"Outback Opal Hunters" Red Tape

1 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:10,119 OFFICIAL: We have our own internal process. 2 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,119 If your claim was granted between January 2015 3 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:16,999 and the February date this year, you have to stop mining. 4 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:23,199 The claim is invalid, and you must apply for a new claim. 5 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:26,919 MAN: So you're changing the rules? We're not changing the rules. 6 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:34,839 It affects hundreds and hundreds of miners 7 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:37,439 across the whole of the Lightning Ridge opal fields, 8 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:39,639 from Lightning Ridge to Grawin to the Corcoran. 9 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:42,319 CHRIS: Shut us down overnight with no consultation.Yeah. 10 00:00:43,480 --> 00:00:46,519 How are you supposed to run a business like that? 11 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:51,079 Any claims that were registered from 2015 on, you can't mine there. 12 00:00:51,160 --> 00:00:54,319 They've just taken our right to work away from us altogether. 13 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:57,519 We're simple people. We dig holes for a living. 14 00:00:57,600 --> 00:00:59,719 Yous made the mistake. 15 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:03,479 OFFICIAL: Yep.Why can't you fix this issue yourselves? 16 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:05,839 Why do we have to fix your stuff? 17 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,719 The only mine we had we were legally allowed to work was Robbie's. 18 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:12,399 The roof's about to come in there. 19 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:15,199 And all our other claims, er, we can't work. 20 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:19,079 SAM: The miners haven't done anything wrong. We've done what we've been asked to do, 21 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:22,319 and we've obliged by what we've been told we need to do. 22 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:24,479 Yet we're the ones being punished. 23 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:26,679 ROD: We don't have an income any more, 24 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:28,879 and now we don't know what to do. 25 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:38,519 NEWSREADER: Over 800 opal miners have had their licences suspended. 26 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:43,639 NARRATOR: The opal industry is on the verge of extinction. 27 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:45,919 Mining will have to cease immediately 28 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:47,599 in accordance with the law. 29 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:51,039 State by state, government red tape 30 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:54,199 is strangling the dreams of opal miners. 31 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:56,119 Everything they're allowed... 32 00:01:56,200 --> 00:02:00,239 This... ..filming! 33 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:06,119 And catastrophic outback weather is obliterating what remains. 34 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:10,079 This is smack bang middle of the opal fields out at Grawin. 35 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:18,639 This is his old coffee cup he used to always drink his tea out of. 36 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:21,159 Now he's dead, and his camp's gone. 37 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:25,159 She's coming again. 38 00:02:27,880 --> 00:02:30,799 Oh, dude, that's coming in hard. Oy. 39 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:32,479 This season... 40 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:35,039 You need to get rid of all of that! Not yet. 41 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:37,559 Now!I can't hear you.Get out! 42 00:02:37,640 --> 00:02:39,799 ..only the toughest miners... 43 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:42,159 Ah, look out so you don't lose it. 44 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:46,319 ..enduring... MATHEW: Oh, hey, hey, hey. 45 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:48,719 Oh, thought he was going down with heatstroke. 46 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:51,159 Seen this before, man. We don't have long, eh. 47 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,959 ..evolving... Yeah, stop.DAN: Whoa up. 48 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,359 We've got a detection. Oh, you got something?We do. 49 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:01,039 ..and adapting... WOMAN: Wow. Absolutely stunning. 50 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:03,479 MATHEW: Baby Aria's in hospital now. 51 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:06,679 ..will survive... Yeah, nah, I gotta go, man. 52 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:09,679 ..to pry from the Earth... 53 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,119 OSCAR: Wow, look at the flash. 54 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:17,039 LEE: Oh, my God. 55 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:20,279 ..a prize more valuable than gold... 56 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:23,959 Get out of here.Hooley-dooley. 57 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:26,359 ..and rarer than diamonds. 58 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:28,799 You beauty! Ha-ha! 59 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:31,079 The queen of all gems. 60 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:34,719 How does it feel being rich? Go away. 61 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:42,074 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from www.OpenSubtitles.org 62 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:53,239 BEN: Jesus. 63 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:57,399 Bit of warning there, Rod. Bit of warning there next time. 64 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:01,319 You all right? You want Sam to give you a hand? 65 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:05,079 Better, eh? 66 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:09,999 We've been pulled up at Dead Dog due to the government. 67 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:13,399 There's nothing we can do there. We're not allowed to go down there. 68 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:15,679 Er, Rod needed a few props cut out here, 69 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:18,719 so we said to Rod, 'We'll jump in.' We'll give him a hand. 70 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:21,679 With the mine minister shutting down opal mining 71 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:24,799 for all these claims, my claim's affected, Dead Dog's affected. 72 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:27,439 We don't have anywhere else to dig but Robbie's. 73 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:32,519 Grawin, New South Wales, 74 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:35,239 population 200. 75 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:40,599 A barebones collection of off-the-grid camps 76 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:43,439 scattered between the weather-beaten opal fields. 77 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:47,359 This season... 78 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:50,759 Hey, Les.LES: What? Whenever you're ready.Right-o. 79 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:55,199 ..the Bushmen, Rod Manning and Les Walsh, 80 00:04:55,280 --> 00:04:59,439 have joined forces with 28-year-old miner Sam Mehan 81 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:02,079 along with Ben Moses and Jake Wallace 82 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:04,839 to mine their last remaining claim, Robbie's, 83 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:06,999 that escaped the government shutdown. 