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NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters...

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Ron, I'm going to cave it in. Watch out.

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..the Boulder Boys push their machines

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deeper than ever before... I'll just keep taking it down.

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Yeah, just keep doing it. ..chasing a 16-metre-deep

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opal level in a waterlogged mine.

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I'm sliding off the front.

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The Cheals expand their operation... Whoa!

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..with a second expensive super digger.

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It will double our costs, but it also doubles our chances

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of finding opal. But spiralling debts

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threaten to send them broke.

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I need to keep food on the table. I need to keep up with the fuel.

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Bills to be paid. And on a new claim,

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the Blacklighters are forced to shut down Opalzilla...

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We're not going to see anything on this. Shut her down.

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..after the harsh desert conditions cause

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more machine breakdowns.

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Ahhh!

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# ASH GRUNWALD: Money

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# Money

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# And fancy clothes #

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Do you want subtitles for any video?
-=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=-

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I'll give this a shunt back and get on with the ramp, man.

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Righto.

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NARRATOR: 40 kilometres south of Coober Pedy,

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the Blacklighters are setting up on a new claim.

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We moved Opalzilla into position last week.

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She's pretty close to spot on, but...

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we just want to come back a little bit more.

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You've got you're only far before it's actually going to hit, so don't bang it.

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Slowly at the start.

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We just, um, made the pad for the wheels,

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so hopefully we can get it sitting nice and level

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so all the belts run nice and true.

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That's it. Whoa! Whoa!

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So, yeah, that's where she lays for the next bit.

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Last week, they moved their ten-tonne processing plant,

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Opalzilla, 700 metres from their Jess's Trench claim

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to their nearby Bedframe claim.

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So we can chase all these dumps behind us,

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test 'em all and see what we can come up with.

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Bedframe is littered with old miners' diggings

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excavated over the past half century.

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Righto, we got our first bucket going in. Pretty excited.

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We'll, um, do a little bit of noodling

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just to keep the money rolling in.

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Searching through pre-mined dirt for opal,

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or noodling, avoids the expenses

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of heavy-duty mining machinery.

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We're going through the old tailings

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from the old timers back in the '60s.

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Hopefully they have missed a bit.

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Using technology that didn't exist then,

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Opalzilla can detect the smallest piece of missed opal.

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You load it up into the hopper and it goes through a trommel,

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shakes all the dust off so you've got no dust

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on the opal-bearing rocks when it hits the dark room.

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The dark room's got ultraviolet lights,

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so all the opal will glow on the belt in the dark room.

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So, very efficient.

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Once we uncover what's sitting in all the holes,

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we'll, um, have a good look and see

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if we can get some more mining done here, too.

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They closed Mintabie so we've moved on and...

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and re-established ourselves in Coober Pedy.

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Last season, the government shut down the Blacklighters'

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former hometown of Mintabie,

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forcing their three families, totalling 12 people,

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to start from scratch in Coober Pedy.

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We got kids, we've had to pull them out of school

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and just the cost itself in moving,

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like, all the machinery and everything

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came into the tens of thousands of dollars.

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MARK, PAUL, JOHN: Ah, yes! Yes!

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In their first week mining, the team struck it lucky...

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That's just stunning, top opal.

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..with a mammoth haul of Coober Pedy crystal.

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Couple of little pretty bits, but they're tiny.

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But now that claim has dried up...

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No point digging dirt that's not giving us any reward.

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..forcing them to gamble on a move

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to their new location.

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Hey!

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Our first little bit. First bit. New spot.

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We can start off now finally get some movement on the belt here.

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Hopefully we can pick up a few gems today and we'll be happy.

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We need to find opal to stay afloat. It's the only source of income.

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No one can live for free. You can't mess around.

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It's not something that we take lightly - moving the machine.

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There's a lot of people relying on us to make the right choices.

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Whoopsie!

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The noodling's awesome, but we want to find something really big.

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So, the ultimate goal is to hit a big pocket.

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Yeah, we need to build the bank up a little bit,

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cos, yeah, we want to get the big machines in here soon,

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and, yeah, take it down and see what she holds underneath.

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As well as putting food on the table,

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the Blacklighters are counting on the opal from noodling

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to pay for some big machinery

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to start mining underground.

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If we can get 50 grand in the next few weeks,

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it'll go a long way to what we need to do.

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We got so many places to explore.

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So, um, I don't know which one to start with, eh.

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Couple of chunks just come through.

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What could there be?

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Ah, the generator just cut out. Coon's going to go have a look.

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I reckon by the sound of that earlier,

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it might have spat the fan belt off, but, yeah,

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we'll have a quick look, eh?

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As you can see, it's the fan belt.

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Chewed it to pieces, so, yeah.

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The 14-kilowatt generator

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is Opalzilla's only power source.

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We've got some belts. I don't know if we've got a new one, though. Me either.

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She blow it? Yep. You know where the spare one is?

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No. The spare one's sitting in a  box

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in the shed at home.

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Yeah, what good's the belt at home?

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It's no good at home, eh? No. No.

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That's a long way away. It's  miles away.

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It's going to be an 80K round trip.

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Shut her down. Ahhhh!

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Ahhh!

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See these two bolts here? Mm-hm.

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Those two. Can you just reach under and pull the nuts

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off the bolts and pull the bolts out, please? Righto. Those two?

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Yeah. This is my big digger.

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It had some repairs. I haven't used it for a couple of years.

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It's not making any money sitting here in the shed,

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so we might as well put it to work.

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In Lightning Ridge,

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Chris Cheal and sons Rory and Oscar

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are dusting off Chris' newly-repaired second digger.

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It's what they call a super digger. It's basically the biggest one that's been built.

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It is probably about two-and-a-half tonne.

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It's got 30-tonne of breakout pressure.

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It's a beautiful machine as far as diggers go.

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To increase their opal production,

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Chris wants to use the super digger

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alongside his other smaller digger,

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45 kilometres away at his mine.

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Just makes sense to me to get

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both sets of gear going.

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It will double our costs, but it also doubles our chances

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of finding opal and that's what we need.

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So, how do you reckon we're going to go getting it down?

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Putting a digger down, you're either going to have a real good day

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or a real  day. Yeah.

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Jeez, you know, just burning a heap of diesel

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and if we don't see nothing, well it's going to be disappointed.

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With little opal to show two months into the season,

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the Cheals are trying to avert a cash flow crisis

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on their giant lease covering 22 separate claims.

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All the money that we've got over the last few weeks

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have gone straight back into fuel money. Pressure's definitely on Dad.

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A few hundred bucks last week, it's, you know, not enough to pay the bills.

