"Mineral exploration" means the exploration of gas, oil, coal and other gaseous, liquid and solid hydrocarbons, oil shale, cement material, sand, gravel, road material, building stone, chemical raw material, gemstone, fissionable and nonfissionable ores, colloidal and other clay, steam and other geothermal resources, precious metals, base metals and industrial minerals.
Nev. Admin. Code § 232.430