"Outback Opal Hunters" Opal Fever

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,439 . 2 00:00:01,480 --> 00:00:04,139 NARRATOR: In the world of treasure hunting, 3 00:00:04,180 --> 00:00:06,319 they are the toughest. 4 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:10,219 On a quest to strike it rich... 5 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:14,099 ..for the queen of gems. 6 00:00:16,300 --> 00:00:18,319 Opal. 7 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:21,279 JOHN: Once you've found that first lot of opal, 8 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:23,319 that's it, you're hooked. 9 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:26,379 A single piece can be worth millions of dollars... 10 00:00:26,420 --> 00:00:28,459 That's where our money is. 11 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:33,459 ..and over 90% of it comes from only one place on the planet... 12 00:00:36,020 --> 00:00:38,159 The Australian Outback. 13 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:44,139 Hot, harsh and unforgiving. 14 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:48,259 Ahh! Only the driven... 15 00:00:48,300 --> 00:00:52,199 You there? ..and the lucky survive. 16 00:00:59,460 --> 00:01:01,459 # Money 17 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:06,259 # And fancy gold 18 00:01:11,180 --> 00:01:17,479 # Telling you what to do Back when it went to gold # 19 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:29,439 Hiding beneath these desert plains lies a fortune. 20 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:35,379 Millions of years ago, an ancient inland sea 21 00:01:35,420 --> 00:01:38,259 dominated the interior of Australia. 22 00:01:40,340 --> 00:01:43,999 As the sea dried up, water seeping underground 23 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:48,159 beneath the old shoreline deposited layers of silica in cracks 24 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:50,339 and along fault-lines, 25 00:01:50,380 --> 00:01:55,379 gradually hardening to form a legendary treasure. 26 00:02:00,460 --> 00:02:02,479 More precious than diamonds. 27 00:02:03,020 --> 00:02:07,019 Discovered in South Australia in 1849, 28 00:02:07,060 --> 00:02:09,419 and first mined in the 1880s. 29 00:02:09,460 --> 00:02:14,159 Soaring demand has sent world prices sky-high, 30 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:18,459 creating a new Australian opal rush. 31 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,319 But finding it is guesswork. 32 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:23,479 Pick a direction, throw a dart. 33 00:02:24,020 --> 00:02:26,159 Striking it rich is a gamble. 34 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:28,339 60% will go broke. 35 00:02:28,380 --> 00:02:31,339 But out here, they answer to no-one. 36 00:02:31,380 --> 00:02:34,119 We don't work for anybody. We work for ourselves. 37 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:37,319 Small teams, loyal partners, 38 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:41,479 free to make a fortune if they can find it. 39 00:02:42,020 --> 00:02:44,019 Now we're cooking with gas. 40 00:02:44,060 --> 00:02:48,159 Gambling on their wits and willpower. 41 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:51,279 Yeah, that hollow end of that star is compromised. 42 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:55,079 Pushing their bodies... All right, hang on. Go, go. 43 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:57,299 ..and back accounts to breaking point. 44 00:02:57,340 --> 00:03:04,019 Huh!Braving extreme danger, prepared to pay the ultimate price. 45 00:03:04,060 --> 00:03:06,319 Hunting the ultimate reward. 46 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:09,999 You can be broke in the morning, and a millionaire in the afternoon. 47 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:13,319 Boom. There it is. There's $100,000 in rough opal. 48 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:15,079 (CRIES OF EXCITEMENT) 49 00:03:23,260 --> 00:03:26,179 Coober Pedy, South Australia. 50 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:33,439 More opal is produced here than anywhere else in the world. 51 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:41,279 It's a brutal landscape. 52 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:45,259 Temperatures can rocket to over 45 degrees Celsius, 53 00:03:46,420 --> 00:03:50,419 destroying both miner and machine. 54 00:03:50,460 --> 00:03:53,359 But it hides a fabulous treasure. 55 00:03:55,420 --> 00:03:58,399 Coober Pedy's speciality is white opal. 56 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:03,039 So called because of its milky body tone. 57 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:09,119 Opalised shells, remnants of the ancient inland sea can be found. 58 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:14,459 The clearer the stones' background, the more valuable. 59 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:18,059 Even in rough form, straight out of the ground, 60 00:04:18,100 --> 00:04:21,999 it can be worth up to $1,500 a carat. 61 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:25,019 That's just one fifth of a gram. 62 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:34,159 If we can at least find, what, $100,000... 63 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:37,439 Rookie opal hunters Dan Becker and Justin Lang 64 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:41,299 are heading for Coober Pedy, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity 65 00:04:41,340 --> 00:04:44,399 to make a fortune. This is the first time 66 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:48,379 that we have a realistic chance at hitting a million bucks.Yeah. 67 00:04:49,420 --> 00:04:54,299 One million, two million, three million. (LAUGHS) 68 00:04:54,340 --> 00:04:57,339 Well, the possibilities are endless out here. 69 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:02,279 (DRILLING) 70 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:05,459 With barely any equipment, the rookies have been learning 71 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:08,019 the hard way. 72 00:05:08,060 --> 00:05:11,139 Scratching for opal in long abandoned mines. 73 00:05:12,260 --> 00:05:14,319 That's what we want. 74 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:17,139 Digging out shards with simple hand tools, 75 00:05:17,180 --> 00:05:20,419 in a quest that could push them to the edge. 76 00:05:22,280 --> 00:05:25,079 They call opal the crazy stone. 77 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:27,239 Look at that, look at that. Stretch for it. 78 00:05:27,280 --> 00:05:29,459 (LAUGHTER) 79 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:34,059 They've well and truly caught opal fever. 80 00:05:34,100 --> 00:05:37,179 Look at that. You're starting to shake. 81 00:05:37,220 --> 00:05:39,999 Just you and the opal. That's it. 82 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:42,299 When you catch opal fever, you're finished. 