"Outback Opal Hunters" No Risk No Reward

1 00:00:02,160 --> 00:00:04,479 DAN: Well, here goes nothing. 2 00:00:04,560 --> 00:00:07,399 Yeah. Well, just go gently to start with. 3 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:09,919 Yeah, I'm gonna walk out, erm, as far as I can. 4 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:13,639 So you just let me know as I creep up to the edge how we're looking. 5 00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:16,519 Yeah. No worries. So how long do you reckon it's gonna take 6 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:18,919 to get into those tunnels properly? 7 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:23,359 Yeah, it's a fair job. We're working well into the night here, for sure. 8 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:26,119 That looks really scary, Dan. 9 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:28,519 I've got no choice. I want this corner dug out. 10 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:31,159 Got to climb out on it, rip it out, 11 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:34,839 so this ends the season the way we want it to. 12 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:37,079 Just 'cause I didn't say it, but obviously, 13 00:00:37,160 --> 00:00:39,759 if anything did happen and the excavator's coming down, 14 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:41,719 don't wait around. Just run. 15 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:44,239 Oh, yeah, don't worry. I'll be running. 16 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:49,679 It's certainly holding up way better than I thought it would. 17 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:52,879 You've probably got half a metre to go 18 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:54,599 and then you're through the roof. 19 00:00:57,320 --> 00:00:59,519 Oh! There it goes! 20 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:02,479 There goes the whole wall! 21 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,119 (THEME MUSIC PLAYING) 22 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:17,319 Oh! There it goes, Dan! 23 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:19,439 Holy shit. 24 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:22,799 Dan, move... Go back, Dan. Move it, move back. 25 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:25,559 There's so much dust, I can't see. 26 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:28,079 Are you okay, Dan? 27 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:31,799 Yeah, all good. I seen a piece peel off 28 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:33,879 from the right-hand side there. 29 00:01:33,960 --> 00:01:37,439 Yeah, a huge bit came down. Don't get too close. 30 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:41,199 Yeah, no worries. It turned out way better than I thought. 31 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:44,039 Was a bit spooky when I seen this right-hand side peel out. 32 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:46,599 There was, er... Yeah, that peeled right off, hey. 33 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:48,639 Yeah, don't get too close to the edge. 34 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:50,599 You see it's still coming down. 35 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:53,519 I've still got to reach out and get all this out yet. 36 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:57,039 Virgin ground on this claim, really. 37 00:01:57,120 --> 00:01:59,319 This is one of the only corners we've got left. 38 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:02,439 So with those end of the drives ending about here somewhere, 39 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:05,839 we gotta assume we've got to go back four or five metres beyond there. 40 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:10,439 Taking the top ten or 12 feet off, so we're just on opal-bearing ground. 41 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:15,719 I've never really seen Dan worried at all, opal mining. 42 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:17,479 He just takes it all in his stride. 43 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:19,959 I'm the one freaking out and he couldn't care less. 44 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:26,199 NARRATOR: Coober Pedy, South Australia, 45 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:28,759 the opal capital of the world. 46 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:33,559 For over a century, fortune hunters have chased its buried treasure, 47 00:02:33,640 --> 00:02:38,079 leaving a landscape riddled with old mine shafts and tunnels 48 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:40,079 known as drives. 49 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:42,479 Here it goes. It's going. Ah, nearly. 50 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:47,639 Lot of history here with Dad and I, 20-plus years ago at Digger's here. 51 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:50,039 But it is now looking like it's winding up. 52 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:53,079 This is our last real corner, I guess, I've wanted to attack. 53 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:54,839 Maybe after 20 years, this is where 54 00:02:54,920 --> 00:02:57,599 the big money's been hiding, in this little corner. 55 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:00,359 You okay up there? Oh, there it goes! 56 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:04,359 The Opal Lovers...You all right? 57 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:06,959 ...couple, Dan Measey... Yeah, I'm okay. 58 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:09,439 It took a bit of a nudge to knock that down though. 59 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:13,439 ...and Renee Everest, are hoping opal still lies 60 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:17,399 in the untouched ground on their Digger's Gully claim. 61 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:19,159 Old drives can mean two things. 62 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:21,519 They've either chased it all out and found it, 63 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:24,199 or they've chased it and then left unexpectedly. 64 00:03:24,280 --> 00:03:26,759 We're hoping for the latter. We're under the pump. 65 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:31,439 This is our corner to win the, er, the last opal for the season. 66 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:34,919 The temps in summer really climb too high for us to be really working. 67 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:38,639 It's just, we get cooked, so this is season end for us. 68 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:42,479 It's not ideal that we're mining where the old timers used to mine. 69 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:46,039 Potentially, red crystal was found here about 20 or 30 years ago. 70 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:48,879 But they were mining, they were hand mining. 71 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:51,479 Small picks, small equipment, small machinery. 72 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:53,679 Dan's got the big machinery. 73 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:56,359 We're hoping that we're gonna strike it rich. 74 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:58,359 Are we through the worst of it yet, Dan? 75 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,119 I think so. I think that's the bulk of the dangerous bit. 76 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:04,959 You are reckless, Dan. 77 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:06,759 The excavator's a big, safe machine. 78 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:10,279 Got big pads on it, so it disperses its weight really well. 79 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:12,839 So I'll move over that way to pull that corner out 80 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:14,759 but really, that corner, no worries. 81 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:17,079 There's no tunnels under there. 82 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:21,439 All right. I'll go and warm the loader up then.No worries. 83 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:24,479 When Dan first asked me to come up here, full-time opal mining, 84 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:26,759 I had no idea what I'd be getting into. 85 00:04:26,840 --> 00:04:29,759 It's nothing I've ever done before. This is my second season. 86 00:04:29,840 --> 00:04:31,919 Yeah, I really feel like I'm nailing it now. 87 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:35,039 I'm much more confident in the loader now. I'm a lot quicker. 88 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:39,159 Er, I'm not making mistakes. Yeah, I feel like a real asset now. 89 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:43,719 So, two machines running. We're... We're burning probably 90 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:46,039 basically close on 100 litres an hour. 91 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,479 So, all this effort has to be for something, 92 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:52,559 and that's hopefully opal in that drive at the back there. 93 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:55,679 Our target is 300,000. We're just over 100. 