Definition of prospect

i. An area that is a potential site of mineral deposits, based on preliminary exploration.

Ref: AGI

ii. Sometimes, an area that has been explored in a preliminary way but has not given evidence of economic value.

Ref: AGI

iii. An area to be searched by some investigative technique, such as geophysical prospecting.

Ref: AGI

iv. A geologic or geophysical anomaly, esp. one recommended for additional exploration. A prospect is distinct from a mine in that it is nonproducing.

See Also: prospecting

v. A mineral property, the value of which has not been proved by exploration.

Ref: Lewis

vi. To search for minerals or oil by looking for surface indications, by drilling boreholes, or both.

Ref: Long

vii. A plot of ground believed to be mineralized enough to be of economic importance.

Ref: Long

viii. Territory under examination for its mineral wealth. Prospecting is the search for deposits and is performed by aerial survey, magnetometry, surface examination, pitting, trenching, use of a prospector's pan, geochemical testing of soil, drilling (shallow or deep), seismic probe, and resistivity survey.

Ref: Pryor, 3

ix. The gold or other mineral obtained by working a sample of ore.

x. A formation that may be capable of development into a mine, but which is untested.

See Also: favorable locality

xi. A sample of gold obtained in panning.

Ref: Nelson

xii. A specimen or sample of mineral obtained from a small amount of paydirt or ore.

Ref: Craigie

xiii. To work (a mine, ledge, etc.) experimentally in order to ascertain its richness in precious minerals.

Ref: Craigie