83 00:05:42,340 --> 00:05:44,399 (LAUGHING) Oh, we're good. 84 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:48,339 Now, Justin and Dan want to hit the big league. 85 00:05:48,380 --> 00:05:52,219 I'm not out here for bloody, you know, 10 or 15,000 bucks. 86 00:05:52,260 --> 00:05:54,479 I'm out here for big money. But to do it, 87 00:05:55,020 --> 00:05:58,339 they must leave family and day jobs behind, 88 00:05:58,380 --> 00:06:02,079 nearly 1,000km away. 89 00:06:03,420 --> 00:06:05,459 I've got a cuckoo clock shop. 90 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,059 (CLOCK CHIMING, CUCKOO CALLS) 91 00:06:08,100 --> 00:06:10,319 Hello, how you going? Come on in. 92 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:13,199 Authentic German Black Forest cuckoo clocks, 93 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:17,139 grandfather clocks, wall clocks and all things German. 94 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:22,219 But, you know, it's in my blood to come and go treasure hunting. 95 00:06:22,260 --> 00:06:24,399 Bit like my grandfather. Back before I was born, 96 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:28,359 he was up here mining. (CHILD SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY) 97 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,339 JUSTIN: My wife is pregnant, 32 weeks at the moment. 98 00:06:31,380 --> 00:06:33,379 We're expecting a little girl. 99 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:37,459 Is there any opal in this one? No. 100 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:40,439 Have a look. Yeah, I saw opals. 101 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:43,199 I need to make some money to provide the best life 102 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:45,459 for them that I can, and that's why I'm here. 103 00:06:47,180 --> 00:06:50,999 For the next nine days, Justin and Dan will battle 104 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:54,059 the brutal conditions on an all-out hunt 105 00:06:54,100 --> 00:06:56,139 for the opal jackpot. 106 00:06:58,220 --> 00:07:00,299 It's a hard, tough environment. 107 00:07:00,340 --> 00:07:03,139 The sun's belting down on your shoulders all day. 108 00:07:03,180 --> 00:07:05,319 There's flies, there's snakes, there's spiders. 109 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:07,459 There's all this shit that you gotta deal with. 110 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:12,039 So, we're not spending time 1,000km from the family for nothing. 111 00:07:16,300 --> 00:07:20,279 I think if we can get out $100,000, that'd be good for us. 112 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:23,359 I want the big stuff. 113 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:29,479 They've come to Australia's opal capital 114 00:07:30,020 --> 00:07:32,139 to meet an opal-hunting legend. 115 00:07:36,220 --> 00:07:39,019 Good day, John. How you going? How are you? 116 00:07:39,060 --> 00:07:42,159 Their friend and mentor, John Dunstan.Good, good. 117 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:45,159 He's the godfather of Coober Pedy. Come out and have a look. 118 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:48,239 Hugely successful miner. Very nice bloke. 119 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:53,299 In 2003, John found Australia's most famous opal, 120 00:07:53,340 --> 00:07:55,459 worth a million dollars. 121 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,199 The Virgin Rainbow, we named it. 122 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:01,099 It was an ancient cuttlefish's backbone. 123 00:08:01,140 --> 00:08:04,259 The best piece of opal I've ever found. 124 00:08:04,300 --> 00:08:08,279 Justin and Dan have seen John's legendary find first-hand. 125 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:11,379 Oh, wow.Oh, my God. 126 00:08:11,420 --> 00:08:15,259 Now they want to find their own Virgin Rainbow. 127 00:08:15,300 --> 00:08:19,419 And if anyone knows where opal is, it's John. 128 00:08:19,460 --> 00:08:22,359 I found my first opal when I was only 14 years old. 129 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:25,439 My father said, "You're a bloody idiot. 130 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:28,319 There's no future in opal mining." 131 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:31,099 Once you've found that first lot of opal, 132 00:08:31,140 --> 00:08:33,139 that's it, you're hooked. 133 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:37,379 Well, there has definitely got to be opal out there. 134 00:08:37,420 --> 00:08:42,039 John has taken Dan and Justin under his wing. 135 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:45,219 I'd like to help new opal miners. 136 00:08:45,260 --> 00:08:50,419 If I've got anything I can tell 'em or teach 'em, I will. 137 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:55,219 I mean, I've got nothing to hide. Nothing I do is a secret. 138 00:08:55,260 --> 00:08:58,359 With the 50 years that I've done, I think I've got a little bit 139 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:03,299 of experience that I can pass on to some of the new miners. 140 00:09:03,340 --> 00:09:06,219 So, you coming out to the Shell Patch tomorrow? 141 00:09:06,260 --> 00:09:09,059 Yeah, that's the plan. Absolutely. 142 00:09:09,100 --> 00:09:13,239 He's given Dan and Justin the lead on a rich opal field 143 00:09:13,280 --> 00:09:18,179 about to be reopened to mining after four decades off limits. 144 00:09:20,180 --> 00:09:25,459 33km north of town, it's known as Shell Patch. 145 00:09:27,180 --> 00:09:30,019 This patch here was rich. 146 00:09:30,060 --> 00:09:33,479 The last person that worked here found a couple of million bucks. 147 00:09:34,020 --> 00:09:36,079 Somebody's gonna be lucky. 148 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:38,339 At only 800 by 800 metres, 149 00:09:38,380 --> 00:09:42,259 claims for this prized land will be decided in a lottery draw. 150 00:09:43,460 --> 00:09:47,199 But news of Shell Patch has spread, and miners have flocked in 151 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:50,279 from all around the country. 152 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:53,459 Look at all the cars, jeez. Look at all the bloody people. 153 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,279 I've never seen this many people out in a field before. 154 00:09:58,260 --> 00:10:00,419 It's a genuine opal rush. 155 00:10:00,460 --> 00:10:03,259 I'd say it'd have to be one of the biggest events here 156 00:10:03,300 --> 00:10:05,299 in Coober Pedy for quite some time. 157 00:10:05,340 --> 00:10:08,419 At less than $100, a stake in this lottery 158 00:10:08,460 --> 00:10:10,479 could turn into a fortune. 159 00:10:11,020 --> 00:10:13,379 Hundreds of miners want a piece of the action, 160 00:10:13,420 --> 00:10:16,099 and everyone has a treasure map. 161 00:10:16,140 --> 00:10:18,259 This could be the ticket to a million dollars, 162 00:10:18,300 --> 00:10:20,359 you never bloody know in Coober Pedy. 163 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:23,199 But there isn't enough land to go around. 