Assessment of each statement is as follows:
- Statement (i) is accurate: Minerals have been utilized since antiquity for crafting tools and weaponry.
- Statement (ii) is inaccurate: Not all developed nations are increasing mineral extraction; some have shifted to more sustainable energy and material sources.
- Statement (iii) is accurate: Significant mining development commenced during the Industrial Revolution, marked by large-scale extraction and technological advancements.
- Statement (iv) is accurate: Mineral discovery encompasses multiple phases, including exploration, testing, and evaluation.
Consequently, the correct determination is (C) Statements i, iii, and iv are accurate.