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Relentless running costs, modest opal finds

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and a 30% cut going to partner Scott McMillan

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have left Chris questioning if he can keep mining.

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You're sort of up around the $200 a day in fuel

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and that all adds up fairly quickly.

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It's paramount we get something this week.

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If we don't, look, I might have to go away for a little bit and do some work.

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You know, try and get some fuel money together so we can keep going.

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Adding to the pressure, Chris' sons sacrificed

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their university studies to chase opal with him.

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Rory and I have both come home from university.

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It's been a couple of months since I've left Sydney.

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Juggling online study in the evenings

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with days spent opal mining,

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they hope to make enough to pay for their tuition.

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It does get tough when we're, you know, working really hard,

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putting in big hours and not getting paid.

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We need that hit to just put us in a good spot to keep digging.

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If not, Dad's probably going to have to go away working

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and then that leaves Rory and I out of work.

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Are you right for fuel and oil and everything? Yeah.

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Yeah, I'll crank her up, then, eh?

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Righto, we've got to drop this digger down.

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It's-it's a heavy bit of gear and if something happens,

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you can get crushed pretty easily, so we'll just take our time,

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do it right and keep our communication up. Yep.

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And I don't know whether it's going to fit with the hoist ladders in.

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If it doesn't, it's going to turn into, like, a two or three-day job.

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Whoa!

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The hoist ladders are still in the hole. I think we can get it down.

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I've never done it with the ladders in the hole before.

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May not work. I-I don't know. And if it doesn't work,

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it means that there's going to be an extra day-and-a-half added

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to get it down there. So, yeah, I'm trying to take a shortcut.

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Mate, are you out of the way? Can we, um, line up

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and send this thing down? Yep, all good to come down.

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The mine shaft's 44 inches in diameter. The digger's 42.

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So it's going to be a real tight squeeze to get it in there.

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That's as good as you're going to get it.

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No good?

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There's just not enough room.

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We're going to have to take the rings and ladders out.

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While I'm at Opalton, I might go and have a look

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what I've got to go and do up at the Dragonfly.

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Aaron Grotjahn is heading for the Badlands claim

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after a 200-kilometre supply run into town.

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While I'm here, I'll go and have a look around here.

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I've missed this place.

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But on the way back, he's stopping to check on

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his own claim, Dragonfly,

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which is also where his parents were laid to rest.

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This is Mum and Dad's memorial.

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The ashes are here.

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Whenever I've got time, I come and say hello.

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This is on the Dragonfly lease. This is where Dad and Mum wanted to be buried so...

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we put them up here.

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I would never sell this claim.

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This is a family sort of lease.

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Dad was one of the first back out here

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after the old timers left.

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Aaron's father and mentor Arno

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was one of Queensland's pioneering opal miners.

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Dad - when he found opal, he named it boulder opal.

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So everyone started calling it boulder opal after that.

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He spent, like, 45 years out here.

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He's told me a few places where I've got to go and have a look at,

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so one day I'll get there. At the moment, I'm happy to...

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pay me bills back and one day

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we'll get back here.

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To keep hold of Dragonfly

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and buy his father's house,

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Aaron borrowed $80,000

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from fellow miner Eric Hume.

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Come to an agreement. I'm giving Eric a hand.

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We're working for a percentage. I get a bit money

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to pay my loan back.

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Aaron is now working for Eric

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for 15% of any opal found

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100 kilometres south

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on the Badlands claim.

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There's been a lot of money found out there years ago.

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The people before us found opal.

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$900,000 worth of opal there.

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But so far this season,

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Aaron and his mining partner Ron

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have found barely enough to cover their food.

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How did it go? No worries, all good. Got everything.

246
00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,679
Well, Aaron's finally got back. It's good. And, er,

247
00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:06,359
brought a bit of supplies,

248
00:13:06,440 --> 00:13:09,159
so we'll be right for a month or so, I reckon now.

249
00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:16,839
Key to their operation is a recently repaired 50-tonne loader...

250
00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:19,879
Up until now, it's just been two-wheel drive.

251
00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:23,119
The mechanic came out and we've just put it in -

252
00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:25,199
four-wheel drive again.

253
00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:28,239
..and a 100-tonne excavator.

254
00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:31,959
Both machines are working a deep pit

255
00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:35,359
close to where almost one million dollars' worth of opal

256
00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:37,879
was found 20 years ago.

257
00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:41,639
Previous, people that were here, they predrilled

258
00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:43,999
and they hit rock at 53-foot.

259
00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:48,479
So, a bit of luck maybe from here to there, we've got a chance of getting some opal.

260
00:13:48,560 --> 00:13:50,559
Boulder opal is formed

261
00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:52,799
when liquid silica drains into the voids

262
00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:55,239
of a host rock like ironstone.

263
00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:58,959
Without hard rock, boulder opal can't form.

264
00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:01,279
Eric was told that they drilled ahead

265
00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:03,479
and they were hitting rock.

266
00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:06,799
Previous exploration holes indicated

267
00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:10,599
a hard ironstone opal level at 16 metres.

268
00:14:10,680 --> 00:14:14,719
Claim owner Eric wants Aaron and Ron to find it.

269
00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:18,639
I'll just keep taking it down. Yeah. Yeah, just keep doing it.

270
00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:23,519
Here's hoping that, er, we can hit the level.

271
00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:26,759
In the past, we've heard a lot, too,

272
00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:29,199
that are not always what people say.

273
00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:32,519
Getting down this deep has already used up

274
00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:35,119
over 5,000 litres of diesel,

275
00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:37,199
and weeks of their time

276
00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:39,479
with no sign of an opal level.

277
00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,319
We got a few sandy boulders starting...

278
00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:46,799
..but they're just too soft.

279
00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:49,639
I want to hear a big crunch, Ron.

280
00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:51,719
Crunch.

281
00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:56,439
Ah. No, you can tell no good straight away.

282
00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:59,039
Oh, look at , Ron.

283
00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:01,119
Mmm.

284
00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:04,999
We can still go down a few more foot. That's it.

285
00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,239
Two, three-foot. Yeah.

286
00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,519
If, er, this hole's no good, we might be able to come over a bit

287
00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:13,799
and go right in the corner and put just one bucket wide in and have a look.

288
00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:16,239
I'd just keep going. See what it does.

289
00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:19,079
Well, that's what you'd do. Yeah.

290
00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:21,399
Let it sit here for a few days and just keep going?

291
00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:24,359
It wouldn't be a few days, would it? If there's no level there,

292
00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:26,799
there's no level there.

293
00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:29,959
Well, we keep going, we're going to put it to bed.

