Thank you guys for the input, and for the link on the regulations
Looks like for now I will be limited to looking for mine tailings piles in Google earth. I'm within 10 miles as the drone flies from a major international airport so flying the wrong way across the river to checm traffic could be bad move o.0 thankfully the mountains i ride in are 20+ miles the other direction.
Looks like i may have to do some digging on quadcopters I did see a couple that can be quickly assembled for a trip up the mountain and remote controlled from the hilltop. Being autonomous isn't that necessary, just convenient for covering large search areas. I know where a couple are supposed to be just need to be able to fly over and see before I ride/hike in