1) Searching for minerals 
Prospecting is the first stage of the territory geological analysis (second - exploration): physical search for minerals, fossils, precious metals or mineral specimens, and is also known as fossicking. Prospecting is a small-scale form of mineral exploration which is an organised, large scale effort undertaken by commercial mineral companies to fi...
• (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Prospect
search for economically exploitable mineral deposits. Until the 20th century prospecting involved roaming likely areas on foot looking for direct ... [6 related articles]
Mailing to get leads for further sales contact rather than to make direct sales.
The activities associated with the search for an area of probable mineralization. It can include
Using mailings to get leads for further sales contacts rather than to make direct sales.
Juvenile and adult birds inspecting nesting sites during the fall migration period. More.
In mining, the process of physically searching a region for mineral deposits.
in personal selling, finding new potential customers who have the ability, authority and willingness to purchase.
the search for mineral deposits suitable for mining.
In the broad sense, prospecting refers to exploration. In the strict sense, prospecting describes the search for surface mineralized showings (by prospectors).