"Outback Opal Hunters" Aerial Opal Spotting

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,479 Whoa!NARRATOR: The mining season is almost over. 2 00:00:04,020 --> 00:00:05,339 Yes! 3 00:00:05,380 --> 00:00:08,199 The Rookies race to reach their target. 4 00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:11,119 100,000. Hitting hard deals above ground... 5 00:00:11,160 --> 00:00:13,079 You're squeezing us, Mohammed. 6 00:00:13,120 --> 00:00:15,039 ..and risking their lives below it. 7 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:17,179 JUSTIN: That roof could fall down. 8 00:00:17,220 --> 00:00:19,319 The brothers... 9 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:22,219 It should work. It's not rocket science. 10 00:00:22,260 --> 00:00:26,399 ..have one last chance to save their mega opal machine... 11 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:31,339 ..and rescue a disastrous season. 12 00:00:31,380 --> 00:00:33,459 Hopefully, he won't have another heart attack. 13 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:39,059 And Col's crew call in the cavalry, 14 00:00:39,100 --> 00:00:42,459 risking everything on one final gamble...GREG: Hey! 15 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:45,339 ..to strike it rich. Look at that. 16 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:53,074 17 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:24,099 It will, you know, if you go, 18 00:01:24,140 --> 00:01:26,199 "OK, it's dangerous and we don't now..." 19 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:28,339 Yes, yes, yes to all of that, you know? 20 00:01:28,380 --> 00:01:32,379 NARRATOR: Rookies, Justin and Dan, are at loggerheads. 21 00:01:32,420 --> 00:01:36,139 JUSTIN: Hey, come here. 22 00:01:36,180 --> 00:01:39,199 Recently, they hit a motherlode of opal, 23 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:41,319 $15,000 worth. 24 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:44,459 But the season is about to end, and the boys are still 25 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:49,279 more than $30,000 short of their $100,000 target. 26 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:53,159 To reach it, they need to agree to go back underground. 27 00:01:56,080 --> 00:02:00,079 The opal is in the most perilous section of their mine. 28 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:04,019 There's roof collapses right through the whole bloody mine. 29 00:02:04,060 --> 00:02:06,059 It's too risky. 30 00:02:07,380 --> 00:02:10,999 Every old miner we've talked to has said, "What field are you in?" 31 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:13,039 "Seventeen Mile." They go, 32 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:16,219 "That's blocky ground, you know, it's dangerous." 33 00:02:16,260 --> 00:02:19,379 NARRATOR: Dan is convinced it's worth the risk. 34 00:02:19,420 --> 00:02:22,239 I need to find some opal and bring home the bacon 35 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:24,419 so to speak, you know. 36 00:02:24,460 --> 00:02:28,399 I've got another little girl now, and the stakes are a bit higher 37 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:31,359 for me in that respect. I can feel a little bit 38 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:33,459 of a pinch there, you know? 39 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:36,299 That whole area where we're digging into is solid. 40 00:02:36,340 --> 00:02:39,299 If there's a billion bucks and we know it, 41 00:02:39,340 --> 00:02:41,459 we'll find a way to dig it out safely. 42 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:43,999 That roof could fall down. 43 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:46,199 Nah. We'll go and have a look. 44 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:50,059 We know, we've already had a look. 45 00:02:50,100 --> 00:02:52,199 Yeah, so what do you wanna do? 46 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:54,239 Not go at all, or... 47 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:59,479 We've mined there for such a long time, that I think, er, 48 00:03:00,020 --> 00:03:02,319 you know, we'll make it as safe as we can. 49 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:05,079 I've no interest in getting hurt or injured but, erm, 50 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:09,419 I think where we've worked, erm, you know, 51 00:03:09,460 --> 00:03:12,479 was pretty safe. I hope that's not my famous last words. 52 00:03:15,180 --> 00:03:17,179 Sort of had this little, bad sort of 53 00:03:17,220 --> 00:03:19,219 feeling about this area, in this shaft, 54 00:03:19,260 --> 00:03:22,339 but I suppose we've gotta do what we've gotta do to find the opal. 55 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:36,419 DAN: My wife is very supportive, but I'm not doing this just for fun, 56 00:03:36,460 --> 00:03:39,159 you know, I wanna make some money out of this. 57 00:03:44,300 --> 00:03:46,299 NARRATOR: 30 metres under... 58 00:03:46,340 --> 00:03:49,279 All right, let's go. You got the pallet?Yep. 59 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:53,239 ..Dan's keen to push deeper into the fragile wall, 60 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:56,239 where they found thousands of dollars of opal. 61 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:59,379 And there are clear signs there could be more. 62 00:03:59,420 --> 00:04:02,419 We've got some more material that might turn into colour, 63 00:04:02,460 --> 00:04:05,399 as well as, er, on this side, so ahead is the best. 64 00:04:08,220 --> 00:04:11,339 NARRATOR: Opal could be just centimetres away. 65 00:04:11,380 --> 00:04:14,059 You just don't know, you can pick away at it, 66 00:04:14,100 --> 00:04:16,399 you find a bit, and then it's gone. 67 00:04:17,420 --> 00:04:21,359 Or it opens up, and gets fatter and that's what you want. 68 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:24,319 But it's fraught with danger. 69 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:28,219 Dan's undermining the very wall holding up the roof. 70 00:04:28,260 --> 00:04:30,459 Let's have a quick check. Safety. 71 00:04:33,280 --> 00:04:36,059 Every time he drills... 72 00:04:38,180 --> 00:04:41,279 Whoa! ..he risks bringing down 73 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:45,359 tens of thousands of tons of rock on them both. 74 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,379 JUSTIN: Ooh. Sometimes, miners have been killed 75 00:04:48,420 --> 00:04:50,999 because you just keep chasing the opal 76 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:53,039 and you don't think about safety. 77 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:55,439 I think it's there's crack up here. Er... 78 00:04:59,180 --> 00:05:02,399 Dan's pretty much working somewhere here, 79 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:06,039 straight down two-and-a-half metres from this point. 