Which resource category cannot be replaced once consumed?

Non-renewable resources are substances that cannot be replenished once they have been extracted and used. Examples include fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as minerals like gold and copper. These resources are formed over millions of years through geological processes, and their consumption leads to depletion without the possibility of regeneration within a human timescale. This characteristic makes non-renewable resources distinct from renewable resources, which can naturally replenish themselves over shorter periods, and recyclable resources, which can be processed and reused. Green resources typically refer to environmentally friendly resources or practices, which also don’t align with the concept of depletion and irretrievability as seen with non-renewable resources.