1
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Little bites!

2
00:00:06,360 --> 00:00:08,199
You're tackling it like a tiger.

3
00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:10,879
We're gonna be here for nine years doing it like that.

4
00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:12,799
At least we'll find the bloody opals.

5
00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,719
That's the line we gotta follow. I'm trying.

6
00:00:18,080 --> 00:00:21,959
This judgement from up here is gonna be a little bit off.It's all right.

7
00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:30,319
That sounds like it's good!

8
00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:34,359
Ho-ho-ho! It exploded. It exploded and look at it!

9
00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:36,999
Look at the bits, man. They're  awesome. Look.

10
00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:42,919
Yeah, look at that bit.Hey!

11
00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:46,519
We got a fresh sandwich. Where'd that come from?

12
00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:49,839
Where'd it go?Oh, yeah. It's here somewhere.It's falling.

13
00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:52,439
Yep. There's more there. There's more there.

14
00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:00,479
Uh-oh. Did you hear that? I didn't hear it.

15
00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:08,074



16
00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:14,159
Is that kicking at ya? We got bloody more, yeah.

17
00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:15,999
Have a look at that stuff.

18
00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:18,679
It is starting to kick, yeah. Whoo!

19
00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:37,959
What did we miss to start with that's on the bottom here?

20
00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:39,879
Cos this was all clean.

21
00:01:39,960 --> 00:01:43,159
I'll scoop it and just chuck it up. Yeah.Where that bucket is.

22
00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:46,759
Yeah.Cos, yeah, there could be some bucks in there, man.

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00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:48,839
Just make sure you make a special pile

24
00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:50,719
and remember where you put it!

25
00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:53,639
Yeah, I will. I'm gonna put it just here. So if you...

26
00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:56,719
You want me out of here? Yeah. Please.

27
00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:02,799
NARRATOR: The Blacklighters, Mark I'Anson and Paul Coon,

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00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:06,279
are continuing a run of high value opal finds

29
00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:08,439
at their new claim Servo

30
00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:11,559
in a 100m stretch of virgin rock.

31
00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:17,959
When me and Mark see something in the wall

32
00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:21,279
and, you know, it's relatively decent,

33
00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,959
we'll always take a couple of scoops of everything around

34
00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:28,439
and put it in the truck and truck it over to Opal Zilla.

35
00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:30,999
But it's just something that has to be done, you know?

36
00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:35,999
200m away, teammate John Nassar,

37
00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:39,519
operates their noodling machine, Opal Zilla,

38
00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:41,959
to process material from their two claims.

39
00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:44,959
We got two sites going.

40
00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:49,399
Er, John's working Opal Zilla, he's running it flat out on his own.

41
00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:51,199
Opal Zilla's covering our ass

42
00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:53,239
while we're here trying to chase a fortune.

43
00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:54,959
That's why we're running two jobs.

44
00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:57,479
One, to try and chase the glory

45
00:02:57,560 --> 00:02:59,479
and the other one just to pay the bills.

46
00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:02,959
Running Opal Zilla by myself.

47
00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:05,519
It's not easy but...

48
00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:07,959
just gotta plod away.

49
00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:09,639
Doing what I can do, I guess.

50
00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,559
John loads the hopper with tonnes of opal-bearing rock

51
00:03:14,640 --> 00:03:18,999
and a rotating steel mesh drum sifts out the dirt.

52
00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:21,999
After it's gone through the trommel, it comes off the shaker,

53
00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:24,919
comes into the dark room belt, which is this running here.

54
00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:28,319
Got the UV lights which makes the opal fluoresce under it.

55
00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:30,919
You just pick it off the belt

56
00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:33,479
and the rest goes out never to be seen again.

57
00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:36,879
Yeah, you don't miss much in here. It's pretty simple, sort of...

58
00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:40,119
Simple theory. You just catch the glowing bits and let the rest go.

59
00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:46,039
It's really good to have John there. A little bit of money coming in.

60
00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:48,319
He's been paying for the whole operation.

61
00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:50,479
Just that one man doing that one job, so...

62
00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:52,279
Yeah, we've gotta pick up our act.

63
00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:58,999
Hey, babe!Oh, hey, sweetheart. How are you going?

64
00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:01,519
Made it out here.That's good. What's going on?

65
00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:05,999
We hit some pockets and we sort of want you to drive the truck.

66
00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:08,639
Oh, OK. I'll give that a go. No worries.

67
00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:11,839
To help the team work two claims effectively,

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00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:15,679
Mark needs wife and finance manager Rachel I'Anson,

69
00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:20,039
to truck material from Servo claim to Opal Zilla.

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00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:22,959
Have a look at what Mark's missing. I don't think I missed it,

71
00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:25,239
but we were picking the opal up on the ground,

72
00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:28,199
so there's probably more in there. OK. We don't wanna miss that.

73
00:04:28,280 --> 00:04:30,479
If you could truck some to Johnny for us today.

74
00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:32,359
To Opal Zilla... We'll need a few loads.

75
00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:35,119
Yeah, a few loads.Couple loads. Yeah, no drama.

76
00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:37,319
Then we can keep working away at the wall.

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00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:41,479
I've driven them a little bit, so, yeah. If I can help the boys,

78
00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:43,759
I'm always happy to pitch in and...

79
00:04:43,840 --> 00:04:46,439
and do my bit for the team.

80
00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:48,879
All right, here we go. Let's see if this works.

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00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:55,399
Another 2m. That's it!

82
00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:01,519
We need these dollars in the bank

83
00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,199
to be able to keep mining and get more diesel.

84
00:05:04,280 --> 00:05:06,639
So we just need to put it through Opal Zilla

85
00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:09,199
and get it all as much as we can.

86
00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:15,119
And that'll do it for the first one! That's it. Off you go!

87
00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:21,439
Finding opal means money to us

88
00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:24,639
and, you know, money means food and bills paid.

89
00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:28,759
You know, a bit left on the side to treat the family to a bit.

90
00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:32,039
What's that up there?

91
00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,319
Where?To the left, right up, near my bucket.

92
00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:42,559
Nothing?Chalk.Oh, no.

93
00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:45,799
And flies, man. There's flies up there, too.

94
00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:48,639
We've gotten the load here to John.

95
00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:53,199
So I'm just gonna lift the tilt tray now and dump it out.

96
00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:59,479
Fingers crossed. All right. Brown one.

97
00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:01,559
Blue one.

98
00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:08,759
Hey, what's going on here? Come on.

99
00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:16,839
I'm not quite sure what I've done.

100
00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:18,639
But I've done something.

101
00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:21,839
One, two...

102
00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:32,999
I don't know what I've done.

103
00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:45,199
Hey, Les, I'm just gonna empty this, all right?

