Editing Prospecting (section)

== Modern prospecting ==
Modern prospectors today{{Clarify|as of when?|date=January 2023}} rely on training, the study of geology, and prospecting technology.

Knowledge of previous prospecting in an area helps in determining location of new prospective areas. Prospecting includes [[geological mapping]], rock assay analysis, and sometimes the intuition of the prospector.

Prospecting of minerals found in mobile fluids,{{clarify|what mobile fluids|date=January 2023}} as is often the case of [[lithium]], adds a "temporal element" to be considered.<ref name=cabello2022>Cabello, J. (2022). [http://www.andeangeology.cl/index.php/revista1/article/view/V49n2-3444/html Reserves, resources and lithium exploration in the salt flats of northern Chile]. ''[[Andean Geology]]''. '''49''' (2): 297–306. [[Digital object identifier|doi]]: [http://dx.doi.org/10.5027/andgeoV49n2-3444 10.5027/andgeoV49n2-3444]. Retrieved July 2, 2022.</ref>

=== Metal detecting ===
[[Metal detectors]] are invaluable for gold prospectors, as they are quite effective at detecting gold nuggets within the soil down to around 1 metre (3 feet), depending on the acuity of the operator's hearing and skill.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}

Magnetic separators may be useful in separating the magnetic fraction of a [[heavy mineral sands ore deposits|heavy mineral sand]] from the nonmagnetic fraction, which may assist in the panning or sieving of gold from the soil or stream.

=== Prospecting pickaxe ===
Prospecting [[pickaxe]]s are used to scrape at [[Rock (geology)|rocks]] and [[mineral]]s, obtaining small samples that can be tested for trace amounts of [[ore]]. Modern prospecting pickaxes are also sometimes equipped with [[magnet]]s, to aid in the gathering of [[Ferromagnetism|ferromagnetic]] ores. Prospecting pickaxes are usually equipped with a triangular head, with a very sharp point.{{cn|date=January 2023}}{{clarify|Explain triangular head|date=January 2023}}

=== Electromagnetic prospecting ===
{{see also| Turam method}}
The introduction of modern gravity and magnetic surveying methods has greatly facilitated the prospecting process. Airborne gravimeters and magnetometers can collect data from vast areas and highlight anomalous geologic features.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dobrin|first=Milton B.|title=Introduction to Geophysical Prospecting|year=1960|publisher=New York, McGraw-Hill |url=https://archive.org/details/introductiontoge00dobr|url-access=registration}}</ref> Three-dimensional inversions of audio-magnetotellurics (AMT) is used to find conductive materials up to a few kilometers into the Earth, which has been helpful to locate kimberlite pipes, as well as tungsten and copper.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Farquharson|first1=Colin|last2=Craven|first2=James|date=August 2009|title=Three-dimensional inversion of magnetotelluric data for mineral exploration: An example from the McArthur River uranium deposit, Saskatchewan, Canada|journal=Journal of Applied Geophysics|volume=68|issue=4|pages=450–458|doi=10.1016/j.jappgeo.2008.02.002|bibcode=2009JAG....68..450F}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Shi|first=Yuan|date=January 2020|title=Three-dimensional audio-frequency magnetotelluric imaging of Zhuxi copper-tungsten polymetallic deposits, South China|journal=Journal of Applied Geophysics|volume=172|pages=103910|doi=10.1016/j.jappgeo.2019.103910|bibcode=2020JAG...17203910S|doi-access=}}</ref>

Another relatively new prospecting technique is using low frequency electromagnetic (EM) waves for 'sounding' into the Earth's crust. These low frequency waves will respond differently based on the material they pass through, allowing for analysts to create three-dimensional images of potential ore bodies or volcanic intrusions. This technique is used for a variety of prospecting, but can mainly be for finding conductive materials.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Singh|first1=Anand|last2=Sharma|first2=S.P.|date=2015|title=Fast imaging of subsurface conductors using very low-frequency electromagnetic data|journal=Geophysical Prospecting|volume=63|issue=6|page=1355 |doi=10.1111/1365-2478.12323 |bibcode=2015GeopP..63.1355S |s2cid=131284478 }}</ref> So far these low frequency EM techniques have been proven for geothermal exploration as well as for coal bed methane analysis.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wang|first1=Nan|date=2017|title=Passive super-low frequency electromagnetic prospecting technique|journal=Frontiers of Earth Science|volume=11|issue=2 |pages=248–267|doi=10.1007/s11707-017-0597-4 |bibcode=2017FrES...11..248W |s2cid=113545890 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Van Der Kruk|first1=J|date=2002|title=An apparent-resistivity concept for low-frequency electromagnetic sounding techniques|journal=Geophysical Prospecting|volume=48|issue=6}}</ref>

=== Geochemical prospecting ===
Geochemical prospecting involves analyzing the chemical properties of rock samples, drainage sediments, soils, surface and ground waters, mineral separates, atmospheric gases and particulates, and even plants and animals. Properties such as trace element abundances are analyzed systematically to locate anomalies.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fletcher|first=W.K.|title=Analytical Methods in Geochemical Prospecting}}</ref>