All of the easy deposits have been identified and exploited, and finding new ones requires intimate knowledge of local and regional geology, application of appropriate prospecting methods, and a thorough grasp of mine permitting rules and regulations. CES employs the following methods to evaluate rock and mineral prospects and estimate reserves:

• Traditional, wire-line and sonic coring for rock deposits
• Split-spook, direct push technology and hand auger borings for soil/sand deposits
• Surface and downhole geophysical tools
• Geologic sampling and laboratory analysis
• Materials testing for chemical and physical properties
• Portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis
• Three-dimensional deposit modeling