'mineral-based' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'mineral' and 'based'. 'mineral' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'minerale', where 'miner-' referred to 'mine' or 'ore'. 'base' originates from Old French/Late Latin, specifically the Old French 'base' (from Late Latin/Greek 'basis'), where 'basis' meant 'foundation' or 'step'.

'mineral' changed from Medieval Latin word 'minerale' (and related Old French forms) and eventually became the modern English word 'mineral'; 'base' derived from Old French 'base' (from Late Latin/Greek 'basis'), and the compound 'mineral-based' was formed in Modern English to describe something having a foundation or composition of minerals.

Initially the components meant 'of or relating to mines/ores' ('mineral') and 'foundation' ('base'); combined as 'mineral-based' it originally meant 'having a foundation or composition of minerals' and has retained that core meaning while extending to describe products, formulations, or materials whose primary ingredients are minerals.