The advance of human civilization has always been led by the minerals business; Stone Age, Copper Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and today’s complex Materials Age.  The story of metals and elements spans all known time, from the Big Bang to today, and it involves alchemy in the supernovas of the universe that has never been achieved here on Earth.  Matter in its many forms is explained.  Analytical techniques for assaying matter are described.  Difficult metallurgical problems are identified using microphotographs.  Finally, an overview of the processes and machines that are used by the extractive metallurgist to process ores is discussed and pictured.