That was how mining began, long before the use of fancy modern...

That was how mining began, long before the use of fancy modern drills.
The bronze age didnt come about because of access to diamond and tungsten drillbits.
Heres 5 deposits that were mined with no initial drilling;
Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa (Gold)
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland (Copper)
Piedmont, Italy (Asbestos)
California Gold Rush (1848-1855)
Erzgebirge, Germany (Tin and Silver)

I'm not saying that it is probable that sum will commence ore extraction without an intensive drill programme, but its not outside the bounds of possibility.