84 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:08,679 Wedges coming! 85 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:11,839 It's gonna be a big season, this one. We need to find some money. 86 00:05:11,920 --> 00:05:15,399 Les can't keep going. So if we can find a couple of bob down here, 87 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:18,399 then that's good. It goes onto that season tally. 88 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:21,639 I was hoping this probably might be the last year 89 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:24,079 of doing full-time mining. 90 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:27,639 Only come down and do a little bit every now and again. 91 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:29,919 We'll just see how everything goes on that one. 92 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:33,479 Well, now we just gotta figure out where we're gonna put the props. 93 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:35,239 Stand them up. 94 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,239 This is actually too dangerous to prop in there, 95 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:39,999 so we're gonna prop the edge. 96 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:45,399 Vibrations caused by heavy vehicles on the major road above the mine 97 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:49,639 have continued to weaken the already fractured ceiling. 98 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,719 To make it safe, each prop needs to be measured 99 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:57,079 and cut down to size before wedging it into place. 100 00:05:57,160 --> 00:06:00,079 Well, that's it, fellas. Last prop. 101 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:03,599 Clean your mess up and we'll start. Right-o. 102 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:10,399 Working in teams at either end of the mine, 103 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:13,039 the Bushmen are following lines of potch 104 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:16,959 using jackhammers to break away concrete-like claystone, 105 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:20,199 hoping it leads to larger pockets of gem opal. 106 00:06:21,840 --> 00:06:23,559 SAM: Potch is colourless common opal. 107 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,559 It has the same formation as our precious opal with colour. 108 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:28,239 It hasn't gone through the process 109 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:30,199 of actually forming the colour itself. 110 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:35,679 Hard, that red stuff, innit? Sure is. 111 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:40,319 Is that colour on that righthand side there? 112 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:43,479 Yeah.I thought it was. 113 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:45,719 That's so close, Sam. There's a tinge in that. 114 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:47,479 Take a look at this. 115 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:52,199 Ho, ho, ho, Sam. 116 00:06:52,280 --> 00:06:54,879 We're winning. Look at the colours in that.I know. 117 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:58,719 Keep it coming, Sam. Keep it coming. 118 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:02,039 Better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick any day of the week. 119 00:07:06,520 --> 00:07:08,999 Hang on a sec, mate. Getting a bit of rock fall. 120 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:13,079 BEN: This one here.Yeah. 121 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:15,599 I think it's just the dirt off that shaft. 122 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:18,639 Just jump out of the way. 123 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:23,199 That open up, did it, Rod? Yeah. Jesus. 124 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:28,919 Just tap the prop, not the top. Just tap the prop for me. 125 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:33,399 All right, stop. 126 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:38,039 Right-o. 127 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:43,199 Don't hit it again. 128 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:48,119 We've had movement in the roof. This crack opened a bit. 129 00:07:49,240 --> 00:07:50,999 I'm just trying to see whether it... 130 00:07:52,280 --> 00:07:54,999 ..is a big piece gonna come down. 131 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:58,399 Yeah, just gonna pull everybody out for a minute, eh? 132 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:00,679 Just everyone go up the top. 133 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:03,719 No matter what we do, I think this is gonna come down. 134 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:06,479 Jesus. 135 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:21,039 Hey, Dan. How are things looking up there? 136 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:24,439 Yeah, not bad. The ground looks pretty good. 137 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:27,279 A lot of activity, so could be in with a good chance. 138 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:31,199 I reckon we have a look.All righty. 139 00:08:34,560 --> 00:08:37,479 Hopefully it's it. Just be real careful in that corner. 140 00:08:37,560 --> 00:08:39,159 See that undercut.Oh, yep. 141 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:42,199 So just blacklight that corner from a distance.Yep, all right. 142 00:08:43,680 --> 00:08:46,119 You finding anything, Dan? No, there's not a lot here. 143 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:47,919 Nah.Not a lot at all. 144 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:55,119 Holy shit. Dan! 145 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:07,399 You all right?Yeah, I'm all right. Yeah, that was a close call. 146 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:10,879 I reckon it's an old drive. 147 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:16,119 Well, be careful cos it's already caving in. 148 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,719 That goes in 10m. All right, so another scrape? 149 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:20,399 Another scrape. Charge on. 150 00:09:23,680 --> 00:09:28,959 At their vast claim, Digger's Gully, partners in romance and mining 151 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:33,279 Dan Measey and Renee Everest are attempting to unearth opal 152 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:36,679 15m into their open-cut mine wall. 153 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:38,599 Yeah, this corner's looking pretty dodgy, 154 00:09:38,680 --> 00:09:41,039 but I'm gonna give it a nudge and see what happens. 155 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:45,319 Dan had a mate drill some shafts a few months ago. 156 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:48,919 One of the shafts had some coloured opal in it. 157 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,759 So we're trying to head towards those shafts. 158 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:56,559 Just hit a shaft. That's not ours, though. 159 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,079 You put the tape on our shaft. I did put the tape. 160 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:01,839 I don't see any tape yet, but we'll keep going. 