94 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:58,919 It's nowhere near good enough. We're running big gear. 95 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:01,399 We're working well into the night here, for sure. 96 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:07,599 It's been a huge effort today. 97 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:09,919 Tonnes and tonnes of dirt that we've had to move 98 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:13,559 but we're getting to the end of it, we'll be able to start blacklighting soon. 99 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:16,199 So it's a little torch. So when you turn it on, 100 00:05:16,280 --> 00:05:19,199 the UV will actually make the opal glow. 101 00:05:19,280 --> 00:05:22,439 I find it really hard personally to find opal during the day. 102 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,479 So we much prefer to mine at night. 103 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:27,159 Okay, we'll check that. 104 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:35,799 There's a tiny bit over here, Dan. 105 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:38,319 Yeah.But it's up high. 106 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:40,479 So that slip is running through here. 107 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:44,679 Oh, that's good.So a slip basically is a fault in the ground. 108 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:48,079 I don't think it's coincidence their two drives are on the bottom of it. 109 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:51,639 So they're hoping that the opal has come down the diagonal slip, 110 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:54,759 and then bellied out at the bottom. 111 00:05:54,840 --> 00:05:57,039 I might fill the bucket and push the bucket up. 112 00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:00,359 All right. I'll get out of the road. That looks good. 113 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:02,999 So what we're doing, Dan's getting the bucket. 114 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:06,799 He's got a heap of dirt in it, he's gonna place it at the foot of the wall, 115 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:09,119 and we'll get Dan to stand up on the bucket 116 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:13,319 and try and dig out the opal. I'll grab that bucket and the pick. 117 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:18,519 Here you go. There's a big crack up there, Dan. 118 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:21,159 (DRILL WHIRRING)Dan?Yeah. 119 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:23,039 All right. I'm gonna stand back a bit. 120 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:24,719 (WHIRRING) 121 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,599 What can you see up there, Dan? Ugly potch. 122 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:32,519 You sure it's potch? 123 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:37,319 Ooh, that's a huge chunk, Dan. Yeah, it's big but it's ugly. 124 00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:42,239 Potch is, erm, opal without colour. 125 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:44,279 Yeah, material that big, if it was colour, 126 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:46,559 we would have found 200 grand. Look at it all. 127 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:48,999 Big chunks.Wow.Junk. 128 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:51,079 Keep going. 129 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:53,519 Oh, be careful, Dan. 130 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:57,919 Whoa.Oh! Dan! 131 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:06,559 MATT: All right. So, today, we'll head out to Horse Paddock.Yeah. 132 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:08,519 End of the season, so we might as well 133 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:10,799 take the digger out for one last blast. 134 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:12,479 All right. No worries, man.Yeah. 135 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:16,959 Been a while since you checked everything in there, innit? 136 00:07:17,040 --> 00:07:19,359 Got a little bit of oil leaks going on. 137 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:24,079 But... there's nothing too major that's gonna stop us just yet. 138 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:26,479 At Horse Paddock, real pockety material 139 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:28,839 so you're not gonna get a run that lasts forever 140 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:32,039 but the pockets that you find out there are beautiful crystal. 141 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:35,679 I've seen some beautiful green-orange crystal come out of there before. 142 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:37,759 And, er, yeah, that's what we're chasing. 143 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:40,519 We're gonna get this old girl going, nurse it over there 144 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:42,759 and see if we can dig down to this opal. 145 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:44,719 (ENGINE STALLING, STOPS) 146 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:46,399 What's going on, bro? 147 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:51,399 I got nothing.What do you mean? 148 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:53,079 What the hell? 149 00:07:55,680 --> 00:07:59,799 We've got no hydraulics, mate! It might just be this lock out here. 150 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:05,239 Er, Cozzie and I are pretty good at fixing certain things. 151 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:08,599 Done a lot of work on engines but hydraulics is... 152 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:10,759 Yeah, it's a whole different kettle of fish. 153 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:12,959 There's plenty of oil. 154 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:17,359 In Andamooka, South Australia, the Mooka Boys, 155 00:08:17,440 --> 00:08:20,279 brothers Matt and Cozza Kathagen, 156 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:23,839 are once again battling mechanical problems. 157 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:26,639 On this machine, everything is run by hydraulics. 158 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:29,159 You got your engine just turning a hydraulic pump. 159 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:30,999 The tracks turn on the hydraulics. 160 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:33,479 Everything works off hydraulic rams on the arm 161 00:08:33,560 --> 00:08:35,919 so without this working, this digger's just dead. 162 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:40,639 Shut the feed belt down, mate! Shut the hopper down! 163 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:43,839 This year has been a constant struggle for the team 164 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:45,599 without partner... 165 00:08:45,680 --> 00:08:47,279 What's going on?Won't start. 166 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:50,119 ...and chief mechanic, Leif Tanzer. 167 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:52,119 Leif's moved down south for his business. 168 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:53,919 He's got another contract down there, 169 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:56,119 so we're both trying to be the mechanic. 170 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,439 So it's been a bit tough. Fair bit of pressure back at home. 171 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:02,239 Kids are getting hungry. Missus is getting agitated. 172 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:04,519 So we really need to go and find some opal 173 00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:06,679 to be able to stay out here. 174 00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:10,119 Mate, we're not... We're not getting this going. 175 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,879 That's gonna have to wait for Leif now.All right. 176 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:15,359 But, look, hear me out. 177 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,759 We don't need a digger to get to the target, man. 178 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:21,079 (LAUGHS, BLEEP) No way, mate! No (BLEEP) way! 179 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:24,599 Come on!Nah! Come on, get in the car. I'm done! 180 00:09:24,680 --> 00:09:26,919 We've got Horse Paddock there we want to get to. 181 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:29,399 The same tunnel that collapsed and nearly killed me 182 00:09:29,480 --> 00:09:31,239 so Cozzie's really not interested. 183 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:33,999 Mate, it's too dangerous. I get it, bruv. I get it. 184 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:35,959 Come on, get in. No, I'm not getting in. 185 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:38,399 Bro!We're not getting in. Look, mate. 186 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:41,279 Look, I know it's dangerous but we can make it safer.How? 187 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:44,359 What if we go prop it up? Where do you get a prop from, mate? 188 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:46,599 You'll cut down the only tree Andamooka's got! 189 00:09:46,680 --> 00:09:49,119 We got plenty of steel. I'll look in the scrap pile. 190 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:52,519 If I can find some props, will you come down and we'll go have a dig? 191 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:55,439 All right.Let's grab some props. Gotta make it safe though. 