Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

Exploration

May 25, 2014
Exploration is the process of analyzing an area of land to find mineral deposits and acquiring the rights to explore for mineral deposits on that land.
 
The exploration phase is divided into three areas:
• Discovery - conducting research, using a variety of tools, to determine the potential location of mineral deposits
• Staking - marking a section of land for the purpose of claiming the sole rights to explore for minerals on that land
• Assessment Work - performing and recording exploration work to maintain ownership of a mining claim

Source: http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/en/mines-and-minerals/mining-sequence/exploration