Mineral resources, such as coal, oil and ores, are only extracted after extensive geological exploration. Professional geologists work with drillers and others to locate regions that may be rich in mineral resources. Geology exploration precedes mining, drilling and other extractive methods. Professionals rely on years of training and experience to discover mineral deposits in a timely manner.

To locate the right team of professionals, explore geology listings in various professional publications. It is very important to examine geological professionals' credentials. The high costs of drilling and exploration demand the utmost precision from teams involved with geological exploration, and they should have a proven track record to justify the expense.

1. Monitor the time spent on geology exploration, as it should result in a list of potential sites that can be examined for mineral deposits.

2. Explore geology maps that are customized to meet your needs.

3. Weigh the costs of geological exploration against the prospective payoff.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get the best geological exploration specialists

Hire experienced professionals who can explore geological structures which may indicate the presence of minerals. Certain rocks and soils and subsurface features are indicative of mineral deposits, and experienced professional can use these to quickly determine a site's potential.

I recommend: Western Geoco is a world leader in geological exploration services. Their experienced teams of professionals use the best equipment to efficiently to explore geological resources. Global Geophysical has extensive expertise in geological exploration on land and at sea.

Find a team familiar with the area for preliminary geology exploration

The mineral extraction business has a high potential for profit, but it's often coupled with high risks. The entire process of geological exploration goes more smoothly when the people involved are familiar with not only the geology of the area, but also its people. To get a detailed understanding of a region, getting a local involved can save a great deal of time and effort.

I recommend: Aurum Exploration has been involved in geological exploration around the world. Their teams' international experience is invaluable when exploring for resources in developing countries. Geokinetics has offices around the world and provides a wide variety of geological exploration services, including: seismic mapping, gravity surveys and geophysical data processing.

Gather geological exploration information from a variety of sources

A great deal of geological information is gathered by remote sensing, government scientists and other mineral industry professionals. Explore geology data published by government agencies from the national to the regional level. This information, coupled with recent remote sensing data, provides a strong foundation for selecting sites to explore.

I recommend: Rock Solid Images combines data from a variety of geological exploration sources, including seismic, well data and rock physics to pinpoint locations for further geological exploration. Fugro Jason has developed analytical software to explore geological data to locate potential deposits for resource extraction. They can provide complete services for a full spectrum reservoir exploration.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Build a successful geological exploration team by selecting a team leader with a record of success.