294
00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:32,199
Steady as she goes, Aaron.

295
00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:34,839
I'll just keep going down. We got no choice.

296
00:15:34,920 --> 00:15:37,439
Eric wants to find out what's going on here.

297
00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:47,359
Can't go any deeper, Ron.

298
00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:49,439
All right. Yeah.

299
00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:52,359
That's as deep as we can go, mate.

300
00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:01,799
Yeah, just got back from town. We got the new belt.

301
00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:03,999
The Blacklighters have lost

302
00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:06,479
a valuable hour in the cool of the day

303
00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:09,719
on an 80-kilometre round trip to Coober Pedy

304
00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:11,919
in search of a fan belt crucial

305
00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,399
to Opalzilla's generator.

306
00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:16,719
Oh, hang on. We've got to find some money.

307
00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:20,439
We've got a little bit in the bank, but that's pretty well going fast.

308
00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:23,559
A lack of opal at their previous claim forced them

309
00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:27,239
to make a difficult 700-metre trek to this claim.

310
00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:30,599
Now they need the move to start paying off.

311
00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:33,199
It's myself, Rachel. We've got four kids,

312
00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:36,319
and the boys, their families, you know?

313
00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:40,519
We can't just find a chip here, a chip there. We've got to keep finding plenty.

314
00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:44,719
We don't want to see that.

315
00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:47,239
That was arcing out cos the battery.

316
00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:49,839
We got to pay our bills and look after our family,

317
00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:51,999
but we want to put a bit back into mining.

318
00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:54,399
The ultimate goal is to find a big pocket.

319
00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:58,439
The Blacklighters want to progress from noodling using Opalzilla

320
00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:00,559
to digging into virgin ground -

321
00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:03,719
a potentially lucrative but expensive plan.

322
00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:07,599
You need at least 50 grand to buy the sort of machinery we need

323
00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:10,079
to do the job properly, so...

324
00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:12,279
yeah, that's not easy to come up with.

325
00:17:12,360 --> 00:17:14,359
Righto. I think we're done now.

326
00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,279
We can go back and start finding some opal.

327
00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:24,719
All good things keep ringing in my ears

328
00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:27,679
that my dad used to tell me about the opal business.

329
00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:31,799
Mark's father introduced him to opal mining 40 years ago

330
00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:33,919
during family holidays.

331
00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:36,439
We used to come up here when I was seven years old.

332
00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:38,519
We'd get here and we'd sleep in a tent

333
00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:40,719
and I absolutely loved it.

334
00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:44,719
Now I just want to get some opal, make him proud,

335
00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:49,239
..and same with my family, really.

336
00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:51,439
Just pay the bills and make everyone proud -

337
00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:54,119
it's all my... all my ambitions are, actually.

338
00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:00,479
Hey. We're not going to see anything on this.

339
00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:03,559
No. Muddy. Yeah. Huh.

340
00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:05,639
It is mud.

341
00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:07,839
Some of the stuff was coming through coated,

342
00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:09,919
so it was a little bit hard to see.

343
00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,679
Yeah, get a copy out there, Mark. Yeah, mate.

344
00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:16,359
What's going on? Ah, we were just thinking maybe shutting down

345
00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:19,399
for 10-15 minutes just to have a bit of a look

346
00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:22,039
where you're digging. Yeah, no worries, mate.

347
00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:26,559
What you got there? Anything? Nah.

348
00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:29,439
There could've been something in it, but it'd be hard to see, eh,

349
00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:33,239
cos it was actual you pick the rock up and you could smear the mud off.

350
00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:37,759
Opalzilla only works if dirt is dry.

351
00:18:37,840 --> 00:18:40,039
If rocks are coated in mud,

352
00:18:40,120 --> 00:18:42,119
the opal won't fluoresce

353
00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:44,239
under the UV light.

354
00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:49,919
They're going "This dirt's too wet, this dirt's got too big a rocks."

355
00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,439
It's like, you know, they want the porridge just right,

356
00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:54,919
so I'm trying everything.

357
00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:58,079
I do feel the pressure. It's something you can't get away from

358
00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:00,399
because you're striving so hard,

359
00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:03,239
you're pushing the people around you to get the best, as well,

360
00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:06,119
so, yeah... yeah, you do feel the pressure.

361
00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:16,999
Stuck, is it?

362
00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,199
On what? I don't know.

363
00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:26,399
It's hitting those... those rings.

364
00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:29,399
See these rings here?

365
00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:32,879
The rings that go around, um, to hold the ladders in place?

366
00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:35,559
The, um, digger won't fit through them.

367
00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:39,439
The Cheals are losing precious mining time,

368
00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:42,719
struggling to lower their two-and-a-half-tonne super digger

369
00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:44,799
into their mine shaft.

370
00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:47,399
Essentially, it's too, too big.

371
00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:50,439
We're going to have to pull the rings and the ladders out.

372
00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:53,279
It's turned a two or three-hour job, er...

373
00:19:53,360 --> 00:19:56,159
you know, into a few days so.

374
00:19:57,360 --> 00:19:59,679
With barely enough cash to cover

375
00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:02,359
their $200 a day running costs,

376
00:20:02,440 --> 00:20:04,679
if they don't find opal this week,

377
00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:07,679
Chris will be forced to return to his old job

378
00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:09,759
as a truck driver.

379
00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:11,839
Oscar.

380
00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:15,999
I wonder whether we leave the ladders on

381
00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:18,079
and try taking the rings out,

382
00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:20,919
we might just have enough room so it's...

383
00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,519
it's not as bad as having to do everything but...

384
00:20:27,680 --> 00:20:30,479
So, what I'm going to do is I'm going to take those rings off

385
00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:32,879
and then we'll try and lower it down again.

386
00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:36,679
The rings attach to the ladders,

387
00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:39,359
basically to hold your ladders firm against the wall.

388
00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:41,919
They don't take up much room, but it's enough room

389
00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,119
to stop the digger getting down there.

390
00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,439
Rory, we're going to try again, mate.

391
00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:51,599
Yep. All good to come down.

392
00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,199
So far, so good.

393
00:21:10,120 --> 00:21:12,759
Yes. Yeah, we got it down.

394
00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,919
We're stoked. Hey, Rory. Hey, mate.

395
00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:18,519
I got the big girl down here. Probably saved ourselves

396
00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:21,239
a day's work by not having to rip them ladders out.

397
00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:27,159
With the digging arm attached,

398
00:21:27,240 --> 00:21:30,159
they now have two diggers in working order.

399
00:21:31,120 --> 00:21:33,119
We'll quickly, um, swap the hoses

400
00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:36,359
and we'll drive this around the corner. Just move it out of the way.