104
00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:48,639
Oi.

105
00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:54,959
It's the end of a long era that's been getting mined since '76

106
00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:57,239
and I know there's Opal down there.

107
00:06:57,320 --> 00:06:59,199
It's just too unsafe to work.

108
00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:02,279
We've got to fill the holes in as we go.

109
00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:05,279
But it's not safe in there,

110
00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:08,439
so we might as well make it safe by filling the holes in.

111
00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:16,279
Let it run forward a bit.

112
00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:18,319
More?Yeah.

113
00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:19,999
Eh?Yeah!

114
00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:22,919
Hold it, yeah.

115
00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:33,919
It'll take a few truckloads to fill it up.

116
00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,279
There's a big hole down underneath,

117
00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:39,759
so it'll probably take another four truckloads down there.

118
00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:42,399
The Bushmen, Rod Manning...

119
00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:44,679
Wait! Whoa!

120
00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:46,599
Nearly cut my finger off. Up.

121
00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:49,079
..and Les Walsh's dream of Opal riches

122
00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:51,479
has suffered a massive blow.

123
00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:53,559
Hold on.

124
00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,679
Their decades old mine on the eastern side of the claim

125
00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:58,399
is on the verge of collapse

126
00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:01,879
and must be filled in and permanently shut down.

127
00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:04,159
There's a lot going on but we need to...

128
00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:08,479
We just need to get underground.

129
00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:13,839
That last line is a bit dodgy, Ben.

130
00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:18,559
It's a long climb, isn't it? You reckon?All right.

131
00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:22,479
How about I throw this hammer around a bit and we'll just get this going?

132
00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:26,079
Tunnelling to a secondary safety shaft in their new mine

133
00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:28,279
on the western side of their claim

134
00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:32,279
are mine partners Ben Moses and Sam Mehan.

135
00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:34,679
Underground, they're there.

136
00:08:34,760 --> 00:08:37,199
The hole's here, so they gotta dig another 6 foot.

137
00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:39,839
As soon as they get to this emergency hole,

138
00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:41,919
we can put the digger down.

139
00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,799
We can't put the digger down till the holes are linked up,

140
00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:49,079
otherwise there's no way you're getting out if something goes wrong.

141
00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:51,279
You definitely going in the right direction?

142
00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:54,799
Well, I set the ladder up facing it, so...

143
00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:58,319
If it's not, you've been down here so I can blame you.Yeah. OK.Yeah.

144
00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:17,919
I reckon, Sam, run this blower for a bit and it should just drop straight into it. So...

145
00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,439
Sounds good to me. Should make your life a bit easier.

146
00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:25,599
Just turning the speed up on the blower.

147
00:09:25,680 --> 00:09:28,999
It'll build up once it gets singing. Then we're stuck in dirt.

148
00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:33,399
If we didn't have it down here, you probably wouldn't be able to see, it'd be that dusty.

149
00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:36,479
We need the digger down as soon as possible.

150
00:09:36,560 --> 00:09:39,239
Because we've sat around too long.

151
00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:41,359
We're desperate to find colour.

152
00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:44,519
We are almost broke. Well, we are broke.

153
00:09:46,680 --> 00:09:49,639
It's getting harder and harder climbing up them bloody ladders.

154
00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:52,119
More aches and pains than I know what to do with.

155
00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:54,759
Up, up, up. It's just time for retirement.

156
00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:57,239
I just walk around and give orders.

157
00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:02,399
Les needs to retire this year. We've got no money for that.

158
00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:05,639
Everything we've made this year, we've spent drilling holes

159
00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:07,359
and doing what we have to do.

160
00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:10,399
We've got all this machinery we've gotta feed diesel into.

161
00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:14,639
So we just need to get set up in a bloody hurry, so we can start work.

162
00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:20,559
When you get close to these holes, it should go pretty drummy.

163
00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:23,559
I thought I heard it go a bit softer then,

164
00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:25,999
so fingers crossed we're in the right direction.

165
00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:30,479
I gotta figure out where they're gonna break through.

166
00:10:30,560 --> 00:10:32,319
Hopefully, they're in the right spot,

167
00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:35,919
they've not gone down the side of the hole and they're on the hole.

168
00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:38,399
So I'll go down and check all of that's right.

169
00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:43,279
Getting these angles and right measurements,

170
00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:45,559
when we're digging through to this is crucial.

171
00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:47,239
5 degrees out of the hole there,

172
00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:50,079
is gonna throw us out 2m down here.

173
00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:52,679
And 2m out we're gonna dig straight past the hole

174
00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:55,039
and we're gonna be sitting there looking for it.

175
00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:57,239
It's just time we don't have.

176
00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:08,759
Getting really hot and dusty out here.

177
00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:11,399
If we can pop it out the ground and get to the new mine,

178
00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:13,999
then we've got somewhere to get out of this bloody sun.

179
00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:16,839
Well, hopefully...Yeah...Steve, these old together.

180
00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:20,879
Let's get right out of the way. Yeah.

181
00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:23,759
Here we go. Come on, baby.

182
00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:28,039
Oh, this side's coming.

183
00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:30,839
Move your boom that way.Yeah.

184
00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:37,079
Oh, yeah, baby. Yeah, baby!

185
00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:39,199
Oh, yeah!

186
00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:41,559
Just watch the swing, bro.Yeah.

187
00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:44,039
We'll clean up and then we'll start tracking.

188
00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:45,959
Yeah, all right, bro. All right.

189
00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:49,319
You reckon you're gonna hang on to it with a rope while we track along?

190
00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:52,719
It's sitting close to me cab. I'm worried about it coming and hitting me.

191
00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:55,839
Yeah. No, that's all right. I'll walk with it, man.Yeah.

192
00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:58,559
I'll just use that guide rope, man. I'll be right.

193
00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:01,079
It's definitely heating up out here

194
00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:03,919
and we like to have somewhere to get out of the sun.

195
00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:07,599
If we don't have it, then we don't have our safety in place.

196
00:12:07,680 --> 00:12:10,639
Wind's starting to pick up. Better hurry up and get it out there,

197
00:12:10,720 --> 00:12:13,839
otherwise, this sheds going to dangle around like a yo-yo

198
00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:15,599
and probably hit me in the cab here.

199
00:12:15,680 --> 00:12:18,039
I'm good when you are, bro!We good?

200
00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:20,119
Yep!All right, here we go.

201
00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:24,639
Whoa!

202
00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:26,439
Hey, she's moving around a fair bit!

203
00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:29,759
You're all right, brother? Yeah, I'm all right.

204
00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:31,599
Quite heavy to hold onto.

205
00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:38,439
Shit!

206
00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:41,119
Bloody hell. You all right? Yeah, I'm all right.