161 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:05,199 Dan did put some tape up 162 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:09,559 before he started digging the overburden ages ago. 163 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:12,079 And there doesn't seem to be any tape. 164 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:16,119 It looks like there's been a lot of people digging here in the past. 165 00:10:18,760 --> 00:10:22,319 Coober Pedy is the opal capital of the world, 166 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:24,679 surrounded by vast mines 167 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:28,679 that stretch over 25km from the town centre 168 00:10:28,760 --> 00:10:32,919 under a sweltering 50-degree-Celsius desert sun. 169 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:37,959 Dan's mine, Digger's Gully, is seven claims 170 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:41,519 sprawling over 35,000m sq 171 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:46,079 with remnants of tunnels left behind by a legion of miners. 172 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:54,159 Digger's Gully has been a place I've worked, er, 173 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:56,439 since about 20 years ago with my father. 174 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:59,279 Dad and I always had a theory that there was opal under here 175 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:01,119 cos there were a couple of old tunnels. 176 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:05,319 But, yeah, we've been surprised by this little one in the corner. 177 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:09,759 So, the season isn't going great at the moment. 178 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:14,079 We haven't found nearly enough opal to cover our costs at the moment. 179 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:16,119 We've had a huge breakdown. 180 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:18,319 The loader's taking ages to fix. 181 00:11:19,560 --> 00:11:23,119 Sort of didn't realise how valuable it was, how much I relied on it. 182 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:25,799 I'm having to pile so high and burn more fuel 183 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:28,399 by lifting the waste up in the excavator. 184 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:37,519 You're not gonna go in it, though, are you?Yeah, I gotta go in it. 185 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:40,279 Well, let's have a look first.Yep. 186 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:45,079 You can smell the dampness.Yeah. 187 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:46,879 Isn't that amazing? That's cool. 188 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:48,959 See in here. That's biscuit and river rock. 189 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:52,439 The biscuit's the top brown layer. It's a different sort of ground. 190 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:55,839 And, yeah, there's never really any opal there, so... 191 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:59,879 So why would they have gone in there, then, 192 00:11:59,960 --> 00:12:02,239 if it's too high? No, they've gone in lower. 193 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:04,559 So I reckon their roof would have been about here. 194 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:07,599 Oh, OK. That's caved 6ft or 8ft in...Yep. 195 00:12:07,680 --> 00:12:09,919 ..after they were there. Well, we hope so. 196 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:12,119 You can't see now cos the MEG's in there. 197 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:15,919 I did see here they've been picking.Yeah. 198 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:17,639 That'd be the level they're chasing. 199 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:20,159 There's no way they would have tunnelled that high. 200 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:22,319 Yeah, that's been closed up for a long time. 201 00:12:23,520 --> 00:12:26,199 It's like Tutankhamun's tomb.Agh. 202 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:29,199 Rocks on me.Er, it's gonna be pretty risky to check it. 203 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:32,079 I wanna go in there, but... No, don't go in there. 204 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:33,839 No, it's not worth it. 205 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:45,639 COZZA: Back here at Lunatic South. 206 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:48,719 We've blown this hose out. Leif's not around at the moment. 207 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:50,879 I'm gonna do a quick little patch on it. 208 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:53,159 Matty's in town looking after his family. 209 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:55,599 They've come down with the flu, so... 210 00:12:55,680 --> 00:12:57,559 Hopefully, this will just get enough oil 211 00:12:57,640 --> 00:12:59,319 to run through the hose 212 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:01,119 and get us to where we need to be. 213 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:05,799 Kids are starting to get hungry at home. 214 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:09,239 We haven't found much opal yet this season, so... 215 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:13,039 Yeah, hopefully, this will do a quick fix, we can get it back to the claim 216 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:16,399 that we're hoping to make some money out of and start digging there. 217 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:22,799 All right, hopefully this has fixed it. 218 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:33,919 Ah, nah. 219 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:37,919 That's no good. 220 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:42,959 Have to give the boys a call and see where they're all at. 221 00:13:46,680 --> 00:13:48,799 MATHEW: Hello? Yeah, how you going, bro? 222 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:51,119 Tried to do a quick fix on that hose, man. 223 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:54,279 I didn't get more than five minutes out of it and it blew again. 224 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:58,279 You wouldn't be able to bring out a new hose, or we'll go look for a new hose or...? 225 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:08,999 No, that's all right, man. You gotta get all your family healthy first. 226 00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:17,159 Yeah, we'll go from there. Yous get better. 227 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:20,399 Ah, thanks, mate.All right, mate. See ya.Catch ya. 228 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:26,599 It's hot days and cold nights here at the moment, so everyone's getting a bit crook. 229 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:28,639 I've tried to fix the hose the best I can, 230 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:32,359 but, yeah, my little patch job wasn't good enough. 231 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:34,719 So I'm gonna have to wait until Leif gets back. 232 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:39,439 Andamooka, South Australia, 233 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:44,519 a wild desert frontier town on the far fringes of civilisation, 234 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:48,519 founded by miners almost a hundred years ago. 235 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:51,159 But this season the Mooka Boys' efforts 236 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:53,919 to make a living in these brutal opal fields 237 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:55,759 have been disastrous. 238 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:57,839 It's frustrating when we've all got to leave 239 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:00,319 and got other things to do, but that's the way it is. 240 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:03,199 Our lives are pretty demanding for money these days. 241 00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:07,439 So, yeah, we do what we can do, and when we're here, we're here. 242 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,759 Team leader Leif Tanzer has been forced to work 243 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:15,439 as a mobile diesel mechanic to survive the opal drought. 