ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Mineral exploration

Mineral exploration is the process of looking for rocks and minerals (like gold, silver and copper) that are deep underground. Companies do this so that they can find places to mine valuable minerals. Exploration teams use special tools, like soil samples and aerial images, to look for clues that can lead them to places where minerals might be found. Once they find a place with minerals, they can start digging to get the minerals out.