207
00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:43,319
A bit of a sore ass but I'm all right.

208
00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:46,559
Well, one of us is gonna get hurt like this, eh?

209
00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:49,639
As soon as that slipped it nearly come straight at me cab. So...

210
00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:52,879
Yeah.What do you reckon if we tie it to the Ute?

211
00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:55,119
Yeah, I reckon. It's gonna be jerky, though.

212
00:12:57,520 --> 00:12:59,839
A bit of a close call there.

213
00:12:59,920 --> 00:13:02,079
We're trying to get out of the way real fast,

214
00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:04,399
cos we don't have a lot of time, but...

215
00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:08,199
look, if either one of us gets injured here, that's our season over.

216
00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:14,079
The Mooka Boys, brothers Matt and Cozza Kathagen,

217
00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:17,479
are relocating one of their makeshift weather shelters

218
00:13:17,560 --> 00:13:21,119
1.5km to their current dig site,

219
00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:26,039
for protection against season-ending 50 degree summer temperatures.

220
00:13:27,560 --> 00:13:29,599
Leif's left us in charge to move some dirt.

221
00:13:29,680 --> 00:13:32,079
He's gotta go off and do his diesel mechanic business

222
00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:33,759
and keep everything afloat.

223
00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:37,959
Opal miners don't get paid for per hour.

224
00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:40,039
Usually it's...

225
00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:43,439
the only profession in the world you actually gotta pay to go to work.

226
00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:47,239
The season target this year is $200,000.

227
00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:49,439
We've set it pretty high cos we really wanna

228
00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:52,759
move to the next level with our mining situation.

229
00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:58,279
A little bit more. There we go.

230
00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:01,839
Coming with you now. It's a bit... Oh, oh, oh! Way too much. Way too much.

231
00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:03,639
Back off, back off.

232
00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:09,719
Gotta have me concentration on here. Gotta to try and keep this rope tight, but not too tight.

233
00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:12,839
You might snap the shed in half.

234
00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:16,679
If I'm not tight enough, the shed will go back and in hit his cab.

235
00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:18,359
So we don't need that going on.

236
00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:30,559
Whoa! Hold up. Hold up.

237
00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:35,039
Yeah, hold on, man. You're going straight up into the paddock here.

238
00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:38,319
Can't see at all. Just let me know when you're moving forward again.

239
00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:40,399
Yeah, I'm just trying to stop the shaking.

240
00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:42,959
Then I'll jump back in the Ute man.Yep. No worries.

241
00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:46,239
All right, you just started turning.

242
00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:49,999
We're just straightening back up, so we stay on the road.

243
00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:52,399
We go out on the paddock, it's gonna start shaking.

244
00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:54,999
All right, Matty, let's start cruising again, mate.

245
00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:56,679
Roger that. Here we go.

246
00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:13,239
Might have to go by hand from here cos it's turning into the piles.

247
00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:19,199
All right, mate, I'm watching it. Going steady as I can. Steady.

248
00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:22,079
Ohh!

249
00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:24,479
All right, we got it. We got it.

250
00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:31,199
It's gonna be good having a bit of shade to get away from this sun.

251
00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:33,719
You know, even if it is only for half hour.

252
00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,559
It means we don't have to drive all the way back into town

253
00:15:36,640 --> 00:15:38,719
to get that little bit of relief.

254
00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:43,119
And it means that the machines have got somewhere to be tucked away at night, nice and safe.

255
00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:51,759
We did it, mate! Yeah! She's down.

256
00:15:51,840 --> 00:15:54,599
Whoo!I cannot believe we made it.

257
00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:57,119
We got it here!That worked great.

258
00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:00,999
Yeah!Good job, man. Good job. That was tricky

259
00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:05,519
Yeah, a bit of stress. I was worrying how we're gonna get it here.

260
00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:10,279
Might have been a two-day operation if we had to pull it down into single pieces.

261
00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:13,239
Nice breeze blowing through those little gaps in the top, mate.

262
00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:16,479
This is excellent.100 times better.

263
00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:19,519
It looks like it's gonna be a bloody horrific summertime.

264
00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:21,679
Man, it's gonna be an endless summer.

265
00:16:29,440 --> 00:16:31,519
I've obviously done something wrong here.

266
00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:36,239
Rookie truck driver Rachel I'Anson,

267
00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:39,599
is struggling to activate the hydraulic tip mechanism

268
00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:42,799
to offload 15 tonnes of opal bearing dirt

269
00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:44,879
to process in Opal Zilla.

270
00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:48,519
Not sure what I've done. All right, let's...

271
00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:54,079
Ah, there it is! All right. I forgot one of the switches.

272
00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:09,919
Oh, it's Rach. What are you doing here?Hey, John.

273
00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,519
I just brought you a surprise.

274
00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:15,399
A bit of noodling dirt from the boys around the other side.

275
00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:19,399
They've, um, hit a pocket, but it's all fallen down.Yeah.

276
00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:23,799
So we brought it over for you to put it through the noodler, so we don't miss any.

277
00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:26,399
I was actually making good progress here, so...

278
00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:29,399
Is there much there?It's only one truckload at the moment,

279
00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:31,119
but I'm sure there'll be more.

280
00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:33,559
All right.If we could just put it through

281
00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:35,799
and see what comes out of it, it would be good.

282
00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:39,319
I don't wanna leave any behind, but they better not be taking the piss.

283
00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:40,999
Well, I hope not.

284
00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:45,199
I don't know whether I'd say John was thrilled.

285
00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:47,239
He was doing really well

286
00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:49,719
with the dirt that he was already working.

287
00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:52,719
But we really can't afford to miss anything.

288
00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:55,159
So this needs to go through Opal Zilla

289
00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:56,839
and make it turn into dollars.

290
00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:02,399
Yeah, I mean, I'm hoping there's nothing in it, because that means he's not missing much.

291
00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:05,359
But at the same time, I still want to be catching in Opal Zilla.

292
00:18:05,440 --> 00:18:08,319
So, you know, the end of the year is coming up pretty quick,

293
00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:10,519
so we'll just have to... Yeah, smash it out.

294
00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:16,319
Oh, my leg's getting burnt again.

295
00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:19,639
That's why we should work underground, then we won't get sunburnt.

296
00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:21,479
Yeah! Or flies!

297
00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:25,399
No, flies. Yeah. There's a few perks.

298
00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:29,599
The end of season's coming, we're starting to get tired,

299
00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:32,039
we're starting to get worn out, everyone's sore,

300
00:18:32,120 --> 00:18:35,679
so it's time to try and collect as much as we can before the summer comes.

301
00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:39,439
But, yeah, it's wearing us down. We're definitely feeling the pinch at the moment.

302
00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:48,999
Whoa!

303
00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,959
Hey!It's got opal in it.

