources?

Answer 1

they may get emptied
it takes very long time to form or get renewed
our future generation will have no minerals
it is very limited
and if there are no minerals it hinders the development process

Answer 2

The geological process of mineral formation are so slow that rates of replenishment are infinitely small in comparison to the present rate of utilisation. Continued extraction of ores leads to increasing costs as the mineral comes from greater and greater depth or as the quality decrease.