Final answer:
To directly locate ore deposits, a mining company must drill exploration holes and chemically analyze the rock samples. This method reveals the presence and value of the ore.
Step-by-step explanation:
The only direct method to locate ore deposits is by drilling exploration holes and chemically analyzing the extracted rock samples. This process allows mining companies to study the underground geology and directly assess the concentration and quality of potential valuable ore. Techniques like geophysical prospecting, such as electromagnetic induction, can also provide indirect indications of metallic ores by detecting changes in the Earth's magnetic or electric fields indicative of the presence of metals.