192 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:58,359 We'll prop it, see if you're happy. Gotta make it safe. 193 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:00,319 No, I'm with ya, I'm with ya. All right. 194 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:02,879 Let's go have a look. Let's go have a look. 195 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:05,959 We're punching through this season, but there's a bit of time left 196 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,719 so I think if we get the picks and wheelbarrow out, 197 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:11,559 we just go for it. So, hopefully, we can prop this up, 198 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:13,319 keep Cozzie happy, and get into it. 199 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:17,439 Yeah, I really don't like this idea of going back down there 200 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:20,199 but we're just gonna have to keep our eye on them props 201 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:22,039 and hope the roof don't let go. 202 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:26,839 Now, how we gonna make this safe, Matty? 203 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:30,719 Well, let's have a look, hey. Look at all the rock that's dropped, mate. 204 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:32,759 That's the one that nearly got me last time. 205 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:34,679 Yeah. That'd take you out if got ya, hey. 206 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:37,079 Mate, that definitely would've broken some bones. 207 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:40,919 The biggest issue we've got here is you can see the separation on this side, 208 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:43,159 which means there's nothing holding this roof up 209 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:44,919 for another three metres that way. 210 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,199 All right, we'll get a couple props in here then. 211 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:49,399 Yeah. I'll take a few measurements. 212 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:52,559 Cozzie, that's gonna be 5"1'. 213 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:55,519 And we'll put one right here too, I think. 214 00:10:57,800 --> 00:11:00,719 That one's gonna be 5"2'. 215 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:02,999 5"1' and 5"2'.Yeah. 216 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:05,159 All right. Let's go out and measure up. 217 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:07,599 Yeah, cut some poles, cut some boards. 218 00:11:08,560 --> 00:11:12,079 Props are normally made of wood. They cut down trees and prop 'em up. 219 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:14,679 But here in Andamooka, we got no trees to spare 220 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:16,519 so we had to go to the scrap pile. 221 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:21,279 Yeah, got the heebie-jeebies. Don't like this mine at all 222 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:24,319 but, er, it's the only spot that we've found opal in lately 223 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:26,799 so I suppose we're gonna have to give it a go. 224 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:29,919 Prop these up, and put some wood underneath it and on top of it. 225 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,479 If the ceiling moves, hopefully it'll break the wood, 226 00:11:32,560 --> 00:11:34,199 we can hear it and get out of there. 227 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:36,359 It's looking good enough, bro. It's up there. 228 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:38,559 Beauty. See if we can find some opal, hey. 229 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:42,239 Yeah, let's go get some opal, mate. Yee-oo!(LAUGHS) 230 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:50,079 We'll take it to where we put those props up. 231 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:52,359 Just to do a bit of backfilling around there. 232 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:57,959 Righto, bro.All right. That's a load, mate. 233 00:12:04,560 --> 00:12:06,479 (THUDS)What the hell was that? 234 00:12:06,560 --> 00:12:08,479 Ah!Yeah, what was that? 235 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:16,399 LEE: Well, this is the spot here, Rog. 236 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:19,759 Yeah. Well, we did get a lot of colour out of it.Yeah. 237 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:23,319 I reckon there's colour all over here, so hopefully it all pays. 238 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:26,039 There's a piece of purple underneath your toe right now. 239 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:29,679 Oh, yeah. I can see that. We'll add that to the collection. 240 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:33,239 In Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, 241 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:37,919 Lee Hobden and Roger Williams, AKA Slim Pickings, 242 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:41,839 have found a potential new source of opal-bearing pay dirt 243 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:43,799 on a neighbour's claim. 244 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,759 What do you reckon, I'll be able to set the digger on the top 245 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:48,799 and you'll be able to run straight through. 246 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:51,719 That's the easiest destination to get that truck in and out. 247 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:53,799 Yep. Right, I'll go get the digger. 248 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:56,799 Right, man. Let's do it. Too easy, mate. 249 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:01,759 This season, the team are using their dry rumbler, 250 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:04,839 nicknamed George... This is George! 251 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:08,279 ...to sieve through the waste dirt from over a century of mining 252 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:10,439 at their Government T 253 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:15,319 on the hunt for tiny pieces of opal missed by old timers. 254 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:16,999 Look at this! 255 00:13:17,080 --> 00:13:20,399 (ALL CHEERING)Hell yeah! 256 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:23,679 But with their own claim now exhausted... 257 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:26,559 Hey, Dave, Ted.What's going on? How's it been, mate? 258 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:29,359 ...they've struck a deal with opal miners, 259 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:32,199 Dave Smith and his son, Ted, 260 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:37,479 to process the years of waste dirt that's accumulated at their mine. 261 00:13:37,560 --> 00:13:40,599 He's on 30%. We're on 70%. 262 00:13:40,680 --> 00:13:42,599 Because we're ending our season, 263 00:13:42,680 --> 00:13:46,799 we are rushing to try and get some form of season target. 264 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:49,279 We can't be holding back, can't be stopping anything. 265 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:52,039 Won't be long before it gets too hot for us to go mining. 266 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:55,039 You don't wanna risk running your gear on hot days. 267 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:58,719 We're just flying down to Dave's now and we're gonna start loading. 268 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:01,599 We're just gonna run the heck out of it all day. 269 00:14:01,680 --> 00:14:03,519 Try and get as many loads as possible. 270 00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:08,279 Argh! Get around there, big girl! 271 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:12,559 This is Dave's claim. This is our last Hail Mary. 272 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:15,439 This is our last push for the season. 273 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:18,519 Me and Lee, you know, we both love opals. 274 00:14:18,600 --> 00:14:20,839 We love opal mining and we love Lightning Ridge. 275 00:14:20,920 --> 00:14:23,199 You know, that's the connection between us. 276 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:27,119 But also, throughout our last couple of years of working together, 277 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:31,199 we've actually bonded as good mates and, to me, I reckon he's family. 278 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:33,479 He's a brother to me, so... 279 00:14:33,560 --> 00:14:36,159 Little bit worried for myself and for Roger as well. 280 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:40,239 He's got a family to support, I've got a business to maintain. 