Prospecting

noun
1.
Usually, prospects.

an apparent probability of advancement, success, profit, etc.
the outlook for the future:
good business prospects.

2.
anticipation; expectation; a looking forward.
3.
something in view as a source of profit.
4.
a potential or likely customer, client, etc.
5.
a potential or likely candidate.
6.
a view, especially of scenery; scene.
7.
outlook or view over a region or in a particular direction.
8.
a mental view or survey, as of a subject or situation.
9.
Mining.

an apparent indication of ore or native metal.
a place giving such indications.
a mine working or excavation undertaken in a search for additional ore.

10.
Archaic. sight; range of vision.
verb (used with object)
11.
to search or explore (a region), as for gold.
12.
to work (a mine or claim) experimentally in order to test its value.
verb (used without object)
13.
to search or explore a region for gold or the like.
Idioms
14.
in prospect, under consideration; expected; in view:
He had no other alternative in prospect.
noun (ˈprɒspɛkt)
1.
(sometimes pl) a probability or chance for future success, esp as based on present work or aptitude: a good job with prospects
2.
a vision of the future; what is foreseen; expectation: she was excited at the prospect of living in London, unemployment presents a grim prospect
3.
a view or scene, esp one offering an extended outlook
4.
a prospective buyer, project, etc
5.
a survey or observation
6.
(mining)

a known or likely deposit of ore
the location of a deposit of ore
a sample of ore for testing
the yield of mineral obtained from a sample of ore

verb (prəˈspɛkt)
7.
when intr, often foll by for. to explore (a region) for gold or other valuable minerals
8.
(transitive) to work (a mine) to discover its profitability
9.
(intransitive) often foll by for. to search (for)