"Outback Opal Hunters" A Festival of Opal

1 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:06,359 ROD: You ready, Les?LES: Yeah. Good luck! 2 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:08,359 I think we're going to need it, Sam! 3 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:12,919 Yeah, well, that crack hasn't gotten any better. 4 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:14,999 That's exactly where our roof has let go, 5 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:18,919 so we've got about a metre of roof sitting on top of the props. 6 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:24,199 This part of the old mine, it is no good. 7 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:27,279 It is condemned. You hear me, Sam? 8 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:31,559 Righto, mate. We're just about to move the digger up 9 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:35,319 to get it into position, and, then, we'll start banging the props out. 10 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:39,079 But I'll let you know before we move the props, OK? 11 00:00:39,160 --> 00:00:40,999 OK, great. Thanks. 12 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:44,159 Sam is staying up the top to be our safety officer. 13 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:46,439 If anything goes wrong, she knows what to do. 14 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:50,439 I am quite nervous. It's a dangerous job they're doing. 15 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:53,799 The roof is unsafe, but they've got to take the props out 16 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:57,399 to actually move the digger out. And it's just not good. 17 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:01,759 The digger is located about here, around this, around the road here. 18 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:03,999 So, they need to walk it back from the drives 19 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:07,119 and bring it all the way back to this hole, to bring it out. 20 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:09,479 Fingers crossed because we need the digger back. 21 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:12,279 If we don't have the digger, we can't go mining. 22 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:15,399 Righto, Les.Up and at it. 23 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:19,519 Jesus! So, I've got to stand here 24 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:21,759 to give a bit of extra bloody weight, 25 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,599 because all she wants to do is go forward. Whoa! 26 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:27,239 Whoa, whoa, whoa! 27 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:35,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 28 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:42,279 Where we are at the moment is reasonably safe. 29 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:44,039 Once we come into, up into here, 30 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:45,959 that's where it's gonna get dangerous, 31 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:48,279 once over there, it's gonna get super dangerous. 32 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:50,599 If I bring the digger up here... Yeah? 33 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:54,879 ..back it in here, then I can walk it up here.Yeah. 34 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:57,839 I reckon then we'll take these two props out. 35 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:00,719 Oh, geez, it's gonna be tight, isn't it?It is. 36 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:07,959 NARRATOR: In Grawin, the Bushmen, Rod Manning, Les Walsh and Sam Mehan 37 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:11,359 have their $45,000 digger stranded 38 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:14,079 beneath a roof on the verge of collapse 39 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:16,199 in their last working claim. 40 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:20,759 We know there's colour down there and, ah, we can do very well. 41 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,079 But it's not worth dying for. 42 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:24,919 We cannot work there any more. 43 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,839 We've had to put new shafts down into the solid ground 44 00:02:27,920 --> 00:02:30,359 down the back of that claim. 45 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:32,919 Dubbed Robbie's, the old-timers' mine 46 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:35,959 extends under the main road into Grawin. 47 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:39,479 The digger is stranded on the claim's eastern boundary, 48 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:43,839 while Rod has paid $8,000 to have two new holes drilled 49 00:02:43,920 --> 00:02:46,399 on the western side. 50 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:48,479 We gotta get that digger down that hole, 51 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:51,279 so we have to, ah, bell out enough room 52 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:53,959 to be able to rebuild the digger underground. 53 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:56,599 We also don't have Sam for a long time. 54 00:02:56,680 --> 00:03:00,039 She's actually a contestant in the, ah, Opal Queen Ball 55 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:02,479 at the, ah, Opal Festival in Lightning Ridge. 56 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:06,399 The Opal Queen, it's an ambassador 57 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:08,519 for the industry here at Lightning Ridge. 58 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:11,319 The Opal Queen Ball is really important for the community. 59 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,959 It's really cool to be able to showcase that women are 60 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:17,359 part of this industry. It may come across as a male-dominated industry 61 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:19,759 but it's a night to really celebrate the women 62 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:22,479 that help make this town what it is. 63 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:26,159 The last time I dressed up like this was my school formal 11 years ago. 64 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:28,559 So, it's been a while, that's for sure! 65 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,359 You know, early in the season, we set a target of 300 grand. 66 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:37,239 And early in the season, I thought we might have been able to make it. 67 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:39,039 We spent an awful lot of money 68 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:41,159 putting those new holes down at Robbie's. 69 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:44,359 We've got to make money, otherwise we're buggered. 70 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:46,159 Problem is because we're going uphill, 71 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:50,359 when I try to lift my arm up, she wants to tip forward.Yeah. 72 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:53,079 The super-digger is hydraulically powered 73 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:57,839 and uses its digging arm to move the two tonnes of solid steel. 74 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:01,839 The machine is craned down a shaft in parts and assembled 75 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:05,839 and must be moved back to a shaft to be disassembled. 76 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:07,519 OK. 77 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:12,079 Geez, there's not much bloody room, Les! 78 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:15,079 Oooh! 79 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:19,399 Bloody Nora! 80 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,839 Haven't even got to the scary part yet, Les. 81 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:24,199 No, and you're panicking already! 82 00:04:24,280 --> 00:04:26,079 See, it just puts it on such an angle. 83 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:29,079 Don't let it tip! 84 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:32,599 Got him?Yeah. 85 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:34,559 All right. Now from here on in, 86 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:39,039 we have to be so careful just not to hit the roof. 87 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:41,279 Hey, Rod, how's it going? 