164 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:26,399 A ballot will decide who gets a claim. 165 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:30,099 I hope we're gonna win this. I hope we're gonna win this. 166 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:36,139 When we drove up here, we couldn't believe it. 167 00:10:36,180 --> 00:10:40,019 You don't see that many cars in one spot in Coober Pedy, ever. 168 00:10:40,060 --> 00:10:43,099 Against odds like these, Dan and Justin will need 169 00:10:43,140 --> 00:10:46,039 a big dose of luck to land their dream claim 170 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:49,299 and make their mark as serious opal hunters. 171 00:10:49,340 --> 00:10:52,319 Fingers crossed, and hope that if there is millions of dollars, 172 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:55,119 you know, it'd be nice to get that. 173 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:03,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 174 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:13,179 Lightning Ridge, New South Wales. 175 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:19,179 Below this ground is where the most valuable opal 176 00:11:19,220 --> 00:11:21,219 in the world is found. 177 00:11:21,260 --> 00:11:24,019 Black opal. 178 00:11:24,060 --> 00:11:27,279 Identified by its black body tone. 179 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:31,999 As with all opal, blue-green is the most common colour, 180 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:36,219 but the rarest and most valuable is red. 181 00:11:36,260 --> 00:11:40,419 The finest can be up to $35,000 a carat. 182 00:11:40,460 --> 00:11:44,459 $175,000 a gram. 183 00:11:47,280 --> 00:11:50,159 25km out of town... 184 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,479 With those pegs that the other blokes have put in, we can go off those. Yep. 185 00:11:54,020 --> 00:11:57,039 Brothers Mick and Pete Cooke are following clues, 186 00:11:57,080 --> 00:12:00,179 they hope lead to a bumper hall of opal. 187 00:12:00,220 --> 00:12:02,479 Nice, big box trees, a good line that could be a... 188 00:12:03,020 --> 00:12:05,239 That's a good indicator. ..could be a fault, yeah. 189 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:07,279 You can make some money over there. 190 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:10,299 Another fella over there, 140 grand, just the other day. 191 00:12:10,340 --> 00:12:13,199 We can slot right in between 'em, that looks good for us. 192 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:15,459 There's a gap there for us. That'll do. Let's do it. 193 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:19,219 Let's see if we can find the gems. (CHUCKLES) OK. 194 00:12:20,260 --> 00:12:24,479 Pete and Mick have been digging for opal together for two decades. 195 00:12:25,020 --> 00:12:27,099 I'm the eldest. Yeah, yeah. 196 00:12:27,140 --> 00:12:30,279 Mick hates it, cos he looks a bit older than me. 197 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:32,359 Oh, I'm better looking. 198 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:34,399 Living across from each other, 199 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:37,419 they're the perfect opal-hunting partners. 200 00:12:37,460 --> 00:12:40,179 Welcome to the...Man cave. 201 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:45,999 Oh, yeah, I like the nice, shiny chrome, you know. 202 00:12:47,420 --> 00:12:50,359 You got to have your toys, I think. 203 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:53,159 Mick will buy anything that's yellow and rusty. 204 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:55,239 And big. 205 00:12:56,480 --> 00:12:59,079 Collector, a collector. Not a hoarder. 206 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:01,219 A collector. That sounds better. 207 00:13:04,220 --> 00:13:06,359 All this mess is actually money. 208 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:09,359 I go to work, make money and come back here and spend it. 209 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:24,219 For Pete and Mick, black opal is the ultimate gem. 210 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:30,239 There could be thousands of dollars in that tiny 211 00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:33,019 little bit of colour that you see. 212 00:13:33,060 --> 00:13:37,099 It's rare. It is rare as a rock in horse shit. 213 00:13:37,140 --> 00:13:42,259 Genuine quality black opal. It's the creme de la creme of gems. My word. 214 00:13:45,260 --> 00:13:49,379 To find the opal, the Cooke brothers need a monster. 215 00:13:49,420 --> 00:13:54,219 65 tonnes. 17 metres high. 216 00:13:54,260 --> 00:13:57,039 It's Megatron. 217 00:13:58,420 --> 00:14:01,079 Having that drill, that's a pretty big advantage. 218 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:03,159 That's probably the best drill in the ridge. 219 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:05,219 Most modern technology. 220 00:14:05,260 --> 00:14:09,219 Once they've registered their claim, they can put down corner posts 221 00:14:09,260 --> 00:14:12,119 on a 50-by-50 metre patch of land, 222 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:17,219 but an opal fortune could be anywhere or nowhere, 223 00:14:17,260 --> 00:14:20,039 and big equipment costs. 224 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:22,119 We've put a lot of money into the gear. 225 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:25,199 Machinery and the processing plan, I'd say half a million bucks. 226 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:28,059 Yeah, something like that. 227 00:14:28,100 --> 00:14:31,199 Their target is $200,000. 228 00:14:33,100 --> 00:14:36,019 Might pay back some of the investment, yeah. 229 00:14:36,060 --> 00:14:38,399 Time for Megatron to earn its keep. 230 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:41,199 Grinding through solid rock, 231 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:45,419 their first test hole will bore down 27 metres. 232 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:56,219 With all they've invested, their gamble on this new claim 233 00:14:56,260 --> 00:14:58,439 needs to pay off. 234 00:15:04,300 --> 00:15:07,059 900km northwest... 235 00:15:08,380 --> 00:15:11,319 ..Opalton, Central Queensland. 236 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,339 Almost half a million square kilometres 237 00:15:17,380 --> 00:15:22,379 of weathered ironstone outcrops and acacia scrub land. 238 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:27,259 Unique to Queensland is boulder opal, 239 00:15:27,300 --> 00:15:31,039 identified by its brown ironstone backing. 240 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:34,139 It can be worth up to $4,000 a carat. 241 00:15:34,180 --> 00:15:37,279 $20,000 a gram. 242 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:41,439 For some, this place could seem like a living hell, 243 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:45,179 but for others, it's paradise. 