Gol prospecting is the act of going equipped to find gold in rocks or in stream beds with a view to exploiting that discovery. This usually means individual prospectors, as opposed to those trained and educated individuals working for mining companies. Up until the middle of the 20th century, gold prospecting was undertaken with a view to secure an area to be worked exclusively to acquire and sell the metal. In the latter part of the 20th and 21st centuries it is more commonly used to describe recreational gold hunting as pursued by individuals, especially in streams and usually on the basis of no given authority (although there are exceptions). Professionals employed by mining compaines also seek deposits of economic value, usually different types of deposits, and in different areas.