88 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:46,039 Yeah, we've just got into position where we're about to pull the props. 89 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,279 This is where it's gonna get real serious. 90 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:50,839 OK, great. Thank you. Be safe. 91 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:52,839 This one's gotta come out. 92 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:55,919 You put props in, you're putting upward pressure on your roof. 93 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:59,319 So when you're taking them out, you're letting that roof sag a bit. 94 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:01,639 Now because this roof has already cracked, 95 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:05,439 taking this prop out is about as dangerous as it gets. 96 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:07,839 You should never take props out. 97 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:11,199 We go disturbing the roof too much, it is gonna come down. 98 00:05:12,280 --> 00:05:13,919 Just give the top a tap. 99 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:18,199 Righto. Oooh, righto. 100 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:21,719 All right. I'll take it up here. 101 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:26,719 If we take that out, I can come back here again 102 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:30,839 and just get a different line up, I'm going straight up through there. 103 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:33,639 I don't want to take this prop out, I really don't. But... 104 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:37,359 ..I can't see there being any alternative, Les. 105 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:40,519 Just take it slow, Les. That's all we - Just, just slowly, mate. 106 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:44,319 Oh, Jesus! 107 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:47,159 There's some bloody weight on that. 108 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:50,039 What do we do? 109 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:00,159 CODY: Holy dooley! 110 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:03,399 What am I doing here? 111 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:08,639 ISSY: Hey!G'day, ladies! 112 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:10,359 Got some more for you. 113 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:12,679 Cool. Just what I need. Bring it over. 114 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:15,639 ANGEL: Got it. Oh!Just when I think I'm getting through it, 115 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:18,399 it doubles in size. Holy dooley! 116 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:23,639 The process of treating the stone after we've brought it back home 117 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:26,399 and, ah, cleaned it up, it's complicated. 118 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:32,319 We treat it for a period of time in a sugar-water solution. 119 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:38,239 We then take it out of there and put it into a low-heat acid solution 120 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:40,199 so that's the sulphuric acid. 121 00:06:40,280 --> 00:06:43,399 The host rock itself is carbonised, enhancing the colours 122 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:46,079 and patterns that are already in that rock. 123 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:49,359 The acid itself, that's the danger element of this whole thing. 124 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:52,159 Acid of any type, especially sulphuric, you know, 125 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:54,279 this is a very corrosive acid. 126 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:56,959 How are you going with it all? Yeah, I'm getting there. 127 00:06:57,040 --> 00:06:58,759 I see you've got a fair bit. 128 00:06:58,840 --> 00:07:01,479 To be honest, between you and I, I'm not exactly sure 129 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:05,479 how I'm gonna get it done in these. Like, look at this and look at this. 130 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,119 There's only so many rocks I can fit in, eh? 131 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:10,799 We're gonna have to find a way to get a bigger 132 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:12,559 pot or something for you cook. 133 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:14,719 Well, at the moment, I haven't bloody slept. 134 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:17,439 The Misfits are in a race 135 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:23,279 to colour-enhance 150 kilograms of Andamooka rainbow-matrix opal 136 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:27,599 to sell at the Lightning Ridge Opal Festival just days away. 137 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:29,639 Yeah, we've got to get this quota, you know? 138 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:32,999 Like without the 150 kilos - There's no point going, is there? 139 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:34,879 Anyway, I'll get these rocks out 140 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:37,559 and, hey, I appreciate youse dropping them over. 141 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:41,319 Whoa, whoa, Cody! Hey, hey, hey!Whoa! 142 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:50,319 Oh, what am I doing here? 143 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:53,719 Far out!Ohhh! 144 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:55,959 I reckon you take your five, you know, 145 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:58,079 and just chill out for a bit, mate. 146 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:00,639 Go and have another coffee or whatever.Yeah, just... 147 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:02,639 We're gonna be back in a few hours with 148 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:04,319 another one or two tubs for you. 149 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:06,879 I've got to sit down and try and think of a solution. 150 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:10,079 How we can get this done quicker. Because at the moment, 151 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,719 we've got the two slow-cookers but I'm using those 152 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:15,119 for sugar and those for acid. 153 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:18,159 So I'm having to empty the sugar out every time. 154 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,199 I'm not gonna get all this processed. 155 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:22,879 We'll keep that between us. I'll come up with a solution. 156 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:25,039 Joe's not gonna be happy if we don't get it. 157 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:27,439 There literally is not enough hours 158 00:08:27,520 --> 00:08:30,839 between now and Lightning Ridge with my two slow-cookers 159 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:34,639 to process and treat 150 kilos. 160 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:36,999 I've really got to suss out how I'm gonna 161 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:40,159 process more at once basically, how I'm gonna hit this target. 162 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:46,039 We need 150 kilos minimum.Wow. 163 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:49,159 Treated. What they're gonna be looking for is quality of material 164 00:08:49,240 --> 00:08:51,639 and what youse have been digging out at German Gully. 165 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:53,999 And I know that Lightning Ridge is damn close. 166 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:57,519 The added pressure is coming from Opal Joe Kalmar, 167 00:08:57,600 --> 00:08:59,879 the Misfits' mentor and financier, 168 00:08:59,960 --> 00:09:03,759 who wants 150 kilograms for buyers at the festival. 169 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:08,679 The Lightning Ridge Gem Festival is a, pretty well, 170 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,439 a world-famous event. It's where you can take material, 171 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:13,639 all types of material, all types of grade, 172 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:16,159 and you can literally sell everything you take. 173 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:18,639 So, I know that it's gonna be a bit of an ask, 174 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:21,319 you know, to get this done. But at the end of the day, 175 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,319 youse are just gonna have to work harder. 