What term describes a person who searches for natural resources like gold or oil?

The term that best describes a person who searches for natural resources like gold or oil is "prospector." This designation specifically refers to individuals who investigate and explore areas to discover valuable minerals, metals, or fossil fuels. Unlike a general explorer, who may seek new lands or avenues of discovery, a prospector has a focus on finding specific resources that can be extracted for profit. Prospectors often use techniques to identify promising locations for mining or drilling, which is central to their role in the economy and resource management.

In contrast, a miner refers to someone who works in the extraction of minerals or metals from the ground but does not necessarily conduct the searches for those resources. An investor, on the other hand, is someone who puts money into a business or commodity with the expectation of a return but is not involved in searching for resources directly. An explorer generally has a broader scope, often associated with geographical or scientific endeavors rather than specifically targeting natural resources.