401
00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:39,399
But they can't afford to run both machines yet.

402
00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:43,159
With the two sets of gear, we've doubled our chances of finding opal.

403
00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:45,239
The downside is our fuel costs.

404
00:21:45,320 --> 00:21:48,239
They're going to double so we need to find some opal, really.

405
00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:52,079
Using both diggers relies on finding good quality opal

406
00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:54,159
they can sell quickly.

407
00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:56,679
Put it back up the drive there and, um...

408
00:21:56,760 --> 00:21:59,919
hopefully in a week or so, we should be able to set up and...

409
00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:02,199
and get it digging some dirt.

410
00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:04,279
All right, let's keep going.

411
00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:08,319
Until they have the funds to run both machines,

412
00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:12,119
Chris will rely on his smaller, cheaper to run digger.

413
00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:15,439
This smaller digger of mine, it's ploughing the dirt out really good

414
00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:19,439
and there's a couple of hard bands there, but a lot of it's soft.

415
00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:22,999
We need to get paid this time around to be able to keep digging, so...

416
00:22:23,080 --> 00:22:26,159
yeah, fair bit of pressure there at the moment.

417
00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:30,519
If I don't find opal this week,

418
00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:33,839
then I'm going to have to go away and do some work and...

419
00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:36,199
and try and get a bit more fuel money together

420
00:22:36,280 --> 00:22:38,879
so we can keep digging. The Cheals are mining

421
00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:43,199
for black opal - worth up to $43,000 a gram.

422
00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:47,119
It forms in small hard to see nodules known as nobbies...

423
00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:51,439
..and also in seams

424
00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:53,519
visible in the rock face.

425
00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:56,479
Hey, Oscar! Yo! Have a look at this.

426
00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:58,839
Colour here. Colour?

427
00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:01,599
Yeah. Good? Yeah, it's nice colour.

428
00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:03,839
Look.

429
00:23:03,920 --> 00:23:05,959
, that's good.

430
00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:12,319
We'd be most probably from the original dirt,

431
00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:15,079
about 75 feet down.

432
00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:17,439
They reckon they hit rock

433
00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:19,599
with the drill at 53,

434
00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:21,679
so we're already passed that

435
00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:23,879
and we haven't had a level yet.

436
00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:26,839
In search of a deep boulder opal level

437
00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:29,159
rumoured to be 16 metres down,

438
00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:33,119
the Boulder Boys have found nothing but soft sandstone.

439
00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:36,479
What do you reckon? Well, I'd-I'd like to see

440
00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:39,759
if I can open them ones where the drill holes were

441
00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:42,999
just to put my mind to rest, you know? Yep.

442
00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:46,959
Exploratory drilling done from the surface near the pit wall

443
00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:50,199
indicated the unusually deep opal level.

444
00:23:50,280 --> 00:23:52,399
Aaron and Ron now want to dig

445
00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:55,319
to the bottom of those drill holes.

446
00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:58,839
You can flatten that out with the loader for me and I can come in there.

447
00:23:58,920 --> 00:24:00,919
All right, I'll go get the loader.

448
00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:03,559
To get the excavator to the pit wall,

449
00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:06,759
Ron needs to flatten a five-metre-wide strip

450
00:24:06,840 --> 00:24:10,399
between the freshly-dug test hole and a drainage pond

451
00:24:10,480 --> 00:24:12,679
favoured by Aaron's dog, Neddy.

452
00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:16,039
Ohhh, funny dog!

453
00:24:16,120 --> 00:24:18,239
Neddy's safe with his swimming hole.

454
00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:20,479
He spends all day in there, eh?

455
00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:28,039
Oi!

456
00:24:28,120 --> 00:24:30,119
I'm going to have to be very careful.

457
00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:33,359
It wouldn't be a very good sight, the loader down the hole.

458
00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:37,479
It's a bit slippery, Aaron.

459
00:24:39,360 --> 00:24:41,359
All right, mate.

460
00:24:41,440 --> 00:24:43,959
Too much water there, there's too much moisture.

461
00:24:44,040 --> 00:24:46,719
What Aaron's doing is taking all the wet

462
00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:50,039
and high stuff away so I can drive out.

463
00:25:07,800 --> 00:25:09,879
That's all right. Big seam.

464
00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:11,959
Jeez, nice green, eh? Got band, too.

465
00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:14,919
With running costs threatening to send them broke,

466
00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:18,559
the Cheals have uncovered a narrow seam of opal,

467
00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:21,639
but it's low-grade, known as trace.

468
00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:24,519
Oh, oh, we just got some nice trace.

469
00:25:24,600 --> 00:25:26,799
Yeah, there's green and blue in there.

470
00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:28,879
Knock it out.

471
00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:32,359
Trace opal has little value,

472
00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:36,199
but it's often found near precious gem grade opal.

473
00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:38,719
Hey, check this out. Anything decent?

474
00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:40,879
Yes, sir.

475
00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:44,879
Just come across a bit of trace. Really nice bright colour.

476
00:25:44,960 --> 00:25:48,239
And, yeah, it's got Rory and I both a bit excited.

477
00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:51,719
Good stuff, mate. Yeah, mate.

478
00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:55,399
I'm laughing cos I think they've got the opal fever.

479
00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:58,119
Righto. See what else comes out here.

480
00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:02,559
We've got all the signs. It's, um...

481
00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:05,319
Yeah, it's really hard not to get too excited.

482
00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,319
It's still stressful, though, because bills to be paid.

483
00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:13,319
The truth is, I need to keep food on the table,

484
00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:15,639
I need to keep up with the fuel

485
00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:19,239
and I need to get the second set of gear going so we need pay.

486
00:26:20,920 --> 00:26:22,919
It's good-looking ground.

487
00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:25,599
I'm not seeing much, but it's so soft, you know?

488
00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:28,999
I don't think you'd really see it because it's soft.

489
00:26:29,080 --> 00:26:32,519
The soft ground means the digger can move more earth

490
00:26:32,600 --> 00:26:34,599
than normal with every scoop.

491
00:26:34,680 --> 00:26:37,359
It also means any opal is likely

492
00:26:37,440 --> 00:26:39,719
to be deeply encased in dirt.

493
00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:43,439
The only way to see trace is if we break it in in the wall,

494
00:26:43,520 --> 00:26:46,239
and with this dirt, it's basically impossible to break

495
00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:48,599
cos it's so soft. It just comes out too easy.

496
00:26:48,680 --> 00:26:51,599
So, you know, we can't tell if there's, you know,

497
00:26:51,680 --> 00:26:54,519
any opal in there or not until we wash it.