176 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:24,999 Cheers, Joe. Have a good day. 177 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:27,199 This festival is only once a year 178 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:29,759 and this payday, we're all relying on it. 179 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:31,839 Our season target is 200 grand. 180 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:36,359 In order for us to get our 150 kilo target of treated matrix, 181 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:38,559 we're at the claim digging, moving dirt, 182 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:40,759 doing whatever we can to find the material. 183 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:42,879 Every 20 or 30 kilos that me and Issy find, 184 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:46,279 we're taking it to Cody and, like, he's constantly cooking. 185 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:48,279 Time will tell if we can hit the target! 186 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:51,719 ISSY: Just take it real slow on that corner, Angel. 187 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:54,679 Yeah, and I'll go wide, too. 188 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,879 So, my back tyre doesn't have a lot of weight on it. 189 00:09:59,960 --> 00:10:02,759 At German Gully, Angel and Issy 190 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:05,879 are using their 3-tonne skid steer loader 191 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:11,719 to transport untreated Andamooka matrix opal up a steep mine ramp. 192 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:14,559 It could tip on its side. It could even tip backwards 193 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:17,319 and roll down that hill. Take it easy. 194 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:21,519 So, I'm gonna turn around and take this bucket out now. 195 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:32,759 Probably a little more weight is on my back wheels. 196 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:34,879 Feels like it's gonna tumble over backwards. 197 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:36,559 Slow and steady. 198 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:42,559 120 kilos on my front wheels at the moment. 199 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:45,479 This is certainly putting my skills to the test. 200 00:10:45,560 --> 00:10:49,439 You know this, like, claim was built for an excavator. 201 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:51,759 Got a bit of a bump coming up. 202 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:53,799 Oop! 203 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:56,839 This doesn't feel like a Bobcat any more. It feels like a boat. 204 00:10:56,920 --> 00:10:59,159 You've got my heart in my mouth at the moment. 205 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:03,439 That's a long way down! 206 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:05,599 That looks so dodgy. 207 00:11:05,680 --> 00:11:07,719 Yeah, she's rocking and rolling a bit. 208 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:10,439 If I fall over backwards, there's nothing stopping that. 209 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:21,079 Got a phone call, one of the claims up there has collapsed. 210 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:23,799 Not one of our claims, but it is pretty close. 211 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:25,999 Collapse sounds a bit serious, mate. 212 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:28,879 Have to go check it out.Yeah. See what happened. 213 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:31,399 Yeah, coming in now, mate. RORY: Bloody hell. 214 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:36,439 I've never seen anything like that before. Far out. 215 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:39,719 There's a lot of ground there. That's insane. 216 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:44,319 These guys had earth pillars in. 217 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:46,959 Those pillars have been taken out, unlawfully. 218 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:48,919 And that's the result. 219 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:52,519 When you see a cave-in like that, obviously, it just brings it home 220 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:55,079 that it is a dangerous environment. 221 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:58,239 It's good for Rory to see too because it's a good way to show him 222 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:00,079 why you need to keep your support up. 223 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:01,879 And it's just unfortunate really. 224 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:05,279 All right, are you boys gonna be right over here?Yeah, mate. 225 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:08,239 If I need a hand down the agi, I'll just sing out. 226 00:12:08,320 --> 00:12:10,799 Yeah, just let us know. That's a massive priority, 227 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:13,359 try and get that up and running as soon as possible. 228 00:12:15,680 --> 00:12:20,079 Chris Cheal, eldest son, Rory, and mine partner, Mark Bressan, 229 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:23,999 have run out of water for their opal processing agitator plant, 230 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:26,159 at Ned's Dam. 231 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:29,239 As you can see, there's not one, one agitator spinning. 232 00:12:29,320 --> 00:12:32,519 Everyone's at a standstill as far as their washing goes. 233 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:35,319 Chris needs to find a new water source, 234 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:38,719 as Mark excavates for opal at their open-cut mine 235 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:42,359 with help from Rory, back for the first time this season. 236 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:46,519 I've been away for the last few months, over in America. 237 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:48,799 Ran 80 marathons in 80 days. 238 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:51,399 We were raising money for cancer, 239 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:55,359 and we raised nearly $220,000. So absolutely amazing. 240 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:58,599 Even with Rory's return, the team are stretched thin, 241 00:12:58,680 --> 00:13:00,679 with his siblings Oscar and Luca 242 00:13:00,760 --> 00:13:02,999 forced to step away from opal mining. 243 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:05,119 Oscar's idea was to ramp the business up 244 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:08,759 and he's certainly done that. So, time for him now to step away. 245 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:11,999 Luca announced that she had some important stuff for uni. 246 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:14,439 That put us back to a bit of a skeleton crew. 247 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:16,719 MARK: Both of us, we've got the same goal 248 00:13:16,800 --> 00:13:20,239 that we wanna get to with the mining operation. 249 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:25,119 Making it bigger, um, you know, making it financially viable, 250 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:27,999 supporting our families. And something, hopefully, that 251 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:31,879 our children or even grandchildren will hopefully, you know, step into. 252 00:13:33,680 --> 00:13:37,279 I've never done this job before, I've never spotted in an open-cut. 253 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:38,959 Normally, when we're underground, 254 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:41,279 we can stop and look right up to the face. 255 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:43,919 Just got to try and stay far enough out of the way of 256 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:45,599 the big machine here, 257 00:13:45,680 --> 00:13:48,759 but close enough that I can, hopefully, still spot some stuff, 258 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:51,679 because the last thing I wanna do is miss opal for the team. 259 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:57,839 It would be good to spot something to get...Yeah...excited about. 