304
00:18:56,040 --> 00:18:57,999
Don't tell me there's something there!

305
00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:00,639
It was just sitting here.

306
00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:02,879
We're gonna have to do the truck thing again.

307
00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:09,239
Ohh! Booyah! Red, red, green.

308
00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:11,279
That's  beautiful colour.

309
00:19:11,360 --> 00:19:13,559
There's probably heaps through all of it.

310
00:19:13,640 --> 00:19:15,239
We got two or three together there,

311
00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:18,599
but I'm probably standing on another dozen or so that we missed.

312
00:19:18,680 --> 00:19:23,119
So this has got to go through Opal Zilla. It just has to.

313
00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:27,359
I can't get up, man.

314
00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:38,799
That's easier. I don't know why I didn't do that from the word go.

315
00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:42,159
Oi!Ohh!No.

316
00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:45,399
Have a look at that. Oh, it's cracking, all right.

317
00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:47,399
No shit!Bloody hell.

318
00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:51,319
All this is falling away. I could shove my fingers in there.

319
00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:56,159
All this is... There's some cracks in the pitch the size of the Grand Canyon.

320
00:19:56,240 --> 00:20:00,319
Yeah. If I slide in there... Nah.

321
00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:01,999
I don't know what to do there.

322
00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:10,919
I reckon the hole's just there. Yeah.

323
00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:15,919
Ben's going in this direction to break through to the other hole.

324
00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:19,479
It's so critical, cos if we're slightly out, we're gonna miss the hole

325
00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:22,359
and that's a whole heap of digging that we did for nothing.

326
00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:24,039
So we have to get this right.

327
00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:29,399
The Bushmen, Sam Mehan and Ben Moses

328
00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:31,959
are tunnelling through solid clay stone

329
00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:34,799
to connect to a secondary safety shaft.

330
00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:40,879
Hey!

331
00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:44,399
Yes! We just broke through!

332
00:20:44,480 --> 00:20:47,359
Hey, how's it going?

333
00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:50,359
A lot better now, mate.

334
00:20:50,440 --> 00:20:53,119
We hit that dead centre of our drive.

335
00:20:53,200 --> 00:20:55,279
I bet it's not centre of that hole, is it?

336
00:20:55,360 --> 00:20:58,359
Well, it's a round hole, so it's always gonna be in the centre.

337
00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:00,559
I'll take it, mate.

338
00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:02,279
Bust a bit more out.

339
00:21:02,360 --> 00:21:03,959
Yep. No worries.

340
00:21:15,600 --> 00:21:19,919
Rod!Oh, I'm getting out of here.

341
00:21:23,320 --> 00:21:26,159
Good day.Good day, mate. How are you?

342
00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:28,519
So this is what it's like in here. Yeah.Yeah.

343
00:21:28,600 --> 00:21:32,439
Welcome.Well done.

344
00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:34,599
I'll just let you widen that a little bit

345
00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:38,039
and I'll go back to where I come from.

346
00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:53,999
The bushman's two-tonne digger

347
00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:56,159
will need to be lowered down into the shaft

348
00:21:56,240 --> 00:22:00,679
by a crane in parts and then reassembled underground.

349
00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:03,319
All right, Les, they're bringing this body down, mate.

350
00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:07,359
Oh, no worries. I'll make it.

351
00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:10,119
You stubborn, old

352
00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:12,319
Yeah, the old fellow's starting to slow down.

353
00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:14,799
You know, this is his last season, so...

354
00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:19,959
We need to get this digger underground, need to start shifting some dirt and find some colour.

355
00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:23,679
Put those legs on facing out this way, Les, in between the hole...

356
00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:26,399
I'll put 'em on first, then we'll...we'll do it.

357
00:22:29,320 --> 00:22:31,279
All right, arm's coming next.

358
00:22:31,360 --> 00:22:33,799
This is particularly dangerous.

359
00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:35,999
If the digger does happen to fall, you know,

360
00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:37,999
it's gonna go rocketing down that hole

361
00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:39,919
and they've got nowhere to go in a hurry.

362
00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:42,279
It's a very confined space down there.

363
00:22:42,360 --> 00:22:44,719
You like doing everything the hard way, don't you?

364
00:22:44,800 --> 00:22:48,359
What's easy? Can't get round the front.

365
00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:53,639
What the bloody hell is going on up there, Les?

366
00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:56,439
Is everything OK up there?

367
00:22:56,520 --> 00:22:59,239
Yeah, it's just very tight getting through the collar.

368
00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:03,719
Hold it! Hold!

369
00:23:06,240 --> 00:23:07,839
OK, up you go.

370
00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:13,039
That's a success. We got it down there and the boys are just putting

371
00:23:13,120 --> 00:23:15,239
the hoses on the digger downstairs,

372
00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:17,679
we'll run the hoses over from the power pack

373
00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:19,359
and we'll see what happens.

374
00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:29,559
Jesus Christ!

375
00:23:34,320 --> 00:23:38,799
There's oil coming out everywhere. Couldn't get any worse.

376
00:23:38,880 --> 00:23:41,679
This is the power pack for the digger.

377
00:23:41,760 --> 00:23:45,119
So we gotta fix this before we can go underground.

378
00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:47,599
Without this, the digger's not moving anywhere.

379
00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:50,079
This is more and more time that we're losing.

380
00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:52,599
More and more time that we can't go digging.

381
00:23:55,920 --> 00:23:59,359
I'm gonna go grab that bucket. We'll go down and start doing some digging.

382
00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:01,359
Yeah. Let's get some diggy-diggy done.

383
00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:03,959
Time to look for some opal.

384
00:24:04,040 --> 00:24:06,959
Yah, we're definitely running behind on this project.

385
00:24:07,040 --> 00:24:10,519
Usually this bit, you just chuck it out and throw it up behind you.

386
00:24:10,600 --> 00:24:12,799
But because we've already found material,

387
00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:17,199
you never know when it's gonna get bigger or change into some nice colour in there,

388
00:24:17,280 --> 00:24:19,799
so we're taking our time to get through it.

389
00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:23,479
In stifling end-of-season temperatures,

390
00:24:23,560 --> 00:24:26,039
Mooka Boys, Matt and Cozza Kathagen

391
00:24:26,120 --> 00:24:28,919
are fighting ultra hard limestone

392
00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:31,719
to reach an opal level 8m down.

393
00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:34,519
Yeah, definitely some hard ground here.

394
00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:37,079
Some of the hardest ground that we've ever dug, so...

395
00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:43,279
Little  today.

396
00:24:43,360 --> 00:24:46,199
It's all about getting down to the level,

397
00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:48,679
so we can get a tunnel in underneath this cap rock.

398
00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:51,399
We've gotta drop another metre about 3 foot or so.