244 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:18,359 I'm glad to see you. Blew a hose, man. 245 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:21,679 Tried patching it up to get it over to the other claim, but...Yeah. 246 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:25,399 Yeah, tried sneaking it back there before you got back, but that didn't happen. 247 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:28,359 I've got one on board. I did a couple of jobs yesterday. 248 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:31,319 A bloke wanted new hoses put on. Just maintenance change-out. 249 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:34,479 We'll have a look, see if we can fix it?Yeah.Yeah, killer, man. 250 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:38,679 I've been working up at Cooper Pedy and Mintabie. 251 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,959 It's my main job. It does earn money for us and that. 252 00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:45,319 Leif can handle this job on his own, so I'm gonna try and find 253 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:48,079 some opal to put a bit of money on the Mooka Boys' table. 254 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:52,599 Might have a look at Horse Paddock to see if there's any over there. 255 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:56,759 If I'm out here, and we don't find much this season, 256 00:15:56,840 --> 00:15:59,279 I don't think I'll be able to keep the family happy. 257 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:02,879 They might want me to go off and work full-time for somebody else. 258 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:06,999 But my ultimate dream is to stay here in the field all the time. 259 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:10,639 So all I need to do is put some opal on the table. 260 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:18,599 This tunnel here, there's three entrances. 261 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:20,479 So, there's definitely opal in there. 262 00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:22,799 I don't wanna go no further in without the boys. 263 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:24,959 There's a big crack in the roof there, so... 264 00:16:25,040 --> 00:16:27,199 I just don't wanna be on the other side of that 265 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:29,159 by myself down here. 266 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:32,119 The boys don't know where I am today. They just know I'm out. 267 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:37,879 Not too bad. There's a few little chips. 268 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:40,039 This pile seems to have a bit of opal in it. 269 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:43,399 There's some nice purples, bit of other potch. 270 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:45,439 There's a bit of milky opal here. 271 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:47,559 I'll just come out in the sunlight. 272 00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:53,679 It's only chips and stuff, but there is some colour here. 273 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:56,159 So it'd be good to have the boys here. 274 00:16:56,240 --> 00:16:58,639 And once I show them these little bits of colour, 275 00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:01,879 they'd wanna come back and grab a couple of bucketloads out of here. 276 00:17:01,960 --> 00:17:04,599 Hopefully we can come out with a nice jar of it or so. 277 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:12,679 It's a bit of a washout. 278 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:18,639 Oh. Yay. 279 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:25,719 Wow. Got myself sort of stuck here. 280 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:29,559 Can't go forward or backwards at the moment. 281 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:32,519 Nah, she's not moving. 282 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:40,079 DAN: I'm gonna give it a nudge now and see what happens. 283 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:41,999 I'll get out of your road. 284 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:44,079 I'll try to stay back a bit. 285 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:47,999 Er, it's a good 50-80 tonnes up there. 286 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:50,159 A lot of material, a lot of ground. 287 00:17:50,240 --> 00:17:55,039 I'd rather it come in controlled from here than bite us when we're down near it, 288 00:17:55,120 --> 00:17:58,519 so let's give it a little bit of gentle persuasion. 289 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:02,959 After discovering a vast old-timer's tunnel, 290 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:07,999 Dan Measey and partner Renee Everest have to make the mine face safe 291 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:12,559 before digging towards exploration shafts 15m in. 292 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,359 Wow, I thought that would have fell in. 293 00:18:20,360 --> 00:18:21,959 Give this a little bit of a... 294 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:25,919 ..a nudge here. 295 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:28,199 I'd rather this fall in and be done with it. 296 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:35,759 There's a lot of danger when you're, sort of, mining into the old shafts, 297 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:38,359 especially when I go down and blacklight. 298 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:40,959 That's why I always wear a hard hat. 299 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:44,159 When we turn the lights off and we blacklight, 300 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:48,199 the opal glows, like, an aqua colour, 301 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:50,039 so it's really easy to see. 302 00:18:50,120 --> 00:18:52,719 It's much easier to see in the dark than in the daylight. 303 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:00,959 We've hit a few bad luck runs. 304 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:04,719 Er, loader down, not finding much opal. 305 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:07,479 Got probably quarter of a million dollars' worth of gear, 306 00:19:07,560 --> 00:19:09,719 er, invested here. 307 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:14,319 And for that sort of spend and risk, we need a reasonable return, 308 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:17,799 and it's not happening so we're pushing hard. 309 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:21,599 We're trying to do the right things, but, yeah, really punishing us. 310 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:26,159 Still standing.That's holding up more than I thought it would. 311 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:28,239 All right, let's check it out. 312 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:30,439 So, gotta be careful in that corner, Dan. 313 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:33,839 Yeah, I think it's not too bad, but keep your eyes open. 314 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:36,119 I'll go the safe end.Well, great. 315 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:42,239 Bloody nothing.No. 316 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:46,799 Oh, there's that little spot there. 317 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:49,799 Yeah, that's top blue-green crystal. Wow, that looks beautiful. 318 00:19:49,880 --> 00:19:52,639 I have to push dirt in so you can climb up and dig that out. 319 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:54,559 I'm not quite high enough. 320 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:56,879 We're getting closer to that shaft 321 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,959 where they did drill up a little bit of colour. 