281 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:44,119 And if we don't find the opal and we don't have any money, 282 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:47,399 no money, no honey, no funny. 283 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:53,679 Yeah, pretty much, get this digger off, start moving this material. 284 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:55,959 Get it down to the dam and let's start washing. 285 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:01,679 (GRUNTS) 286 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:03,879 He's a good digger operator. 287 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:08,759 20, 30, 40, 50 tonne, even a five-tonne digger. 288 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:11,639 There's so much material through here, hey. It's unbelievable. 289 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:14,439 It's definitely old, dry rumbled stuff, that's for sure. 290 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:17,239 It's been sitting here for a long time. It's that dry.Yeah. 291 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:19,319 I reckon it'll fall straight through George 292 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:21,359 and then, yeah, what we've got's pay dirt. 293 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:24,439 That's what I wanna hear, pay dirt.Pay dirt!(LAUGHS) 294 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:27,639 So if you come in nice and close, I can just load you straight up. 295 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:29,759 Mate, sounds like a plan. 296 00:15:29,840 --> 00:15:32,199 Let's do it.Let's do it. 297 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:35,839 This dirt is from an old dry rumbler. 298 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:39,399 At the moment, the Government Tank isn't releasing as much opal as we thought. 299 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:41,479 That's why we've come to these new spots. 300 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:43,959 The mesh they used back then was quite large. 301 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:46,199 And all that fine stuff sort of fell through. 302 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:49,519 All those smaller bits of opal and fragments and shards and whatnot 303 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:51,199 fell through as well. 304 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:59,074 305 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:05,159 Yeah, that's it, man. We can't go any higher than that. 306 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:07,519 Let's swap.Tag, you're it. 307 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:09,319 (BOTH LAUGH) 308 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:13,199 We're way away from our bloody season target 309 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:16,719 so I don't know what the hell we'll do if this doesn't actually pay. 310 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:20,599 It's costing a lot of money, so hopefully this pays off. It's got to pay off. 311 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,919 Pretty much come down to the end of the season now at the moment. 312 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:35,999 We really want to make this work. We really need it to work. 313 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:38,879 Can't wait to actually see what's in this material. 314 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:44,719 Hopefully there's something in it anyway. 315 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:48,199 (ENGINE REVVING) 316 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:51,319 (METALLIC CREAKING) 317 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:54,839 (BLEEP) 318 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:00,759 You've got to be kidding me! 319 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:07,279 I don't know what's going on. It feels like the hydraulics are shaking on it. 320 00:17:07,360 --> 00:17:09,519 And it's just not pushing the bloody load up. 321 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:12,439 At the end of the day, if I can't get this thing to tip, 322 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:15,079 we're bloody up (BLEEP) creek without a paddle. 323 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:18,879 It's too hard. Bloody over it. 324 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:26,439 Oh (BLEEP)You all right? 325 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:30,679 Yeah, I just hit that prop. Oh (BLEEP) Took it out! 326 00:17:30,760 --> 00:17:34,119 You okay?Yeah. I hit the roof or prop with the handle. 327 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:36,159 I don't know what happened. Am I bleeding? 328 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:38,359 I don't see any blood. No, there's no blood. 329 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:41,119 Nothing's shifted. No, I don't reckon. 330 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:44,479 Go load your barrel up again. Got heaps more dirt down here. All right. 331 00:17:44,560 --> 00:17:46,519 Thanks, mate. 332 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:49,399 I'll go grab a bloody hammer. 333 00:17:49,480 --> 00:17:51,719 Mining's a dangerous business in a lot of ways. 334 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:54,479 Little things like that could cost us our lives, could... 335 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:57,239 Injuries cost us time, seasons, the whole lot. 336 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:01,279 In a crumbling underground mine, 337 00:18:01,360 --> 00:18:05,159 the Mooka Boys have been forced to work with picks and shovels 338 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:09,079 after mechanical issues shut down their excavator. 339 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,399 What are you seeing over there, Matty? 340 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:14,079 Have a look at this, bro. I'm just seeing this big band 341 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:15,959 of what could be a coloured matrix. 342 00:18:16,040 --> 00:18:18,479 Take that corner out, man. That's looking good, bro. 343 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:21,079 Matrix here in Andamooka is basically a host stone 344 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,959 that's completely infused by opal over the years. 345 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:26,799 Can't see any colour in it but it's working its way up. 346 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:28,799 Might be something hiding in here, bro. 347 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:36,279 Oh, man, that looks like a nice piece. 348 00:18:36,360 --> 00:18:39,159 That's a big slab, bro. See any colour in it? 349 00:18:39,240 --> 00:18:41,919 It's too dirty. I can't see. You wanna go check this out? 350 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,079 Give it a bit of a wash, see what we've got. 351 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:45,959 Clean up what's left here. 352 00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:48,079 We don't really have a lot of time here 353 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:50,759 so I'll start ripping 'em out, throw 'em back to Cozza, 354 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:54,279 and he can go check 'em while I continue digging. 355 00:18:54,360 --> 00:18:58,719 It's got a natural crack in it. Go check them out, bro. 356 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:00,479 Please have colour. 357 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:03,919 It's coming through in beautiful, big clean pieces 358 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:06,959 so, yeah, this is what we're looking for. 359 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:09,959 People used to throw what they used to call coloured concrete, 360 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:12,479 now rainbow matrix. It wasn't worth a whole lot. 361 00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:15,599 But over the years and decades, it's become very popular 362 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:18,279 amongst, erm, jewellery makers and carvers. 363 00:19:18,360 --> 00:19:22,399 So now we can get really good stuff. It's about 1,000 bucks a kilo. 364 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:25,399 So it's definitely worth our while. It's not a big jackpot 365 00:19:25,480 --> 00:19:28,839 but, man, it'd put money in the bank and that's what we need right now. 366 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:30,519 Another one, Cozz. 367 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:33,319 Please be colour. Go and tell me there's colour, mate. 368 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:35,119 There's still a bit more going here. 369 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:43,639 Hey, bro, you got a torch? Yeah.I think this has got some colour in it, man. 370 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:46,759 Oh, please, please tell me we got colour. 371 00:19:46,840 --> 00:19:50,119 Oh, yeah, look at that. Oh, shit!Look at that, bro! 372 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:52,599 I can see red and blue bars, mate. 373 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:55,639 Ho-ho! We got colour, brother! We got some colour! 