260 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:05,639 Come on. 261 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:20,679 Ohhh! It's everywhere. 262 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:23,879 Have a look, look at that! 263 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:29,599 Come across some good trace here. It's just full of potch. 264 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:32,439 Potch is opal with no play of colour. 265 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:36,839 Of little value, it can indicate that precious opal is nearby. 266 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:38,919 It's a good sign. It's better than nothing. 267 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:43,199 Hopefully it'll come onto a bit of colour in a bit further, maybe. 268 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:46,079 I'll give it another hit up there, Rors.Yeah, let's do it. 269 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:56,599 There's no colour, man! 270 00:14:57,640 --> 00:14:59,919 You can see why we need these agis going, eh? 271 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,559 Yeah. It's looking for a needle in a haystack. 272 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:05,999 Far out!Getting teased today. 273 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:08,439 Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. 274 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:19,279 Not even halfway up yet and I've had a thousand heart attacks! 275 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:23,599 At German Gully, Angel is struggling to get her 276 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:26,159 3-tonne skid steer over the hill 277 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:29,439 hauling a bucket full of opal-bearing rocks. 278 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:32,119 It's quite tricky, you know? Trying to get this done 279 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:35,559 as fast as possible. But no point in rushing 280 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:38,519 if you're going to roll it. Whoa! 281 00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:40,319 Flip it over, you'll feel it! 282 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:45,599 All right. Passed the hard bit. 283 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:47,759 I'll just skid up the top and dump this. 284 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:51,519 No worries. I'll be waiting for you. Woo-hoo! 285 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:53,399 Got to spread it out pretty evenly, 286 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:56,759 so me and Issy can go through it to get all the matrix. 287 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:01,559 Not a bad amount of dirt. 288 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:05,959 I reckon we'll take this batch straight into Cody. 289 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:08,599 Bucketful of dirt to a bucketful of matrix! 290 00:16:12,760 --> 00:16:15,439 Back at camp, Cody has been treating 291 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:20,759 Angel and Issy's matrix opal with just two small slow-cookers. 292 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:22,559 Time is my constraint and, ah, 293 00:16:22,640 --> 00:16:24,519 I'm not getting through it quick enough. 294 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:26,519 I have to come up with a better solution, 295 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:29,559 otherwise we're not gonna make Lightning Ridge. 296 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:32,039 Bloody hell! 297 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:35,999 We're back!Got another tub for ya. Bring it over! 298 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:38,559 Just a little bit more for you, Cody!Oof! 299 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:43,199 While youse have been out, I actually saw 300 00:16:43,280 --> 00:16:46,119 this big commercial-sized oven 301 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:49,439 come up on Marketplace for a few hundred bucks. 302 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:52,639 I've just sent Mel into town. It might get us out of the shit, so... 303 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:55,479 Cody, that's awesome. Like - ..our luck might have turned. 304 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:57,559 Good thinking! 305 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:02,119 Here you go. Here she is! Holy dooley! 306 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:06,319 Massive, wow!Whoa! That should do it. 307 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:08,519 It did not look that big in the pictures. 308 00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:12,719 Hey, darl!That's so cool, Mel. That's huge. 309 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:16,879 Wow!If Cody doesn't put in the hard yards 310 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:20,199 of treating this matrix, we'll all go hungry. 311 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:23,359 Us losing it, it's him also. He's got kids, he's got a wife. 312 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:25,399 There's no choice. 313 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:28,879 How's it looking, Iss?Yeah, pretty good.Drop it there. 314 00:17:28,960 --> 00:17:30,799 Set it down! 315 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:33,719 Yeah.Hey, at least it's on wheels. 316 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:37,439 Let's check it out, eh? 317 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:40,919 That's...Wow!..huge! That is massive! 318 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:42,719 We've got a lot of cooking to do. 319 00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:44,919 I don't care how you do it or what you do, 320 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:46,719 I don't want to see you without, 321 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:49,119 you know, anything less than 150 kilos.Yes. 322 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:51,919 I'm going to Lightning Ridge. I have to get there early 323 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,039 to secure a spot at the festival. 324 00:17:54,120 --> 00:17:56,319 Everything has to work. Fingers and toes crossed 325 00:17:56,400 --> 00:17:58,799 that it all comes together. It's make or break. 326 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,039 Just give it another tap, right on the top. 327 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:09,599 No.That's heavy. I've got too much weight on that. 328 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:11,279 The roof is sagging on it. 329 00:18:11,360 --> 00:18:13,519 If we take that out, the roof is coming down. 330 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:16,519 To have any chance of saving their season, 331 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:20,919 the Bushmen must manoeuvre their unwieldy 2-tonne super-digger 332 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,199 through a maze of timber props. 333 00:18:25,120 --> 00:18:26,919 Here. Touch this one. 334 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:29,919 See how much weight is on that post. I'm gonna look at the crack. 335 00:18:32,360 --> 00:18:35,039 That's got less weight, hasn't it? Yeah. 336 00:18:35,120 --> 00:18:37,399 That's come off, hasn't it? Righto. Hang on. 337 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:41,079 The crack didn't open up too much, so righto. 338 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:46,159 Hey, Rod, Les! How's it going? 339 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:48,839 We're OK. We've just got a really bad spot here. Hang on. 340 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:50,599 I'll get back to you in a sec. 341 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:52,919 Tell you what, I'm so worried this is going to tip 342 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,679 and hit one of them props, and then we're -I know. 343 00:18:55,760 --> 00:18:59,519 ..we're under here for good. We've got to try and get it up into there, 344 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:01,559 so that's where we're heading, that way. 345 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:05,439 Look out! Jesus! 346 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:08,999 If I get this arm under that hole, 347 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:13,199 we'd be nearly close to where we need to be, wouldn't we?Yeah. 348 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:15,639 Just watch. 349 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,119 We've nearly got it, mate. Nearly, nearly. 350 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:24,519 Righto, we've got it in position. 