244 00:15:45,220 --> 00:15:47,379 My name's Col Duff. 245 00:15:47,420 --> 00:15:51,199 Col is one of Opalton's most renowned opal hunters. 246 00:15:52,460 --> 00:15:55,439 You just gotta to love the freedom of being in the Outback. 247 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:59,379 His partners, Aaron and Greg, complete the team, 248 00:15:59,420 --> 00:16:03,279 sharing both the risks and the rewards. 249 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:06,079 There's never a dull moment. No. Yeah, yeah. 250 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:09,059 We're all good friends, and we all look out for each other. 251 00:16:09,100 --> 00:16:13,099 That partnership's the most important thing in all mining. 252 00:16:13,140 --> 00:16:15,139 You've got to have really good partners. 253 00:16:15,180 --> 00:16:18,999 Now, Greg and Aaron, I can trust them and I can rely on them. 254 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:21,099 We're adventurous, we're treasure hunters, 255 00:16:21,140 --> 00:16:23,419 and this is the ultimate treasure hunt. 256 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:31,459 Col and his crew have had a late start 257 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,139 to this opal-hunting season. 258 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:40,439 It's been delayed by unexpected health worries. 259 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:45,259 When you get a diagnosis of cancer, it's a bit of a scare 260 00:16:45,300 --> 00:16:49,019 and a slap in the face. It certainly makes you wake up. 261 00:16:51,260 --> 00:16:53,299 With his future uncertain, 262 00:16:53,340 --> 00:16:57,439 Col is determined to make up for lost time and money. 263 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:03,019 I need to find 20 grand before the season's out. 264 00:17:03,060 --> 00:17:06,459 20,000 to cover my arse, and keep going. 265 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:10,299 The whole crew needs to find some opal, 266 00:17:10,340 --> 00:17:13,359 so, we're not desperate, but we're getting down to it. 267 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:16,419 So we'll give it our best shot in a couple of different places. 268 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:27,099 Lightning Ridge, source of the legendary black opal. 269 00:17:30,060 --> 00:17:32,439 The Cooke brothers are driving Megatron hard. 270 00:17:38,020 --> 00:17:40,299 You have to be a bit of a gambler to be an opal miner. 271 00:17:40,340 --> 00:17:44,439 You throw a lot of money at it. There's no guarantee of any return. 272 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:48,439 Just looking through the level. 273 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,479 Trying to find a little bit of trace with the colour. 274 00:17:53,020 --> 00:17:56,479 But this ground isn't going to give up its opal easily. 275 00:18:02,340 --> 00:18:05,159 Mick hits a layer of solid silcrete. 276 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,319 And even Megatron is struggling. 277 00:18:12,360 --> 00:18:15,239 There's a hard cap, and that can be up to six feet thick, 278 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:18,079 and, yeah, that can take hours, and, you know, 279 00:18:18,120 --> 00:18:20,239 20 teeth on the drill to get through. 280 00:18:23,100 --> 00:18:26,139 If they can't punch through this layer, 281 00:18:26,180 --> 00:18:29,219 they can't get to the opal-bearing level below it. 282 00:18:34,100 --> 00:18:36,299 This stuff that's coming up now looks pretty good. 283 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:40,279 That looks like level there. 284 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:43,179 That's, er, the dirt we're looking for, the opal dirt, 285 00:18:43,220 --> 00:18:46,039 down below the sandstone. 286 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:49,459 Now, a bit of colour or trace, it would be nice in that, 287 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:53,099 but, er, we won't really know until we wash it. 288 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:06,339 Called an Agitator, this one-time cement-mixer 289 00:19:06,380 --> 00:19:10,439 washes away the clay mud, leaving just the rocks and pebbles 290 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:14,179 known as nobbies, that could contain the opal. 291 00:19:17,180 --> 00:19:19,399 Only then will they know if their gamble 292 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:23,059 on their new claim has paid off. 293 00:19:34,100 --> 00:19:40,019 Shell Patch, one of the last big opal fields in Coober Pedy. 294 00:19:40,060 --> 00:19:43,419 103.George Weiss. 295 00:19:43,460 --> 00:19:47,119 Get your pegs and, erm, off you go. 296 00:19:47,160 --> 00:19:51,259 221 miners are vying for just 58 lots. 297 00:19:51,300 --> 00:19:53,299 Rookie miners Dan and Justin 298 00:19:53,340 --> 00:19:56,179 have just a one-in-four chance of getting a claim. 299 00:19:56,220 --> 00:19:59,019 So, our number needs to come up. (LAUGHS) 300 00:19:59,060 --> 00:20:02,279 Those lucky enough to score one could make a fortune. 301 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:06,039 Number 54, Irene Spielmann. 302 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:09,379 Like a Klondike Gold Rush, once your number's called, 303 00:20:09,420 --> 00:20:13,039 it's grab your claim posts, and run. 304 00:20:13,080 --> 00:20:17,139 The first will get the best spots. Dennis Turnbull. 305 00:20:17,180 --> 00:20:21,179 Once you've planted all four, whatever lies between is yours. 306 00:20:21,220 --> 00:20:23,339 (HAMMERING) 307 00:20:23,380 --> 00:20:26,459 As the lots are snapped up, Dan and Justin's chance 308 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,439 of getting in on the action are fading fast. 309 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:38,299 A lot of the areas that were sort of regarded as hot property 310 00:20:38,340 --> 00:20:40,339 have already been claimed. 311 00:20:40,380 --> 00:20:42,379 When the last ball is drawn, 312 00:20:42,420 --> 00:20:45,299 it looks like the partners are left empty-handed. 313 00:20:45,340 --> 00:20:48,419 Reserve has pretty much been pegged out. 314 00:20:53,060 --> 00:20:55,059 (DOG WHINING) 315 00:20:55,100 --> 00:20:58,179 But then, a stroke of luck. 316 00:20:58,220 --> 00:21:02,459 Around the margins of Shell Patch, there's still some land left. 317 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:07,139 The rest of you, if you wanna peg anywhere else, you can go anywhere. 318 00:21:07,180 --> 00:21:09,339 And anyone can grab it. 319 00:21:09,380 --> 00:21:12,999 Free for all! All right. 320 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:15,079 Let's go! Go, go, go, go! 321 00:21:15,120 --> 00:21:18,059 Dan and Justin are back in the race. 322 00:21:18,100 --> 00:21:20,239 Look, there's no... There's nobody on that side. 323 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:22,279 All right, lets go! Go, go, go, go. 324 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:42,019 In Central Queensland... 