80 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:08,259 And this hollow area has been bombed out 81 00:05:08,300 --> 00:05:10,399 like you wouldn't believe, which has weakened 82 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:14,139 this structure, that holds up the roof, so... 83 00:05:20,100 --> 00:05:22,399 There is no way I'm gonna get Dan out of that area. 84 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:30,159 You know, you already put your life on the line coming down here. 85 00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:33,219 Why not put your life on the line a little bit more. 86 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:48,119 Lightning Ridge, Northern New South Wales. 87 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:52,079 So far, this season, mechanical maestros, 88 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:57,059 Mick and Pete Cooke have barely $500 of opal in the bag. 89 00:05:57,100 --> 00:06:00,079 They're banking on their home-built prototype, Plutus, 90 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:02,239 to turn their fortunes around. 91 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:07,399 Digging for opal seven times faster than by hand, 92 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:10,179 Plutus could be a money-making game-changer. 93 00:06:10,220 --> 00:06:13,399 MICK: Goes down to the opal level, then cuts what becomes 94 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:15,479 a three-metre diameter circle. 95 00:06:16,020 --> 00:06:18,999 In opal hunting, the more dirt you move, 96 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:22,079 the more chance you have to find opal. 97 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:26,359 That'll be three or four truck loads of dirt that we can wash and sample 98 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:28,399 and we'll whether there are opals here. 99 00:06:30,340 --> 00:06:34,219 But Plutus is down-and-out. 100 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:38,359 It's definitely an electrical problem. 101 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:43,099 Plutus's extendable digging arm jammed underground. 102 00:06:45,180 --> 00:06:47,319 It's back to the drawing board. 103 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:50,139 I've just gotta make the next model up, that's all. 104 00:06:54,300 --> 00:06:57,299 The next model will carry a bigger power pack, 105 00:06:58,340 --> 00:07:01,359 a reconfigured hydraulic arm, 106 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:04,199 and a more robust remote control. 107 00:07:09,340 --> 00:07:13,079 Yeah, it should work. Yeah, it's not rocket science. 108 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:20,339 Enter Plutus Mach Two. 109 00:07:22,300 --> 00:07:25,099 After gambling two months of their time, 110 00:07:25,140 --> 00:07:27,999 and $10,000 of savings, 111 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:32,199 Mick and Pete need Plutus to start making money fast. 112 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:35,399 We're at 50. 113 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,379 The arm now needs to extend. 114 00:07:52,180 --> 00:07:54,219 You might have to lean over the hole. 115 00:07:54,260 --> 00:07:56,379 You should see the bar move once it starts to... 116 00:07:56,420 --> 00:07:59,479 You can't see nothing down there. You should see the bar move 117 00:08:00,020 --> 00:08:03,119 if you start pushing... Once I give it a couple of pulses? 118 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:06,239 I'm just trying to feel through the drill what resistance I've got, 119 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:08,399 cos I'm not sure how far out this thing is. 120 00:08:11,420 --> 00:08:14,339 All right, brother. I think you can hit the retract button. 121 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:24,299 It feels like it's jamming. 122 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:29,219 Once again, the machine that could save their season 123 00:08:29,260 --> 00:08:32,179 is stuck 20 metres underground. 124 00:08:32,220 --> 00:08:34,239 Hm. ! 125 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:36,419 Oh, I hate this, but that's what it is. 126 00:08:38,300 --> 00:08:40,299 That's it for today. 127 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,259 In sweltering Central Queensland... 128 00:08:57,020 --> 00:09:00,039 ..Col's Crew are fighting against time. 129 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:05,159 With their season nearly over, and only $5,100 in opal, 130 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:08,359 they are far-short of their $20,000 target. 131 00:09:10,180 --> 00:09:14,019 All of us need a payday. We're running out of resources. 132 00:09:14,060 --> 00:09:17,059 Their massive 12 kilometre-square claim, Oldtimers, 133 00:09:17,100 --> 00:09:19,079 is their last chance 134 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:22,459 to find opal, before rain and heat end their season. 135 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:27,119 We put everything we've got into it. I'm going there and having a go. 136 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:31,479 But Oldtimers is proving too vast for them to search. 137 00:09:33,140 --> 00:09:36,399 Might just grab a little bit of that warm water, soak my face. 138 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,299 Are you gonna have a shave, mate? Yeah, better have a shave. 139 00:09:39,340 --> 00:09:41,239 It's getting to that itchy stage. 140 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:43,339 Yeah, you're looking like Willie Nelson. 141 00:09:43,380 --> 00:09:47,059 Once a month, you've got to have a bath. 142 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:52,219 He looks different. 143 00:09:52,260 --> 00:09:54,279 Another ten years younger Col, easy. 144 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:56,319 You look like you're 21 again. 145 00:09:56,360 --> 00:10:00,239 Col, Aaron and Greg need a new game plan. 146 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:03,399 We might have to give Stoney a ring, see if we can get him at Sandy. 147 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:05,439 Maybe he's at home? 148 00:10:07,060 --> 00:10:11,239 Local pilot, Stoney, may be their only chance of hitting pay dirt. 149 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:15,059 We've known Stoney for years, we've worked on different mines together. 150 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:18,079 Stoney's eyes in the sky 151 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:21,019 could make all the difference to their opal hunt. 152 00:10:21,060 --> 00:10:24,219 Helicopter pilot is the most dangerous occupation there is. 153 00:10:24,260 --> 00:10:26,259 Out of the guys he went to school with, 154 00:10:26,300 --> 00:10:29,319 more than half of 'em are already dead from accidents. 