498
00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:57,999
All of the dirt they dig is hoisted to the surface

499
00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:00,079
600 kilograms at a time.

500
00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:03,839
Let's go and get it into the agitator.

501
00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:08,639
Transported 45 kilometres into Lightning Ridge...

502
00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:13,119
..and washed overnight in their agitator washplant...

503
00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:16,199
..leaving only clean rocks

504
00:27:16,280 --> 00:27:18,879
which are checked for opal in the tailout.

505
00:27:20,360 --> 00:27:22,719
If we don't get anything in this tailout...

506
00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:25,079
Rory and I have come out from Sydney, you know,

507
00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:27,799
and Dad's forking out all the money to keep us going,

508
00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:30,039
and realistically if we don't find something,

509
00:27:30,120 --> 00:27:33,319
then he could go back to working and it'd leave Rory and I,

510
00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:36,159
you know, hung out to dry because we've got no work

511
00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:38,639
and we've already committed to that online uni.

512
00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:40,719
So, yeah, it's really important

513
00:27:40,800 --> 00:27:44,439
and we're all praying that there's going to be something in there.

514
00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:01,399
What? Nothing now?

515
00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:05,239
Righto.

516
00:28:06,560 --> 00:28:09,679
Well, that's not a good sign. Can't find a bloody thing in there.

517
00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:11,879
Day one at their new claim

518
00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:14,759
and Mark I'Anson is under increased pressure

519
00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:16,839
to find opal-bearing dirt

520
00:28:16,920 --> 00:28:19,439
amongst the waste dumps of old diggings.

521
00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:22,279
We've got to keep going hard.

522
00:28:22,360 --> 00:28:24,639
We've got a little bit in the bank from the other week,

523
00:28:24,720 --> 00:28:26,759
but it's quickly, er, dissolving.

524
00:28:26,840 --> 00:28:28,879
Moving the ten-tonne Opalzilla

525
00:28:28,960 --> 00:28:31,439
to this location took days of work,

526
00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:34,639
but they've barely seen any opal for their effort.

527
00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:37,959
It's just like any other job. You need to keep getting paid.

528
00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:41,759
If you don't, you feel like you're just working for nothing, you know?

529
00:28:41,840 --> 00:28:43,879
The Blacklighters' long term goal

530
00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:45,959
is to mine virgin ground,

531
00:28:46,040 --> 00:28:48,039
but that requires even more money.

532
00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:50,159
If we want to go deep, we're probably looking at

533
00:28:50,240 --> 00:28:52,399
getting ourselves a bit of a tunnelling machine.

534
00:28:52,480 --> 00:28:54,679
They're tens of thousands of dollars.

535
00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:08,639
It's just not producing at the moment.

536
00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:11,919
I'll keep going wider and wider and look and look and look.

537
00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:18,119
Johnny kept hassling me to put through this...

538
00:29:18,200 --> 00:29:20,559
little dump back here by the car and...

539
00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:22,719
and I just didn't want to.

540
00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:25,359
There's been a noodling machine through here years ago.

541
00:29:25,440 --> 00:29:27,639
They would have got the cream of what's here.

542
00:29:27,720 --> 00:29:30,119
This pile contains cleaned stones,

543
00:29:30,200 --> 00:29:33,399
which means they've already been processed by a machine

544
00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:35,479
similar to Opalzilla.

545
00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:38,519
In the old days, it was all about just powering as fast as they could.

546
00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:42,719
They'd have it heaped up on the belt and that and they were missing it.

547
00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:44,839
A lot of money has been found

548
00:29:44,920 --> 00:29:47,839
putting through noodling machines the second time.

549
00:29:49,160 --> 00:29:51,639
Oh, chunky. Chunky.

550
00:29:51,720 --> 00:29:53,759
Nice, nice little chunk.

551
00:29:53,840 --> 00:29:56,639
How'd those tailings go? Yous guys get anything?

552
00:29:57,680 --> 00:30:00,639
Yeah, actually doing all right, mate. I don't know if I've got time

553
00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:04,599
to talk on the radio. Oh, that busy, hey! Ho-ho!

554
00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:09,599
We've hit a sweet spot with the old tailings.

555
00:30:09,680 --> 00:30:11,719
It looks like the machine they were using

556
00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:14,799
was just basically useless cos they've missed so much.

557
00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:17,279
We've found a few nice chunks already, so...

558
00:30:17,360 --> 00:30:21,119
hopefully we can sneak a few more nice bits in before the weigh in.

559
00:30:21,200 --> 00:30:23,999
Nice chunkies. Could be the winner winner, chicken dinner.

560
00:30:24,080 --> 00:30:26,479
Hopefully that's the winner. Ha-ha!

561
00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:32,599
Yeah, we're getting some crackers coming through, but we don't know if they're colour yet. Righto.

562
00:30:32,680 --> 00:30:35,879
Under the UV light, any opal will glow

563
00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:38,079
from colourless, worthless potch

564
00:30:38,160 --> 00:30:40,679
to the most valuable reds.

565
00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:43,199
Last bucket for the day going in.

566
00:30:47,120 --> 00:30:49,999
How'd we go? It's too much to look through, eh?

567
00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:52,519
Very productive day, mate. Coated, though. Yeah.

568
00:30:52,600 --> 00:30:55,839
You can't really see much. Coated. Coated, yeah.

569
00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:58,439
Johnny twisted my arm, put through this little dump.

570
00:30:58,520 --> 00:31:01,159
Of course, there's stuff in it, so now he's proved me wrong,

571
00:31:01,240 --> 00:31:03,919
which is, um, he's pretty happy about, so...

572
00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:07,359
yeah, it's been a fun day. Let's go back and tumble this, eh?

573
00:31:07,440 --> 00:31:09,759
Flies are ten out of ten today. Yeah, I know.

574
00:31:09,840 --> 00:31:12,799
It'd be a beautiful evening if it wasn't for the flies.

575
00:31:22,480 --> 00:31:24,519
I'm still slipping, mate.

576
00:31:25,560 --> 00:31:27,559
I'm sliding off the run.

577
00:31:30,360 --> 00:31:32,999
I was starting to slide into the hole. Yeah.

578
00:31:34,040 --> 00:31:37,479
Ron Selig's 50-tonne loader is just inches

579
00:31:37,560 --> 00:31:40,839
from tumbling into an eight-metre-deep pit.

580
00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:42,999
It's a bit too steep at the back there.

581
00:31:43,080 --> 00:31:46,159
Every time we're spinning, we're going more towards the big hole,

582
00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:49,519
so we're gonna get the excavator and pull it out with a chain.