322 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:03,519 So maybe our theory is gonna work. 323 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:07,359 Maybe there is more opal, and we're heading in the right direction. 324 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:09,399 All right, let's grab it. All right, cool. 325 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:14,079 So, you got to be gentle, Dan, cos I know you get a bit gung-ho. 326 00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:16,399 Do I?Yeah, real gung-ho. 327 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:19,839 Have your hands ready. 328 00:20:24,320 --> 00:20:25,919 Wow, look at that. 329 00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:30,559 That looks amazing.Hang on. Look at that. 330 00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:34,679 That's full. That looks like a full shell. 331 00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:37,439 Millions of years ago, 332 00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:42,679 Coober Pedy was once covered by the vast inland Eromanga Sea. 333 00:20:42,760 --> 00:20:44,439 As it drained into the earth, 334 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:47,799 voids left behind by decomposed sea life 335 00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:50,039 filled with silica-rich water 336 00:20:50,120 --> 00:20:52,999 and eventually hardened to form opal. 337 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:56,879 I might give that a quick... 338 00:20:56,960 --> 00:21:01,119 Oh, you're doing the mouth tumble. That's just gross.Mm. 339 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:06,119 But look at that colour. 340 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:08,759 Holy moly. Look at that beautiful blue-green. 341 00:21:08,840 --> 00:21:11,239 That's amazing. That's a bit of fuel money. 342 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:13,919 So long as you think about how many shells are in all this 343 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:16,119 that you just don't see... 344 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:21,639 It's really important that Dan and I find enough opal here 345 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:25,879 mainly so it can finance me moving up to Coober Pedy 346 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:27,719 and living with Dan full-time. 347 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,959 I live... It's about a 9.5-, 10-hour drive 348 00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:33,719 away from Dan in the Adelaide Hills. 349 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:36,359 So it's really important that we can find enough opal. 350 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:44,599 Oh, hang on. 351 00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:49,119 Look at that. 352 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:53,239 That's not a shaft. I'm going in there. 353 00:21:53,320 --> 00:21:55,599 I gotta have a look.Really? 354 00:21:55,680 --> 00:22:00,399 You know where the hospital is. Well, I don't, actually. 355 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:03,679 That's huge. 356 00:22:03,760 --> 00:22:07,359 There's nothing in here. No material at all. 357 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:10,519 No, nothing? They've taken it all? 358 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:15,519 Our shaft's got to be just here within metres. 359 00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:18,079 I'd at least want to see some potch or something. 360 00:22:18,160 --> 00:22:19,959 Well, they've probably taken it all. 361 00:22:20,960 --> 00:22:22,599 So we're digging in this way to... 362 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:27,159 ..just dig through the empty voids. 363 00:22:27,240 --> 00:22:29,479 All right, let's get back to it. All right. 364 00:22:29,560 --> 00:22:31,159 Do a couple more scrapes. 365 00:22:33,080 --> 00:22:34,919 Yeah. 366 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:39,639 I try to make it a rule to myself, six, eight inches at a time, 367 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:42,519 but I've had it, I've had enough. Just rip into it. 368 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:45,239 Sort of lost much faith, so... 369 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:49,239 Because Dan's cut right in like that, 370 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:53,919 there's a bit of a risk that there is opal in that pile of dirt. 371 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:55,839 So we'll just have to see. 372 00:22:57,440 --> 00:22:59,919 There's the tape. So we're at the . 373 00:23:04,240 --> 00:23:07,559 That's it.Yep. Found your tape. 374 00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:10,759 Erm, yeah, that's actually colour. 375 00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:23,359 Can I have a look? 376 00:23:24,440 --> 00:23:27,119 It's only a little piece, but it's colour.Oh, yeah. 377 00:23:28,840 --> 00:23:30,439 We have to go blacklight the dump. 378 00:23:30,520 --> 00:23:33,919 I hope I haven't got bitten here by taking big bites or doing this. 379 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:37,239 Oh, my God, it's hard to get out. You all right?Yep, thanks. 380 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:38,919 All right. 381 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:42,759 Oop. What's, er, what's all that there? 382 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:46,839 You found some already? That's a lot of glowing white stuff. 383 00:23:46,920 --> 00:23:49,359 Ah, what have I chucked out? 384 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:54,639 Er, yeah. One tip in the back, the rest of it's there. 385 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:12,279 Well, it hasn't come down. 386 00:24:12,360 --> 00:24:17,799 So, I think the only thing for it is to go down and have a look. 387 00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:20,799 Check it out properly. We hang on this back wall, 388 00:24:20,880 --> 00:24:24,799 and then we'll try and get a couple of measurements, all right? Not a problem. 389 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:29,799 NARRATOR: In the wake of government shutdowns of all but one of their mines, 390 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:34,399 the Bushmen, Rod, Les and Sam, have been forced to assess 391 00:24:34,480 --> 00:24:37,359 their critically unstable mine, Robbie's, 392 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:42,759 in order to retrieve their vital 2-tonne digger 12m down. 393 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:47,959 This is the only mine we're legally allowed to work, 394 00:24:48,040 --> 00:24:50,279 but it just wants to eat us. 395 00:24:50,360 --> 00:24:53,599 Ben and Jake can't work neither so they've gone back to town. 396 00:24:53,680 --> 00:24:56,319 If this goes all bad, you know what to do.SAM: Yep. 397 00:24:56,400 --> 00:24:59,439 Get the Emergency Services involved. That's about it. 398 00:24:59,520 --> 00:25:02,679 And you'll know, too, cos you'll hear it. It will be loud.Yeah. 399 00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:05,279 And you'll feel a rush of air come up out of there. 400 00:25:06,560 --> 00:25:09,279 We really need that digger, and it is stuck down the hole. 401 00:25:09,360 --> 00:25:12,799 So it's really just thrown a spanner in the works of what we're doing. 402 00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:16,039 And Les needs to retire. We want him to go out happily. 403 00:25:16,120 --> 00:25:19,559 And Rod needs some money. And then for me, I need to upgrade my machinery. 404 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:22,999 Unless I'm mining and finding opal that's not gonna happen. 405 00:25:23,080 --> 00:25:25,519 Right-o. I don't wanna do this, but... 406 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:31,199 Yeah. I'll call out to you, Les, if it's safe to come down or not, all right? 