399
00:24:51,480 --> 00:24:54,199
And I think we'll be about right to start tunnelling in.

400
00:24:55,760 --> 00:24:59,879
So here at Lunatic, we're chasing some black opal, Leif and his old man,

401
00:24:59,960 --> 00:25:02,639
before pushing everything out, they'd done a small cut

402
00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:05,439
and they found some nice pieces of black here.

403
00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:08,719
Yeah, that's what we're hoping it runs in underneath this rock cap.

404
00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:14,719
Black opal is one of the rarest opal types in the world,

405
00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:18,919
its dark base, accentuating any colour that forms within.

406
00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:24,639
The highest quality can be worth $50,000 a gram.

407
00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:27,999
The season target this year is $200,000.

408
00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:31,919
We're halfway through the season and we're not even a quarter a way to our budget.

409
00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:34,279
The only way we're gonna get to that big target

410
00:25:34,360 --> 00:25:36,879
is by finding a nice pocket of black opal, I believe.

411
00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:44,079
Straight through. Boom!Booyah!

412
00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:48,239
Yeah, I'd be backing up now, bro. You're going into mud.

413
00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:49,919
Oh, really.

414
00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:54,279
What you look for is a colour change in the earth.

415
00:25:54,360 --> 00:25:57,519
And it looks like to me like we just broke through the hard ground.

416
00:25:57,600 --> 00:25:59,559
So definitely more confident now.

417
00:25:59,640 --> 00:26:02,159
With a bit of luck, we can find some opal.

418
00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:06,799
Whoa!

419
00:26:08,120 --> 00:26:12,399
You're digging too deep now, man. Going too fast.

420
00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:14,679
Just broke through the hard ground,

421
00:26:14,760 --> 00:26:17,879
so we're taking too much out in each bite now.

422
00:26:17,960 --> 00:26:20,359
What's that one there?

423
00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:24,839
Opal.

424
00:26:29,080 --> 00:26:31,159
Like a scrubbing brush.Yep.

425
00:26:31,240 --> 00:26:34,439
Cozza just picked up a... thin painted lady.

426
00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:36,559
You can see a bit of blue there in the face.

427
00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:39,039
So we've still got opal squeezing up in the area.

428
00:26:39,120 --> 00:26:41,679
So we gotta be careful with every bucket now.

429
00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:45,079
Painted ladies occur when a layer of opal

430
00:26:45,160 --> 00:26:48,239
forms in a wafer thin fracture in a rock,

431
00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:51,519
giving the impression it's been painted on.

432
00:26:51,600 --> 00:26:53,639
Mate, I just nearly missed that. Yep.

433
00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:57,559
I don't wanna go putting this material behind us and not looking at it.

434
00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:00,919
I think maybe the Normet, then we can just black light the hill later.

435
00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:06,879
Cozza wants to use their six-tonne Normet dump-truck to load,

436
00:27:06,960 --> 00:27:09,959
then spread out the dirt in a thin layer

437
00:27:10,040 --> 00:27:12,239
to blacklight it for opal.

438
00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:14,679
Yeah, I just gave you a half load. It's real good.

439
00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:16,359
I'll drag the rest up.

440
00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:20,039
We've had this Normet lose its breaks

441
00:27:20,120 --> 00:27:22,119
and run down the hill in our old claim.

442
00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:24,319
So in this one, I'm just clearing up an area.

443
00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:26,639
If that happens again, then the Normet's got

444
00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:29,039
somewhere to go, not just down the mine.

445
00:27:35,320 --> 00:27:38,959
I've only come up with a half load and it's sunk in a fair bit.

446
00:27:39,040 --> 00:27:40,999
Once the tub comes up, puts all the weight

447
00:27:41,080 --> 00:27:43,839
on the back wheels, it could tip me over so...

448
00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:46,119
Matty!

449
00:27:48,040 --> 00:27:49,639
I got it bogged!

450
00:27:57,440 --> 00:27:59,279
I didn't even say it. No, I didn't see.

451
00:27:59,360 --> 00:28:01,279
I was standing on it.

452
00:28:01,360 --> 00:28:03,559
We'll have to dig this and pull it up

453
00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:05,639
so there's not so much of a cliff.

454
00:28:05,720 --> 00:28:07,999
man. Fatigue's set in.

455
00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:15,879
To stop the 20 tonne excavator collapsing into their mine,

456
00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:18,839
Paul needs to reinforce the base of the cracked wall

457
00:28:18,920 --> 00:28:21,079
with tonnes of dirt.

458
00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:24,559
We just need to really concentrate on this bit.

459
00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:29,239
If I track up there and start digging it that'll bury you.

460
00:28:29,320 --> 00:28:32,119
You wanna keep hooking around like this or start up there?

461
00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:34,839
We'll come  back over here, and I'll do that.Righto.

462
00:28:37,720 --> 00:28:40,919
Gotta keep an eye on this as it's going down into there.

463
00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:43,759
Gotta bloody keep an eye everywhere, really.

464
00:28:47,360 --> 00:28:51,039
The wall now safe, Rachel can continue

465
00:28:51,120 --> 00:28:53,679
to deliver dirt to John and Opal Zilla.

466
00:28:55,440 --> 00:28:57,959
Opal Zilla's always been our bread and butter.

467
00:28:58,040 --> 00:28:59,639
Brings the money in.

468
00:28:59,720 --> 00:29:01,759
So over the week, it's probably averaging,

469
00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:04,559
you know, 15 or 20 grand a week, maybe more sometimes.

470
00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:07,119
So you wanna be putting good dirt through.

471
00:29:08,680 --> 00:29:10,479
We need money coming in, cos, you know,

472
00:29:10,560 --> 00:29:13,999
we're sucking, like, 250 litres of diesel every day.

473
00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:17,599
It's starting to get pretty expensive.

474
00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:20,119
Let's just hope we're digging in the right spot

475
00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:23,159
and let's hope it can pay off for us

476
00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:26,079
and, hey, we get that big payday at the end.

477
00:29:27,560 --> 00:29:29,319
Righto, Rach, take her away.

478
00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:35,239
Hey, John, you there, mate?

479
00:29:35,320 --> 00:29:37,839
Yeah, I'm still here.

480
00:29:37,920 --> 00:29:40,199
How's that dirt going?

481
00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:42,519
Er, pretty shitty, man.

482
00:29:42,600 --> 00:29:44,839
Yeah, I'm not all that impressed at the moment.

483
00:29:46,120 --> 00:29:48,999
Keep going with what you're doing.

484
00:29:49,080 --> 00:29:53,559
Yeah, I've got one more coming and then if there's nothing in there, I'll give it up.

485
00:29:55,720 --> 00:29:57,319
Righty-o.