325 00:21:42,060 --> 00:21:44,379 Groceries. ..Col Duff and partners 326 00:21:44,420 --> 00:21:46,999 Aaron and Greg are flat out... 327 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:49,039 Roll that, mate.All right. 328 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:52,019 ..prepping everything for the start of the mining season. 329 00:21:52,060 --> 00:21:55,039 All we need is the compressor and the hoses and jackhammers, 330 00:21:55,080 --> 00:21:59,019 and Col's just getting a few shovels and crowbar and the gear. 331 00:21:59,060 --> 00:22:02,399 Their start was delayed by Col's cancer scare. 332 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:06,119 Little bit of a backward step, and it's like, "Oh! why me?" 333 00:22:06,160 --> 00:22:09,019 I'm happy that we're back working, and I'm at home. 334 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:15,119 To make a living, Col's crew live as simply as they can. 335 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:17,419 We've got a kitchen, couple of beds, wardrobe. 336 00:22:17,460 --> 00:22:20,259 A lot of this is just whatever you can get at hand 337 00:22:20,300 --> 00:22:23,219 to make things work for you. 338 00:22:23,260 --> 00:22:26,399 Out here, the mining season is short. 339 00:22:26,440 --> 00:22:30,219 Conditions are only bearable for four months of the year. 340 00:22:31,480 --> 00:22:34,139 You better put all your money in the winter 341 00:22:34,180 --> 00:22:36,299 and get out in the summer. It just gets hot. 342 00:22:40,080 --> 00:22:42,399 To make enough money to cover their costs, 343 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:46,219 the're all relying on Col's instinct for opal. 344 00:22:46,260 --> 00:22:50,219 I know there's opal there. Found it before. We'll find some more again. 345 00:22:52,100 --> 00:22:56,459 Finding the opal in this brutal landscape is a massive challenge. 346 00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:00,479 What they're looking for are underground fault-lines. 347 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:06,119 This is where water seeping underground will have formed opal. 348 00:23:14,140 --> 00:23:17,239 Aerial imagery is a lot better than satellite imagery. 349 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:20,259 And if we get the height right, we can actually see the rocks 350 00:23:20,300 --> 00:23:22,419 and the rock outcrops on the ground. 351 00:23:22,460 --> 00:23:25,119 Here's a fault structure coming through, 352 00:23:25,160 --> 00:23:28,059 and another one coming through, another one coming through. 353 00:23:28,100 --> 00:23:30,119 So, it's on those crossings. 354 00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:34,139 It's all geo-referenced, so we can go exactly to what we see. 355 00:23:37,120 --> 00:23:40,079 See if we can go and find some opal.Yeah, that's a good idea. 356 00:23:40,120 --> 00:23:44,079 Keen to make some much-needed cash, Col leaves the team 357 00:23:44,120 --> 00:23:47,019 to a site he's convinced still contains opal. 358 00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:54,019 Sometimes we do all right there, and other times, we get teased. 359 00:23:54,060 --> 00:23:56,119 Yeah, could be good. 360 00:23:57,320 --> 00:24:01,999 This old claim is nicknamed The Batcave. 361 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:05,179 Col hasn't worked this spot for five years. 362 00:24:06,380 --> 00:24:09,199 Hey, Greg. 363 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:12,299 Key to the operation is this bucket hoist. 364 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:16,439 You watch this, it'll go "Bom!" 365 00:24:16,480 --> 00:24:19,179 (GENERATOR SPUTTERS) 366 00:24:19,220 --> 00:24:22,999 Didn't really fire at all, did it? Try it again. 367 00:24:23,040 --> 00:24:25,419 (GENERATOR SPUTTERS) 368 00:24:29,320 --> 00:24:31,319 Huh... 369 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:37,159 (GENERATOR SPUTTERS) Didn't even sound like it. 370 00:24:37,200 --> 00:24:40,479 It's a bad start to an already tough season. 371 00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:50,319 It's the moment of truth for Mick and Pete. 372 00:24:50,360 --> 00:24:54,099 Brought the dirt in to the edge. He washed it down all yesterday, 373 00:24:54,140 --> 00:24:56,259 a bit last night. And then we're gonna tail out. 374 00:24:57,440 --> 00:25:00,259 If there's any opal from this first test hole, 375 00:25:00,300 --> 00:25:03,279 it'll be a sign their new claim could be a rich one. 376 00:25:05,380 --> 00:25:08,239 15 cubic metres of dirt has been washed away, 377 00:25:08,280 --> 00:25:11,039 leaving one cubic metre of rock. 378 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:15,359 They're looking for the slightest sign of colour in the stones. 379 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:19,319 Good mate and veteran opal miner, Rowe, pitches in. 380 00:25:19,360 --> 00:25:22,239 Just gotta wash the dirt, that's all. 381 00:25:22,280 --> 00:25:27,079 Three pairs of eyes should make sure no trace of opal is missed. 382 00:25:27,120 --> 00:25:29,439 Hopefully, there'll be a bit of trace. 383 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:32,339 Encouragement to go mining there. 384 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:40,999 But so far, nothing. 385 00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:46,199 Where are the gems? Come on. 386 00:25:59,340 --> 00:26:02,059 The Batcave. 387 00:26:02,100 --> 00:26:05,399 We need the spanners. Where are they? They're on the dash of the car. 388 00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:08,159 Col, Aaron and Greg are still struggling 389 00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:10,339 to get their bucket hoist working. 390 00:26:12,020 --> 00:26:15,179 It's at the opening of a two-metre hole on the surface, 391 00:26:15,220 --> 00:26:18,339 the entrance to a network of claustrophobic tunnels 392 00:26:18,380 --> 00:26:22,139 eight metres deep, and 20 metres long. 393 00:26:22,180 --> 00:26:25,059 Key to success is their ancient hoist 394 00:26:25,100 --> 00:26:27,439 which brings up the mine dirt from underground. 395 00:26:29,260 --> 00:26:32,219 But with it broken, the operation has stalled. 396 00:26:32,260 --> 00:26:34,279 We need a new belt. 397 00:26:34,320 --> 00:26:36,379 Look at this (BLEEP)! 398 00:26:36,420 --> 00:26:39,439 Let's see if we can be lucky and find something. 399 00:26:41,020 --> 00:26:43,119 Sometimes it's easy. 400 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:47,139 They're too big. It's no good. 401 00:26:47,180 --> 00:26:49,319 Sometimes it's hard. 402 00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:54,339 A-ha! 403 00:26:57,460 --> 00:27:00,439 Come on, baby. It'll work. 404 00:27:00,480 --> 00:27:04,059 (GENERATOR STARTS) Thank you, guys! 405 00:27:05,360 --> 00:27:08,019 That's good. We got it working. 406 00:27:09,020 --> 00:27:12,179 Got it moving, Greg. 407 00:27:12,220 --> 00:27:14,459 Col's crew is back in business. 