407 00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:32,879 Yep. 408 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:38,519 Pretty dangerous down there because the roof has sort of let go. 409 00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:42,599 We've got a prop in there, but the weight's come down on that. 410 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:45,879 Hasn't got any worse, Les. 411 00:25:45,960 --> 00:25:49,079 Oh, OK. I can see the crack is still there. 412 00:25:51,760 --> 00:25:53,359 All right, come down, Les. 413 00:25:56,520 --> 00:25:59,719 Blocking the Bushmen's digger from the existing shaft 414 00:25:59,800 --> 00:26:02,119 is a series of wooden props 415 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:07,199 preventing over 100 tonnes of ceiling rock from caving in. 416 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:10,079 Yeah, it's not bloody good, mate. 417 00:26:10,160 --> 00:26:12,359 This is where it's at its worst, but... 418 00:26:13,360 --> 00:26:14,959 There. 419 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:20,439 That's where it's let go. Well, that is...See the crack? 420 00:26:20,520 --> 00:26:22,519 You can see that goes up there. 421 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:27,959 Comes right across. There it is. 422 00:26:32,280 --> 00:26:33,879 Look at that, Les. 423 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:37,479 Oh, shit, yeah. 424 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:43,679 The more you look at it, the worse it's getting. 425 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:46,519 What's it looking like?Not good. 426 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:50,279 Yeah, there's a bloody great crack opened up down here. 427 00:26:50,360 --> 00:26:51,959 Oh, no. 428 00:26:52,040 --> 00:26:56,399 A big chunk of roof is just about to fall out. 429 00:26:57,680 --> 00:27:00,719 That's not good at all. It couldn't get any worse, really. 430 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:06,559 It's as bad as it gets. I'll get a couple of quick compass readings, then I'm getting out of here. 431 00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:08,239 Sounds good. Keep me updated. 432 00:27:09,360 --> 00:27:10,959 To get the digger out, 433 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:15,799 Rod and Les need to determine its position underground with a compass. 434 00:27:15,880 --> 00:27:19,599 This ensures any attempts to sink a closer shaft 435 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:23,639 to extract the digger won't drill straight through the machine. 436 00:27:26,240 --> 00:27:29,199 Just remember 180.180. 437 00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:34,839 All right, mate, let it go. 438 00:27:39,280 --> 00:27:41,119 Right-o, mate. You all right, Sam? 439 00:27:42,160 --> 00:27:43,919 All good. How are you guys going? 440 00:27:44,920 --> 00:27:47,239 We're getting the hell out of here, all right? 441 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:48,919 No worries. Come on up. 442 00:27:57,480 --> 00:27:59,439 That's something I don't wanna do again. 443 00:27:59,520 --> 00:28:01,959 Last trip down.Oh, my God. 444 00:28:06,920 --> 00:28:08,879 Did you get all the measurements you need? 445 00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:11,159 Yeah, I think so.Yeah.Oh. 446 00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:16,399 Oh, jeez, that kills the legs.Yeah. 447 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:19,399 Yeah, well, that's as bad as it gets down there, Sam.Yeah. 448 00:28:19,480 --> 00:28:22,679 We definitely, 100% can't come back here. 449 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,799 Yeah, that was the last trip anyone's coming out of that hole. 450 00:28:25,880 --> 00:28:27,999 Yes. You'd be a lunatic to go in there again. 451 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:33,919 We'll just get a quick compass reading, Les, of where we were at. 452 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:36,839 Using the compass reading 453 00:28:36,920 --> 00:28:39,519 and the distance measured from the mine entrance, 454 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:43,479 the position of the digger can be determined above ground. 455 00:28:44,680 --> 00:28:46,879 Is that where the digger is?Yes. 456 00:28:46,960 --> 00:28:48,879 We've gotta put a hole near it. 457 00:28:49,920 --> 00:28:51,519 How are we gonna drill that? 458 00:28:51,600 --> 00:28:54,679 We haven't even got the money to put the hole down. 459 00:28:54,760 --> 00:28:56,719 This is it. We've got nothing to do. 460 00:28:56,800 --> 00:29:00,239 Yeah, it's just too bloody hard, innit? 461 00:29:06,760 --> 00:29:09,239 COZZA: Yo, how you going, man? 462 00:29:09,320 --> 00:29:11,639 Oh, yeah, I went and found some stuff, 463 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:14,359 but I'm gonna need you to pull me out of a bog hole. 464 00:29:14,440 --> 00:29:17,719 It's just all the way out the back of Lunatic there. 465 00:29:19,560 --> 00:29:22,079 Awesome, mate. Thank you. See ya. 466 00:29:23,760 --> 00:29:27,839 Cozza Kathagen is stranded after driving his vehicle 467 00:29:27,920 --> 00:29:31,039 into a washout on a scouting mission for opal. 468 00:29:33,520 --> 00:29:35,359 What possessed you to go through there? 469 00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:37,439 I didn't really realise it was that deep. 470 00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:40,399 I didn't even get to the other end. I thought I'd climb up. 471 00:29:40,480 --> 00:29:44,559 I'll hook it up. I'll turn around, put it on the back. Ah, killer, man. Too easy. 472 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:48,839 This track wasn't too bad not long ago. 473 00:29:48,920 --> 00:29:52,319 It's all the rain that gathers up on the high area and washes the road out. 474 00:29:52,400 --> 00:29:54,759 So I don't know if he was just driving a bit quick 475 00:29:54,840 --> 00:29:56,759 or he thought, 'I'll go have a go, anyway.' 476 00:29:56,840 --> 00:29:59,879 But, yeah, he's ended up in there. All right, I'll jump in it. 477 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:07,999 Are you ready? I'll take the weight up then go on three, OK? 478 00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:10,519 Yeah, too easy, man. I'll just start her up. 479 00:30:22,400 --> 00:30:24,959 Go! 480 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:29,119 Whoo! We're out! 481 00:30:31,560 --> 00:30:33,359 I found some chips at Horse Paddock 482 00:30:33,440 --> 00:30:35,399 in one of the piles near the entrance. 483 00:30:35,480 --> 00:30:37,439 Yeah. Right. You know, a bit of matrix. 484 00:30:38,600 --> 00:30:41,359 There's some colour there. That red's nice, isn't it? 485 00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:43,039 It looks a bit dangerous. 486 00:30:43,120 --> 00:30:46,279 I wouldn't mind us all going back and running in with the buckets. 487 00:30:46,360 --> 00:30:48,439 When you say it's dangerous, what do you mean? 488 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:50,999 A big crack runs through the centre of the ballroom. 489 00:30:51,080 --> 00:30:54,719 Yeah, how big's the ballroom? Oh, decent size, man. 490 00:30:54,800 --> 00:30:58,559 Is that right? Yeah, done a lot of work there, man. People were having a look. 491 00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:00,359 Heard from Matty? How's he travelling? 492 00:31:00,440 --> 00:31:03,919 Everyone's still sick up there, but all he needs to do is stand at the door. 493 00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:07,319 We'll crawl in, grab the bucketloads and we'll get out of there.Yeah. 494 00:31:09,680 --> 00:31:13,479 Joining Leif and Cozza is teammate Matt Kathagen, 495 00:31:13,560 --> 00:31:15,799 who's been out of action the last few days 496 00:31:15,880 --> 00:31:17,559 taking care of his sick family. 497 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:22,759 So, you sure this is safe? This is really degraded. 498 00:31:22,840 --> 00:31:26,199 A lot of it's fallen down and that, but I was just inside the door there 499 00:31:26,280 --> 00:31:28,919 and I found some material in the back stow.Yeah. Right. 500 00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:31,239 What I'm thinking is we'll get the rope, 501 00:31:31,320 --> 00:31:33,439 we'll go in there with the rope and a bucket. 