486
00:29:59,320 --> 00:30:01,399
I'm very worried that I'm missing opal.

487
00:30:01,480 --> 00:30:03,959
It is, as a checker, the most worrying thing.

488
00:30:04,040 --> 00:30:06,479
You... You can't sleep at night.

489
00:30:06,560 --> 00:30:10,879
We're not digging such a big hole and not checking everything. We've got to be thorough.

490
00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:14,799
It's sort of a double edged sword there.

491
00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:17,999
You sort of don't wanna see much, but you don't wanna miss anything.

492
00:30:18,080 --> 00:30:19,799
Fingers crossed, I don't see too much,

493
00:30:19,880 --> 00:30:22,679
but that's probably the only time you'll hear me say that.

494
00:30:27,560 --> 00:30:29,559
So far, so good. I think so.

495
00:30:29,640 --> 00:30:32,199
Mark might be doing not too bad over there,

496
00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:34,959
but I think I might have to go back to my dirt.

497
00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:36,639
This is a bit boring for me.

498
00:30:39,360 --> 00:30:40,959
Oh, hello.

499
00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:43,639
A little bit of a chunker.

500
00:30:47,040 --> 00:30:51,039
Hey... Couple more clinkers.

501
00:30:52,240 --> 00:30:55,599
Well, maybe he wasn't giving me... taking the piss out of me.

502
00:30:57,120 --> 00:30:59,639
I mean, up until then, it's been pretty damn slow.

503
00:30:59,720 --> 00:31:02,559
I mean, they've definitely had some good size to 'em.

504
00:31:02,640 --> 00:31:04,799
Yeah, I'll get a bit of extra money

505
00:31:04,880 --> 00:31:07,439
and give Mark a bit of crap about missing some opal.

506
00:31:11,440 --> 00:31:13,919
Les!What?Why is there oil

507
00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:15,919
spewing everywhere out of this?

508
00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:20,199
When I first started it, oil spewed everywhere. Look.

509
00:31:22,560 --> 00:31:24,159
Hang on.

510
00:31:27,200 --> 00:31:28,799
Couldn't get any worse.

511
00:31:29,960 --> 00:31:31,559
I think it's leaked diesel.

512
00:31:33,400 --> 00:31:35,279
Yeah. Full of  diesel.

513
00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:37,639
How can diesel get into the motor?

514
00:31:37,720 --> 00:31:41,599
It bypasses the rings if it's leaking on the top of the cylinder.

515
00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:48,519
After starting their digger's power pack

516
00:31:48,600 --> 00:31:50,359
for the first time in weeks,

517
00:31:50,440 --> 00:31:52,239
the Bushmen have discovered

518
00:31:52,320 --> 00:31:55,599
diesel has leaked into the motor's oil.

519
00:31:55,680 --> 00:31:58,919
The motor's actually now full of diesel and oil, not just oil.

520
00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:01,799
So we're gonna have to drain the oil out of it...

521
00:32:03,600 --> 00:32:05,199
..put fresh oil in it.

522
00:32:07,760 --> 00:32:09,359
That's all we can do.

523
00:32:14,080 --> 00:32:16,159
We're hoping that we'll get it started

524
00:32:16,240 --> 00:32:19,239
and it's not gonna continue pouring out again.

525
00:32:19,320 --> 00:32:21,519
And if it all goes to plan, we're gonna be able

526
00:32:21,600 --> 00:32:25,759
to get the digger going and start to move it out. Be back on track.

527
00:32:25,840 --> 00:32:30,079
We all need to find opal, Rod and Les do this full time.

528
00:32:30,160 --> 00:32:33,439
And realistically, I wanna make opal mining financially sustainable.

529
00:32:33,520 --> 00:32:38,519
And if I don't find opal, well then, that goes straight out the door.

530
00:32:38,600 --> 00:32:42,679
Right-o. Take two. Hopefully it'll start and run.

531
00:32:51,520 --> 00:32:53,919
That looks all right now.

532
00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:57,039
No bloody diesel flying out of it everywhere.

533
00:32:57,120 --> 00:32:58,719
No. All good, really.

534
00:33:00,360 --> 00:33:04,119
We're away. All right. We're gonna go underground.Yup.

535
00:33:05,720 --> 00:33:10,679
Yeah, mate.Finally got everything going, so I'm on me way down.

536
00:33:13,640 --> 00:33:16,519
We're  shifting dirt.

537
00:33:21,160 --> 00:33:24,519
After all of the chaos that would test a - What's that right up the top?

538
00:33:26,520 --> 00:33:28,439
See it?

539
00:33:31,320 --> 00:33:33,999
Look at all that black seam coming in there.

540
00:33:34,080 --> 00:33:38,599
I like that.See how it runs right across in here and these water lines through here?

541
00:33:38,680 --> 00:33:40,319
Give that a bit of a tickle up there.

542
00:33:42,680 --> 00:33:46,199
Jeez, that's nice potch.Yeah. You're digging black potch,

543
00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:49,679
you got a chance of getting black opal and that's what we're here for.

544
00:33:49,760 --> 00:33:52,839
Potch is opal with no play of colour

545
00:33:52,920 --> 00:33:56,799
but a good indicator that valuable opal may be nearby.

546
00:34:00,520 --> 00:34:02,359
It just gets bigger.

547
00:34:05,560 --> 00:34:07,759
There's colour in that, Ben.

548
00:34:07,840 --> 00:34:10,959
Look at the green in that. There's a bit of orange too.

549
00:34:11,040 --> 00:34:13,319
Nice one.

550
00:34:13,400 --> 00:34:16,159
It's only tracey colour, but it's a start.

551
00:34:16,240 --> 00:34:18,559
We're gonna get onto it here sooner or later.

552
00:34:18,640 --> 00:34:21,559
It's somewhere in here. It's waiting for us.

553
00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:25,839
Holy...What? What happened?

554
00:34:25,920 --> 00:34:27,799
Ha! The battery just ran out.

555
00:34:27,880 --> 00:34:31,239
Well, that's all the batteries. We didn't charge them up.

556
00:34:39,840 --> 00:34:42,479
Soon as I go to  tip off, man. if that let go, I'm gone.

557
00:34:42,560 --> 00:34:47,359
Yeah, it'll tip off for sure, man. I'll walk the digger up and get this out.Yeah.

558
00:34:49,120 --> 00:34:51,879
The Mooka Boys have bogged their tip truck,

559
00:34:51,960 --> 00:34:57,039
attempting to prepare a load of opal bearing dirt for blacklighting.

560
00:34:57,120 --> 00:34:59,319
I'm a bit worried about this chain.

561
00:34:59,400 --> 00:35:02,599
It's a bit small for the job and it looks rusted as hell.