583
00:31:49,600 --> 00:31:51,879
It's yet another costly delay

584
00:31:51,960 --> 00:31:54,559
as they search for a rumoured opal level.

585
00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:57,359
That's been about five or 6,000 litres of diesel

586
00:31:57,440 --> 00:32:00,079
we've used to get the ramp in and clean that hole out

587
00:32:00,160 --> 00:32:02,559
and we haven't seen any sign of opal.

588
00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:12,279
All right, mate.

589
00:32:12,360 --> 00:32:16,479
Joining the 100-tonne excavator to the 50-tonne loader,

590
00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:20,359
a single chain rated to just 30 tonnes.

591
00:32:20,440 --> 00:32:22,479
You're all right, you're all right.

592
00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:29,439
How she's looking? I'm bloody close.

593
00:32:33,440 --> 00:32:36,039
That's it, Ron. You should be right now.

594
00:32:36,120 --> 00:32:38,519
Well, wasn't that a drama, eh?!

595
00:32:47,840 --> 00:32:52,039
The Badlands claim belongs to fellow miner Eric Hume.

596
00:32:52,120 --> 00:32:54,119
Aaron and Ron are working it

597
00:32:54,200 --> 00:32:57,039
for a 30% cut of any opal they find,

598
00:32:57,120 --> 00:33:00,639
but for the last three weeks they haven't earned a cent.

599
00:33:01,520 --> 00:33:04,519
Eric loaned me a bit of money last year to my dad's house.

600
00:33:04,600 --> 00:33:07,759
I'm trusted to find opal to try and pay it off as quick as I can.

601
00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:10,919
Aaron doesn't do well with debt,

602
00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:14,959
and so for him it's an urgent thing to get it paid off.

603
00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:19,839
After finding nothing but soft sandstone so far,

604
00:33:19,920 --> 00:33:22,479
they're searching for the exploration drill holes

605
00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:25,319
that are rumoured to have hit the type of hard rock

606
00:33:25,400 --> 00:33:27,759
perfect for forming boulder opal.

607
00:33:28,920 --> 00:33:31,639
I just want to see one of them drill holes.

608
00:33:31,720 --> 00:33:35,519
And that one we're going to follow down until we hit whatever they hit.

609
00:33:35,600 --> 00:33:39,039
All we need to do is just get to the level and follow the level,

610
00:33:39,120 --> 00:33:41,679
and if she makes a pocket with the material in,

611
00:33:41,760 --> 00:33:43,759
it'll produce good quality opal.

612
00:33:45,160 --> 00:33:47,159
Can't see a drill hole.

613
00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:54,279
Drill hole!

614
00:33:54,360 --> 00:33:55,959
Drill hole there, Ron.

615
00:34:00,680 --> 00:34:03,479
Looks good. I like your confidence.

616
00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:08,679
To cover running costs and avoid shutting down their mine,

617
00:34:08,760 --> 00:34:11,439
the Cheals and business partner, Scott,

618
00:34:11,520 --> 00:34:14,199
must find opal in this tailout.

619
00:34:14,280 --> 00:34:17,399
If we tailout nothing, well, we've just worked, you know,

620
00:34:17,480 --> 00:34:20,399
for the last seven days for nothing and, um...

621
00:34:20,480 --> 00:34:22,879
burnt a fair bit of diesel, so...

622
00:34:22,960 --> 00:34:25,239
yeah, this is either pay day or nay day.

623
00:34:26,280 --> 00:34:28,319
If we don't find opal this week,

624
00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:31,119
Dad's probably going to have to go away and find work elsewhere.

625
00:34:31,200 --> 00:34:34,439
And, so, if he goes, then we're out of work, as well.

626
00:34:36,040 --> 00:34:38,399
That's a good-looking little crystal. Yeah, wow.

627
00:34:38,480 --> 00:34:41,319
Mmm, nice green orange, innit? Tiny, though.

628
00:34:41,400 --> 00:34:44,039
We just need that big stone, big bloater.

629
00:34:44,120 --> 00:34:47,079
We're just getting a lot of crystal stuff with some nice colour.

630
00:34:47,160 --> 00:34:49,559
We just need it to form more nobbies, I think.

631
00:34:49,640 --> 00:34:53,039
Nobbies are larger nodules of opal.

632
00:34:53,120 --> 00:34:55,119
Good pattern.

633
00:34:56,000 --> 00:34:58,159
Just too small.

634
00:34:58,240 --> 00:35:00,799
There's a bit of money there, but it's not enough.

635
00:35:00,880 --> 00:35:02,919
Not yet anyway.

636
00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:04,999
Look.

637
00:35:05,080 --> 00:35:07,879
Bloody hell. Nice. Just colour. Close, eh?

638
00:35:07,960 --> 00:35:10,799
Oh, it's beautiful gem colour...

639
00:35:10,880 --> 00:35:14,559
..but it's too small and it's not sitting on black potch.

640
00:35:14,640 --> 00:35:17,399
Colourless opal is known as potch,

641
00:35:17,480 --> 00:35:20,639
but a coloured opal layer with a black potch base

642
00:35:20,720 --> 00:35:22,719
produces black opal -

643
00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:25,319
the most valuable opal in the world.

644
00:35:25,400 --> 00:35:28,959
You want black potch under that, then you've got some money.

645
00:35:29,040 --> 00:35:31,119
At the moment we got colour like that,

646
00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:33,439
and nobbies that big with no colour in them.

647
00:35:33,520 --> 00:35:35,919
So, it's close but not quite there. Yeah.

648
00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:39,439
Ooh.

649
00:35:39,520 --> 00:35:41,559
Ohhh, jeez, look at that one!

650
00:35:41,640 --> 00:35:43,839
Ooh-hoo-hoo! Hey, that's a bit better.

651
00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:47,279
Mmm, that's nice.

652
00:35:47,360 --> 00:35:50,279
All we need is a few more of them. Check out this pearler.

653
00:35:51,200 --> 00:35:53,479
Jeez, that's nice, eh? Yeah.

654
00:35:53,560 --> 00:35:55,679
Starting to add up there, aren't they?

655
00:35:55,760 --> 00:35:57,959
Another nice little pea nobby. Oh, wow.

656
00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:02,439
We'll put it out on the table and have a look at it

657
00:36:02,520 --> 00:36:04,559
and put a value on it.

658
00:36:09,600 --> 00:36:11,999
Pick a few out that are going to rub.

659
00:36:13,960 --> 00:36:16,999
What do you reckon, Scott? Three grand in them three, at least.

660
00:36:17,080 --> 00:36:19,959
Yeah, for sure. We've got to have three grand there.