408 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:17,039 It's full steam ahead. 409 00:27:17,080 --> 00:27:21,119 But eight metres underground is a whole new set of challenges. 410 00:27:21,160 --> 00:27:23,279 All right. You have to give it a kick, mate. 411 00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:32,439 At four feet high, there's not even room to stand up straight. 412 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:35,179 It's a bit low. 413 00:27:35,220 --> 00:27:38,119 There are no supports to hold up the roof. 414 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:40,999 But down here is where the opal is hiding, 415 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:43,439 inside rocks, scattered through the loose earth. 416 00:27:43,480 --> 00:27:46,479 It's like one rock can be 50 gram, that big. 417 00:27:47,020 --> 00:27:49,999 So we've gotta keep an eye out when we do drop the rock out, 418 00:27:50,040 --> 00:27:52,079 cos there are some nice ones amongst 'em. 419 00:27:52,120 --> 00:27:56,219 The dark layer of ironstone is where any opal-bearing rocks will lie. 420 00:27:56,260 --> 00:27:59,239 That's where all the opal usually occurs. That's where we gotta 421 00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:03,239 be really careful. That's where our money is. 422 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:07,399 Col wants Aaron to dig away just the soft clay above and below this, 423 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:10,199 leaving the opal-rich rocks still standing. 424 00:28:10,240 --> 00:28:14,019 You can see all those rocks there, are you planning to stay?Yeah. 425 00:28:14,060 --> 00:28:17,099 Every rock is an opportunity to find opal. 426 00:28:17,140 --> 00:28:20,139 We'll all start shovelling throw it up there behind us, 427 00:28:20,180 --> 00:28:22,999 and we'll get all this cleaned out, mate. We're laughing. 428 00:28:26,100 --> 00:28:29,119 But former coal miner Aaron hasn't got the message... 429 00:28:30,180 --> 00:28:32,419 ..and brings down the opal rock as well. 430 00:28:34,220 --> 00:28:37,419 Any opal is now mixed in with the tailings. 431 00:28:39,400 --> 00:28:41,999 How's it going, Aaron? No opal at all. 432 00:28:44,040 --> 00:28:46,039 Where's the big rock that was there? 433 00:28:46,080 --> 00:28:48,279 I told you when you started, don't drop any rocks. 434 00:28:48,320 --> 00:28:50,339 Just don't dig it out. 435 00:28:50,380 --> 00:28:53,399 I was watching, Col, I was not... What, have you got X-ray vision, have ya? 436 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:56,259 You got bat eyes, and you can see the opal in the dark? 437 00:28:56,300 --> 00:28:59,259 (BLEEP) All right, all right. 438 00:29:02,040 --> 00:29:07,079 1,000km southwest in Coober Pedy... 439 00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:09,279 All right, let's go, go, go! 440 00:29:09,320 --> 00:29:11,319 ..rookie miners Dan and Justin 441 00:29:11,360 --> 00:29:14,099 are racing to grab an unclaimed patch of land 442 00:29:14,140 --> 00:29:16,139 before someone else does. 443 00:29:17,340 --> 00:29:23,059 No, pull up here. Here, here, here. That's free there. 444 00:29:23,100 --> 00:29:25,379 I'll grab the pegs. 445 00:29:25,420 --> 00:29:27,419 You know, the rush is on. 446 00:29:27,460 --> 00:29:31,019 It said free for all, so people are just running out of the place. 447 00:29:31,060 --> 00:29:33,059 We are in for seconds. 448 00:29:34,100 --> 00:29:36,479 We seemed to have found a spot here. 449 00:29:37,020 --> 00:29:40,319 This is one of our second picks, and no-one got it, so we're lucky. 450 00:29:44,460 --> 00:29:48,199 The wheels are falling off already! 451 00:29:49,460 --> 00:29:52,239 Claims must be marked with four corner posts. 452 00:29:54,280 --> 00:29:58,079 Justin! We're going this way. 453 00:29:58,120 --> 00:30:01,419 The land's not theirs until they've got all four in the ground. 454 00:30:01,460 --> 00:30:05,419 They have to act fast before a rival gets their stakes in first. 455 00:30:05,460 --> 00:30:08,059 What we're gonna do now is run back to the car, 456 00:30:08,100 --> 00:30:10,319 get the measuring tape out. 457 00:30:10,360 --> 00:30:12,359 Get their sizing wrong, and they could lose 458 00:30:12,400 --> 00:30:15,039 the potential fortune beneath their feet. 459 00:30:16,300 --> 00:30:18,479 We're just having to move the pegs really quickly. 460 00:30:19,020 --> 00:30:21,279 We're bringing it up by another seven or eight metres, 461 00:30:21,320 --> 00:30:25,139 just because we're a bit over with our initial estimate, we're stepping it out. 462 00:30:25,180 --> 00:30:28,119 If it's incorrect, then they can pull our pegs straight away. 463 00:30:28,160 --> 00:30:30,159 That's it. 464 00:30:30,200 --> 00:30:32,199 It's better to be under, just in case. 465 00:30:33,200 --> 00:30:35,199 When we got our pegs in the ground, 466 00:30:35,240 --> 00:30:38,079 we felt bloody amazing. We knew we're in it. We're here. 467 00:30:38,120 --> 00:30:40,419 We're gonna pull up a million bucks, we're gonna do it. 468 00:30:40,460 --> 00:30:43,179 We're finally bloody well here, and we've nailed it. 469 00:30:43,220 --> 00:30:47,239 The piece of Shell Patch they've secured is 50 by 100 metres. 470 00:30:49,140 --> 00:30:52,219 This could be their ticket to the big time. 471 00:30:54,140 --> 00:30:56,379 But they're not the only ones who've got lucky. 472 00:30:56,420 --> 00:30:59,279 Johnny.Mick. 473 00:31:00,400 --> 00:31:04,319 All right, you've got your spot? Yeah, I got my spot.Ahh! 474 00:31:04,360 --> 00:31:06,379 And where was it? Tell him. Woo-hoo! 475 00:31:06,420 --> 00:31:09,439 They've pegged everywhere, but they didn't peg my spot. 476 00:31:09,480 --> 00:31:11,479 I managed to get the spot I wanted. 477 00:31:12,020 --> 00:31:14,019 With their claim secured, 478 00:31:14,060 --> 00:31:16,439 Dan and Justin's biggest challenge is about to begin - 479 00:31:18,180 --> 00:31:20,179 finding the opal. 480 00:31:20,220 --> 00:31:24,299 But all the boys have between them is a ute and a couple of jack pegs. 481 00:31:24,340 --> 00:31:27,279 Barely enough to scratch the surface. 482 00:31:27,320 --> 00:31:30,019 They're going to need some heavy machinery. 483 00:31:31,180 --> 00:31:34,419 This is a custom-made investigator drill. 484 00:31:34,460 --> 00:31:38,439 It sinks a small nine-inch hole up to 27 metres deep. 485 00:31:40,100 --> 00:31:42,119 If the drill brings up opal, 486 00:31:42,160 --> 00:31:44,359 it could be a sign of a fortune below ground. 487 00:31:46,100 --> 00:31:48,159 Still on a high, the boys are convinced 488 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:50,259 it's going to be worth the cost. 489 00:31:53,340 --> 00:31:56,259 And it might just pay off. Our luck will be finally coming. 490 00:31:56,300 --> 00:31:58,419 Because this is where the opal is! (BOTH LAUGH) 491 00:32:08,480 --> 00:32:11,079 At the Batcave... 492 00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:14,019 How's it going, Aaron? ..there are problems. 493 00:32:16,060 --> 00:32:18,279 No opal at all. 494 00:32:18,320 --> 00:32:21,039 Aaron has bought down the opal-bearing rock 495 00:32:21,080 --> 00:32:23,079 Col instructed him to avoid. 