374 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:58,159 Look at it!Yay! What do you reckon that weighs? 375 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:00,679 Mate, that's four kilo or so. 376 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:03,399 We've got a lot of work to do to see how good they are. 377 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:06,039 Yeah. We'll get 'em home, mate. Give 'em a soak. Whoo! 378 00:20:06,120 --> 00:20:09,879 Yeah!(LAUGHS) Yes!Ha-ha-ha! 379 00:20:10,720 --> 00:20:12,399 (JACKHAMMERING) 380 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,759 Oops!Oh! 381 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:16,559 God, Dan! 382 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:20,799 Don't worry. There's material here. I've got to... I've got to check it. 383 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:24,039 In their last dig of the season, the Opal Lovers... 384 00:20:24,120 --> 00:20:26,119 Look at all that material. Is that colour? 385 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:28,239 ...are searching for an opal pocket 386 00:20:28,320 --> 00:20:32,399 after excavating old timers' drives on their claim. 387 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:35,199 Ugly potch. Look at the size of this. 388 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:38,959 If this was all colour here, we'd be ordering the island in The Bahamas. 389 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:41,639 Blacklight the ground there, look. Look at it all. 390 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:43,679 Just check it with the light, white light. 391 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:45,559 I'm pretty sure it's all potch. 392 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:48,879 These are one-ounce lumps on their own. 393 00:20:48,960 --> 00:20:50,839 You don't see opal that big very often. 394 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:53,479 How much would that be worth, Dan, if that had colour? 395 00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:56,879 Ten grand, easy. Ten grand if that had colour. 396 00:20:56,960 --> 00:20:59,959 But it's worth nothing.Oh. More. 397 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,319 Another ten grand lump if it was colour. 398 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:06,359 Couple of three-grand lumps. Jesus. Look at it. 399 00:21:06,440 --> 00:21:08,159 There's no rules with opal. 400 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:10,999 I've seen opal in the ugliest potch turn to colour. 401 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:13,639 But that slip's starting there and falling all the way 402 00:21:13,720 --> 00:21:16,439 down through to here. Probably the material's bellied out. 403 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:18,839 All that big ugly potch that's been there. 404 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:23,079 We've gotta chase it.All right. So we do some more scrapes.Yeah. 405 00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:26,639 Scrape again.Yeah. 406 00:21:26,720 --> 00:21:30,919 If that whole pocket wasn't potch, it was real opal with colour, 407 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:33,239 that'd be worth, you know, $200,000. 408 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:37,479 That's how close we are to actually finding opal tonight. 409 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:40,719 As good as that face looked, it's certainly getting a bit quiet now 410 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:42,879 so what we'll do is head towards these drives. 411 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:46,279 I'll turn to the right a bit. Just wanna really clean out these drives 412 00:21:46,360 --> 00:21:49,279 as much as we can, so we haven't got obstructions in the drive 413 00:21:49,360 --> 00:21:51,479 when we go and blacklight 'em. 414 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:53,319 This is the end of the season for us. 415 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:55,559 Summertime we nick off 'cause it's too hot. 416 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:58,039 We still haven't got to the back of those drives yet. 417 00:21:58,120 --> 00:22:00,959 But it does give us hope that maybe there's more opal there. 418 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:03,439 Dan, you're getting really close to the edge there. 419 00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:06,079 Yeah, no worries. No worries. 420 00:22:07,360 --> 00:22:09,119 Dan's like a bull at a gate. 421 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:11,519 Once he's got opal on his mind, 422 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:14,079 he just... he'll do anything to try and find it. 423 00:22:14,160 --> 00:22:17,559 But, yeah, he's getting really quite close to the edge now. 424 00:22:17,640 --> 00:22:20,239 I'm just so keen to get in the back of these drives 425 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:22,799 and see this red crystal that's supposed to be there. 426 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:25,599 For Renee to stay here, we have to succeed. 427 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:27,999 If we don't make target, she's at serious risk 428 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:30,959 of having to move back to Adelaide, which neither of us want. 429 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:34,799 He's still going forward. Dan, you're gonna fall in! 430 00:22:34,880 --> 00:22:38,159 It's tipping! It's tipping! Oi! (BLEEP) 431 00:22:42,840 --> 00:22:45,119 ROGER: Has to be a hydraulic problem. 432 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:50,919 Can see it's dropping a little bit of fluid out. 433 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,919 It's not exactly a drip. But it's wettish. 434 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:55,679 So, I don't know. 435 00:22:55,760 --> 00:22:58,599 I'll take a look, see if it's actually got any fluid in her. 436 00:23:01,120 --> 00:23:03,079 Well, there you bloody go! 437 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:05,839 There's not enough fluid to push the ram up. 438 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:08,999 So, I think we've got an extra drum over here. 439 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:11,919 I'll just grab some hydraulic fluid, chuck some in there. 440 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:14,959 Whoop! Hopefully that's the problem anyway. 441 00:23:16,680 --> 00:23:18,399 (ENGINE STARTS) 442 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:21,199 (ENGINE WHIRRING) 443 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:27,399 Yes! Hell yeah! Come on! 444 00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:30,119 Be that money, baby! 445 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:34,079 In Lightning Ridge, Slim Pickings have struck a deal 446 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:36,559 with local opal miner, Dave Smith... 447 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:41,119 Ready to go....to process the waste dirt from his claim. 448 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:43,399 Excited to see what comes out of it, actually. 449 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:45,879 LEE: We're at 70%. All the costs are on us. 450 00:23:45,960 --> 00:23:49,519 So, if there's nothing in it, 70% of nothing is still... 451 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:53,559 ...nothing. (LAUGHS) 452 00:23:53,640 --> 00:23:55,799 How's it going, mate? How are you, Rog? 453 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:58,239 We're into it.You are. Moving a fair bit of dirt. 454 00:23:58,320 --> 00:24:00,599 Hey, Dave.All going well here by the looks of it. 455 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:02,679 Yeah.Popped down to see if you want a hand. 456 00:24:02,760 --> 00:24:04,879 Want me to drive the truck? Got a licence so... 457 00:24:04,960 --> 00:24:07,999 Yeah. Cheers. Thanks for that. No worries.Beautiful. All right. 458 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:11,639 How about I go down to Government Tank, start feeding this dirt into George? 459 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:13,319 All right. Let's smash it out. 460 00:24:20,760 --> 00:24:22,879 How good's this? 461 00:24:22,960 --> 00:24:27,359 As they're dumping it, I'm feeding it in. 462 00:24:27,440 --> 00:24:30,279 We're like a well-oiled machine, us three at the moment. 463 00:24:30,360 --> 00:24:31,959 We're having a decent run. 464 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:35,759 At the start of this season, we set George up. 465 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:37,839 That many things we had to bloody do to it 466 00:24:37,920 --> 00:24:40,679 to get it to where it is now but it's running beautifully. 467 00:24:42,920 --> 00:24:45,679 To process the waste dirt, 468 00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:48,199 it's fed into a rotating mesh trommel 469 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:50,839 sieving out sand and dust. 470 00:24:50,920 --> 00:24:54,319 Ah. Can't see anything. 471 00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:56,799 It's so thick, that dust. 472 00:24:57,960 --> 00:25:01,959 The remaining stones are washed in an agitator, 473 00:25:02,040 --> 00:25:04,039 exposing any opal. 474 00:25:04,120 --> 00:25:06,519 Normally, when I sit the excavator up here, 475 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:09,479 I've got a line of sight. I can see what the trommel's doing, 476 00:25:09,560 --> 00:25:12,159 what George is doing, what that other conveyor's doing. 