[–] vastrightwing ago
The risk is huge. I would not attempt such a play. The reward could be big but your risk is the government. You don't know how it is likely to react or if a foreign power will interdic. You also can't predict how the locals are going to behave. Big business has the U.S. military behind it, you and I do not. Having said all of this, if you're willing to make a bet you could try to befriend a local as a proxy and take over as much land as possible and try to make it work. But if you think you can get mineral wealth, bigger fish than you will simply take it away once you discover it and try to mine it.
Personally, the casino or financial markets are an easier play.