155 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,219 We've got a couple of places that we're looking for, 156 00:10:39,260 --> 00:10:42,239 er, so let's see if we can jag him with a helicopter. 157 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:45,359 But hiring him is an expensive gamble. 158 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,239 Oh, that's great. Good on you, mate. 159 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:52,359 So many dollars a minute, so we'll see you when you get here, right? 160 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:57,099 At the end of the day, all we can do in a couple of hours 161 00:10:57,140 --> 00:11:00,199 in that machine would save us a week of groundwork. 162 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:13,339 COL: Captain! How have you been? 163 00:11:13,380 --> 00:11:16,359 Good to see you, Stoney.Yeah, I've worked with Douglas Stoney 164 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:19,039 on and off, over the years. He's good value, eh? 165 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:23,119 We all met in the same mental institution. Nah. 166 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:27,079 All right, we're out of here. 167 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:49,259 COL: I'm looking for what we call disturbance. 168 00:11:49,300 --> 00:11:52,179 When someone digs a hole, they throw all the dirt out. 169 00:11:52,220 --> 00:11:56,179 Now if they've hit a clay level, that clay gets bleached by the sun 170 00:11:56,220 --> 00:11:58,399 and it stands out, it goes white. 171 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:02,299 It's not long before Col's gamble pays off. 172 00:12:02,340 --> 00:12:04,339 Yeah, we'll go around and have a look. 173 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:11,359 Yeah, look at this here. 174 00:12:16,100 --> 00:12:18,099 What's going on over here? 175 00:12:18,140 --> 00:12:20,139 All right, it's half a dozen holes. 176 00:12:20,180 --> 00:12:22,279 Maybe they had a bit of a camp just here. 177 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:24,399 This dig site has been untouched 178 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:27,299 for over 100 years. Oh, that's great. 179 00:12:27,340 --> 00:12:30,119 Oh, excellent. It's beautiful. 180 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:32,159 Oh, bright. Bright, eh? 181 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:34,239 That's the most best bit to see, is bright. 182 00:12:34,280 --> 00:12:37,259 All signs suggest there's still treasure here, 183 00:12:37,300 --> 00:12:39,299 waiting to be found. 184 00:12:48,020 --> 00:12:51,139 30 metres underground... 185 00:12:51,180 --> 00:12:54,279 DAN: Down here. Like a bit more potch. 186 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:58,299 Potch is opal with no colour, and of little value. 187 00:12:58,340 --> 00:13:00,279 But it can lead to rich opal. 188 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:05,259 Dan's got in quite far in this big pillar, 189 00:13:05,300 --> 00:13:08,059 and this big sheet of wall. 190 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:15,019 Something about, I don't know, 300kg piece of rock sitting above Dan. 191 00:13:17,140 --> 00:13:18,999 But with opal fever... 192 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:20,399 Here. 193 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:23,059 Beautiful colour. 194 00:13:23,100 --> 00:13:26,199 ..it's easy to forget your fears. 195 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:28,379 Oh, nice, look at that. Whoa! 196 00:13:41,460 --> 00:13:44,279 Oh, my God! 197 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:46,199 You're getting some more? 198 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:48,259 Be patient. 199 00:13:48,300 --> 00:13:51,099 OK, Olympic . 200 00:13:51,140 --> 00:13:55,119 Flawless! 201 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:58,359 Oh, my God! 202 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:00,399 Moolah! 203 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:06,199 Oh, my God! Oh, my... 204 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:08,239 Do you like Opal? 205 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:17,239 Oh, my God! Look at this! 206 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:20,079 Wait, do you know how much money this is? 207 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:23,999 It's the biggest opal they've ever found. 208 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:40,119 She's not doing sweet FA now. 209 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:44,219 The Cooke brothers' one-ton Plutus is once again stuck 210 00:14:44,260 --> 00:14:47,059 20 metres down a mine shaft. 211 00:14:48,420 --> 00:14:51,079 There's no smell of smoke. Nah. No. 212 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:53,479 We were one better off than last time, definitely. 213 00:14:54,020 --> 00:14:56,239 It's another rescue mission. 214 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:59,299 And Mick's not relishing the prospect. 215 00:14:59,340 --> 00:15:02,219 It's painful. I've got to go down that hole and try 216 00:15:02,260 --> 00:15:04,339 and retract the arm and bring it up again. 217 00:15:05,360 --> 00:15:09,339 Deep below ground, it's hot, cramped and airless. 218 00:15:09,380 --> 00:15:13,159 No place for a man who's already suffered a heart attack. 219 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:16,279 This is the fun part. 220 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:18,999 All right, I'll see you on the news. 221 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:21,039 On the news? Don't say that. 222 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:26,319 In that hole, there's dangers, you know, there's 50 feet above you. 223 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,399 Someone could kick a rock in, or Mick could fall out of the wall. 224 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:35,239 He'll be huffing and puffing, for sure. 225 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:38,019 Hopefully, he won't have another heart attack. 226 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:43,099 I've got to figure out what's wrong with it, I made it, 227 00:15:43,140 --> 00:15:47,239 I'd love to have sent Peter down, but he didn't build the machine. 228 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:52,199 At the bottom, Mick can see just how unstable the broken ground is. 229 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:56,459 It's all over here. Oh, that could be dangerous. 230 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:04,039 A-ha. That might be a problem. 