351 00:19:24,600 --> 00:19:27,479 Well, that was as bloody nerve-racking as it gets, Les! 352 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:31,599 We made it, Sam!It's so good to see you back up here! 353 00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:34,359 Mate, it's bloody good to be up here, I tell you. 354 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:36,759 We'll ah start pulling that digger to pieces. 355 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:39,199 Lift it up in two or three pieces, 356 00:19:39,280 --> 00:19:41,359 load it on the, on the truck, 357 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:43,199 ready to drop it down over there. 358 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:47,319 Jacques does all our, sort of, crane work now. 359 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:49,479 Any of this sort of work that we need doing, 360 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:51,959 Jacques is the man that does it for us. 361 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:53,679 Just a little bit that way. 362 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:57,839 Righto. Down you go. 363 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:00,799 I might go and help Ben for a bit and help him out.Good idea. 364 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:02,919 There's not much you can do here. Yeah, OK. 365 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:05,839 I'm keen. I'll see you soon. You bet. 366 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:08,799 Sam's got to go into the Opal Queen Ball, 367 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:11,039 so we've only got her for a little time. 368 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:15,759 Mining partner, Ben Moses, is working in one of 369 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:19,439 the 18-metre-deep holes Rod recently had drilled 370 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:21,239 on the edge of their claim, 371 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:24,799 widening the shaft in a process known as belling out. 372 00:20:26,120 --> 00:20:29,159 We've got the main area belled out for the digger here. 373 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:32,479 We're just starting to put a drive in now to the second hole. 374 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:36,479 As far as the roof goes, a really nice, solid, safe roof. 375 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:39,319 I can't see any major faults that are going to open up on it 376 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:41,039 or anything as yet. 377 00:20:41,120 --> 00:20:44,959 Which is another relief, after what we've had happen over there. 378 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:46,799 That last ladder is a bit dodgy, Ben. 379 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:49,119 It's a wild climb, isn't it? I reckon, Sam. 380 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:51,879 Yeah?You should jump up there with that little cordless. 381 00:20:51,960 --> 00:20:53,559 I like this little corner here. 382 00:20:53,640 --> 00:20:55,519 Just in there? There's black potch there. 383 00:20:55,600 --> 00:20:59,559 OK.We've undercut that enough. Let's have a little look. 384 00:20:59,640 --> 00:21:01,839 Get up here. 385 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:07,359 I really wanna find opal for myself, also for Les, being his last year. 386 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:09,999 I really wanna help send him out to a good retirement. 387 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:13,319 Are you all right, Les? Need a hand?Yeah, I'm all right. 388 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:16,079 Obviously worried about Les being down there on his own. 389 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:19,639 But it's better for me to be here telling Jacques what to do. 390 00:21:19,720 --> 00:21:22,239 Les definitely has to retire this year. 391 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:25,999 I can't keep telling him to front up year after year after year. 392 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:30,999 We have to start making some money so that we can get him those things 393 00:21:31,080 --> 00:21:33,959 that he needs to be able to retire a bit more comfortable. 394 00:21:34,040 --> 00:21:36,399 Take the weight.Up a little. 395 00:21:38,520 --> 00:21:40,239 Away you go! 396 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:43,639 Take it up a touch. 397 00:21:46,560 --> 00:21:49,279 Hang on!Hold it! 398 00:21:49,360 --> 00:21:52,399 The problem is this hole is only just big enough, 399 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:54,719 you've got to have that arm hooked the right way, 400 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:57,039 or both sides hit on the shaft wall. 401 00:21:57,120 --> 00:21:58,919 Hold here.Yeah. Up. 402 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:01,919 Hang on!Whoa, whoa! 403 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:03,679 Hold it!Hold it! 404 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:13,919 We're out of water. The dam's completely empty. 405 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:17,039 The bottleneck is the washing and we've had no agitators. 406 00:22:17,120 --> 00:22:19,439 It's really important to be able to wash your dirt 407 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:22,039 because you miss too much back at the mine. 408 00:22:22,120 --> 00:22:24,919 So it's been really frustrating for us. 409 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:28,199 There was a bit of a gamechanger phone call last night. 410 00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:31,079 We've been allocated some water for this dam. 411 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:33,719 We got some earthworks to do. He wondered whether I had 412 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:36,839 a Posi-Track out here and I did, so with the bank the way it is, 413 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:39,719 using this Posi-Track is a little bit precarious 414 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:42,039 because you don't wanna slip off. 415 00:22:42,120 --> 00:22:45,079 To get this agitator going, there's a bank across. 416 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:47,879 Rory's dug a trench on one edge of the dam. 417 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:51,359 So once I fill that bank in, they can turn the water on 418 00:22:51,440 --> 00:22:55,239 from the bore and, basically, we can all pump out of that trench. 419 00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:57,239 Now that trench will fill up pretty quick, 420 00:22:57,320 --> 00:23:00,919 rather than fill the whole dam, which would take weeks. 421 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:02,839 Chris Cheal's new embankment 422 00:23:02,920 --> 00:23:05,519 will hold water pumped from deep underground 423 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:08,319 and supply the team's agitator wash plant. 424 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:11,919 Rory and Mark are back there digging and obviously the more they dig, 425 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:13,959 the more chance they got of finding opal. 426 00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:15,639 But there's stuff there you miss. 427 00:23:15,720 --> 00:23:17,719 This is the highest priority we've got now 428 00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:20,799 is getting this bank fixed and then getting the water hooked up. 429 00:23:24,760 --> 00:23:26,679 Just guide me onto it, mate. Yeah. 430 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:34,319 We've got some big future plans. 431 00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:36,479 But you know, that all costs money. 432 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:38,479 Potch is flying out everywhere. 433 00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:40,599 We wanna get to that season target. 434 00:23:40,680 --> 00:23:44,039 There's a stone in here somewhere. Where is anyone's guess, 435 00:23:44,120 --> 00:23:46,439 but this is why it's so important for us to wash. 436 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:49,599 I can't believe how thick this potch is. 437 00:23:49,680 --> 00:23:52,439 Look at it. Look at the colour in that.Bloody hell.Look. 438 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:58,039 There's got to be something in that. Oh, there's green in there as well. 439 00:23:58,120 --> 00:24:01,319 Yeah?That's got to be the fuel for the day covered, surely. 