496 00:32:24,100 --> 00:32:27,279 Well, we did it. Took a bit out underneath it, eh? 497 00:32:27,320 --> 00:32:30,359 Any opal will now be hidden by the dirt, 498 00:32:30,400 --> 00:32:33,119 or worse, shattered by the jack hammer. 499 00:32:34,420 --> 00:32:37,299 Where's the big rock that was there? 500 00:32:39,300 --> 00:32:42,999 I told you not to do it until we were all there, and we'd do it together. 501 00:32:43,040 --> 00:32:45,099 Sorry. Were you even (BLEEP) listening? 502 00:32:45,140 --> 00:32:47,239 It's the crucial point, I want us all to be there 503 00:32:47,280 --> 00:32:49,999 with the light, knocking rocks out, not losing it. 504 00:32:50,040 --> 00:32:52,079 I didn't get the message. Yeah. 505 00:32:52,120 --> 00:32:55,019 Now we've got to search through all the (BLEEP) for whatever we've lost. 506 00:32:55,060 --> 00:32:57,219 That really pisses me off, cos (BLEEP) I told you 507 00:32:57,260 --> 00:32:59,439 don't drop any rocks until we're all there. 508 00:32:59,480 --> 00:33:02,119 I'm (BLEEP) sorry. This is a total (BLEEP) up. 509 00:33:03,180 --> 00:33:06,279 I was watching, Col, I was not... What, have you got X-ray vision, have ya? 510 00:33:06,320 --> 00:33:09,259 What, are you gonna shovel it all out now, after you've dropped the level? 511 00:33:09,300 --> 00:33:11,299 Yeah, well, some's here and some's up here. 512 00:33:11,340 --> 00:33:13,419 I wanna look through it, you (BLEEP). 513 00:33:13,460 --> 00:33:16,039 Right-o, right-o. 514 00:33:16,080 --> 00:33:19,219 It's like every rock you miss could be a good one. 515 00:33:19,260 --> 00:33:21,259 (PANTING) 516 00:33:25,480 --> 00:33:27,159 (GROANS) 517 00:33:28,200 --> 00:33:30,219 OK... 518 00:33:30,260 --> 00:33:33,319 Dig it up there, OK? Righto. 519 00:33:33,360 --> 00:33:36,239 Out here, mates are all you've got. 520 00:33:36,280 --> 00:33:39,439 At the end of the day, as long as you've got good mates that are here, 521 00:33:39,480 --> 00:33:43,219 helping you, you've got a chance. You couldn't really do that alone. 522 00:33:46,360 --> 00:33:49,199 It's not the first time I've seen him have a little tiff. 523 00:33:49,240 --> 00:33:52,059 Time to pull the team back together. 524 00:33:52,100 --> 00:33:54,139 I probably did go a bit overboard. 525 00:33:54,180 --> 00:33:56,339 Yeah, you probably did. 526 00:33:56,380 --> 00:33:59,319 Don't do it again, you naughty boy. Naughty boy? 527 00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:01,459 You're naughty. That is a terrible (BLEEP). 528 00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:04,419 But if I don't say that, they don't get the (BLEEP) message. 529 00:34:04,460 --> 00:34:08,999 It'll be Col one minute, then there'll be another Col then another one. 530 00:34:09,040 --> 00:34:11,339 Not a split personality, more like three or four. 531 00:34:11,380 --> 00:34:14,119 Come down, mate. (LAUGHS) Yes. 532 00:34:14,160 --> 00:34:17,019 I (BLEEP) up, but OK. 533 00:34:17,060 --> 00:34:20,259 Yeah, we had a little moment there, but nothing serious. 534 00:34:20,300 --> 00:34:23,479 Same as anyone, they have a little argument and get over it, and that's it. 535 00:34:24,020 --> 00:34:26,019 I messed up. Yeah. 536 00:34:26,060 --> 00:34:28,419 Yeah, if he got upset, he would've slapped me in the face, 537 00:34:28,460 --> 00:34:31,239 and said, "Wake up, you stop talking to me like that! 538 00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:33,999 No good carrying on like school kids.That's right. 539 00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:36,319 No future in that. No.No. 540 00:34:36,360 --> 00:34:38,379 (LAUGHS) 541 00:34:38,420 --> 00:34:42,299 With Col's crew back together, they call it a day. 542 00:34:44,080 --> 00:34:47,339 Bit more mucking around than we anticipated, but that's all right. 543 00:34:49,200 --> 00:34:52,379 It's full steam ahead, and tomorrow we'll start seeing colour. 544 00:34:52,420 --> 00:34:54,999 If they don't find opal soon, 545 00:34:55,040 --> 00:34:58,159 they won't have enough money to make it through the season. 546 00:35:13,060 --> 00:35:15,419 At the Agitator processing plant, 547 00:35:15,460 --> 00:35:17,459 Mick and Pete are checking the dirt 548 00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:20,119 from the test hole on their new claim. 549 00:35:20,160 --> 00:35:23,319 This is where it's all concentrated. This is the apex of all the work. 550 00:35:23,360 --> 00:35:25,359 This is where it all comes through. 551 00:35:26,380 --> 00:35:29,339 Even with three set of eyes scouring the tail out, 552 00:35:29,380 --> 00:35:32,339 there's not even a trace of opal. 553 00:35:34,100 --> 00:35:37,399 With half a million dollars invested in their operation, 554 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:39,439 they need a sign soon. 555 00:35:39,480 --> 00:35:42,319 We'll just get a bit more out, and we'll sort through it. 556 00:35:42,360 --> 00:35:45,099 Hopefully, the gems will be in this bit. (LAUGHS) 557 00:35:50,480 --> 00:35:52,479 Bit of potch. 558 00:35:53,020 --> 00:35:55,019 Potch is opal, 559 00:35:55,060 --> 00:35:57,419 but with no colour, it's of little value. 560 00:35:57,460 --> 00:35:59,459 But it's a good sign. 561 00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:02,119 Where there's potch, there's often opal. 562 00:36:02,160 --> 00:36:04,479 Good indicator that there's, you know... 563 00:36:05,020 --> 00:36:08,039 Yeah, look at that. Oh, that's better. 564 00:36:08,080 --> 00:36:10,079 A flash of colour. 565 00:36:10,120 --> 00:36:13,099 Nice blue-green traces on grey. 566 00:36:13,140 --> 00:36:17,259 But, er, it looks like it might have come from something bigger even. 567 00:36:17,300 --> 00:36:19,479 This means there's opal on their claim. 568 00:36:20,020 --> 00:36:24,459 Finding coloured trace on our first hole on this claim, 569 00:36:25,000 --> 00:36:26,999 that's really exciting. 570 00:36:27,040 --> 00:36:31,259 It's encouraging, yeah.If there's more like that, that'd be good. 571 00:36:31,300 --> 00:36:35,299 Their target this season is $200,000. 572 00:36:36,320 --> 00:36:39,459 Their stone is worth $250. 573 00:36:41,260 --> 00:36:45,379 But this one small piece is the sign they've been looking for. 574 00:36:47,080 --> 00:36:49,199 Yeah, it's a very good indication. 575 00:36:49,240 --> 00:36:52,299 We'll definitely be having a look down this hole. 576 00:36:53,440 --> 00:36:58,119 It could be a bumper season ahead. 577 00:37:03,180 --> 00:37:05,179 Rookies Dan and Justin 578 00:37:05,220 --> 00:37:08,479 are about to start drilling test holes on their new claim. 579 00:37:09,020 --> 00:37:11,019 Opal is scattered randomly. 580 00:37:11,060 --> 00:37:14,259 Deciding where to drill is pure guesswork. 581 00:37:15,260 --> 00:37:19,039 It's exciting. I've never actually seen a drill operate at close range, 582 00:37:19,080 --> 00:37:21,199 so it's all new to me as well. (LAUGHS) 583 00:37:25,180 --> 00:37:27,179 As the first hole goes down, 584 00:37:27,220 --> 00:37:29,999 they're hoping their lucky streak keeps going. 585 00:37:31,220 --> 00:37:33,219 Fingers crossed. 