231 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:06,079 The receiver's been broken off. 232 00:16:07,380 --> 00:16:10,139 I might have to get a Phillips head and open this up. 233 00:16:10,180 --> 00:16:12,179 See if there's a fuse in it or something. 234 00:16:12,220 --> 00:16:15,019 Phillips head screwdriver. If we got Phillips head. 235 00:16:15,060 --> 00:16:17,279 Have a look in his tool box. I'll look in his truck. 236 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:19,319 It's a bit bloody hot. 237 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:21,379 I'm sweatin' like a pig. 238 00:16:21,420 --> 00:16:24,139 Will a tiny flat blade get it? 239 00:16:24,180 --> 00:16:28,099 Er, possibly.OK, we're having trouble finding a Phillips head. 240 00:16:28,140 --> 00:16:31,399 I see we're all prepared again, aren't we?Just give us a minute. 241 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:35,439 While it might not be working, Plutus shows promise. 242 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:38,039 It's done a good job, the reamer. 243 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:40,239 The lower part's belled out beautiful. 244 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:44,199 That's good. The machine did what it was designed to do. 245 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:46,459 You imagine being down that same hole, 246 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:50,439 with a jack hammer, you know, it's pretty hard work, 247 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:53,379 it's a real young man's job. 248 00:16:53,420 --> 00:16:57,059 You know, we're not young men any more. 249 00:16:57,100 --> 00:16:59,099 What that'll be able to do in one day, 250 00:16:59,140 --> 00:17:03,419 will take a week for anyone else, so, yeah, it's seven times faster. 251 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:09,119 I like that. I've got some, er, seam in the wall. 252 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:12,099 Oh, good.It might even be a bit of green colour in it. 253 00:17:12,140 --> 00:17:14,139 Well, that'd be nice. 254 00:17:14,180 --> 00:17:17,159 I could see opal in the wall, traces of opal. 255 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:20,139 I'll try and dig it out. Wonders will never cease. 256 00:17:20,180 --> 00:17:23,179 Yeah, it excites me to know we're at the right level, 257 00:17:23,220 --> 00:17:26,039 and get some more dirt out and I'm sure we'll find opal. 258 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:28,159 We'll be checking your pockets. 259 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:30,199 Yeah, it's in the top pocket. 260 00:17:32,120 --> 00:17:35,299 Hey, I'm an electrician now. 261 00:17:35,340 --> 00:17:38,299 Oh, that sounded like the little hydraulic pump kicking in. 262 00:17:38,340 --> 00:17:40,379 Whoo-hoo! 263 00:17:44,020 --> 00:17:46,259 Oh, no. That's a long way to the bloody top. 264 00:17:46,300 --> 00:17:48,299 You want a sausage roll? 265 00:17:48,340 --> 00:17:51,159 Yes, I wouldn't mind a sausage roll. 266 00:17:53,240 --> 00:17:56,079 See the stripes? Bluish. 267 00:17:57,240 --> 00:17:59,239 Yeah. It's all right. 268 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:01,319 A good indication. That's opal. 269 00:18:01,360 --> 00:18:04,459 Put it in our jar. 270 00:18:08,120 --> 00:18:10,479 At the Oldtimers' lease... 271 00:18:11,020 --> 00:18:13,179 It changes from matrix and little rocks, 272 00:18:13,220 --> 00:18:15,299 suddenly, they turn into big rocks. 273 00:18:15,340 --> 00:18:19,279 ..Col has clues to 100-year-old diggings. 274 00:18:19,320 --> 00:18:23,079 A hundred-year-old match box. And a lucky horseshoe. 275 00:18:23,120 --> 00:18:26,399 It gives Stoney an idea for a name for the site. 276 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:28,259 Look, lame horse, mate. 277 00:18:28,300 --> 00:18:30,319 That's it, Lame Horse Shoe. Lame horse shoe. 278 00:18:30,360 --> 00:18:33,319 Could only be lame with only bloody one...missing one shoe. 279 00:18:33,360 --> 00:18:36,059 Yeah, that's a lucky lame horse shoe. 280 00:18:36,100 --> 00:18:38,479 Once we had a good look, we started to find 281 00:18:39,020 --> 00:18:41,019 you know, what we needed to see. 282 00:18:41,060 --> 00:18:44,219 Have a look at that. This is a fossilised leaf. 283 00:18:44,260 --> 00:18:46,339 Millions of years old. 284 00:18:46,380 --> 00:18:49,379 Neat as, eh? How cool. 285 00:18:49,420 --> 00:18:53,179 That's the best sign for a billabong, is finding, erm, 286 00:18:53,220 --> 00:18:56,259 woody matter, leaf imprints, erm, 287 00:18:56,300 --> 00:18:59,419 that means it's the right environment for the opal to form. 288 00:18:59,460 --> 00:19:04,179 Hey, I've just seen some beautiful green. 289 00:19:04,220 --> 00:19:07,279 Oh, that's a beautiful colour, look how bright it is. 290 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:10,259 It's one thing finding a show with a bit of potch, 291 00:19:10,300 --> 00:19:13,239 but it's another one once it starts to show you colour. 292 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:16,279 That's a nice colour. Good to see. 293 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:19,099 It's not solid opal everywhere, it's not solid rocks, 294 00:19:19,140 --> 00:19:21,999 it's very patchy, but that's what we wanna see. 295 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:25,179 Lame Horse. Lame Horse. Lame Horse shoe, mate. 296 00:19:25,220 --> 00:19:28,179 Oh, you look at this colour, mate. That's a beautiful colour. 297 00:19:28,220 --> 00:19:30,219 It's brilliant, it's top colour. 298 00:19:30,260 --> 00:19:32,259 We better go and get the boys, eh? 299 00:19:32,300 --> 00:19:36,079 Shouldn't be too hard to make a track through there with a backhoe. 300 00:19:36,120 --> 00:19:38,359 Yeah. We'll go and get 'em excited. 301 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:48,339 How did you go, Col? Oh, mate. 302 00:19:49,380 --> 00:19:53,179 That's excellent. We got like half a dozen shafts, 303 00:19:53,220 --> 00:19:55,419 totally live with a brightest beautiful 304 00:19:55,460 --> 00:19:58,279 green and blue... That's good...and bright. 305 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:00,399 All right, let's go have a look at the shafts. 306 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:04,359 He is a professor in mapping. The professor.The professor. 307 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:07,299 Yeah, you wanna take the backhoe and we'll put a road in. 308 00:20:07,340 --> 00:20:09,359 He's our chief navigator. Yep. 309 00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:13,139 We're gonna just act dumb.Yeah, that's all we do. Just act dumb. 310 00:20:13,180 --> 00:20:16,339 Follow the leader.If in doubt... If in doubt, just act dumb. 311 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:22,479 The race is on to hit pay dirt at Lame Horse. 