prospector
Mineral deposit hunter
A prospector searches for mineral deposits, especially gold or other precious metals.
The word evokes the nineteenth-century gold rushes, when individuals with picks and pans worked remote terrain hoping to strike it rich: The old prospector had been panning that creek for decades.
More broadly, anyone searching speculatively for something valuable: prospectors for oil, prospectors for talent.
Lateral camera traverse
- nuggetsSmall solid lumps
- placerMineral-rich sediment accumulation
- flumeConstructed water channel
- assayCompositional evaluation procedure
sluice · staking · dredge · claim · sourdough · quartz · cradling · diggings
Pointed digging implement
- oreMetal-bearing rock
- shaftNarrow vertical passage
- tunnelEnclosed underground route
- excavationAct of unearthing
drill · minerals · geology · vein · extraction · lode · deposit · seam
Abundance of valuable resources
- richesAbundant valuable possessions
- bonanzaSudden large windfall
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
paydirt · motherlode · jackpot · strike · lucky · boom · bust · speculation
Organized exploratory journey
- discoveryAct of finding something
- terrainLand's physical features
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- navigateGuide through terrain
journey · exploration · map · compass · trailblazer · quest · scout · frontier
panning
Lateral camera traverse
assay · sluice · staking · dredge · claim · sourdough · quartz · cradling · diggings · boomtown
pickaxe
Pointed digging implement
excavation · drill · minerals · geology · vein · extraction · lode · deposit · seam · quarry
wealth
Abundance of valuable resources
windfall · paydirt · motherlode · jackpot · strike · lucky · boom · bust · speculation · grubstake
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
- discoveryAct of finding something
- terrainLand's physical features
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
navigate · journey · exploration · map · compass · trailblazer · quest · scout · frontier · uncharted
settler
One who colonizes territory
territory · colonist · sodbuster · prairie · wilderness · surveyor · mule · packhorse · provisions · solitary
- Old Westcowboy, cowboys, cowgirl, sheriff, sheriffs
- Gold RushCalifornia Gold Rush, gold miners, gold mining, gold flakes, gold nuggets
- mininggold, mines, gold mines, mine, coal
- Westernscowboys, western, outlaws, sheriffs, western novels
- Wild Westcowboy, howdy, sheriff, giddyup, lawmen
- mining townsaloon, general store, mine shaft, gold pan, miner
prospectorfarmer
One who cultivates land
settler · homesteader · rancher · cultivator · agriculturalist
prospectorsalaried worker
Employee receiving fixed compensation
wage earner · employee · pensioner · civil servant · tenant farmer
prospectorminer
One who excavates ore
refiner · smelter · processor · manufacturer
- job prospectsExpected employment opportunities
- gold prospectingSearching for native ore
- gold prospectorOne seeking precious metal
- draft prospectAthlete eligible for picking
- prospective partnerPotential romantic match
- Prospect ParkBrooklyn urban park
prospect, prospects, prospective, prospecting, prospectors, prospected