661
00:36:20,040 --> 00:36:22,719
That's six. At a minimum, yeah. At a minimum.

662
00:36:24,400 --> 00:36:27,359
And you'd have a thousand buckets worth of potch and colour there,

663
00:36:27,440 --> 00:36:29,439
as you know.

664
00:36:29,520 --> 00:36:31,519
You'd have to ask probably...

665
00:36:34,720 --> 00:36:37,359
..9,000 for it. Yeah. Yeah, that's awesome, mate.

666
00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:39,599
Bloody good, mate. Stoked.

667
00:36:39,680 --> 00:36:42,479
The Cheals have found crystal opal.

668
00:36:42,560 --> 00:36:44,559
It's in the rough.

669
00:36:44,640 --> 00:36:46,999
There is a mixture of greens, blues,

670
00:36:47,080 --> 00:36:49,079
purples and oranges.

671
00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:51,159
Several high quality stones

672
00:36:51,240 --> 00:36:54,359
amongst a larger amount of lower value material

673
00:36:54,440 --> 00:36:57,879
brings its value to $9,000.

674
00:36:57,960 --> 00:37:00,359
We're going to run into some serious money, I reckon,

675
00:37:00,440 --> 00:37:03,039
but I'm really happy with what we're seeing here.

676
00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:05,959
This is awesome. Mmm. Well, at least for the time being...

677
00:37:06,040 --> 00:37:08,399
you don't have to go away. Yeah, we've got you here.

678
00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:10,479
We can keep going. Yeah. That's true.

679
00:37:10,560 --> 00:37:12,959
Keep doing what you love, mate. Absolutely.

680
00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:15,759
I don't have to go away working for fuel, which is great.

681
00:37:15,840 --> 00:37:17,879
The boys don't want me to go anywhere

682
00:37:17,960 --> 00:37:21,399
and I don't want to go anywhere, so that sets us up for the next dig.

683
00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:23,919
I feel like we've got a lot more work to do down there

684
00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:26,799
and I think we'll be down there for the most part of this season.

685
00:37:26,880 --> 00:37:29,119
Yeah, you're probably right. Every sign is there

686
00:37:29,200 --> 00:37:32,719
for a really, really bit hit and I don't think it's far away.

687
00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:36,879
I reckon it's pretty awesome. Mate, stoked with it. Unreal, mate. I'll drink to that. Carving.

688
00:37:36,960 --> 00:37:38,959
Cheers, boys. Cheers.

689
00:37:45,400 --> 00:37:47,639
There's their drill hole, mate. We're on it.

690
00:37:47,720 --> 00:37:50,159
So, we follow that until we hit the rock.

691
00:37:56,680 --> 00:37:58,959
After eight weeks of work,

692
00:37:59,040 --> 00:38:02,719
the Boulder Boys have finally discovered the exploration hole

693
00:38:02,800 --> 00:38:06,359
that indicated an opal-rich ironstone rock level.

694
00:38:06,440 --> 00:38:08,439
If the level exists,

695
00:38:08,520 --> 00:38:11,559
it could help pay off an $80,000 debt

696
00:38:11,640 --> 00:38:13,639
hanging over Aaron.

697
00:38:13,720 --> 00:38:16,159
Aaron's ever more desperate.

698
00:38:16,240 --> 00:38:18,879
It does make it hard to try and keep a clear head.

699
00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:23,719
We've been working here for probably about two months cleaning it up,

700
00:38:23,800 --> 00:38:25,919
putting some test holes in.

701
00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:28,399
If we don't hit level now, it'll be another job

702
00:38:28,480 --> 00:38:30,479
we've done for nothing, really.

703
00:38:30,560 --> 00:38:33,479
Very interesting to see when we get to the bottom of the drill hole

704
00:38:33,560 --> 00:38:35,639
if it is what we were told.

705
00:38:35,720 --> 00:38:39,039
At least we will be able to see what sort of a rock it is,

706
00:38:39,120 --> 00:38:41,679
and thirdly, does it have colour?

707
00:38:45,200 --> 00:38:47,439
Not very exciting, Ron, is it?

708
00:38:47,520 --> 00:38:49,759
No. It's not.

709
00:38:49,840 --> 00:38:53,439
I can see where that drill hole, it fizzled out and hit that sandy.

710
00:38:53,520 --> 00:38:55,519
So, yes, that was what they hit -

711
00:38:55,600 --> 00:38:59,159
a sandy that really wasn't even that hard, was it? No.

712
00:39:00,440 --> 00:39:02,799
Ron, I'm going to cave it in. Watch out.

713
00:39:06,320 --> 00:39:08,679
Well, we know for sure now, at least,

714
00:39:08,760 --> 00:39:10,799
there's no level here,

715
00:39:10,880 --> 00:39:14,199
and what they hit was just a soft sandy boulder.

716
00:39:14,280 --> 00:39:16,479
Normally a drill would go through that,

717
00:39:16,560 --> 00:39:18,879
so that drill can't have much power to...

718
00:39:18,960 --> 00:39:21,239
not go through a sandy boulder like that.

719
00:39:25,600 --> 00:39:28,159
Well, E-Eric will be happy that, at least,

720
00:39:28,240 --> 00:39:31,039
he knows what it is, but it's not good for us, is it?

721
00:39:31,120 --> 00:39:34,719
No. Looks like Neddy got a win. He's still got a swimming hole.

722
00:39:34,800 --> 00:39:36,959
Well, he's the only winner here

723
00:39:37,040 --> 00:39:39,039
with his swimming pool.

724
00:39:39,120 --> 00:39:43,159
I think it's about three-and-a-half grand or three-eight, whatever, we've got so far.

725
00:39:43,240 --> 00:39:45,479
We're a little bit short of the total.

726
00:39:45,560 --> 00:39:48,119
That'll make Aaron a little bit more jumpy.

727
00:39:48,200 --> 00:39:50,719
Well, we might as well go have a bit of smoko.

728
00:39:50,800 --> 00:39:54,639
Go and, er, we'll sit around the table and discuss the future.

729
00:39:55,480 --> 00:39:59,399
This, er, hole is finished. We're-we're out of here.

730
00:39:59,480 --> 00:40:01,559
It's done and dusted. I've got to ring Eric

731
00:40:01,640 --> 00:40:04,639
and tell him we-we tested that hole. There's no level.

732
00:40:04,720 --> 00:40:06,919
Me and Ron would like some opal coming out, you know?

733
00:40:07,000 --> 00:40:10,199
You need money going back in. But, er, this is the start

734
00:40:10,280 --> 00:40:13,079
of the season. If you get, like, a downfall,

735
00:40:13,160 --> 00:40:15,199
you've got to pick yourself up.