312 00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:55,099 Yes! 313 00:20:58,420 --> 00:21:02,419 Whoo! 314 00:21:02,460 --> 00:21:06,339 Oh! 315 00:21:06,380 --> 00:21:09,279 Look at it! ! Ah. 316 00:21:09,320 --> 00:21:12,219 Whoa! 317 00:21:12,260 --> 00:21:16,039 Holy moly. 318 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:20,159 My heart is racing. Whoa. 319 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:22,479 Is there more in the wall? 320 00:21:23,020 --> 00:21:25,099 You will not believe this! Really? 321 00:21:25,140 --> 00:21:27,139 Yeah. 322 00:21:29,040 --> 00:21:32,459 Whoo-hoo! Check it out! 323 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:37,459 Oh, my God! Yes! 324 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:41,039 Oh, my God. Oh, my God. 325 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:45,099 It is this fat. Oh, my... 326 00:21:45,140 --> 00:21:47,379 Oh! 327 00:21:47,420 --> 00:21:50,039 Look at this stone. 328 00:21:51,120 --> 00:21:54,059 I'll slobber on it. Look at the colour. 329 00:21:54,100 --> 00:21:59,139 Oh, my God! Oh, my God. Wow. 330 00:22:01,220 --> 00:22:05,379 I just found the biggest pocket of our mining career. 331 00:22:05,420 --> 00:22:08,279 It is unbelievable. It is unbelievable. 332 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:12,099 I've never ever, ever, ever, 333 00:22:12,140 --> 00:22:15,199 ever seen opal this big in the world before. 334 00:22:15,240 --> 00:22:17,239 Same. Ever. 335 00:22:17,280 --> 00:22:19,319 You wouldn't believe it. It's all happening. 336 00:22:19,360 --> 00:22:21,999 The heart rate, you can feel it getting a bit... 337 00:22:22,040 --> 00:22:23,419 Getting a bit more excited 338 00:22:23,460 --> 00:22:27,019 and the adrenaline starts pumping through your bloody veins. 339 00:22:27,060 --> 00:22:29,179 Here we are, in the middle of the night, 340 00:22:29,220 --> 00:22:31,319 looking for this opal. We should be in bed, 341 00:22:31,360 --> 00:22:34,099 we should've had dinner by now. We're just on pure 342 00:22:34,140 --> 00:22:36,259 adrenaline at the moment. Just going for it. 343 00:22:36,300 --> 00:22:40,359 What the... 344 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:43,299 Look at this. 345 00:22:43,340 --> 00:22:47,399 No matter how late it is at night, you still get excited about opal. 346 00:22:47,440 --> 00:22:50,259 Did you see that or did you miss that? 347 00:22:50,300 --> 00:22:54,059 Oh, I didn't even see that. 348 00:22:54,100 --> 00:22:55,459 That's what I was going nuts about... 349 00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:57,319 We're back on a high. 350 00:22:58,440 --> 00:23:02,159 It's brilliant. I've got 30 grand in my hands right now. 351 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:09,099 This is worth some serious money. 352 00:23:11,460 --> 00:23:15,219 Bam! Tonight, Seventeen Mile has delivered. 353 00:23:16,260 --> 00:23:22,299 For the first time, the good bag is fuller than the potch bag. 354 00:23:22,340 --> 00:23:25,239 That's never happened before. 355 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:28,119 This is why we go opal mining, these are the moments 356 00:23:28,160 --> 00:23:30,399 and they are absolutely priceless. 357 00:23:30,440 --> 00:23:32,459 This is the best. Done it.Finally. 358 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:34,999 I know. I can't believe it. 359 00:23:36,040 --> 00:23:38,239 Big, fat colour, and you know, 360 00:23:38,280 --> 00:23:41,179 you pry it out, and behind it, there's more, 361 00:23:41,220 --> 00:23:44,079 and that's what you want, it is just perfect. 362 00:23:44,120 --> 00:23:48,299 But will it be enough to get the rookies to their target? 363 00:23:59,080 --> 00:24:05,399 From the bowels of the earth, rises Plutus, finally free. 364 00:24:09,340 --> 00:24:13,359 The brothers can now bring up the dirt Plutus has carved 365 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:16,219 with the mighty Megatron. 366 00:24:25,380 --> 00:24:28,459 But the monster drill is misbehaving. 367 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:31,219 We're in a bit of a . Yeah, I see that. 368 00:24:31,260 --> 00:24:33,379 All I can do is just keep trying to reverse it. 369 00:24:33,420 --> 00:24:36,159 Megaton's drill is made up of a series 370 00:24:36,200 --> 00:24:39,099 of telescopic bars called Kelly bars. 371 00:24:39,140 --> 00:24:42,299 It's just seems the locking thing has jammed a bit. 372 00:24:42,340 --> 00:24:46,239 Mick will just have to keep with it will we come through. 373 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:50,279 Kelly bars are series of bars inside each other. 374 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:53,199 Basically, like a car aerial, you know, one pops out, 375 00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:55,239 the next one pops out and the next one, 376 00:24:55,280 --> 00:24:57,279 but they actually lock when you turn 'em. 377 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:01,399 But two of the bars are locked tight. 378 00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:03,999 If they can't unlock them, they can't get 379 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:06,159 the opal dirt up to the surface. 380 00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:09,319 This is the problem. 381 00:25:09,360 --> 00:25:11,379 The machine's second-hand, it's probably... 382 00:25:11,420 --> 00:25:15,319 It's done a lot of hours, so, erm, yeah, I've just... 383 00:25:15,360 --> 00:25:18,039 It's worn, I've got to do some maintenance. 384 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:21,239 The bars are out of line, those two flats should line up. 385 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:23,999 What's happened, it's got a bit wear inside, 386 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:26,059 so it's twisted and then it's jammed. 387 00:25:26,100 --> 00:25:28,139 To free the two locked bars, 388 00:25:28,180 --> 00:25:31,279 they'll attempt to hold the bottom one still with a chain. 389 00:25:32,300 --> 00:25:35,439 Then use Megatron to twist the upper bar loose. 390 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:38,339 But I'm going to turn the top one. 391 00:25:38,380 --> 00:25:40,419 It's gotta go back that way, doesn't it? 392 00:25:40,460 --> 00:25:44,279 No. If you do the top, the top one has to go anti-clock wise. 393 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:47,359 I just had a little argument now. I don't wanna kill him 394 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:50,239 and I don't think he wants to kill me, so, yeah, 395 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:53,259 we gotta be able to communicate pretty well. 396 00:25:53,300 --> 00:25:56,039 OK, I'll bring it up... up to height. 397 00:25:56,080 --> 00:25:58,079 Around from the other side. Yeah. 398 00:25:59,140 --> 00:26:02,319 I'll get the machine fired. Pete and mate, Gavin, 399 00:26:02,360 --> 00:26:05,459 will have the task of locking the bottom shaft in place. 