477 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:15,199 And because this stuff's so dusty, I can't see nothing. 478 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:17,079 I can't see if that barrel's spinning. 479 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:28,199 George is playing up. 480 00:25:30,160 --> 00:25:32,559 (BLEEP) 481 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:34,479 (BLEEP) 482 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:36,959 Now I've got to stop those two motors 483 00:25:37,040 --> 00:25:39,479 just to put power onto this one here. 484 00:25:39,560 --> 00:25:42,239 Need two people here. Not one. 485 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:44,759 (WHIRRING)When George stops, 486 00:25:44,840 --> 00:25:47,879 it's throwing all that silt and building it up 487 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:51,319 and now it's coming out of the (BLEEP) mouth of the trommel. 488 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:53,359 (BLEEP) over it! 489 00:25:58,040 --> 00:26:01,999 What you reckon our best bet is? Well, mate, we really don't have a lot of acid. 490 00:26:02,080 --> 00:26:05,159 So we don't have enough to cook everything here, that's for sure. 491 00:26:05,240 --> 00:26:08,999 But I've had some requests from a lapidary club down here, 492 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:11,399 they're looking for some big chunks to work with. 493 00:26:11,480 --> 00:26:14,759 Yeah, righto.I reckon we make a little brick, couple of slices. 494 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:18,039 We'll cook them up, so they can see exactly how it's gonna come out. 495 00:26:18,120 --> 00:26:20,559 Yeah. We'll cut about a thumb width off then, hey. 496 00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:22,919 Great, yeah.Yeah, all right. In Andamooka, 497 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:26,479 Matt and Cozza are hoping to sell their opal 498 00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:29,839 to a lapidary club where amateur enthusiasts 499 00:26:29,920 --> 00:26:34,079 hone their skills, cutting and polishing the gemstone. 500 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:37,879 So I think if we treat some up, get a few test pieces going, 501 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:40,999 we'll get down and see if we can't make a sale, get some money in. 502 00:26:41,080 --> 00:26:43,439 Oh, it's pretty flat, man. 503 00:26:43,520 --> 00:26:45,799 Get 'em in that sugar, get 'em in the acid. 504 00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:48,799 See how they really come up. All right. 505 00:26:48,880 --> 00:26:51,279 The chemical process we're looking for here is, 506 00:26:51,360 --> 00:26:54,159 we want to load up all the pores of the stone with sugar. 507 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:56,399 Then once that sugar hits the sulphuric acid, 508 00:26:56,480 --> 00:26:59,039 it actually creates a chemical reaction 509 00:26:59,120 --> 00:27:01,559 that takes all the moisture out of the sugar 510 00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:03,519 and only leaves the black carbon behind. 511 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:05,959 And that kind of makes the host rock darken, 512 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:09,039 and it'll bring out the colour much more vibrant. 513 00:27:09,120 --> 00:27:12,199 Oh, that's a good bloody rock brew right here. 514 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:15,119 Leave it in the sugar for, you know, at least half an hour. 515 00:27:16,040 --> 00:27:19,199 So what we're looking for now is to drop 'em into the acid. 516 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:21,119 It's the most dangerous part of it all, 517 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:23,719 so, yeah, put a bit of safety gear on. 518 00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:26,559 Right now, we just wanna pull the rocks out of the sugar. 519 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:30,119 Just give 'em a tiny little wash to get the sugar coating off the outside. 520 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:33,599 Time to drop 'em in the acid and... and see what we got. 521 00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:36,479 Fingers crossed, mate, they've got some colour in 'em, hey. 522 00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:38,159 Fingers crossed, man. 523 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:44,719 They're not looking too bad. Yeah, some are okay. 524 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:47,439 Not the highest grade, mate, but we got something here. 525 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:50,719 Yeah, we got some colour play, mate. That's what we're looking for. 526 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:53,759 Ah, the blue-greens, they seem to have popped through a bit. 527 00:27:53,840 --> 00:27:56,399 But, er, yeah, the reds that we were hoping 528 00:27:56,480 --> 00:27:58,759 that we were gonna have in a big, broad flash, 529 00:27:58,840 --> 00:28:01,319 even in the brick that we spent so much time in, 530 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:03,439 it just didn't seem to take the treat. 531 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:06,959 Little bit disappointed with the way that this material's turned out 532 00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:10,719 but, you know, that's... 533 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:12,719 that's opal morning for ya. 534 00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:21,959 (METALLIC CREAKING) 535 00:28:22,040 --> 00:28:23,839 (BLEEP) 536 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:26,359 Are you... are you all right? It's all right. 537 00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:29,759 We just went over the balance point. Yeah, you've fallen in though! 538 00:28:29,840 --> 00:28:32,999 Are you gonna be able to get out? Yeah. 539 00:28:34,120 --> 00:28:35,719 That was so scary! 540 00:28:37,280 --> 00:28:39,959 You nearly tipped in.Yeah. 541 00:28:40,040 --> 00:28:42,439 My heart was in my mouth! That was ridiculous! 542 00:28:42,520 --> 00:28:45,839 Yeah, I know. I wanted to get in there and I'm looking at the drive. 543 00:28:45,920 --> 00:28:48,039 Yeah. This potch is not helping us out. 544 00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:51,839 I know you're in a hurry but it's not worth your life over it. 545 00:28:51,920 --> 00:28:54,199 Yeah, I know. But it's all right. 546 00:28:54,280 --> 00:28:56,959 No. Not good at all. You've got to be more careful. 547 00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:01,359 Yeah.If I say it's gonna tip, it's looking like it's gonna tip. 548 00:29:01,440 --> 00:29:04,079 Okay. No worries.Yeah. 549 00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:06,319 Now and again, human error. 550 00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:08,359 I went too far and nearly got bitten. 551 00:29:08,440 --> 00:29:11,039 Another reason we don't have anyone around the machine. 552 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:12,839 So we're not doing that again. 553 00:29:12,920 --> 00:29:15,839 Dan is a very experienced operator with the excavator. 554 00:29:15,920 --> 00:29:17,999 But accidents can happen. 555 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:22,359 He'll have to just reposition the excavator and we'll get going again. 556 00:29:22,440 --> 00:29:25,199 Might have to rebuild up this platform for me to sit on 557 00:29:25,280 --> 00:29:27,879 so that I don't have a little... another whoopsie. 558 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:31,159 I'm just so keen to get in the back of these drives 559 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:33,799 and see this red crystal that's supposed to be there. 560 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:41,239 All right. Better access. Let's check these two drives, hey. 561 00:29:41,320 --> 00:29:44,039 All right.Be nice to see red crystal hanging out of 'em. 562 00:29:44,120 --> 00:29:47,279 I hope so. It's been a very long night. 563 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:50,599 Lights off?Yeah. Blacklights on. 564 00:29:55,960 --> 00:29:57,719 See anything, Dan?No. 565 00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:00,439 But this drive has been back-stowed, backfilled. 566 00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:02,399 I can see by this pile of dirt here. 567 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:04,759 Ah, that's not exciting then. 568 00:30:04,840 --> 00:30:07,039 Yeah, well, it just looks back-stowed to me. 569 00:30:07,120 --> 00:30:08,879 Nothing down there?Nah. 570 00:30:08,960 --> 00:30:10,999 All right, well, let's check the other one. 571 00:30:13,160 --> 00:30:16,359 There's a few cracked areas around here, so no sneezing.Yeah. 572 00:30:20,040 --> 00:30:23,239 Like all them.Yeah, it's still a bit dangerous-looking, Dan. 573 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:25,359 Yeah. We'll just... 574 00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:28,199 We'll just not tempt them ones. 575 00:30:28,280 --> 00:30:31,319 I can't see anything. What the hell is that? 576 00:30:33,600 --> 00:30:36,199 Oh, there's something big, white glowing down in there! 577 00:30:36,280 --> 00:30:38,079 Really?Have a look at that. 578 00:30:38,160 --> 00:30:40,519 I don't wanna go in there. You go and have a look. 579 00:30:40,600 --> 00:30:43,119 Looks like it's the size of this torch.Really? 