586 00:37:34,400 --> 00:37:38,099 The rubble mix the drill brings up is fed into a grater 587 00:37:38,140 --> 00:37:41,179 that sifts out the sand, leaving just the larger rocks 588 00:37:41,220 --> 00:37:44,179 that might contain the all-important opal. 589 00:37:44,220 --> 00:37:46,459 Seeing this ground, we think, "Wow, this could be it." 590 00:37:50,120 --> 00:37:53,099 But so far, nothing. 591 00:37:53,140 --> 00:37:55,139 Come on, bring me opal. 592 00:38:01,300 --> 00:38:03,299 That hole just cost us $60. 593 00:38:04,380 --> 00:38:08,479 Another hole, and another $60 hole in their pockets. 594 00:38:19,420 --> 00:38:21,999 But the second is empty, too. 595 00:38:22,040 --> 00:38:24,459 Still hoping there'll be a bit of trace in the ground. 596 00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:28,079 Justin and Dan keep digging. 597 00:38:31,380 --> 00:38:36,199 13 empty holes later, they're $780 in the red, 598 00:38:36,240 --> 00:38:38,239 with nothing to show for it. 599 00:38:38,280 --> 00:38:41,219 The test drilling hasn't really been very successful. 600 00:38:41,260 --> 00:38:48,259 13 holes to a depth of up to 45 feet, and we came up empty. 601 00:38:50,060 --> 00:38:53,159 Nothing came up. Zero. Nothing. 602 00:38:53,200 --> 00:38:55,999 It's a shit claim, and a half, this one. 603 00:38:56,040 --> 00:38:59,379 For these rookies gambling on a new career, it's a hard lesson. 604 00:38:59,420 --> 00:39:02,299 The hype was unreal when we secured this claim. 605 00:39:02,340 --> 00:39:05,999 We thought there's gonna be plenty, but it seems like there's nothing. 606 00:39:06,040 --> 00:39:09,019 As Dan and Justin abandon their Shell Patch claim, 607 00:39:09,060 --> 00:39:13,179 their dream of finding big opal has hit its first setback. 608 00:39:14,360 --> 00:39:17,319 So, there's no way I can go home like this, you know, 609 00:39:17,360 --> 00:39:20,279 and tell my wife I've failed. That's not an option. 610 00:39:20,320 --> 00:39:23,399 Their target is $100,000. 611 00:39:23,440 --> 00:39:26,999 So far, Dan and Justin have drawn a blank, 612 00:39:27,040 --> 00:39:30,479 but they've definitely got a taste for the hunt. 613 00:39:31,020 --> 00:39:34,039 There's plenty of opal out here, just a lot of dirt in between. 614 00:39:34,080 --> 00:39:36,259 You know, it's gotta be here somewhere, 615 00:39:36,300 --> 00:39:38,299 and I reckon we'll find it. 616 00:39:47,340 --> 00:39:49,339 Early morning, Opalton. 617 00:39:49,380 --> 00:39:51,379 (BARKING) Hello! 618 00:39:51,420 --> 00:39:55,459 We're keen to get underground, and start working. We wanna find some opal. 619 00:39:57,280 --> 00:40:02,279 After their disastrous first day, Col's team needs some motivation. 620 00:40:03,300 --> 00:40:05,439 Oh, Jeffrey! Jeffrey! 621 00:40:05,480 --> 00:40:10,039 It comes in the form of their nearest mining neighbour, Jeffrey Weller. 622 00:40:10,080 --> 00:40:12,079 Good day, guys. 623 00:40:12,120 --> 00:40:14,119 Hey there, buddy.How are you? Not bad. 624 00:40:14,160 --> 00:40:16,359 How are you?Yeah, all good. How are you, Jeffrey? 625 00:40:16,400 --> 00:40:18,399 You been finding a fortune, Jeff? 626 00:40:18,440 --> 00:40:21,179 Oh, I found a bit of stuff down there the other day. 627 00:40:21,220 --> 00:40:24,079 Cool.I thought I'd just bring it up, and catch up with you. 628 00:40:24,120 --> 00:40:26,119 Good to see a bit of colour. 629 00:40:26,160 --> 00:40:29,239 Oh, he got it wrapped up. It must be a good one, eh?Yeah. 630 00:40:29,280 --> 00:40:31,279 Oh, gee. 631 00:40:32,300 --> 00:40:37,339 This is pipe opal with a backing of caramel potch. 632 00:40:37,380 --> 00:40:39,379 Lovely. Not too shabby, eh? 633 00:40:39,420 --> 00:40:42,039 There's a stack of meat on that. Oh, yeah. 634 00:40:42,080 --> 00:40:45,199 See the way it's running. And a good hard backing.Yeah. 635 00:40:45,240 --> 00:40:48,139 I'd like to think there's quite a few bob there in all that. 636 00:40:48,180 --> 00:40:51,079 It's a nice commercial grade, that's for sure. 637 00:40:51,120 --> 00:40:56,119 Jeffrey's pieces are worth between $15,000 and $20,000. 638 00:40:56,160 --> 00:40:59,459 Yeah, there's a few grand there. Isn't that nice? 639 00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:04,059 That really gives us inspiration. Let's go and find something for ourselves. 640 00:41:16,140 --> 00:41:19,059 Scrape through the wall here, and you can hear the matrix, 641 00:41:19,100 --> 00:41:21,099 cos it's ironstone. 642 00:41:25,100 --> 00:41:27,099 Oh, there's a nobby there. 643 00:41:27,140 --> 00:41:29,139 That's where they live. 644 00:41:30,300 --> 00:41:32,299 Oi. 645 00:41:32,340 --> 00:41:36,339 How you going up there, Col? Hey, mate, you better come and have a look at this. 646 00:41:36,380 --> 00:41:39,279 I am getting some really good traces in this matrix. 647 00:41:40,300 --> 00:41:43,479 Col has uncovered a deposit of matrix opal. 648 00:41:44,020 --> 00:41:46,259 Opal vein through the ironstone rock. 649 00:41:47,320 --> 00:41:50,359 It's a nice, big chucky nob. That's what we wanna see. 650 00:41:50,400 --> 00:41:53,459 And it keeps coming. Oh, that's more like it. 651 00:41:56,200 --> 00:41:59,999 That's a nice green. Mm. 652 00:42:01,020 --> 00:42:04,439 So, we've got a bit of encouragement and a bit of tucker money to keep going. 653 00:42:04,480 --> 00:42:07,299 That's good. 654 00:42:07,340 --> 00:42:11,019 Time to head home and see what money they've made. 655 00:42:20,400 --> 00:42:22,399 Here we are. 656 00:42:26,060 --> 00:42:29,279 (GRUNTS) Oh, there's a few kilos there. That's good. 657 00:42:32,040 --> 00:42:34,319 Oh, look, there's a bit of colour shining out already. 658 00:42:34,360 --> 00:42:37,399 Wetting the rocks allows the opal to shine through. 659 00:42:37,440 --> 00:42:39,439 Oh, look. See the colours on the top there? 660 00:42:39,480 --> 00:42:41,479 Nice colour.Nice. 661 00:42:42,020 --> 00:42:45,319 Yeah, that's beautiful green. This one's loaded. 662 00:42:45,360 --> 00:42:48,279 This is ironstone matrix opal. 663 00:42:48,320 --> 00:42:52,459 Blue-green in colour, the most common, and it's in the rough. 664 00:42:53,000 --> 00:42:55,039 But they have two kilos, 665 00:42:55,080 --> 00:42:59,199 making the team's haul worth approximately $1,500. 666 00:42:59,240 --> 00:43:01,239 A bit of purple. Oh, look at that. 667 00:43:01,280 --> 00:43:04,359 Oh, gee, have a look, mate. 668 00:43:04,400 --> 00:43:07,419 With a target of $20,000 this season, 669 00:43:07,460 --> 00:43:13,259 the team's haul of $1,500 after just two days is a great start. 670 00:43:13,300 --> 00:43:16,219 Right, well, that looks like the best of the best. 671 00:43:16,260 --> 00:43:18,259 Yeah, I reckon $1,500. 672 00:43:18,300 --> 00:43:20,299 They're beautiful stones in there. 673 00:43:20,340 --> 00:43:22,399 Off to a good start, Col, anyway. 674 00:43:22,440 --> 00:43:25,279 Yeah, it's a nice colour, isn't it? Yeah. 675 00:43:25,320 --> 00:43:29,219 Good little kick-along, bit of a start, bit of tucker money. Good start. 676 00:43:29,260 --> 00:43:33,479 All right. Let's have a beer, eh? Bloody owe it. Where's the car? 677 00:43:34,020 --> 00:43:36,099 Welcome back, mate. 678 00:43:36,140 --> 00:43:38,139 subtitles by Deluxe 679 00:43:39,305 --> 00:44:39,403