440 00:24:01,400 --> 00:24:03,039 You'd think so. 441 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:09,239 Oh, look in the wall.Holy Holy . Look at that! 442 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:13,279 That's huge, one big chunk. That is a lot.Oh, oh! 443 00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:18,039 It's massive! I'll tell you that much. 444 00:24:18,120 --> 00:24:19,999 It's trying colour too.It is. 445 00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:22,079 You don't know what's in the middle of that. 446 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:25,079 It's touched with colour. Needs to set in and we're laughing. 447 00:24:25,160 --> 00:24:27,839 Maybe try and dig that out as one piece.Give it a crack. 448 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:49,239 There's a bit of colour in there. A bit muggy, but maybe a little bit. 449 00:24:49,320 --> 00:24:52,439 You don't know what's truly in here until you wash it.Exactly. 450 00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:56,719 That's why we do it.No, it'd be nice to see a nice big gem 451 00:24:56,800 --> 00:24:59,999 in one of these big pieces. But it's just potch. 452 00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:03,519 A lot, a lot of potch. 453 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:07,959 Clean all this stuff out and, then, I just wanna get this dirt washed 454 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:10,759 because it's costing us money, costing us a lot of money. 455 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:12,479 Pressure's on. 456 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:14,359 We really need these agis up and going 457 00:25:14,440 --> 00:25:17,119 because we're losing money hand over fist at the moment. 458 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:25,439 CODY: All right. Rounded up four lids. 459 00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:27,559 As I fill 'em, if you wanna put the lids on. 460 00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:30,999 We'll just start from the top rack and we'll work our way down. 461 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:35,239 Cody and Issy are preparing the last batch 462 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:39,199 of the 150 kilograms of Andamooka matrix opal 463 00:25:39,280 --> 00:25:42,559 needed to sell at the Lightning Ridge Opal Festival. 464 00:25:42,640 --> 00:25:44,679 We'll get back to cleaning a few other rocks, 465 00:25:44,760 --> 00:25:47,839 and, um, get 'em ready for the next process.Yeah. 466 00:25:47,920 --> 00:25:50,759 Their new high-capacity industrial oven 467 00:25:50,840 --> 00:25:55,479 cooks the opal in the sugar solution at 70 degrees for 12 hours, 468 00:25:55,560 --> 00:25:57,399 freeing up both of the slow-cookers 469 00:25:57,480 --> 00:26:00,519 for the final six-hour sulphuric-acid treatment 470 00:26:00,600 --> 00:26:02,719 which reveals the hidden colour. 471 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:07,399 Let's check it out, eh? Fingers crossed.Fingers crossed. 472 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:09,199 Oh, yeah, that's looking good. 473 00:26:09,280 --> 00:26:12,599 A nice, clear colour in the sugar and the rocks 474 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:14,759 are blinging now, ready to go. 475 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:16,599 This is everything we've done so far. 476 00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:19,559 We need to know what weight we're up to in this 150 kilos, 477 00:26:19,640 --> 00:26:22,719 so I know exactly...Yeah. ..how much I've got left to do. 478 00:26:22,800 --> 00:26:24,639 Let's do some weighing. 479 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:30,879 20.3, 11.4, 21.4, 13.9. 480 00:26:32,120 --> 00:26:35,079 All right, I'll do a bit of a quick calculation here. 481 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:37,119 Feels like I picked up 100 kilos. 482 00:26:39,600 --> 00:26:43,159 Hundred and forty-six point nine kilograms! 483 00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:45,199 We only need 3.1 kilos! 484 00:26:45,280 --> 00:26:47,519 You know what? We've got more than that, surely. 485 00:26:47,600 --> 00:26:49,639 And we've got some in the acid already. 486 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:53,279 So yes!Yes!We are done! Well done, mate! 487 00:26:54,800 --> 00:26:58,119 Surely Joe's got to be happy. We've got 150 kilos. 488 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:00,399 Ah, it's all gonna come down to the evaluation, 489 00:27:00,480 --> 00:27:02,639 what he thinks it's worth, but we're ready. 490 00:27:02,720 --> 00:27:04,999 Hopefully, we get a result out of it. 491 00:27:05,080 --> 00:27:06,919 Morning, Joe.How are you? 492 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:10,919 G'day. I heard you got the oven. Yes!Yes. 493 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:13,479 Our number's up. Got the 150 kilos. 494 00:27:13,560 --> 00:27:15,879 Didn't think we were gonna do it for a while there. 495 00:27:15,960 --> 00:27:18,039 I tell you, it hasn't been all smooth sailing! 496 00:27:18,120 --> 00:27:20,079 Yeah. Cool bananas. I think it's awesome. 497 00:27:20,160 --> 00:27:23,039 Some of this stuff is probably worth 20, 30 dollars a gram. 498 00:27:23,120 --> 00:27:25,359 Like, something like that, I mean, look at that. 499 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:28,319 That's $50 a gram right, on its own, right? 500 00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:30,759 We don't wanna sell it on its own.No, you wanna... 501 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:32,559 The idea is to wholesale it. 502 00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:34,719 Everybody's got to make money. Of course. 503 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:39,319 The Misfits' 150-kilogram haul of rainbow-matrix opal 504 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:41,519 features the full spectrum of colours 505 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:43,919 and is sugar and acid treated. 506 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:47,599 How will you go about working out your overall price 507 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:50,479 if someone's gonna take 150 kilograms out of that? 508 00:27:50,560 --> 00:27:54,319 If somebody takes the whole 150 kilograms in one hit?Yeah. 509 00:27:56,400 --> 00:27:58,199 Five dollars a gram for the lot. 510 00:27:59,960 --> 00:28:02,919 That's gonna do a lot for our season, I tell you. 511 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:05,439 Technically, your worst case scenario here, 512 00:28:05,520 --> 00:28:08,199 you should be up around the $500,000 mark overall. 513 00:28:09,920 --> 00:28:12,279 Safe journey to Lightning Ridge. Thanks, mate. 514 00:28:12,360 --> 00:28:14,879 Right. Hopefully, you come back with a stack of money. 515 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:16,999 Cheers, Joe. Thank you very much, mate. 516 00:28:17,080 --> 00:28:19,759 To get a value like that, yeah, it puts a pep in your step, 517 00:28:19,840 --> 00:28:22,119 and I can't wait to get there and meet some buyers. 518 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:28,279 While Cody drives over 1,500 km to Lightning Ridge, 519 00:28:28,360 --> 00:28:30,199 Angel is setting up a stall 520 00:28:30,280 --> 00:28:33,839 to display their opal to prospective buyers. 521 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:36,119 It's a little different to Andamooka, I tell you! 522 00:28:36,200 --> 00:28:38,159 This is the Big Smoke, where we're from! 523 00:28:38,240 --> 00:28:40,439 A lot of action. So, yeah, it's exciting! 524 00:28:40,520 --> 00:28:43,399 In my hand, I've got our stash of rainbow matrix. 525 00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:46,519 I'm hoping the colours I've got here is gonna find us some clients 526 00:28:46,600 --> 00:28:48,759 and, hopefully, a wholesale supplier too. 527 00:28:52,400 --> 00:28:54,799 This here, this is also Andamooka material, 528 00:28:54,880 --> 00:28:56,519 unique to Andamooka. 529 00:28:56,600 --> 00:28:59,079 Many beautiful types of matrix in Andamooka. 530 00:29:00,600 --> 00:29:04,319 I think it's definitely creating a bit of attention, isn't it? 531 00:29:08,640 --> 00:29:10,239 Thank you. It does, eh? 532 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:16,079 We'd love to discuss a wholesale price, yeah. 533 00:29:18,760 --> 00:29:21,239 You have a market for this kind of material?Yes.OK. 534 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:25,999 Of course, yes. 535 00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:28,719 Yeah, perfect. Once youse have finished up this afternoon, 536 00:29:28,800 --> 00:29:30,479 we can meet up. This is massive. 537 00:29:30,560 --> 00:29:33,239 They've expressed interest in 140 kilos. 538 00:29:33,320 --> 00:29:36,439 Hey, we might have secured something pretty solid for the future. 539 00:29:38,440 --> 00:29:41,719 As the first night of the festival draws to a close, 540 00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:46,119 Angel and Cody meet with buyers, Natassa and Salma Patel 541 00:29:46,200 --> 00:29:49,719 and their opal cutter, Prashant Tulsyan. 