562
00:35:02,680 --> 00:35:05,999
Yeah, I've left me batter bucket on, just in case it breaks.

563
00:35:06,080 --> 00:35:08,959
So hopefully, it doesn't come flying back in my face.

564
00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:13,399
Yeah, I got it hooked on here, man. All right. Fingers crossed, man.

565
00:35:16,720 --> 00:35:18,319
Ready?

566
00:35:25,400 --> 00:35:29,079
That's not good, bro! Snapped the chain!

567
00:35:29,160 --> 00:35:32,959
Bloody hell. We'll just shorten it up and we'll go again.

568
00:35:34,440 --> 00:35:37,599
Yeah, I was worried that the chain's gonna come up through the window,

569
00:35:37,680 --> 00:35:40,559
obviously the chain went down beside the machine which is good.

570
00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:44,999
Let's hope we can get it this time. Ready!Yeah.

571
00:35:48,120 --> 00:35:52,079
We're out!That got it? Yeah. tyre out, bro!

572
00:35:52,160 --> 00:35:54,919
What do you reckon we just dump on the flat for a while?

573
00:35:55,000 --> 00:35:58,359
I was sneaking around that pile. I'll just dump it out near that rock.

574
00:35:58,440 --> 00:36:01,679
No time to fix the dump right now. We gotta get this ground moving.

575
00:36:06,160 --> 00:36:09,959
Nearly dark enough to blacklight? Yeah, I reckon we better get ready.

576
00:36:10,040 --> 00:36:13,039
We know there's been big black opal finds in the past,

577
00:36:13,120 --> 00:36:16,159
so hopefully we can find that little parcel of black opal

578
00:36:16,240 --> 00:36:17,839
and make all our dreams come true.

579
00:36:19,080 --> 00:36:23,159
I'm just looking for a... Like, a bluey purpley glow.

580
00:36:23,240 --> 00:36:25,279
Once you hit the opal, even once you take

581
00:36:25,360 --> 00:36:28,039
the blacklight off, the opal will still glow.

582
00:36:28,120 --> 00:36:32,119
You find anything?No, not yet, man. There's a lot of different colours coming up

583
00:36:32,200 --> 00:36:36,439
but I'm not seeing any opal. No, me neither.

584
00:36:36,520 --> 00:36:39,639
I'm gonna do the ramp down there, just in case we've left something.

585
00:36:39,720 --> 00:36:43,999
We need something, man. Yeah. I'll come check the ramp with ya.All right.

586
00:36:44,080 --> 00:36:48,199
Let's get some light down here so we don't trip over. Yeah, It's pretty rough down here.

587
00:36:58,280 --> 00:37:00,079
Ohh! There we go.

588
00:37:00,160 --> 00:37:02,439
Oh, yeah.. I can see them from over here, bro.

589
00:37:02,520 --> 00:37:04,999
Yeah, these have got some size to it.

590
00:37:05,080 --> 00:37:08,079
That's good. Let's hope it's got colour.

591
00:37:08,160 --> 00:37:11,079
A few bits here, bro.

592
00:37:11,160 --> 00:37:13,759
Might be able to afford a nice steak stew tomorrow night.

593
00:37:13,840 --> 00:37:16,679
Yeah, it's not too bad. We got a few ounces of material.

594
00:37:16,760 --> 00:37:19,559
I'm seeing some colour. All right.

595
00:37:19,640 --> 00:37:23,439
I'm knackered, bro.Yeah, me too. Call it a night, eh?Yeah.

596
00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:30,959
How you doing, bro?Good, man. Good.

597
00:37:31,040 --> 00:37:33,879
We got some good decent material in this one, bro.

598
00:37:33,960 --> 00:37:37,239
That's all right.Got a bit excited, thought I'd come and show you.

599
00:37:37,320 --> 00:37:38,919
Wow, man, this is nice.

600
00:37:40,800 --> 00:37:44,719
The Mooka Boys have a mixed parcel of seam opal,

601
00:37:44,800 --> 00:37:47,919
featuring the full spectrum of colours.

602
00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:51,919
It's been washed and weighs 186g.

603
00:37:53,600 --> 00:37:56,719
What do you reckon? I gotta put a just per ounce price.

604
00:37:56,800 --> 00:38:00,679
Yeah, 6 ounces... I'm thinking more 4, eh?

605
00:38:00,760 --> 00:38:03,399
Yeah. Some of these pieces, they're gonna cut.

606
00:38:03,480 --> 00:38:07,639
Looking at  a $1,000 stone on its own once it's cut.Exactly.

607
00:38:07,720 --> 00:38:13,159
Thinking maybe $600? That's 6 ounces, 3,600 bucks.

608
00:38:13,240 --> 00:38:15,119
$3,600. Yeah, that's not bad at all.

609
00:38:15,200 --> 00:38:17,279
Not a bad little parcel.

610
00:38:17,360 --> 00:38:19,439
We started the year with sausage stew,

611
00:38:19,520 --> 00:38:23,319
so moving up to a bit of steak. We've done all right so far.

612
00:38:23,400 --> 00:38:26,759
Cheers.

613
00:38:26,840 --> 00:38:30,639
Bloody good stew, mate. Not bad for a bit of knock up between the flies.

614
00:38:31,840 --> 00:38:33,999
The flies definitely like it.

615
00:38:47,560 --> 00:38:49,159
Ha! The battery just ran out.

616
00:38:50,520 --> 00:38:52,959
That's all the batteries. We didn't charge them up.

617
00:38:54,280 --> 00:38:56,039
It'll still be there tomorrow, Ben.

618
00:38:59,160 --> 00:39:03,199
We have done so little digging here for a little bit of colour.

619
00:39:03,280 --> 00:39:06,159
And the spectacular bloody potch.

620
00:39:06,240 --> 00:39:08,159
Righto, kids, let's get out of there.

621
00:39:12,320 --> 00:39:15,319
The Bushmen have black seam opal.

622
00:39:15,400 --> 00:39:17,879
Scattered with flashes of colour

623
00:39:17,960 --> 00:39:20,479
from across the entire spectrum.

624
00:39:20,560 --> 00:39:24,359
It's in the rough and weighs 90g.

625
00:39:24,440 --> 00:39:27,239
Not big stones, but there's a couple of bob there, I'd reckon.

626
00:39:27,320 --> 00:39:31,479
What do you reckon, Sam? Definitely some nice colour in there and it's bright.

627
00:39:31,560 --> 00:39:33,599
I reckon 400, 500 bucks.

628
00:39:33,680 --> 00:39:37,039
That's about what I reckon too. That'll get us mining for a week.

629
00:39:37,120 --> 00:39:39,559
What we need, mate. Bit of diesel in the tank.

630
00:39:39,640 --> 00:39:42,239
Well, Les, been one hell of a bloody week.

