To ease extraction, cartridge cases were coated in mineral wax.

Idrialin is a mineral wax accompanying the mercury ore in Idria.

Also the ozokerite, a natural mineral wax, mined in Borysław, was used for isolation of the first trans-Atlantic telegraphic cable line.

Coal oil is obtained from the destructive distillation of cannel coal, mineral wax, and bituminous shale, while kerosene is obtained by the distillation of petroleum.