502 00:31:33,520 --> 00:31:36,519 If it does fall down, yous can follow the rope in to find me. 503 00:31:36,600 --> 00:31:40,239 Maybe just get in and get out. Just do a quick in, quick out, man. 504 00:31:40,320 --> 00:31:42,879 It's not worth two of our lives, man. 505 00:31:42,960 --> 00:31:46,399 I'll stay out here just in case something does happen, eh? Yeah.Yep. 506 00:31:47,640 --> 00:31:51,839 Cool. Oh, well, if you think it's worth it, let's go for it. Yeah, right. Little suss. 507 00:31:53,000 --> 00:31:54,679 You can take this with you. 508 00:31:54,760 --> 00:31:58,079 Make sure you keep it with you so we know where to find you.Yeah. 509 00:31:58,160 --> 00:32:00,119 All right.All right, be safe, man. 510 00:32:15,160 --> 00:32:18,399 Pretty big ballroom to leave like this.Yeah, it's pretty rough. 511 00:32:18,480 --> 00:32:20,519 Crack runs straight through the top here. 512 00:32:20,600 --> 00:32:24,039 I wouldn't go smashing too much out. 513 00:32:24,120 --> 00:32:25,719 It does open up a bit. 514 00:32:29,800 --> 00:32:31,399 Sure this is all right? 515 00:32:39,960 --> 00:32:42,439 It's really hard when you're doing this 516 00:32:42,520 --> 00:32:45,839 not to stop and check each piece to see what it is, if it's nice colour, 517 00:32:45,920 --> 00:32:49,639 but we'd be here till four o'clock in the morning.Yeah. 518 00:32:49,720 --> 00:32:54,279 Dan and Renee are retrieving the smashed remains of an opal pocket 519 00:32:54,360 --> 00:32:57,079 after breaching the wall of an exploration shaft 520 00:32:57,160 --> 00:32:59,479 with their 2-tonne excavator bucket. 521 00:33:00,680 --> 00:33:03,199 I think that's it.Reckon that's it. Time to go.Yeah. 522 00:33:03,280 --> 00:33:05,759 Yeah, we've got as much as we can out of that. 523 00:33:05,840 --> 00:33:07,559 Opal's best found in the wall. 524 00:33:07,640 --> 00:33:10,839 Picking it up smashed in the dump is not a lot of fun. 525 00:33:10,920 --> 00:33:12,759 It makes me nervous. I don't like it. 526 00:33:12,840 --> 00:33:15,679 But at least we found it. We didn't throw it away. 527 00:33:15,760 --> 00:33:19,039 One more. Yeah, that's heavy, that is. 528 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:21,519 Some of it might be a bit broken and shattered. 529 00:33:21,600 --> 00:33:24,119 Quite a lot of weight in there. But we did find the opal 530 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:27,119 and, yeah, we'll tumble it up tomorrow and see what it's like. 531 00:33:34,720 --> 00:33:37,719 Hey, Dan. I've brought you a drink. Hey. Thank you. 532 00:33:37,800 --> 00:33:40,039 So, how are you going? Yeah, looking pretty good. 533 00:33:40,120 --> 00:33:42,239 I've pretty much sorted it all out. 534 00:33:42,320 --> 00:33:46,319 We got heaps in the end. That's one of those big chunky pieces.Yeah, yeah, yep. 535 00:33:46,400 --> 00:33:50,319 Yes, them big chunky ones, but that bar hiding under there's quite nice. 536 00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:52,599 I reckon we go see Trevor.Yeah. 537 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:56,439 All right, so shall we bag it up? Yep. We'll keep it in the trays. OK, yup. 538 00:33:56,520 --> 00:34:00,639 It will go in the trays pretty well. All right, you carry it. I don't wanna drop it. 539 00:34:00,720 --> 00:34:04,399 Dan and Renee have white-based seam opal 540 00:34:04,480 --> 00:34:06,839 and one opalised fossil shell 541 00:34:06,920 --> 00:34:09,839 featuring the full spectrum of colours. 542 00:34:09,920 --> 00:34:13,879 The parcel has been partially rubbed to remove surface dirt 543 00:34:13,960 --> 00:34:16,399 and weighs 2.2kg. 544 00:34:22,080 --> 00:34:24,519 Wow.G'day, Trevor. How you going, Trevor? 545 00:34:24,600 --> 00:34:27,039 G'day. How are you? Daniel. How you going, mate? 546 00:34:27,120 --> 00:34:30,799 Don't tell me you found some opal. Yeah, we found a little bit. We done all right. 547 00:34:30,880 --> 00:34:33,279 The couple are getting the parcel valued 548 00:34:33,360 --> 00:34:35,839 by friend and cutter Trevor Berry. 549 00:34:35,920 --> 00:34:38,479 Been here for 20-odd years. 550 00:34:38,560 --> 00:34:41,759 I'm now an opal cutter. I cut for the trade. 551 00:34:41,840 --> 00:34:45,279 I do that here at the Opal Cave in Coober Pedy. 552 00:34:45,360 --> 00:34:47,199 OK, where's the tops? 553 00:34:47,280 --> 00:34:50,679 So we've got tops here.OK. 554 00:34:50,760 --> 00:34:52,559 Er, 3.7oz there. 555 00:34:52,640 --> 00:34:54,479 3.7.Seconds here. 556 00:34:55,520 --> 00:34:57,279 That's third. 557 00:34:57,360 --> 00:34:59,639 Er, fourth.Fourth. 558 00:34:59,720 --> 00:35:02,839 And one little shell on the side. That little fella, I found him. 559 00:35:02,920 --> 00:35:04,719 You found him? Yeah, I found that one. 560 00:35:04,800 --> 00:35:07,399 Some really nice colour in this, I tell you what.Yeah. 561 00:35:07,480 --> 00:35:09,119 So what do you think, Trevor? 562 00:35:09,200 --> 00:35:12,679 This is what I'd call typical Coober Pedy opal. 563 00:35:13,760 --> 00:35:16,479 Lots of colours. Quite bright. 564 00:35:18,360 --> 00:35:20,839 Er, 565 00:35:20,920 --> 00:35:23,919 I reckon anywhere between 566 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:27,039 $28,000 to $30,000. Oh, really?Yeah. 567 00:35:27,120 --> 00:35:29,599 We're gonna go get it. OK, you better go and get it. 568 00:35:29,680 --> 00:35:31,879 Thanks. Excellent. Thanks again.My pleasure. 569 00:35:31,960 --> 00:35:34,679 Appreciate that.Absolute pleasure. Appreciate your opinion. 570 00:35:34,760 --> 00:35:37,399 Easy now.Thanks, mate. See you later.Have a good day. 571 00:35:37,480 --> 00:35:40,759 Trevor surprised me. But 30 grand, we did well for the week, so... 572 00:35:40,840 --> 00:35:43,679 Yeah, really good.Yeah. Yeah.Really good outcome. 573 00:35:43,760 --> 00:35:45,719 Cheers.Cheers. 574 00:35:47,560 --> 00:35:50,799 Good job.Thank you.Beautiful view. 575 00:35:50,880 --> 00:35:53,799 Yeah, it's just fantastic up here. Look at that sunset. 576 00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:01,759 COZZA: Oh, did yous hear that? 577 00:36:01,840 --> 00:36:04,319 Was that rocks falling? MATHEW: Yeah, there's rocks. 578 00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:06,799 We're on the wrong side of that crack. 579 00:36:06,880 --> 00:36:10,119 LEIF: Risking it for a bunch of chips? All right, get out here, mate. 580 00:36:10,200 --> 00:36:12,359 Not worth it. Not worth our lives, mate. 581 00:36:12,440 --> 00:36:15,639 Let's get out of here.Phew. 582 00:36:15,720 --> 00:36:17,439 Did you get something? 583 00:36:17,520 --> 00:36:20,039 Pile of back stow with a whole heap of chips. 584 00:36:20,120 --> 00:36:22,599 I just grabbed this half bucket and got out of there. 585 00:36:22,680 --> 00:36:25,559 Well, don't go back in there, man. It's not worth it. 586 00:36:25,640 --> 00:36:28,159 We'll see what we get in this. We can tumble it up, 587 00:36:28,240 --> 00:36:30,959 you can make something out it. Yeah, I'll try my best, boys. 588 00:36:33,000 --> 00:36:35,719 NARRATOR: Over the last five years as an opal miner, 589 00:36:35,800 --> 00:36:40,039 Matt has been perfecting techniques to maximise the returns 590 00:36:40,120 --> 00:36:43,919 on low-value opal chips the team find. 591 00:36:44,000 --> 00:36:47,519 I'm trying to make a bit of resin jewellery with the chips that we have. 592 00:36:47,600 --> 00:36:51,919 It seems like a pretty simple job, but bubbles is one of the hardest things to deal with. 593 00:36:52,000 --> 00:36:55,199 It's all about mixing it right and the right temperatures. 594 00:36:55,280 --> 00:36:57,599 All up there's probably 150 moulds. 595 00:36:57,680 --> 00:37:01,479 If I can get 100 out or so that work out, I think we can make some money. 596 00:37:07,560 --> 00:37:10,759 After letting the resin harden for 24 hours, 597 00:37:10,840 --> 00:37:13,559 Matt can then remove it from the mould. 598 00:37:17,600 --> 00:37:21,919 The Mooka Boys now have 100 opal-filled resin beads 599 00:37:22,000 --> 00:37:24,599 showcasing the full spectrum of colours, 600 00:37:24,680 --> 00:37:26,879 ready to be fashioned into jewellery. 601 00:37:31,320 --> 00:37:33,999 We've come down to Jarryd's house, our cousin, 602 00:37:34,080 --> 00:37:37,359 in the hope that we can sell some of the resin art I've just made. 603 00:37:37,440 --> 00:37:39,239 We've come up with 100 good pieces, 604 00:37:39,320 --> 00:37:44,479 so if we get, say, 25 bucks a piece, then we'll be back in business. 