580 00:30:43,200 --> 00:30:45,559 I'm going in.Oh, my God. 581 00:30:45,640 --> 00:30:47,879 (GRUNTS)(LAUGHS) 582 00:30:47,960 --> 00:30:50,919 That's a good view, Dan.Ah! Jesus! 583 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:01,799 (BLEEP) 584 00:31:01,880 --> 00:31:03,879 Just lost a whole heap of dirt. 585 00:31:10,480 --> 00:31:13,879 Power pack's running. I don't want it revving any faster than what it is. 586 00:31:15,080 --> 00:31:18,399 In Lightning Ridge, Lee Hobden is struggling 587 00:31:18,480 --> 00:31:23,239 to operate their opal processing plant, George, alone. 588 00:31:23,320 --> 00:31:25,119 Getting very close to being (BLEEP) 589 00:31:26,160 --> 00:31:27,999 You there, Rog? ROGER: (ON RADIO) Yeah. 590 00:31:28,080 --> 00:31:31,479 I'm struggling here, man. I'm busting myself trying to bloody run around. 591 00:31:31,560 --> 00:31:33,279 I need somebody else here. 592 00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:40,799 Cavalry's arrived. Thanks, Rog. 593 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:44,359 I'm just gonna teach the boys real quick how to use the controls. 594 00:31:44,440 --> 00:31:48,719 So, right now, the boys have just rocked up. Roger's here. 595 00:31:48,800 --> 00:31:52,439 Dave's collected Ted as well. So how good's this? 596 00:31:52,520 --> 00:31:54,799 This one here is for the rumbler. Yeah. 597 00:31:54,880 --> 00:31:57,319 This one's for this belt.Yeah. 598 00:31:57,400 --> 00:31:59,799 Yeah, his son's come out to give us a hand. 599 00:31:59,880 --> 00:32:02,079 Getting him out off the computers and stuff. 600 00:32:02,160 --> 00:32:06,439 George is unreal. He's just... George is on roids. 601 00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:09,159 Today we'll get over a dozen loads 602 00:32:09,240 --> 00:32:12,039 of nearly 100 tonne of dirt going up into the agitator 603 00:32:12,120 --> 00:32:15,119 so, hopefully, we've got a decent tail out very, very soon. 604 00:32:16,720 --> 00:32:19,039 That's it! We are done! 605 00:32:19,120 --> 00:32:21,839 I tell you what, man.(LAUGHS) 606 00:32:21,920 --> 00:32:24,159 It's been a big arse season, man! 607 00:32:24,240 --> 00:32:27,119 It all comes down to this last tail out.I'm absolutely done. 608 00:32:27,200 --> 00:32:29,599 I can't wait to see what's gonna come out of there. 609 00:32:32,960 --> 00:32:35,599 Hey, Ted.Boys, boys, boys! You good, mate?Yeah. Good. 610 00:32:35,680 --> 00:32:38,119 You're joining the calvary. Davey. How are ya? 611 00:32:38,200 --> 00:32:40,479 Hey, mate, I know it's a little unconventional. 612 00:32:40,560 --> 00:32:42,759 They're expecting this rain to come in hard. 613 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:48,879 So, Logan, yeah, he's keen. So that's Roger's young fella. 614 00:32:48,960 --> 00:32:50,959 He's an unofficial member of Slim Pickings. 615 00:32:51,040 --> 00:32:54,799 He's a good little worker and he's keen for opal and, like, the next generation. 616 00:32:57,520 --> 00:33:00,399 I love working with my dad. It really gets us closer together 617 00:33:00,480 --> 00:33:02,839 and it's fun working with him. Boys, good luck. 618 00:33:02,920 --> 00:33:05,279 Good luck. Here we go. Happy hunting! 619 00:33:05,360 --> 00:33:07,999 Quite a fair bit of colour in it, actually, isn't there? 620 00:33:08,080 --> 00:33:10,479 Yeah. Eh, bit of bone, Dad. 621 00:33:10,560 --> 00:33:13,159 Plants, look at that one. That's got nice colour in it. 622 00:33:13,240 --> 00:33:16,359 That is nice. Yeah, nice coloured little fossil. 623 00:33:16,440 --> 00:33:18,559 Bit of purple. 624 00:33:18,640 --> 00:33:21,399 Oi! Check this out, boys. Look at that. 625 00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:23,839 Whoa!Ah!Damn! 626 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:26,919 That is beautiful!That is gem! 627 00:33:29,800 --> 00:33:31,399 Oh. Boys. 628 00:33:31,480 --> 00:33:34,159 Good on you, bro. Good on you, brother! 629 00:33:34,240 --> 00:33:37,079 # The chips are getting bigger € Whoo-hoo!Yes. 630 00:33:37,160 --> 00:33:39,159 Keep that jar filling up, boys! 631 00:33:41,160 --> 00:33:45,479 Oi! Hey! Hey! 632 00:33:45,560 --> 00:33:48,839 Hey!Oh!DAVE: Good work! 633 00:33:48,920 --> 00:33:52,399 Boys, this one's mint, man. Ahoy, Logan!This one's mint. 634 00:33:52,480 --> 00:33:54,079 (CHEERING) 635 00:33:54,160 --> 00:33:56,519 Boys!Jackpot!Boys! 636 00:33:56,600 --> 00:33:59,719 This is what we was looking for. This is what we was looking for. 637 00:33:59,800 --> 00:34:01,839 Yoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!Well done, buddy. 638 00:34:03,520 --> 00:34:06,159 COZZA: All right, bro. What are you thinking on a price? 639 00:34:06,240 --> 00:34:09,039 Yeah, I don't know. I've been thinking, man, erm... 640 00:34:09,120 --> 00:34:11,799 Look, we really didn't come up with much red or anything. 641 00:34:11,880 --> 00:34:13,839 Don't want a bit of red in these big chunks. 642 00:34:13,920 --> 00:34:16,079 They got bars, but, so there's still potential 643 00:34:16,160 --> 00:34:18,559 but, honestly, we'll ask for 300 a kilo. 644 00:34:18,640 --> 00:34:20,759 Yeah.I'll see if I can find this bloke, Jim. 645 00:34:20,840 --> 00:34:24,039 Get him to come have a look.Right. I'll pull these over to that table. 646 00:34:24,120 --> 00:34:25,719 I'll go have a look. 647 00:34:28,160 --> 00:34:30,399 Knock, knock. Hey, Jim! 648 00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:33,199 Oh, hello, Matty. How are ya? Good, buddy, good. 649 00:34:33,280 --> 00:34:36,399 What's up? What's happening? Ah, well, I've got a bit of material 650 00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:40,039 for you to look at, mate. You said you were looking for coloured concrete. 651 00:34:40,120 --> 00:34:41,799 Oh, yeah. We're always in the game. 652 00:34:41,880 --> 00:34:43,599 Yeah.Being a lapidary club, 653 00:34:43,680 --> 00:34:46,279 we're always on the hunt for material, good materials. 654 00:34:46,360 --> 00:34:48,119 We'll be slabbing it 655 00:34:48,200 --> 00:34:51,359 and making jewellery out of it or just specimen pieces. 656 00:34:51,440 --> 00:34:53,959 Yeah, have a sit down, mate. Aw, mate.Yeah. 657 00:34:54,040 --> 00:34:55,639 What have you got? 658 00:34:55,720 --> 00:34:58,679 Joined the club for nearly two years now. Got so much to offer. 659 00:34:58,760 --> 00:35:00,959 And probably one of the most friendliest places 660 00:35:01,040 --> 00:35:03,119 I've been to in many, many years. 661 00:35:03,200 --> 00:35:04,919 So, yeah, we pulled a few big chunks 662 00:35:05,000 --> 00:35:08,159 out of Horse Paddock this week, mate.Holy, not wrong. 663 00:35:08,240 --> 00:35:11,039 Here's one little chunk that fell off. It's got some red. 664 00:35:11,120 --> 00:35:14,119 Yeah, you'd get a couple of nice stones out of that. 665 00:35:14,200 --> 00:35:16,239 But little couple of small seams. 666 00:35:19,520 --> 00:35:24,199 The Mooka Boys have a parcel of rainbow matrix opal, 667 00:35:24,280 --> 00:35:27,319 featuring red, blue and green. 668 00:35:27,400 --> 00:35:32,159 It's a mix of untreated, rough, and some treated cut slabs, 669 00:35:32,240 --> 00:35:35,599 and weighs a total of 18 kilograms. 670 00:35:35,680 --> 00:35:37,799 Nice bit of rolling green through there, too. 671 00:35:37,880 --> 00:35:39,519 Bit of colour. Little bit of red. 672 00:35:39,600 --> 00:35:41,279 What do you intend to do with this? 673 00:35:41,360 --> 00:35:43,959 If you guys can use it, we'd like to make a sale today. 674 00:35:44,040 --> 00:35:45,759 What are you looking for? 675 00:35:45,840 --> 00:35:49,399 Well, look, mate, we were hoping to get 1,000 bucks a kilo. 676 00:35:49,480 --> 00:35:53,079 I'd like to get 1,000 bucks a kilo. (LAUGHS) 677 00:35:53,160 --> 00:35:56,279 Since we started cutting up, we realised it's not worth that much. 678 00:35:56,360 --> 00:36:00,079 Yeah.300 a kilo is what we think's pretty fair. 679 00:36:00,160 --> 00:36:03,999 300.Yeah. We've got 18 kilos all up for you. 680 00:36:04,080 --> 00:36:07,839 Mmm. Couldn't do three, mate. Only a small club. 681 00:36:07,920 --> 00:36:10,159 Probably wouldn't be a great deal in that one. 682 00:36:10,240 --> 00:36:12,319 Mmm. 683 00:36:12,400 --> 00:36:15,079 What do you reckon, Cozza? Just... 250. 684 00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:17,919 How 'bout 150?150. 685 00:36:18,000 --> 00:36:20,239 Oh, look, mate. You know what it's like. 686 00:36:20,320 --> 00:36:22,359 We've got to make money, erm... 687 00:36:22,440 --> 00:36:25,559 200 was our bottom number, man. If you can come to 200...200? 688 00:36:25,640 --> 00:36:27,599 ...then we can be happy with that. 689 00:36:27,680 --> 00:36:29,439 Righty-oh. 200. 690 00:36:29,520 --> 00:36:31,999 And 18 kilo, was it? Yeah, 18 kilo at 200. 691 00:36:32,080 --> 00:36:35,439 18 kilo at 200. That'd be 3,600 all up, mate. 692 00:36:35,520 --> 00:36:38,559 Oh. Yeah. 3,600... 693 00:36:39,760 --> 00:36:42,439 Got a deal.You can do that? Got a deal. No worries. 694 00:36:42,520 --> 00:36:44,959 Thanks. Much appreciated, mate. Thank you very much. 695 00:36:45,040 --> 00:36:47,559 Yeah, no worries. Well done. No worries. 696 00:36:47,640 --> 00:36:50,079 We managed to get a sale out, which was really good. 697 00:36:50,160 --> 00:36:53,079 It's nowhere near the money that Cozzie and I were hoping for, 698 00:36:53,160 --> 00:36:56,079 but at the end of the day, we're helping out locals down here 699 00:36:56,160 --> 00:36:58,399 who are really into opal, really promoting it. 700 00:36:58,480 --> 00:37:00,759 So I think it's a win-win for all of us today. 701 00:37:00,840 --> 00:37:03,319 COZZA: Getting real on in the season now 702 00:37:03,400 --> 00:37:05,639 so, you know, we really gotta have a win 703 00:37:05,720 --> 00:37:07,359 to be able to withstand this summer. 