The assessment of a terrain for its suitability as a mining or industrial site. Consideration must be given to whether it can provide: the space required for surface plant; the area needed for disposal, e.g. tailings dams; adequate areas for stock-piling; parking space for employees; in remote territories, access to an airfield; adequate roads, railways, or access to sea ports; room for future expansion; low fire risk (e.g. the possibility of clearing adjacent woodland to reduce the risk of forest fires); adequate facilities for staff and visitors, e.g. housing, canteens, recreation facilities; space for concentrating plant and a smelting and refining complex. Consideration must also be given to the effect of the development on the environment, e.g. air pollution.