prospecting
noun[U]
NATURAL RESOURCESuk/ˈprɒspektɪŋ/ustheactivityofsearchingforgold,oil, or othervaluablesubstanceson or under thesurfaceof theEarth:
Most of the prospecting sofarhas beenconductedby an Australianminingengineer.
oil/goldprospecting
aprospectinglicence/permit