542 00:29:49,800 --> 00:29:51,759 Cody, he seems pretty on-track with it, 543 00:29:51,840 --> 00:29:56,079 so I'm gonna be relying on him, you know, to help with the sale. 544 00:29:56,160 --> 00:30:00,319 The mother and daughter dealers have offices in Queensland and Arizona, 545 00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:04,879 and sell rough, cut stones and jewellery to clients worldwide. 546 00:30:04,960 --> 00:30:09,879 As far as treated, we did want $5 a gram overall. 547 00:30:09,960 --> 00:30:14,039 We will take $4 a gram on bulk supply. 548 00:30:16,880 --> 00:30:18,719 Of course you can. Yeah. By all means. 549 00:30:40,800 --> 00:30:42,919 ROD: It just takes a little bit of adjustment 550 00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:45,839 to get it to come up the right way. It's bloody tight. 551 00:30:48,920 --> 00:30:50,519 It's all yours. 552 00:30:51,760 --> 00:30:55,399 Midway through the worst mining season they've ever had, 553 00:30:55,480 --> 00:30:57,879 the Bushmen have been forced to move their digger 554 00:30:57,960 --> 00:31:02,839 from dangerously unstable drives to a new shaft on the claim. 555 00:31:02,920 --> 00:31:06,519 It's a $45,000 piece of machinery. 556 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:11,679 Without this digger, we don't work. 557 00:31:11,760 --> 00:31:14,399 That's one piece out, that's the hardest piece actually. 558 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:16,839 At least three-quarters of a tonne, I would think. 559 00:31:16,920 --> 00:31:18,719 I wouldn't like to be picking it up. 560 00:31:20,480 --> 00:31:25,079 Meanwhile, the team's new shaft is being widened by Ben and Sam, 561 00:31:25,160 --> 00:31:28,239 ready for the digger to be lowered into. 562 00:31:28,320 --> 00:31:31,959 Check that out.Oh, wow, that's a bright trace, isn't it?Yeah. 563 00:31:32,040 --> 00:31:35,319 Let's just drop that little bit of green trace, see what's behind it. 564 00:31:42,600 --> 00:31:44,719 Oh, check this out! 565 00:31:44,800 --> 00:31:48,039 That's a bit thick for potch. There's a bit of green in there too. 566 00:31:48,120 --> 00:31:52,079 There is. Look at that, a little bit of green running through that black. 567 00:31:52,160 --> 00:31:56,319 Well, it's not a massive stone, Sam, but very promising. It's a start. 568 00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:02,479 Hey, guys! 569 00:32:02,560 --> 00:32:04,719 I need to go to town. But we've been finding 570 00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:07,039 a bit of colour, um, over...Yeah? 571 00:32:07,120 --> 00:32:10,359 ..while we were belling out. But yeah, I totally need to go to town. 572 00:32:10,440 --> 00:32:12,639 If you're finding colour, that's a good excuse! 573 00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:16,119 Exactly. I'll catch you later! Good luck tonight, OK? Good luck! 574 00:32:16,200 --> 00:32:17,799 Thank you.You'll kill it! 575 00:32:17,880 --> 00:32:20,839 Sam's gotta go in to the Opal Queen Ball, 576 00:32:20,920 --> 00:32:22,959 so she's gotta get ready for that. 577 00:32:24,280 --> 00:32:27,199 The Opal Queen Ball, basically it's been going on for years 578 00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:31,439 and it's just an opportunity for some of the women in Lightning Ridge 579 00:32:31,520 --> 00:32:34,759 to get up and have a good night. Someone comes out as the Opal Queen 580 00:32:34,840 --> 00:32:37,319 and they represent Lightning Ridge for the next year. 581 00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:39,879 The Opal Queen Ball is a local tradition 582 00:32:39,960 --> 00:32:42,159 dating back to 1972 583 00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:45,199 and is part of the annual Lightning Ridge Festival, 584 00:32:45,280 --> 00:32:47,839 the final event on the four-day calendar. 585 00:32:47,920 --> 00:32:51,279 I think I bring a bit of a different perspective to the Opal Queen Ball. 586 00:32:51,360 --> 00:32:53,199 I'm a third-generation opal miner. 587 00:32:53,280 --> 00:32:55,559 I hardly ever get dressed up. 588 00:32:55,640 --> 00:32:57,959 And also, 30 years ago, my mum went in it, 589 00:32:58,040 --> 00:33:00,839 so I thought it'd be pretty cool to do it as well. 590 00:33:00,920 --> 00:33:02,599 I'm keen and hoping for the best. 591 00:33:02,680 --> 00:33:06,159 I'm not too nervous until it actually happens. 592 00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:09,319 But for now, yeah, I'm, I'm just really excited. 593 00:33:20,040 --> 00:33:24,759 Oh, Mark, hold up. Turn him off, Dad's here. 594 00:33:24,840 --> 00:33:27,919 He's either got good news or bad news.Yeah. 595 00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:29,599 Fingers crossed. 596 00:33:29,680 --> 00:33:32,159 How are you going, boys? Hey, Dad. All right yourself? 597 00:33:32,240 --> 00:33:34,319 Good. Guess what? 598 00:33:34,400 --> 00:33:37,159 Hooked up to the bore and been allocated some water, so we - 599 00:33:37,240 --> 00:33:39,439 Bloody oath!Gonna be able to start washing at 600 00:33:39,520 --> 00:33:42,959 Ned's Dam soon. That takes the pressure off us a bit.Yeah. 601 00:33:43,040 --> 00:33:47,679 We've got some, some mixed news. Look how close we got today. 602 00:33:47,760 --> 00:33:50,159 Yeah, imagine that, if there was a gem in that. 603 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:52,839 Just touched with colour, man. So close. 604 00:33:52,920 --> 00:33:55,599 You're kidding me?No. 605 00:33:56,920 --> 00:34:00,039 Look how thick that colour bar is. That's an inch thick.Yeah. 606 00:34:00,120 --> 00:34:03,079 Nearly millionaires today, mate. Look at the red in there. 607 00:34:03,160 --> 00:34:05,439 It's got all the colours, they're just not strong. 608 00:34:05,520 --> 00:34:08,999 Ohh! Bet that got your heart racing! Oh, we thought we were on! 609 00:34:11,280 --> 00:34:13,079 It can be so cruel sometimes, eh? 610 00:34:13,160 --> 00:34:16,039 Do you have any idea what something like that would be worth? 611 00:34:16,120 --> 00:34:17,759 If the colour was a bit better, 612 00:34:17,840 --> 00:34:20,199 you'd have well over a million dollars, but...Yeah. 613 00:34:20,280 --> 00:34:22,679 ..not today. But yeah, I mean it's worth something. 614 00:34:22,760 --> 00:34:24,959 As specimens, you'd make money out of it. 615 00:34:25,040 --> 00:34:27,119 That's gonna cut a big sun-flash stone. 616 00:34:27,200 --> 00:34:30,119 The Cheals have a parcel of grey-based opal. 617 00:34:30,200 --> 00:34:32,679 Predominantly potch, some of the stones 618 00:34:32,760 --> 00:34:36,879 display faint colour bars of blue-green and valuable red. 619 00:34:36,960 --> 00:34:40,399 It's in the rough and weighs an estimated two kilograms. 620 00:34:42,160 --> 00:34:44,199 You'd have to have 621 00:34:44,280 --> 00:34:46,239 five grand there. 622 00:34:46,320 --> 00:34:49,039 It pays for some fuel or whatever, you know?Yeah. 623 00:34:49,120 --> 00:34:50,839 It's better than nothing, I guess. 624 00:34:50,920 --> 00:34:52,919 If colour is making on something like that, 625 00:34:53,000 --> 00:34:55,279 you'd hope that it's making on the smaller stuff. 626 00:34:55,360 --> 00:34:59,239 That's right.Yeah. If we can get the washplant going, 627 00:34:59,320 --> 00:35:01,439 then start getting some dirt down through it. 628 00:35:01,520 --> 00:35:04,519 We'll know if we've missed it. They're gonna turn the water on soon. 629 00:35:04,600 --> 00:35:07,239 Sweet.If we pull up now and go and render that. 630 00:35:07,320 --> 00:35:09,319 Awesome. Let's go and see it. 631 00:35:09,400 --> 00:35:11,639 This is Ned's Dam. They're gonna hook the bore up. 632 00:35:11,720 --> 00:35:14,959 Hopefully, fingers crossed, we'll be washing here again in a few days. 633 00:35:15,040 --> 00:35:17,519 Sounds like it's working. 634 00:35:17,600 --> 00:35:19,759 Come on.We can hear it. 635 00:35:19,840 --> 00:35:23,639 Oh, here we go! There! We've got water, boys! 636 00:35:25,840 --> 00:35:29,759 Oh, yeah, mate.Yes!That's better. It's picking up now?Yeah. 637 00:35:29,840 --> 00:35:31,919 Look at that! 638 00:35:32,000 --> 00:35:36,079 This is artesian water. Comes from the Great Artesian Basin. 639 00:35:36,160 --> 00:35:39,439 I think it's the largest underground body of water on earth. 640 00:35:39,520 --> 00:35:41,999 It covers probably nearly a quarter of Australia. 641 00:35:42,080 --> 00:35:43,799 It's massive, but very deep. 642 00:35:43,880 --> 00:35:46,799 I think from around 500 metres to 2,000 metres, 643 00:35:46,880 --> 00:35:49,759 and this bore is 1,500 metres, they tell me. 644 00:35:49,840 --> 00:35:52,719 Looks like liquid gold to me. Sure is, mate. 645 00:35:52,800 --> 00:35:54,919 It's not just us that need the water. 646 00:35:55,000 --> 00:35:57,239 All these other miners need the water as well. 647 00:35:57,320 --> 00:35:59,319 It looks like we're back in business, boys. 648 00:35:59,400 --> 00:36:01,879 Bloody oath!Unreal! 