631
00:39:42,320 --> 00:39:43,919
It has been hectic.

632
00:39:44,000 --> 00:39:48,159
You've always got a beer in the car. Have you got one now?Yeah.You do?

633
00:39:48,240 --> 00:39:50,799
I reckon I'd find one.Come on, let's go and have one.

634
00:39:51,800 --> 00:39:54,239
The seam we're finding down there is real good.

635
00:39:54,320 --> 00:39:57,639
It's as black as and you only need a colour bar

636
00:39:57,720 --> 00:39:59,759
on top of one of those black stones.

637
00:39:59,840 --> 00:40:02,199
And, well, everything can change with one stone.

638
00:40:02,280 --> 00:40:06,679
If ever we're gonna make it, this might be the one that does it for us.

639
00:40:06,760 --> 00:40:09,759
Are these all for me?No?

640
00:40:09,840 --> 00:40:13,799
You won't drink that stuff. Cheers, all of you.

641
00:40:13,880 --> 00:40:17,359
Well done.Cheers.Well done.

642
00:40:24,280 --> 00:40:25,879
Maybe a touch higher?

643
00:40:27,760 --> 00:40:31,879
After just a few small finds, the Blacklighters are still hoping

644
00:40:31,960 --> 00:40:33,799
they can turn up a large pocket of opal

645
00:40:33,880 --> 00:40:36,439
at their new mine, Servo.

646
00:40:38,080 --> 00:40:39,839
Hey! Hey! Hey!

647
00:40:41,240 --> 00:40:43,639
Get out the way. Get out the way.

648
00:40:43,720 --> 00:40:46,759
Watch your foot! Don't move it yet.

649
00:40:46,840 --> 00:40:50,639
You'll lose your  foot! Don't move the bloody bucket, man.

650
00:40:50,720 --> 00:40:53,519
I've got heaps of pressure on there. Don't go in there.

651
00:40:54,840 --> 00:40:57,279
I can see opal. Just slow.

652
00:40:59,680 --> 00:41:02,959
All right. All right. Now I've gotta bloody find it again.

653
00:41:06,200 --> 00:41:08,759
Ohh, here we go! Here we go!

654
00:41:08,840 --> 00:41:10,719
What have you got?

655
00:41:10,800 --> 00:41:14,839
A chunk. I've got a chunk. It's come out of here.

656
00:41:14,920 --> 00:41:17,279
Look. Follow this.

657
00:41:17,360 --> 00:41:20,959
There is red. There is red. Oh, yes. Yes.

658
00:41:21,040 --> 00:41:25,279
Chunk.

659
00:41:25,360 --> 00:41:28,119
Where's the bucket? Over there.Whoo!

660
00:41:28,200 --> 00:41:30,599
Whoo! Ha-ha!

661
00:41:30,680 --> 00:41:33,639
It's come out... You look at that side

662
00:41:33,720 --> 00:41:37,199
and then you go...kerching! That is a  tile man.

663
00:41:37,280 --> 00:41:39,439
You could tile your bathroom with that stuff.

664
00:41:44,400 --> 00:41:46,279
That is amazing, guys.

665
00:41:46,360 --> 00:41:48,999
I am absolutely stoked with what you've got this week.

666
00:41:49,080 --> 00:41:52,559
Can I give my opinion on what I think it's worth today?

667
00:41:52,640 --> 00:41:55,319
All right. No. No.

668
00:41:55,400 --> 00:41:57,759
All right. We'll wait for Rach. See what Rach says.

669
00:41:57,840 --> 00:42:00,479
I'm actually really proud, John...

670
00:42:00,560 --> 00:42:03,319
He's on a roll, I think. ..you're on fire.

671
00:42:03,400 --> 00:42:05,399
Honestly, so are we. Yes, so are we, man.

672
00:42:05,480 --> 00:42:08,399
We got ting, ting, ting and ting.

673
00:42:08,480 --> 00:42:10,639
We're finally catching up to that tally.

674
00:42:15,520 --> 00:42:19,079
The Blacklighters have classic Coober Pedy white opal

675
00:42:19,160 --> 00:42:21,199
and crystal seam opal,

676
00:42:21,280 --> 00:42:25,199
the most valuable featuring bars of rare red.

677
00:42:25,280 --> 00:42:29,319
It's been tumbled and weighs 2.5kg.

678
00:42:29,400 --> 00:42:30,999
So what are you thinking, Rach?

679
00:42:32,640 --> 00:42:34,439
Well...

680
00:42:34,520 --> 00:42:37,199
We got this up one end, this up the other end.

681
00:42:37,280 --> 00:42:41,519
And this stuff come in between. You know, it's weird.

682
00:42:41,600 --> 00:42:45,719
I reckon we're probably sitting at about 30.

683
00:42:45,800 --> 00:42:50,359
With what John's found and and a really conservative measure,

684
00:42:50,440 --> 00:42:53,959
I reckon you and Mark

685
00:42:54,040 --> 00:42:56,439
are sitting at about 40. And that's conservative.

686
00:42:56,520 --> 00:42:59,839
So I reckon it's about 70g for the whole week, boys.

687
00:42:59,920 --> 00:43:02,199
So bloody well done.

688
00:43:02,280 --> 00:43:06,119
Put it here, man. Well done. Yeah. Yes!

689
00:43:06,200 --> 00:43:09,039
Yes! Yes! Ha-ha! Great find.

690
00:43:10,480 --> 00:43:15,279
I just want to say that I'm really, really proud of all you boys.

691
00:43:15,360 --> 00:43:17,479
Like, I asked you to step up to the plate.

692
00:43:17,560 --> 00:43:19,359
You stepped up to the plate

693
00:43:19,440 --> 00:43:22,319
and you brought the dollars home, so well done, guys.

694
00:43:22,400 --> 00:43:25,319
Thanks.Well done. Tell you the truth, Rach,

695
00:43:25,400 --> 00:43:27,359
that means more to me than anything.

696
00:43:27,440 --> 00:43:31,199
To be where we are now, it's an amazing feeling.

697
00:43:31,280 --> 00:43:34,439
What a comeback.And honestly, having you out there is not too bad,

698
00:43:34,520 --> 00:43:36,479
cos he makes it look like he does stuff

699
00:43:36,560 --> 00:43:38,999
during the day when you're there. So anytime...

700
00:43:39,080 --> 00:43:41,639
You're welcome anytime. That's rubbish, man.

701
00:43:41,720 --> 00:43:43,319
I'm always working.

702
00:43:43,400 --> 00:43:45,559
I work harder when you're not there.

703
00:43:45,640 --> 00:43:49,879
You blacklighters!Yes!

704
00:43:49,960 --> 00:43:51,959
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