400 00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:07,999 Actually, you should be able to... 401 00:26:08,040 --> 00:26:11,039 Yeah, you wanna be able to lock it in tight, so... 402 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:13,339 If I chuck it over the cabin, Pete can wrap it around. 403 00:26:13,380 --> 00:26:15,379 Or I can wind it up myself. 404 00:26:15,420 --> 00:26:18,179 But it's a task full of danger. 405 00:26:18,220 --> 00:26:20,219 We had quite a heavy-duty chain, 406 00:26:20,260 --> 00:26:23,059 you know, probably 20-ton breaking strain. 407 00:26:24,260 --> 00:26:26,379 And then a great big V shackle. 408 00:26:26,420 --> 00:26:28,419 All right, OK, now wind him up. 409 00:26:28,460 --> 00:26:32,039 Just watch your hands in case that bar jumps all of a sudden. 410 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:35,059 Once that starts spinning around, it could get a bit dangerous. 411 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:38,399 OK. 412 00:26:38,440 --> 00:26:40,999 If the chain snapped, it'd go off like a gun. 413 00:26:42,040 --> 00:26:44,479 Yeah, 100,000lb of torque. 414 00:26:45,020 --> 00:26:48,199 Yeah, it'd be like a bloody bullet, you would not wanna get hit by it. 415 00:26:50,020 --> 00:26:53,039 You stand well back out of the line of fire. 416 00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:55,179 But the chain keeps slipping. 417 00:26:55,220 --> 00:26:59,159 And Pete and Gavin have to reposition it by hand. 418 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:01,239 Don't touch the bar. 419 00:27:01,280 --> 00:27:05,119 That outer one could slide down. I don't want your fingers near it. 420 00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:07,259 I just like them to keep their hands clear. 421 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:16,999 You can't... Fingers are too close to the second bar. 422 00:27:18,100 --> 00:27:20,099 Might need a hammer for that. 423 00:27:24,040 --> 00:27:26,299 Just gotta get a hammer on that. 424 00:27:46,100 --> 00:27:48,419 So, let's do the trench to see what the ground is doing 425 00:27:48,460 --> 00:27:51,179 on the solid bit that's right next to that. 426 00:27:51,220 --> 00:27:54,119 And that way, er, we might find some colour. 427 00:27:55,120 --> 00:27:57,119 All right, Col. 428 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:03,079 Col's crew are chasing their $20,000 target hard. 429 00:28:13,460 --> 00:28:17,019 With Col's cancer setting them back three months, 430 00:28:17,060 --> 00:28:22,119 their entire season now rests on this one final dig. 431 00:28:23,480 --> 00:28:26,339 No rocks except for those little ones.Yeah. 432 00:28:31,480 --> 00:28:33,479 It's there. That's it. 433 00:28:44,160 --> 00:28:46,459 Now the money, mate. Now the money.Yeah. 434 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:49,339 Let's just start our run. I'm a little bit burned. 435 00:28:52,340 --> 00:28:55,399 The team spend most of the day digging the trench. 436 00:28:57,360 --> 00:29:01,079 But it's empty. No opal. 437 00:29:01,120 --> 00:29:03,319 Ah, we just need a bit of colour for a bit of hope. 438 00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:07,479 Aaron deepens the trench one last time. 439 00:29:08,020 --> 00:29:10,019 That's it. 440 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:14,119 That's it. 441 00:29:17,180 --> 00:29:19,339 AARON: Look at that. 442 00:29:19,380 --> 00:29:22,299 Greggy. Look at this colour. 443 00:29:22,340 --> 00:29:24,379 Look at that. 444 00:29:24,420 --> 00:29:26,419 There's some colour. Hey. 445 00:29:26,460 --> 00:29:29,079 That's a go. 446 00:29:30,140 --> 00:29:32,139 That's a go. COL: Oh, beautiful. 447 00:29:32,180 --> 00:29:35,399 I better turn her off, eh? Got a bit of motivation now. 448 00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:37,999 Stoney. That's good, mate. That's good. 449 00:29:38,040 --> 00:29:40,239 Bits of blue, bit of electric purple, 450 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:43,439 nice purple, er, so that's a really good sign, cos they're boulders. 451 00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:47,199 Finally, these prospectors have struck it big. 452 00:29:47,240 --> 00:29:50,179 That's the business. STONEY: That's the business. 453 00:29:50,220 --> 00:29:53,139 Let me see that. Yee-haw, Grandma. 454 00:29:53,180 --> 00:29:57,179 This is the find Col's crew has desperately needed. 455 00:29:58,300 --> 00:30:01,399 There's nothing wrong with what we're finding now. It's good stuff. 456 00:30:08,480 --> 00:30:11,259 In Coober Pedy, Dan and Justin 457 00:30:11,300 --> 00:30:16,139 have cleaned out what they ca from their mine at Seventeen Mile. 458 00:30:16,180 --> 00:30:21,099 and have arranged to meet opal buyer, Mohammed, one last time. 459 00:30:21,140 --> 00:30:23,279 Presentation, presentation, presentation. 460 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:27,399 Still $33,000 short of their target, 461 00:30:27,440 --> 00:30:32,479 they believe their recent finds are worth at least $12,000. 462 00:30:33,020 --> 00:30:35,299 So, it all comes down to this very moment where, 463 00:30:35,340 --> 00:30:38,339 you know, all of that our work is... 464 00:30:38,380 --> 00:30:42,279 is gonna either be bought or not. 465 00:30:43,300 --> 00:30:46,119 Yeah, this is the real good stuff. 466 00:30:46,160 --> 00:30:48,159 MOHAMMED: OK. 467 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:52,139 Many of the boys' stones are small. 468 00:30:52,180 --> 00:30:54,179 This is not for my market. 469 00:30:54,220 --> 00:30:57,299 Mohammed's only interested in the larger stones. 470 00:30:57,340 --> 00:30:59,339 Can I see? 471 00:31:00,420 --> 00:31:03,359 Big chunky pieces. Mm, isn't it? 472 00:31:03,400 --> 00:31:06,259 We've been keeping this just for you.Yeah. 473 00:31:07,340 --> 00:31:10,339 Hm. So, what's the number? 474 00:31:10,380 --> 00:31:13,099 Mohammed, what would work for you? 475 00:31:18,200 --> 00:31:20,379 Can I have in seven? 476 00:31:20,420 --> 00:31:24,039 Seven? Because it costs me much money. 477 00:31:24,080 --> 00:31:28,179 For all of this?This is... I'm not buying separately. 478 00:31:28,220 --> 00:31:30,319 I have to calculate this thing, too. 479 00:31:32,400 --> 00:31:35,439 You're squeezing... You're squeezing us, Mohammed. 480 00:31:35,480 --> 00:31:39,039 You're squeezing us. Seven grand, I'll take one of those to India 481 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:41,079 and I'll make seven grand out of this. 482 00:31:41,120 --> 00:31:44,419 You are most welcome. 483 00:31:44,460 --> 00:31:47,239 You know, we'd like to do business with you. 484 00:31:49,140 --> 00:31:52,359 Let us save face, eight-and-a-half. Please, eight. Please. 485 00:31:52,400 --> 00:31:55,159 I will be happy, you'll be happy, give me shake hand. 486 00:31:55,200 --> 00:31:58,999 Eight-and-a-half. Eight-and-a-half, $500. That's not much. 487 00:31:59,040 --> 00:32:01,399 OK, OK, thank you very much. All right. $8,000. 