605 00:37:44,560 --> 00:37:47,999 How you going, bro? JARRYD: All right, mate. Yourself? Yeah, good, man. 606 00:37:48,080 --> 00:37:50,959 Got something I wanna show you. Yeah, what's that? 607 00:37:51,040 --> 00:37:53,719 Well, you've been asking for a lot of cheap stones.Yeah. 608 00:37:53,800 --> 00:37:55,559 Got a bit busy and done some resin art. 609 00:37:55,640 --> 00:37:58,359 Maybe you can have a look, see if you can use it.Yeah. 610 00:37:58,440 --> 00:38:02,359 We really need some money at home. You wanna go and have a seat while I have a look? 611 00:38:05,480 --> 00:38:08,159 Did a few batches, and these are the best ones. 612 00:38:08,240 --> 00:38:11,199 How much would you like for the whole lot? 613 00:38:11,280 --> 00:38:13,759 Well, I reckon we'd like to get 614 00:38:13,840 --> 00:38:16,039 about three grand for the parcel, man. 615 00:38:16,120 --> 00:38:17,879 Yeah, I don't know. 616 00:38:17,960 --> 00:38:20,439 I think you can do a bit better. What do you reckon? 617 00:38:20,520 --> 00:38:22,719 Mm.$1,500? 618 00:38:22,800 --> 00:38:26,679 $1,500?Come on. We're family, aren't we? 619 00:38:26,760 --> 00:38:29,479 I know you gotta make money, but we are desperate this week. 620 00:38:29,560 --> 00:38:31,959 Erm, can you do $2,000?$2,000? 621 00:38:32,040 --> 00:38:34,599 I know you gotta do a bit work, put them into some bands 622 00:38:34,680 --> 00:38:36,959 or some necklaces or whatever, but, you know... 623 00:38:38,440 --> 00:38:41,519 I think you can make 50, 60 bucks a pop once you're finished, 624 00:38:41,600 --> 00:38:44,799 so surely you can make money out of $2,000, eh? 625 00:38:46,880 --> 00:38:49,919 Erm, yeah, I think I can make some money at $2,000. 626 00:38:50,000 --> 00:38:52,679 Yeah, you reckon?Yeah. COZZA: That'd be right. 627 00:38:52,760 --> 00:38:54,719 $2,000 each, yeah. Two grand for them. 628 00:38:54,800 --> 00:38:56,399 Yeah. Two grand for the parcel. 629 00:38:56,480 --> 00:38:59,239 Right-o?Yeah, man. You're happy, we're happy.Yeah, mate. 630 00:38:59,320 --> 00:39:02,839 You bloody legend.Sick. Thanks, bro.Awesome. 631 00:39:02,920 --> 00:39:04,919 Yeah. 632 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:06,879 Leif gonna be stoked.Yeah. 633 00:39:06,960 --> 00:39:10,159 Thank you very much, sir. No worries. 634 00:39:11,800 --> 00:39:14,919 Yeah, bit of good news, mate. We got two grand, bro. 635 00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:18,799 LEIF: Yeah, nice.Yeah, we put all them chips into opal resin. 636 00:39:18,880 --> 00:39:22,519 Yeah.Sold them all, man. Yeah, we can start this. 637 00:39:22,600 --> 00:39:25,879 This is my last day. I've got to go back on swing tomorrow.Really? 638 00:39:25,960 --> 00:39:29,199 It's only seven days. I've got another five months of this contract. 639 00:39:29,280 --> 00:39:30,999 Yeah, no, man, that's fine. 640 00:39:31,080 --> 00:39:33,999 If we hit opal, I've told them I'm out. I said, "I'm sorry..." 641 00:39:34,080 --> 00:39:37,919 "Yeah, it's an emergency. I'm going." 642 00:39:46,760 --> 00:39:48,799 ROD: Right-o. Go live. SAM: Go live.Go live. 643 00:39:48,880 --> 00:39:51,119 Here we go.Three.....two, one. 644 00:39:53,040 --> 00:39:55,519 We are away. We are live. 645 00:39:55,600 --> 00:39:59,439 We all on, Mands? 646 00:39:59,520 --> 00:40:01,839 AMANDA: Not yet.You're important. 647 00:40:01,920 --> 00:40:05,079 We need you on the job, Amanda. Gotcha. 648 00:40:05,160 --> 00:40:07,479 To cover the thousands of dollars 649 00:40:07,560 --> 00:40:10,599 required for the safe extraction of their digger, 650 00:40:10,680 --> 00:40:14,319 the Bushmen need to sell the opal mined from Robbie's claim 651 00:40:14,400 --> 00:40:18,879 in a live online auction to buyers across the world. 652 00:40:18,960 --> 00:40:21,199 G'day, viewers. How are we all? 653 00:40:21,280 --> 00:40:24,039 As a lot of yous already know, the Mines Department, 654 00:40:24,120 --> 00:40:26,519 er, they've buggered up their paperwork, 655 00:40:26,600 --> 00:40:29,319 and they've cancelled all leases. 656 00:40:29,400 --> 00:40:32,279 About, what was there, 35,000 leases?Yeah. 657 00:40:32,360 --> 00:40:36,119 Bloody thing.Yeah, something like that.Between 2015 and 2023. 658 00:40:36,200 --> 00:40:38,879 No notice. Just pulled the plug on us. 659 00:40:38,960 --> 00:40:41,479 So opal is gonna get a little bit scarce for a while 660 00:40:41,560 --> 00:40:43,479 because no-one's working, simple as that. 661 00:40:43,560 --> 00:40:47,039 It's gonna be a little bit dearer. It is some real good stuff here tonight. 662 00:40:47,120 --> 00:40:52,279 The Bushmen are auctioning high-quality crystal seam opal 663 00:40:52,360 --> 00:40:54,839 featuring the full spectrum of colours. 664 00:40:54,920 --> 00:40:59,079 They're in the rough and weigh an estimated 100g. 665 00:41:00,160 --> 00:41:02,119 Right-o, we're about to rock and roll. 666 00:41:02,200 --> 00:41:04,279 We got something pretty special coming up now. 667 00:41:04,360 --> 00:41:06,679 61 carats in this stone. 668 00:41:06,760 --> 00:41:09,119 It's very big and cheesy. 669 00:41:09,200 --> 00:41:12,919 And we've got a price tag on this fella 670 00:41:13,000 --> 00:41:15,359 starting at five grand. 671 00:41:15,440 --> 00:41:17,719 I can't take under that price for it. 672 00:41:18,880 --> 00:41:21,159 AMANDA: Would you take $3,000 from Dale? 673 00:41:21,240 --> 00:41:23,159 Er, Dale. I'd be-No. 674 00:41:23,240 --> 00:41:26,079 Les would beat me to death with a shovel if I took $3,000. 675 00:41:26,160 --> 00:41:28,999 Joe said if it doesn't sell, let's negotiate on the future. 676 00:41:30,160 --> 00:41:32,759 Yeah, well, we're always keen to negotiate. 677 00:41:32,840 --> 00:41:36,879 All right. Well, we might put that one away for a later day. Put that one away. 678 00:41:36,960 --> 00:41:40,879 Sort of my bottom dollar on this cos you don't see this material come up very often. 679 00:41:40,960 --> 00:41:42,799 All right, Les, put that in the bag. 680 00:41:42,880 --> 00:41:44,879 How many carats we got in this parcel, Les? 681 00:41:44,960 --> 00:41:48,039 19 carats in this parcel. Four stones. 682 00:41:48,120 --> 00:41:49,719 We'll start her off at $400. 683 00:41:51,000 --> 00:41:53,759 $450.$450 for Joe. 684 00:41:53,840 --> 00:41:57,279 $500 for Kristy. $600 for Joe. 685 00:41:57,360 --> 00:42:00,519 We're just about run out of time. 686 00:42:00,600 --> 00:42:04,759 $700 for Samantha.I think you might be a good sniper, Samantha. 687 00:42:07,320 --> 00:42:10,679 Yes. Congratulations, Samantha, for $700. 688 00:42:10,760 --> 00:42:12,519 Thanks, Samantha.SAM: Nice work. 689 00:42:15,440 --> 00:42:18,399 LES: This parcel's 12 carats. 690 00:42:18,480 --> 00:42:22,239 ROD: 12 carats.AMANDA: All right. The time starts now. 691 00:42:22,320 --> 00:42:24,799 If you're serious about this, you don't wanna miss out. 692 00:42:24,880 --> 00:42:28,319 $810 for David. $820 for Skye. 693 00:42:28,400 --> 00:42:33,319 Thanks, Skye, because this is a fantastic gemstone. 694 00:42:33,400 --> 00:42:36,479 What's that weight again, Les? Er, 12 carats. 695 00:42:36,560 --> 00:42:38,639 $800-$830 for Elvis. 696 00:42:38,720 --> 00:42:41,559 $850 for Pedro. $850 for Pedro. Just got in there. 697 00:42:42,760 --> 00:42:44,479 Congratulations, Pedro. 698 00:42:54,040 --> 00:42:55,839 How you going, boys? How'd you go? 699 00:42:55,920 --> 00:42:58,359 We done bloody well. That's what we like to hear. 700 00:42:58,440 --> 00:43:01,359 We're eight grand richer.Eight? 701 00:43:01,440 --> 00:43:05,239 Well done. That's too good, eh? How good was that? 702 00:43:05,320 --> 00:43:08,679 Jeez, we needed that little bit of a win, eh?Yeah. 703 00:43:08,760 --> 00:43:11,559 That should give us enough money to maybe put a hole down. 704 00:43:11,640 --> 00:43:13,399 Get our digger out.Yeah, sure will. 705 00:43:13,480 --> 00:43:15,839 Yeah, we'll be able to get back to work. 706 00:43:15,920 --> 00:43:20,319 Cheers, Rod.Cheers. Cheers, Les. Cheers, Sam. And the other two. 707 00:43:20,400 --> 00:43:22,559 That's rough. That is rough. 708 00:43:22,640 --> 00:43:24,799 That's real rough. 709 00:43:24,880 --> 00:43:26,879 Subtitles by Deluxe 709 00:43:27,305 --> 00:44:27,250 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm