30 U.S.C. § 643 : US Code - Section 643: "Exploration" defined

Search 30 U.S.C. § 643 : US Code - Section 643: "Exploration" defined

As used in this chapter, the term "exploration" means the search
for new or unexplored deposits of minerals, including related
development work, within the United States, its Territories and
possessions, whether conducted from the surface or underground,
using recognized and sound procedures including standard
geophysical and geochemical methods for obtaining mineralogical and
geological information.