488 00:32:01,440 --> 00:32:03,439 OK, nice deal. 489 00:32:03,480 --> 00:32:07,339 $8,000 brings them up to $75,000, 490 00:32:07,380 --> 00:32:10,479 just $25,000 off their target. 491 00:32:11,020 --> 00:32:13,019 You live and learn, and, er, 492 00:32:13,060 --> 00:32:16,139 I guess that includes the art of negotiation. 493 00:32:16,180 --> 00:32:21,079 All now rests on the appraisal of their most valuable opal, 494 00:32:21,120 --> 00:32:23,459 this priced fossilised shell. 495 00:32:36,300 --> 00:32:39,039 With Megaton's drill shaft free... 496 00:32:40,320 --> 00:32:44,059 ..it can haul up the dirt Plutus carved out. 497 00:32:44,100 --> 00:32:46,299 We'd bring that dirt up, we can wash it, 498 00:32:46,340 --> 00:32:48,439 er, if it's any good, we'll mine that hole. 499 00:32:48,480 --> 00:32:51,019 If it's not, we'll move over and do it again 500 00:32:51,060 --> 00:32:53,479 until we find a good hole that's got a few gems in it. 501 00:32:57,340 --> 00:32:59,339 Yeah, welcome to Madman's Gully. 502 00:32:59,380 --> 00:33:01,379 I think the name's fairly appropriate. 503 00:33:13,200 --> 00:33:15,199 Beautiful day for piling out. 504 00:33:15,240 --> 00:33:18,479 In this nice sunlight, you'll see it, if it's there to be seen. 505 00:33:20,480 --> 00:33:23,279 Oh. What do you think of that? I know. 506 00:33:23,320 --> 00:33:27,039 Much better. 507 00:33:27,080 --> 00:33:29,259 A green bit there. 508 00:33:31,200 --> 00:33:35,059 Look at the green-orange there. It's a fossily-looking stuff. 509 00:33:35,100 --> 00:33:38,139 Yeah. Really nice red. 510 00:33:38,180 --> 00:33:40,179 All white in that one, eh? 511 00:33:42,480 --> 00:33:44,479 Oh, that's pretty successful, 512 00:33:45,020 --> 00:33:48,059 to find that amount of colour in one truck. 513 00:33:48,100 --> 00:33:50,999 If you get this here, there should be more of it there. 514 00:33:51,040 --> 00:33:54,099 You know, bit of nice green-orange colour in it, 515 00:33:54,140 --> 00:33:56,079 which is really good. 516 00:33:56,120 --> 00:33:58,039 Finally, their $10,000, 517 00:33:58,080 --> 00:34:01,459 two-month investment in Plutus has started to pay off. 518 00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:04,259 OK, that's from today, you know, 519 00:34:04,300 --> 00:34:07,219 fossily-looking stuff. Sure. That's not too bad. 520 00:34:07,260 --> 00:34:11,019 Nice bit of crystal there. Hm.That is nice crystal. 521 00:34:11,060 --> 00:34:13,339 And then that's not a bad bit of a nobby. 522 00:34:15,380 --> 00:34:17,379 A blue one? 523 00:34:18,460 --> 00:34:21,199 MICK: You get your money for this one. 524 00:34:21,240 --> 00:34:23,399 There's probably a lot more down there. 525 00:34:23,440 --> 00:34:27,339 God, give us a big piece of that. 526 00:34:27,380 --> 00:34:30,139 Then you're talking...real money. 527 00:34:30,180 --> 00:34:33,259 That's $10,000 of carats stuff, perhaps, huh? 528 00:34:33,300 --> 00:34:35,419 I think we're on to something there. 529 00:34:35,460 --> 00:34:38,099 Yeah. I'm not disappointed at all. 530 00:34:38,140 --> 00:34:40,139 Definitely. I'd say so. 531 00:34:40,180 --> 00:34:43,039 We figured $1,000 for it, 532 00:34:43,080 --> 00:34:45,379 that'll pay for the new power pack for the reamer. 533 00:34:45,420 --> 00:34:47,419 And, erm, away we'll go again. 534 00:34:47,460 --> 00:34:52,219 The spoils are modest but Plutus has proved itself. 535 00:34:54,140 --> 00:34:57,039 That is a good result, really. That same hole, you know, 536 00:34:57,080 --> 00:34:58,999 that's gonna be finished reaming off, 537 00:34:59,040 --> 00:35:00,399 there could be a bit more there. 538 00:35:00,440 --> 00:35:04,159 When you get that sort of stuff out, you gotta go down and have a look. 539 00:35:06,240 --> 00:35:10,039 Poor old Plutus, he'll live again, yeah. 540 00:35:10,080 --> 00:35:13,259 Yeah, and maybe, next time, a bit more successful. Hm. 541 00:35:13,300 --> 00:35:16,259 Oh, well, it was successful. It did what it was meant to do. 542 00:35:16,300 --> 00:35:19,299 But, I mean, it'll retract and I won't have to go down the hole. 543 00:35:19,340 --> 00:35:22,039 Yeah, that'd be more successful, yes.Yes. 544 00:35:22,080 --> 00:35:24,279 Make me a lot happier, too. 545 00:35:28,440 --> 00:35:33,239 $1,000 brings them up to just over $1,500. 546 00:35:35,280 --> 00:35:38,399 A couple hundred grand would've been nice, but, erm, 547 00:35:38,440 --> 00:35:41,339 I think we might've got a couple of hundred dollars, really. 548 00:35:41,380 --> 00:35:44,339 Yeah, we didn't make any money. It cost money. 549 00:35:44,380 --> 00:35:48,439 But their brain-child, Plutus, will change the way they mine. 550 00:35:50,440 --> 00:35:54,059 Plutus has been, I think, a very worthwhile 551 00:35:54,100 --> 00:35:56,179 investment of time and money. 552 00:35:56,220 --> 00:35:58,459 Vastly improving their chances 553 00:35:59,000 --> 00:36:03,039 of a bumper opal haul next season. 554 00:36:03,080 --> 00:36:05,459 It will pay dividends. 555 00:36:06,000 --> 00:36:07,999 You don't get your dividends straight away. 556 00:36:08,040 --> 00:36:11,239 In opal mining, you could be here for 20 years before you get something. 557 00:36:12,360 --> 00:36:14,359 There's a lot of luck in it. 558 00:36:27,240 --> 00:36:29,239 COL: Let's start digging, all right? 559 00:36:29,280 --> 00:36:32,259 At the Lame Horse site, Col's crew has hit 560 00:36:32,300 --> 00:36:34,359 the best opal of their season. 561 00:36:34,400 --> 00:36:37,439 Nice boulder opals, like pancakes, little rocks. 562 00:36:37,480 --> 00:36:40,239 Bit of purple. Oh, yeah. Yeah. 563 00:36:40,280 --> 00:36:42,419 That's a go. Might be some more with it. 564 00:36:42,460 --> 00:36:46,179 Little family of 'em. Little family living there. 565 00:36:46,220 --> 00:36:49,999 Yeah, good to see, eh? You can hear him clink, eh? 566 00:36:50,040 --> 00:36:54,079 No, that's the rocks in Aaron's head, mate. 567 00:36:54,120 --> 00:36:58,219 Bit of business here. His other friends might be out there, I'd say. 568 00:36:58,260 --> 00:37:01,099 Yeah, you gotta persevere. 569 00:37:01,140 --> 00:37:04,399 We're seeing the ground doing its thing, which is... 570 00:37:04,440 --> 00:37:07,199 Beginning to understand it a bit, and it looks good. 571 00:37:07,240 --> 00:37:10,159 It's got a lot of purple, eh? Yeah. 572 00:37:10,200 --> 00:37:13,259 No, it's good trace. Now, there's finally some colour coming. 573 00:37:13,300 --> 00:37:17,359 Chuck it in the bucket, Greg. OK.It's beautiful. 574 00:37:17,400 --> 00:37:21,479 Lame Horse is the rich source they've been hoping for. 575 00:37:22,020 --> 00:37:25,999 Oh, nice, thick band, eh? Yeah. 576 00:37:26,040 --> 00:37:28,419 Oh, beautiful, eh? Well, that's good. 577 00:37:28,460 --> 00:37:32,279 Tracing the footsteps of the Oldtimers has worked out. 578 00:37:32,320 --> 00:37:36,259 Look at that thick band. Eh? 579 00:37:36,300 --> 00:37:39,339 That's a go. That's a go. 580 00:37:39,380 --> 00:37:44,179 End of the day, and Lame Horse has been a bountiful spot. 581 00:37:44,220 --> 00:37:47,099 COL: Got some colour, what more do you need? 582 00:37:47,140 --> 00:37:49,139 Well, as much fun as this has been, 583 00:37:49,180 --> 00:37:51,299 I'm gonna have to bloody make a... 584 00:37:51,340 --> 00:37:55,239 Before he leaves, Stoney has a surprise for Aaron. 