704 00:37:07,440 --> 00:37:10,399 I don't know about you but I'm bloody knackered. 705 00:37:10,480 --> 00:37:12,839 Oh, yeah. Killer.(SIGHS) 706 00:37:12,920 --> 00:37:16,119 Well, that was a lot of hard work compared to normal, but... 707 00:37:16,200 --> 00:37:17,959 But we had a win though, bro. Cheers. 708 00:37:18,040 --> 00:37:20,959 We had a win, bro. You beauty. (LAUGHS) 709 00:37:25,920 --> 00:37:28,039 ROGER: Logan! Come in here, mate. 710 00:37:28,120 --> 00:37:31,759 That's the stone I found, hey. That is the stone you found. 711 00:37:31,840 --> 00:37:33,799 Right now, if I was to try to sell that, 712 00:37:33,880 --> 00:37:36,079 you could probably get, you know, $1,200. 713 00:37:36,160 --> 00:37:38,519 But if it cuts perfectly, 714 00:37:38,600 --> 00:37:40,919 you're potentially looking at, like, eight grand. 715 00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:43,159 That's worth some money. 716 00:37:43,240 --> 00:37:47,159 After a tough five months of opal mining, 717 00:37:47,240 --> 00:37:51,879 Slim Pickings are banking everything on their last sale of the season, 718 00:37:51,960 --> 00:37:54,639 and they're keeping it in the family. 719 00:37:54,720 --> 00:37:57,759 So today we're at the front of my sister Kelly's shop. 720 00:37:57,840 --> 00:38:01,559 We've got some opal for her as well so she's pretty excited for us to come. 721 00:38:01,640 --> 00:38:04,679 I know she's my sister. I love her. She's family. 722 00:38:04,760 --> 00:38:07,839 But when it comes to selling opal, she's got a buyer's hat on 723 00:38:07,920 --> 00:38:09,799 and we've got a seller's hat on as well. 724 00:38:10,960 --> 00:38:12,719 Hey, Kell.Hey, guys.Hey, Kells. 725 00:38:12,800 --> 00:38:15,839 Look at the shop. This looks awesome!Oh, yeah. 726 00:38:18,280 --> 00:38:22,079 I actually need the opal for my new shop that I'm opening. 727 00:38:22,160 --> 00:38:24,199 My first ever opal shop. 728 00:38:24,280 --> 00:38:27,639 So I definitely need some material to work with. 729 00:38:27,720 --> 00:38:29,919 Ah, well, time to talk turkey, I suppose.Yes. 730 00:38:31,640 --> 00:38:33,599 That's between 80 and 90 stones there. 731 00:38:39,120 --> 00:38:42,999 We separated the parcels so you're getting your crystals, your darker stones. 732 00:38:43,080 --> 00:38:45,599 There's seam opal in it and a little bit of fossil. 733 00:38:47,280 --> 00:38:49,559 Yeah, I can use this. 734 00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:53,839 Slim Pickings have a parcel 735 00:38:53,920 --> 00:38:58,359 of seam, black, crystal opal and opalised fossil, 736 00:38:58,440 --> 00:39:03,679 displaying vivid colours of red, blue, green and yellow. 737 00:39:03,760 --> 00:39:06,159 Some stones have been partially rubbed 738 00:39:06,240 --> 00:39:09,559 and their entire haul weighs 30 grams. 739 00:39:11,360 --> 00:39:15,399 I have seen enough, so what are we looking at, pricewise? 740 00:39:15,480 --> 00:39:18,199 We're just gonna give you our lowest price. 741 00:39:18,280 --> 00:39:20,199 Over 20, I'm selling a kidney. 742 00:39:20,280 --> 00:39:22,599 If it's under 20, we might be able to do a deal. 743 00:39:26,080 --> 00:39:27,959 I'm aging here, quickly. Yeah. (LAUGHS) 744 00:39:28,040 --> 00:39:30,559 I'd have to say 21. Roger's saying 21,000. 745 00:39:30,640 --> 00:39:33,239 I'm agreeing with him. What's your thoughts, sister? 746 00:39:33,320 --> 00:39:35,599 Oh, sister. (LAUGHS) 747 00:39:35,680 --> 00:39:38,879 I was a little bit under. I was around about the 18 mark. 748 00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:40,559 Mmm-hmm. 749 00:39:40,640 --> 00:39:43,159 But I will... I'll buy it at 20. 750 00:39:43,240 --> 00:39:46,039 Yeah.20 grand?20. That's a deal, sister. 751 00:39:46,120 --> 00:39:47,719 Beautiful. 752 00:39:50,600 --> 00:39:52,199 We sold a parcel for 20 grand. 753 00:39:52,280 --> 00:39:54,759 We bank 14 grand for that. 754 00:39:54,840 --> 00:39:56,999 Send me your bank details. Yeah. Righto. 755 00:39:58,760 --> 00:40:01,599 End of the season, here we are. 756 00:40:02,640 --> 00:40:05,239 Ending on a high. Can't say it's with a bang. 757 00:40:06,800 --> 00:40:08,999 Hey!(LAUGHS) 758 00:40:09,080 --> 00:40:11,279 $20,000 out of one tail out, 759 00:40:11,360 --> 00:40:13,319 that's pretty mint when you think about it 760 00:40:13,400 --> 00:40:15,239 because we got all that whole area to do. 761 00:40:15,320 --> 00:40:20,239 That brings our season total to $56,400. 762 00:40:20,320 --> 00:40:23,679 Kept our head above water. Not from bloody lack of trying, that's for sure. 763 00:40:23,760 --> 00:40:26,439 Yeah, it's not as much as we wanted. 764 00:40:26,520 --> 00:40:28,799 But, mate, this is absolutely awesome, man. 765 00:40:28,880 --> 00:40:30,719 We're still here. Still mining. 766 00:40:30,800 --> 00:40:33,639 You know what, boys? Here's to us. 767 00:40:33,720 --> 00:40:35,959 And here's to George. 768 00:40:36,040 --> 00:40:39,199 Cheers to next season. To the next season.Yew! 769 00:40:45,240 --> 00:40:47,559 DAN: Ah! Jesus! RENEE: You all right? 770 00:40:47,640 --> 00:40:50,519 (GROANS)'Cause you don't look that comfortable. 771 00:40:50,600 --> 00:40:52,839 Nah, it's not good. Think I've rolled over it. 772 00:40:52,920 --> 00:40:54,799 I'm gonna need the blacklighter. 773 00:40:54,880 --> 00:40:57,079 You need the blacklight? Yeah.I'll drop it. 774 00:40:57,160 --> 00:40:59,919 I thought I knew where it was but I think I rolled over it. 775 00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:02,399 Hope it's worth it.(GROANS) 776 00:41:04,120 --> 00:41:06,879 Ah! (PANTING) 777 00:41:06,960 --> 00:41:08,559 Look at that. 778 00:41:08,640 --> 00:41:10,959 That's a huge chunk!I got a light. 779 00:41:14,240 --> 00:41:16,559 Holy (BLEEP)Is that colour, Dan? 780 00:41:16,640 --> 00:41:18,319 That's got colour!Oh, my God! 781 00:41:18,400 --> 00:41:20,759 I don't know how you'll get out, but I wanna look! 782 00:41:20,840 --> 00:41:23,399 Yeah, I'm trying to... You might have to catch it. 783 00:41:23,480 --> 00:41:25,079 Don't hurt it.Ooh. 784 00:41:27,040 --> 00:41:29,119 (GRUNTS)Oh, my God. Look at it! 785 00:41:29,200 --> 00:41:30,799 Oh, yeah, that's big money. 786 00:41:30,880 --> 00:41:32,999 Ah-ah! (LAUGHS) That's money. 787 00:41:33,080 --> 00:41:36,079 (LAUGHS) 788 00:41:36,160 --> 00:41:37,839 That's what we needed to finish on. 789 00:41:37,920 --> 00:41:40,439 A big one. Look at that. Finish the end of the season. 790 00:41:40,520 --> 00:41:42,959 Crazy thing is, that's got a brother or sister 791 00:41:43,040 --> 00:41:44,879 but, look, who knows? 792 00:41:44,960 --> 00:41:47,359 We know this claim has been worked by boys before. 793 00:41:47,440 --> 00:41:49,679 Maybe it was on floor level, they didn't see it, 794 00:41:49,760 --> 00:41:53,039 it goes straight in the bucket, and they backfill a drive like this. 795 00:41:53,120 --> 00:41:56,919 The poor (BLEEP) might have been digging it all the time and not know it. 796 00:41:57,000 --> 00:42:01,239 I really just want to put that in my pocket and go home. (LAUGHS) 797 00:42:06,800 --> 00:42:09,919 Time to see it in the sunlight. I wrapped it up pretty well.Yeah. 798 00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:12,679 Nice tea towel. Oh, my God, Dan! 799 00:42:12,760 --> 00:42:15,439 What do you reckon? Let me have a look. So exciting. 800 00:42:15,520 --> 00:42:17,359 There's heaps of red flashes through. 801 00:42:17,440 --> 00:42:20,799 Yeah, if we look in this corner here, you can see this red bar flashing. 802 00:42:20,880 --> 00:42:22,719 Yeah. And the red's worth more, isn't it? 803 00:42:22,800 --> 00:42:26,159 Yeah. Big relief off our shoulders. Yeah. 804 00:42:27,200 --> 00:42:31,919 Dan and Renee have a high quality specimen of crystal opal, 805 00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:34,439 featuring the full spectrum of colours, 806 00:42:34,520 --> 00:42:37,879 including rare and valuable red. 807 00:42:37,960 --> 00:42:42,119 It's in the rough, and weighs 500 grams. 808 00:42:42,200 --> 00:42:45,319 So what are you thinking? How much do you think it's worth? 809 00:42:45,400 --> 00:42:49,599 I'm really struggling but I think that's easy 40 grand. 810 00:42:49,680 --> 00:42:52,079 40 grand, really?40 as is.Wow! 811 00:42:52,160 --> 00:42:53,799 But I think we cut it. 812 00:42:53,880 --> 00:42:58,439 And that'll probably cut 120 grands worth of stones.Really?Yeah. 813 00:42:58,520 --> 00:43:00,999 You think about how many stones we cut from that, 814 00:43:01,080 --> 00:43:03,919 versus selling it as is for 40. Yeah. No, you're right. 815 00:43:04,000 --> 00:43:06,119 Oh, that's so exciting. 816 00:43:06,200 --> 00:43:08,559 We did it. Well done.Yay. Yep. 817 00:43:08,640 --> 00:43:11,239 Finally.We didn't hit our target. 818 00:43:11,320 --> 00:43:13,319 We were a fair bit short, I guess. 819 00:43:13,400 --> 00:43:15,959 But we made a lot of targets, really. 820 00:43:16,040 --> 00:43:17,839 Renee's got confident in the machines. 821 00:43:17,920 --> 00:43:20,679 She's been doing things she wouldn't have done before. 822 00:43:20,760 --> 00:43:23,479 I'll take you to the best view in Coober Pedy.Yep. 823 00:43:23,560 --> 00:43:25,759 Scenic lookout.Thank you. 824 00:43:25,840 --> 00:43:28,639 It's a really big incentive. I'm coming back next season. 825 00:43:28,720 --> 00:43:31,239 Finding that huge opal that we did last night, 826 00:43:31,320 --> 00:43:34,239 I can see why Dan has that addiction, that opal addiction, 827 00:43:34,320 --> 00:43:37,359 and that bug that he just can't get out of his system. 828 00:43:37,440 --> 00:43:39,279 All right, time for a cheers. 829 00:43:39,360 --> 00:43:40,959 Ooh. 830 00:43:41,040 --> 00:43:43,679 Cheers to Digger's Gully. Yeah. Digger's Gully. 831 00:43:45,000 --> 00:43:46,999 Subtitles by Deluxe 832 00:43:47,305 --> 00:44:47,891 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=-