736
00:40:16,320 --> 00:40:18,559
Got some nice rib bones. Yeah, and I've got

737
00:40:18,640 --> 00:40:20,759
some nice drum sticks.

738
00:40:20,840 --> 00:40:23,719
Between the two of us. Yeah, a bit of a 'tato, whatever.

739
00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:27,399
We can do a teppanyaki tonight out on the plains.

740
00:40:27,480 --> 00:40:29,479
What's a teppanaki?

741
00:40:29,560 --> 00:40:31,599
That's where you cook food and eat it

742
00:40:31,680 --> 00:40:33,839
straight off the hot plate.

743
00:40:33,920 --> 00:40:37,239
We can now concentrate on another area...

744
00:40:37,320 --> 00:40:39,279
that can produce.

745
00:40:39,360 --> 00:40:41,639
There's areas here that we want to try out,

746
00:40:41,720 --> 00:40:45,639
but we've been concentrating on doing this one project.

747
00:40:45,720 --> 00:40:49,039
Teppanaki, eh? Teppan-yaki.

748
00:40:50,000 --> 00:40:52,759
Tep-in-yaki.

749
00:40:53,640 --> 00:40:57,239
I'd say all the obvious stuff's gone here, but there's gotta be opal here.

750
00:40:57,320 --> 00:41:00,839
We're not beaten, just, er, a little bit battle wounded.

751
00:41:00,920 --> 00:41:04,399
No, we're good. That's a bit of teppanyaki-style, see?

752
00:41:04,480 --> 00:41:06,919
Good? Oh, beautiful, mate.

753
00:41:07,000 --> 00:41:09,039
Cheers, Ron. Cheers.

754
00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:12,639
What do you call it, Ron? Teppanyaki.

755
00:41:12,720 --> 00:41:14,719
Tamaya... Tamin...

756
00:41:14,800 --> 00:41:17,319
Teppanyaki. Yeah, right.

757
00:41:23,400 --> 00:41:25,519
Tumble time.

758
00:41:25,600 --> 00:41:29,079
It's an annoying sound, but it's bloody good. It is.

759
00:41:29,160 --> 00:41:31,399
After a long day cleaning

760
00:41:31,480 --> 00:41:33,679
their haul in their homemade tumbler,

761
00:41:33,760 --> 00:41:36,999
it's valuation time for the Blacklighters.

762
00:41:37,080 --> 00:41:39,519
Yeah, maybe tip it up that end, .

763
00:41:41,400 --> 00:41:44,639
That's just... Ho-ho-ho! Ho-ho-ho-ho. Wow.

764
00:41:44,720 --> 00:41:47,759
Oh, that's brilliant colour. You sure it wasn't my idea

765
00:41:47,840 --> 00:41:51,359
to go through these tailouts? No, I'm pretty sure it was mine. Ohhh.

766
00:41:51,440 --> 00:41:54,479
What'd your guess be, mate? I'd say ten grand.

767
00:41:54,560 --> 00:41:58,039
Man, I-I'd be leaning more towards 15 myself, eh?

768
00:41:58,120 --> 00:42:00,279
Well, instead of us putting a figure on it,

769
00:42:00,360 --> 00:42:03,319
how about go and get Rach out? Yeah. Let's see what she's got to say.

770
00:42:03,400 --> 00:42:05,719
Well, she's selling it so... Yeah. ..she'll know.

771
00:42:05,800 --> 00:42:08,999
Mark's wife Rachel has been marketing and selling opal

772
00:42:09,080 --> 00:42:12,559
for ten years, and is responsible for the team's sales.

773
00:42:12,640 --> 00:42:14,759
Hey. This is what we got for the week,

774
00:42:14,840 --> 00:42:18,599
so we're just wondering if you could give us a bit of a value if you can.

775
00:42:19,960 --> 00:42:22,319
Hm. Look. Oh, wow.

776
00:42:22,400 --> 00:42:24,399
I know!

777
00:42:24,480 --> 00:42:27,839
This grade's got plenty in it, you know? Wow, there's heaps here.

778
00:42:27,920 --> 00:42:29,959
Mmm, not bad, guys.

779
00:42:30,040 --> 00:42:33,359
Good haul for the week. There's some really good colour in here.

780
00:42:33,440 --> 00:42:35,959
Ooh, that looks nice. Nice crystal, yeah. Yeah.

781
00:42:36,040 --> 00:42:38,719
They have found crystal opal.

782
00:42:38,800 --> 00:42:40,799
It's in the rough.

783
00:42:40,880 --> 00:42:44,359
There is a mix of blues, greens and oranges,

784
00:42:44,440 --> 00:42:47,239
and it weighs ten kilograms.

785
00:42:47,320 --> 00:42:50,039
I'm impressed with your efforts this week, boys.

786
00:42:51,120 --> 00:42:53,119
I reckon...

787
00:42:53,200 --> 00:42:55,399
you're up around...

788
00:42:55,480 --> 00:42:57,559
20-22,000 dollar mark.

789
00:42:57,640 --> 00:43:00,439
Whoo-hoo! Yes! Yes. That's good, man.

790
00:43:00,520 --> 00:43:03,599
It's a race. Thanks, Rach. Yes.

791
00:43:03,680 --> 00:43:05,839
22 grand for the team this week

792
00:43:05,920 --> 00:43:09,079
puts money in everyone's pocket and a bit more in the kitty

793
00:43:09,160 --> 00:43:11,439
for these machines we're desperately needing.

794
00:43:11,520 --> 00:43:14,399
Thanks to the opal we've got this week, we'll get all our bills

795
00:43:14,480 --> 00:43:17,799
and fuel and everything up to date and do a bit of drilling.

796
00:43:17,880 --> 00:43:21,079
It's time to start. We're going to try and get some holes drilled

797
00:43:21,160 --> 00:43:23,199
and see what sort of levels are left.

798
00:43:23,280 --> 00:43:25,399
Hope to be maybe underground.

799
00:43:25,480 --> 00:43:27,839
I don't mind going underground. It's pretty good.

800
00:43:27,920 --> 00:43:30,239
There's no flies, which is the biggest bonus.

801
00:43:30,320 --> 00:43:32,679
We won't give up. We'll find a pocket. We will.

802
00:43:32,760 --> 00:43:35,279
We're just going till we do.

803
00:43:55,640 --> 00:43:57,719
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804
00:43:57,800 --> 00:43:59,799
# Money

805
00:44:02,920 --> 00:44:04,919
# Money #

805
00:44:05,305 --> 00:45:05,768
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