585 00:37:55,280 --> 00:37:58,479 I reckon you should come for a spin with me, mate. All right. 586 00:37:59,020 --> 00:38:02,079 I've never been in one. Are they really good, mate? 587 00:38:02,120 --> 00:38:04,439 All right, are you ready for it, mate?Yeah. 588 00:38:06,420 --> 00:38:09,159 AARON: ! Whoo! 589 00:38:09,200 --> 00:38:11,199 Oh, ! 590 00:38:11,240 --> 00:38:14,319 When I first took off and he's going sideways, I'm, like... 591 00:38:14,360 --> 00:38:18,139 Then I started looking at the ground, then I come good. 592 00:38:18,180 --> 00:38:20,439 See over there, look. 593 00:38:20,480 --> 00:38:22,479 I couldn't stress, so I just calmed down. 594 00:38:34,120 --> 00:38:37,019 Once I got over that first bit... 595 00:38:37,060 --> 00:38:38,479 I was right then, but that first spin, 596 00:38:39,020 --> 00:38:40,399 I didn't know what was going on. 597 00:38:45,040 --> 00:38:48,279 Col's gamble on hiring Stoney and his helicopter 598 00:38:48,320 --> 00:38:50,359 has paid off. 599 00:38:50,400 --> 00:38:53,239 That's a parcel, Col. Yeah, we got some rocks. 600 00:38:53,280 --> 00:38:56,319 Oh, I know, mate.Good to see some nice ones amongst 'em, eh? 601 00:38:57,440 --> 00:39:00,999 Just what we needed to find. But will it be enough 602 00:39:01,040 --> 00:39:04,199 to make their $20,000 target? 603 00:39:05,240 --> 00:39:08,199 Nice colours. Ooh, what's that flashed at me? 604 00:39:08,240 --> 00:39:10,239 Oh, look at that. 605 00:39:12,080 --> 00:39:15,419 That's on the top. What's underneath down deeper that we can't see? 606 00:39:15,460 --> 00:39:18,279 Oh, I need a X-Ray machine. 607 00:39:19,380 --> 00:39:21,459 They have boulder opal. 608 00:39:22,000 --> 00:39:25,259 It's shot through with good blues, increasing the value. 609 00:39:25,300 --> 00:39:30,279 It's in the rough. And they have 30 kilos of it. 610 00:39:30,320 --> 00:39:33,119 How much, you think? Ten, 15? 611 00:39:33,160 --> 00:39:35,179 Yeah, now that's gotta be worth 15, eh? 612 00:39:35,220 --> 00:39:37,219 And there'll be more of 'em in there. 613 00:39:37,260 --> 00:39:40,139 That beautiful, commercial, clean blue-green. 614 00:39:40,180 --> 00:39:44,139 It's good stuff.Good to see Stoney come over and give us a bit of... 615 00:39:44,180 --> 00:39:47,199 Yeah, I know, I love that machine. It's the best viewing. 616 00:39:47,240 --> 00:39:49,239 We've got a couple other places to try now. 617 00:39:49,280 --> 00:39:52,259 This last-minute haul of $15,000 618 00:39:52,300 --> 00:39:58,199 means Col's crew have reached just over their $20,000 season target. 619 00:39:58,240 --> 00:40:01,279 Yeah, I think what we've done at Oldtimers has been worth it. 620 00:40:01,320 --> 00:40:05,199 That payday we got there will keep us going for few months. 621 00:40:05,240 --> 00:40:09,179 We all saw beautiful colour, so we know there's colour is rare. 622 00:40:09,220 --> 00:40:12,259 We just gotta find where it's collected and concentrated. 623 00:40:12,300 --> 00:40:16,119 Great to see 'em. We really appreciated that we found something. 624 00:40:16,160 --> 00:40:18,159 And I'm sure there's more to find. 625 00:40:30,380 --> 00:40:35,279 Dan and Justin's tally now sits at $75,000. 626 00:40:35,320 --> 00:40:39,379 Hitting their target of $100,000 rests on the final valuation 627 00:40:39,420 --> 00:40:42,119 of their most priced opal. 628 00:40:42,160 --> 00:40:46,279 This rare fossilised yellow shell from Shell Patch, 629 00:40:46,320 --> 00:40:49,339 John Dunstan has already given them an estimate. 630 00:40:49,380 --> 00:40:53,999 It's clean right through it, retail could be worth 20, 30 grand. 631 00:40:54,040 --> 00:40:57,059 NARRATOR: To get the maximum value, 632 00:40:57,100 --> 00:41:00,999 expert polisher, Stuart Jackson, has been working up the shell. 633 00:41:01,040 --> 00:41:04,399 Oh, wow Oh, what? 634 00:41:07,440 --> 00:41:11,099 It just needs a bit more polishing, that's all. 635 00:41:11,140 --> 00:41:13,339 Mm-hm. Just a little bit more polishing. 636 00:41:13,380 --> 00:41:15,479 Just about drill a hole through that. 637 00:41:16,020 --> 00:41:19,299 Wear it around my neck. Come on. 638 00:41:19,340 --> 00:41:21,339 "Drill a hole through it!" 639 00:41:24,420 --> 00:41:26,999 Give it a buff over, just lightly. 640 00:41:34,380 --> 00:41:36,439 Retail value... 641 00:41:38,300 --> 00:41:40,999 It could be worth $60,000. 642 00:41:41,040 --> 00:41:43,439 Set, finished, total, chained. 643 00:41:43,480 --> 00:41:47,359 The whole lot, ready to rock 'n' roll on someone's neck. 644 00:41:47,400 --> 00:41:50,159 That's not bad. 645 00:41:50,200 --> 00:41:54,199 NARRATOR: This extra $30,000 on top of John's estimate 646 00:41:54,240 --> 00:41:59,419 brings their season total up to $105,000. 647 00:41:59,460 --> 00:42:02,119 All right. 648 00:42:03,460 --> 00:42:05,459 What sort of beer do you want, boys? 649 00:42:07,280 --> 00:42:11,239 This is beautiful. Cheers, Dan. Beautiful. Good work, Justin. 650 00:42:11,280 --> 00:42:13,299 Oh, it's been one hell of a journey, this. 651 00:42:13,340 --> 00:42:16,179 This mining season, we had a target 652 00:42:16,220 --> 00:42:19,339 of $100,000, and, lo and behold, we hit it. 653 00:42:19,380 --> 00:42:22,419 Finally, we can call ourselves opal miners.I think so. 654 00:42:22,460 --> 00:42:26,219 There is the proof. Little success story for us 655 00:42:26,260 --> 00:42:31,059 but it really was a team effort. The likes of Johnny Dunstan... 656 00:42:31,100 --> 00:42:34,399 I'm pleased that you're finding, you know, some fossils. 657 00:42:34,440 --> 00:42:38,259 George, "the Desert Fox," if these local legends 658 00:42:38,300 --> 00:42:41,219 hadn't given us the support that they actually did... 659 00:42:44,120 --> 00:42:46,419 ..we would've probably given up by now. 660 00:42:46,460 --> 00:42:49,219 For Dan and Justin, next season 661 00:42:49,260 --> 00:42:52,259 promises to be bigger and better. 662 00:42:52,300 --> 00:42:54,319 If we hit a $100,000 this season, 663 00:42:54,360 --> 00:42:58,179 next season, quarter of a mill. Yeah. 664 00:42:58,220 --> 00:43:01,279 If we can turn this into a bundle of notes, 665 00:43:01,320 --> 00:43:05,219 then we can buy an excavator, and mine like the big boys.I reckon. 666 00:43:05,260 --> 00:43:09,339 And they can't wait to get back on the hunt. 667 00:43:09,380 --> 00:43:11,379 Whoo-hoo! 668 00:43:15,020 --> 00:43:17,459 Once you have opal fever, that stays with you, 669 00:43:18,000 --> 00:43:20,019 you can't get rid of it. 670 00:43:20,060 --> 00:43:23,379 Whoa! Holy moly. 671 00:43:23,420 --> 00:43:26,359 It is the best! 672 00:43:26,400 --> 00:43:29,279 It's out there, and you just gotta dig. 673 00:43:36,340 --> 00:43:38,339 subtitles by Deluxe 673 00:43:39,305 --> 00:44:39,403 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm