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Evaluate the proximity to power grids, water sources, and all-weather roads. If you have to build your own power plant or haul water by truck, your "all-in sustaining cost" (AISC) will skyrocket.
Owning the surface of the land does not always mean you own the minerals beneath it.
The value of a gold mine is not in the land itself, but in the proven concentration of gold beneath it. Before any money changes hands, a rigorous assessment is required:
A mine cannot operate without environmental and operational permits. This includes water usage rights, waste disposal (tailings) plans, and reclamation bonds—money set aside to restore the land once mining is finished.
Mining is a depleting asset business. From day one, an owner must have a plan for when the gold runs out, including the costs of closing the mine and monitoring the environment. Conclusion
You must ensure the "mineral estate" is included in the sale. In many jurisdictions, the government retains mineral rights, and you are essentially buying a "claim" or a lease to extract them.