Editing Prospecting

{{Short description|The physical search for minerals}}
{{Redirect|Prospectors|the TV series|Prospectors (TV series)}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2020}}
[[File:Prospector&Burro.jpg|thumb|Prospector and burro, western [[Colorado]], USA, {{circa|1900}}]]
[[File:THE DENVER P.T.A. SPONSORED A WEEK-LONG ECOLOGY WORKSHOP TO INTRODUCE SCHOOL CHILDREN TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.... - NARA - 543681.jpg|thumb|upright|Schoolchildren learn to pan for gold, Denver, 1972.]]
[[File:Yukon Gold Discovery.jpg|thumb|Rich specimen from a 2009 gold discovery by a prospector in southeastern [[Yukon Territory]]. The gold, deposited along a fracture, appears rusty-orange in this photo.]]

'''Prospecting''' is the first stage of the geological analysis (followed by [[Mining engineering#Pre-mining|exploration]]) of a territory. It is the search for [[mineral]]s, [[fossil]]s, precious metals, or mineral specimens. It is also known as [[fossicking]].

Traditionally prospecting relied on direct observation of mineralization in rock outcrops or in sediments. Modern prospecting also includes the use of geologic, [[Geophysics|geophysical]], and [[Geochemistry|geochemical]] tools to search for anomalies which can narrow the search area. Once an anomaly has been identified and interpreted to be a potential prospect direct observation can then be focused on this area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/mining|title=Mining - Prospecting and exploration|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref>

In some areas a prospector must also stake a claim, meaning they must erect posts with the appropriate placards on all four corners of a desired land they wish to prospect and register this claim before they may take samples. In other areas publicly held lands are open to prospecting without staking a mining claim.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mineral Tenure Act |url=https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/00_96292_01#section11 |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca}}</ref>{{cn|date=January 2023}}

== Historical methods ==
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2020}}

[[File:Prospecting_Pickaxe_with_rock.jpg|thumb|Example of a prospecting pickaxe]]
The traditional methods of prospecting involved combing through the countryside, often through creek beds and along ridgelines and hilltops, often on hands and knees looking for signs of mineralization in the outcrop. In the case of gold, all streams in an area would be panned at the appropriate trap sites looking for a show of 'colour' or gold in the river trail.

Once a small occurrence or ''show'' was found, it was then necessary to intensively work the area with pick and shovel, and often via the addition of some simple machinery such as a sluice box, races and winnows, to work the loose soil and rock looking for the appropriate materials (in this case, gold). For most [[base metal]] shows, the rock would have been mined by hand and crushed on site, the ore separated from the [[gangue]] by hand.

These shows were commonly short-lived, exhausted and abandoned quite soon, requiring the prospector to move onwards to the next and hopefully bigger and better show. Occasionally, the prospector would strike it rich and be joined by other prospectors to develop a larger-scale mining operation. Although these are thought of as "old" prospecting methods, these techniques are still used today, but usually coupled with more advanced techniques such as [[geophysical]] magnetic or gravity surveys.

In most countries in the 19th and early 20th century, it was very unlikely that a prospector would retire rich even if he was the one who found the greatest of lodes. For instance [[Paddy Hannan|Patrick (Paddy) Hannan]], who discovered the Golden Mile, [[Kalgoorlie]], died without receiving anywhere near a fraction of the value of the gold contained in the lodes.{{clarify|meaningless statement|date=January 2023}}{{cn|date=January 2023}} The same story repeated at Bendigo, Ballarat, [[Klondike Gold Rush|Klondike]] and [[California Gold Rush|California]].

== The gold rushes ==
{{main|Gold rush}}
In the United States and Canada, prospectors were lured by the promise of [[gold]], [[silver]], and other [[Precious metal|precious metals]]. They traveled across the mountains of the [[American West]], carrying picks, shovels and [[Placer mining|gold pans]]. The majority of early prospectors had no training and relied mainly on luck to discover deposits.

Other gold rushes occurred in Papua New Guinea, Australia at least four times, Fiji,<ref>Fiji through a Prism of Geology and Mines Inspection. Chapter 5 in: White F. Miner with a Heart of Gold: biography of a mineral science and engineering educator. Friesen Press, Victoria. 2020. ISBN 978-1-5255-7765-9 (Hardcover) 978-1-5255-7766-6 (Paperback) 978-1-5255-7767-3 (eBook)</ref> South Africa and South America. In all cases, the gold rush was sparked by idle prospecting for gold and minerals which, when the prospector was successful, generated 'gold fever' and saw a wave of prospectors comb the countryside.

== 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>

==See also==
* {{annotated link|Bioprospecting}}
* {{annotated link|Geobotanical prospecting}}
* {{annotated link|Gold prospecting}}
* {{annotated link|Gold Prospectors Association of America}}
* {{annotated link|Gold rush}}
* {{annotated link|Mineral exploration}}
* {{annotated link|Mining}}
* {{annotated link|Hydrocarbon exploration}} 
* {{annotated link|United States Geological Survey}}
* {{annotated link|Metal detector}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tas-prospecting.com Prospecting in Tasmania]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110521030024/http://www.nsprospecting.com/ Prospecting in Nova Scotia]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070209011843/http://www.wildernesswalkabouts.com/prospector.html Prospecting in Northwestern Ontario]
*[http://www.old-picture.com/gold-rush-index-001.htm Historical pictures of prospectors and the Gold Rush ]
*[http://www.wildernessutah.com/brain/gold-prospecting.html Prospecting in the West]
*[http://www.tambang.id Prospecting in Indonesia]

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[[Category:Economic geology]]
[[Category:Gold rushes]]
[[Category:Geological techniques]]
[[Category:History of mining]]