Well, Mineral uses physical active ingredients (Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide) to create a sunscreen barrier on the skin that blocks UV rays by absorbing and reflecting them away from the skin (absorbs approx ~90%+ of UV rays, reflects ~5%+).
Non-Mineral (also called “synthetic”) sunscreens use non-physical active ingredients (Homosalate, Octocrylene, Octisalate, Avobenzone) to absorb UV rays by converting them into heat and sending them right back out to where they came from (absorbs approx ~95%+ of UV rays).