Is "mineral" just another name for "metals" on the periodic table?

Minerals.....

No. "mineral" is not another name for "metal."

In geology, we study "rocks and minerals." Rocks are heterogeneous (usually) mixtures and consist of two or more pure substances in any ratio. Rocks have variable composition. Minerals are pure substances (either elements or compounds). Minerals have a definite composition.

The metallic elements are pure substances and are therefore minerals. Some metals are alloys. An alloy is a homogeneous mixture with a variable composition. Alloys are not minerals.

No.

Minerals are usually compounds, but metals are elements.