'mineral-borne' is a Modern English compound formed from 'mineral' and 'borne'. 'Mineral' originates from Latin, specifically the Late Latin word 'minerale', where 'minera' referred to a mine or mineral substance; 'borne' comes from Old English 'boren', the past participle of 'beran' meaning 'to carry'.

'mineral' passed into Middle English via Old French/Latin (Late Latin 'minerale'), while 'borne' developed from Old English 'boren' (from 'beran'). These elements combined in Modern English to form the descriptive compound 'mineral-borne.'

Initially, 'mineral' designated naturally occurring inorganic substances and 'borne' meant 'carried.' Over time the compound came to mean specifically 'carried or contained within mineral phases,' often used in geological and environmental contexts.