649 00:36:01,960 --> 00:36:04,879 I'll give it a few days.We'll be back washing in no time, eh? 650 00:36:04,960 --> 00:36:06,599 That's it, mate.Yeah. 651 00:36:13,720 --> 00:36:17,599 Normally, if we're not close to what you're asking, we don't say at all. 652 00:36:17,680 --> 00:36:19,879 That's fair enough and we respect that. 653 00:36:19,960 --> 00:36:23,439 You know, having the quality of the material, 654 00:36:23,520 --> 00:36:26,359 it sort of makes it hard to swing much further. 655 00:36:26,440 --> 00:36:29,519 Yeah. Nice to meet you. Thank you, mate. 656 00:36:29,600 --> 00:36:31,279 Thanks.Thank you. 657 00:36:31,360 --> 00:36:33,679 I think we're willing to come a little bit higher, 658 00:36:33,760 --> 00:36:37,079 but, ah, at this stage, we're far apart. 659 00:36:37,160 --> 00:36:39,879 From what I've learnt, not all negotiations and deals 660 00:36:39,960 --> 00:36:41,919 are done in one sitting. We've just got to 661 00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:44,599 make that final deal. But that's a positive movement 662 00:36:44,680 --> 00:36:46,519 in the right direction. 663 00:36:50,280 --> 00:36:54,319 Got some water.Yeah. Fill 'em up. Make the colours bling! 664 00:36:54,400 --> 00:36:56,999 Now it's just a waiting game for the customers to come. 665 00:36:57,080 --> 00:36:59,119 I've got pretty high hopes that, you know, 666 00:36:59,200 --> 00:37:01,799 with the sparkling rocks, it's all gonna sell itself. 667 00:37:03,400 --> 00:37:06,639 It's Angel and Cody's last day in Lightning Ridge 668 00:37:06,720 --> 00:37:10,399 and they still haven't sold any of their rainbow-matrix opal. 669 00:37:11,640 --> 00:37:13,559 CODY: Good morning. Hey, good morning. 670 00:37:13,640 --> 00:37:15,559 This is all Andamooka material. 671 00:37:15,640 --> 00:37:18,879 With all of this, these customers, it'll be that one person, you know? 672 00:37:18,960 --> 00:37:21,999 We're not gonna know who that one person is gonna be. 673 00:37:22,080 --> 00:37:25,239 Exactly, got to treat everyone as if they're the future buyer.Yep. 674 00:37:27,400 --> 00:37:30,759 Guys.Hey, mate, how are ya? I'm looking for some stones. 675 00:37:30,840 --> 00:37:32,759 What are you utilising the material for? 676 00:37:32,840 --> 00:37:36,639 I'm looking to make some rings. Righto, you're after the one piece? 677 00:37:36,720 --> 00:37:40,799 I'm looking for sort of between five to ten kilos.OK, OK. Yeah. 678 00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:42,679 Definitely, we can do that. 679 00:37:42,760 --> 00:37:45,279 Looking for different stones to add to our collection. 680 00:37:45,360 --> 00:37:48,479 We've got the Lightning Ridge opal, but this opal is beautiful. 681 00:37:49,640 --> 00:37:53,159 For ten kilos, 38 grand for ten kilos. 682 00:37:53,240 --> 00:37:56,239 Do you reckon that's fair?That's a good price. If you're happy? 683 00:37:56,320 --> 00:37:58,799 Yeah, I am.If you can make a deposit on that? 684 00:37:58,880 --> 00:38:00,559 Yeah, definitely.To secure it. 685 00:38:02,600 --> 00:38:04,759 Thank you!Awesome. Beauty. Thanks so much. 686 00:38:04,840 --> 00:38:07,239 I'll talk to you.Appreciate it, speak to you later. 687 00:38:07,320 --> 00:38:11,039 See you soon.Thank you. See you. Nailed it!Yes! 688 00:38:19,600 --> 00:38:21,679 Hello. I got Cody here. Hi, Joe, how are you? 689 00:38:23,440 --> 00:38:25,079 Yeah, good. Good, thanks, mate. 690 00:38:25,160 --> 00:38:27,839 We've pulled over. On our way back from Lightning Ridge. 691 00:38:27,920 --> 00:38:30,279 Bit of an update. I think we did pretty well. 692 00:38:30,360 --> 00:38:32,119 We made, you know, some sales. 693 00:38:32,200 --> 00:38:33,999 We didn't get rid of all the material. 694 00:38:36,760 --> 00:38:38,759 We made a lot of contacts, but we didn't - 695 00:38:48,680 --> 00:38:50,839 We made a fair bit in future sales, I believe, 696 00:38:50,920 --> 00:38:52,559 with the contacts we made. 697 00:38:56,680 --> 00:38:59,599 We definitely had interest within the overseas market. 698 00:38:59,680 --> 00:39:01,999 I feel like we had the necessary conversations. 699 00:39:04,440 --> 00:39:06,959 All right. Catch you, Joe. All right. 700 00:39:07,040 --> 00:39:08,959 We managed to close one sale. 701 00:39:09,040 --> 00:39:10,959 Joe was expecting a hell of a lot more. 702 00:39:11,040 --> 00:39:13,599 But we'll live and learn and next time, we'll do better. 703 00:39:13,680 --> 00:39:16,799 If anything, it was more of a humbling experience to learn 704 00:39:16,880 --> 00:39:18,999 you can have the material and do the hard work, 705 00:39:19,080 --> 00:39:21,599 but there's a little more to it. We're gonna figure out 706 00:39:21,680 --> 00:39:24,119 what that little more is, to try and secure a deal. 707 00:39:33,400 --> 00:39:35,959 The Opal Queen, um, event, they have a... 708 00:39:36,040 --> 00:39:37,719 We have an opal festival here. 709 00:39:37,800 --> 00:39:39,599 It's a really good night, you know? 710 00:39:39,680 --> 00:39:42,359 Elisabeth is keen to represent the town and the industry, 711 00:39:42,440 --> 00:39:44,839 if she was to be crowned the Opal Queen. 712 00:39:44,920 --> 00:39:48,039 And look, you know, I think whoever they pick will do a good job. 713 00:39:49,200 --> 00:39:51,719 Chris Cheal is taking a break from mining 714 00:39:51,800 --> 00:39:54,119 to help his fiancee Elisabeth Gale 715 00:39:54,200 --> 00:39:57,439 compete in the Lightning Ridge Opal Queen Ball. 716 00:39:57,520 --> 00:39:59,839 Not often we get to dress up in Lightning Ridge. 717 00:39:59,920 --> 00:40:04,119 That in itself is a fun experience and a fun time. 718 00:40:04,200 --> 00:40:08,879 It's good to celebrate the women and the girls in the community. 719 00:40:10,080 --> 00:40:13,359 I'm not used to these flash clothes. 720 00:40:13,440 --> 00:40:15,519 I don't, um, wear a suit much. 721 00:40:15,600 --> 00:40:21,999 My ring. It's a beautiful crystal opal that Rory dug out. 722 00:40:22,080 --> 00:40:24,439 Hey, babe, are you all right to go? Yeah, I'm ready. 723 00:40:26,680 --> 00:40:30,319 Oh, wow, babe! You look incredible. 724 00:40:30,400 --> 00:40:32,999 Thank you.Let's go.OK. 725 00:40:35,280 --> 00:40:37,879 The Bushmen's mine partner, Sam Mehan 726 00:40:37,960 --> 00:40:40,519 has also arrived for the competition. 727 00:40:40,600 --> 00:40:42,799 This is the start for tonight really. 728 00:40:42,880 --> 00:40:45,359 We've gotta go in with the judges, have a talk to them, 729 00:40:45,440 --> 00:40:47,959 and, then, that's where the judging process comes in. 730 00:40:48,040 --> 00:40:51,799 All I want to do is share how special opal is with all the world. 731 00:40:51,880 --> 00:40:55,599 And then I've got to strut my way down a catwalk. 732 00:40:55,680 --> 00:40:58,079 I don't usually get to dress up like this, 733 00:40:58,160 --> 00:41:01,239 it's really different to what I usually do. I was, like, why not? 734 00:41:01,320 --> 00:41:04,639 HOST: Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to get started very shortly. 735 00:41:08,600 --> 00:41:13,039 I'm a wee bit nervous now. I wasn't before! 736 00:41:13,120 --> 00:41:16,479 Ladies and gentlemen, our entrant No.1, Elisabeth Gale. 737 00:41:21,680 --> 00:41:23,679 I think Elisabeth is in with a good chance. 738 00:41:23,760 --> 00:41:25,479 But we'll just, just see how we go. 739 00:41:28,120 --> 00:41:32,559 Moving along now, please welcome Samantha Mehan, our entrant No.5. 740 00:41:39,000 --> 00:41:40,919 Sam Mehan, thank you so much. 741 00:41:45,240 --> 00:41:47,199 Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, 742 00:41:47,280 --> 00:41:49,839 the moment we've all been waiting for. 743 00:41:49,920 --> 00:41:52,679 It is my pleasure to announce to you now 744 00:41:52,760 --> 00:41:56,279 that your 2023 Opal Queen is... 745 00:42:01,120 --> 00:42:04,159 ..No.1. 746 00:42:11,280 --> 00:42:13,479 You never know what the judges are gonna think, 747 00:42:13,560 --> 00:42:16,919 and all the girls could equally have won tonight. 748 00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:20,959 So, I'm just very honoured that I was chosen as the winner tonight. 749 00:42:23,280 --> 00:42:26,279 It's awesome. I don't know. I worked myself up so much for this. 750 00:42:26,360 --> 00:42:29,279 But realistically, it was just a really fun experience. 751 00:42:29,360 --> 00:42:32,239 Now you're the Opal Queen, does that make me - 752 00:42:32,320 --> 00:42:35,879 You have to be my Opal King! 753 00:42:39,000 --> 00:42:41,519 Sam should be here soon. She said she was on the way. 754 00:42:41,600 --> 00:42:43,399 Yeah, she shouldn't be that far away. 755 00:42:43,480 --> 00:42:45,559 Wonder where she's come. If she's won it. 756 00:42:45,640 --> 00:42:48,039 That's a story, isn't it? 757 00:42:48,120 --> 00:42:50,119 Here she is! Oh, yeah. 758 00:42:50,200 --> 00:42:52,799 Hoo! Whoo-hoo! 759 00:42:52,880 --> 00:42:56,119 Second place, eh?Yes! Congratulations.Thank you. 760 00:42:56,200 --> 00:43:00,119 That's bloody brilliant. Good girl. Good on you, mate.Thanks, Les. 761 00:43:00,200 --> 00:43:02,919 We're supporting you too, mate! There we go! 762 00:43:03,000 --> 00:43:05,359 I love it! That's so good! That was a good night. 763 00:43:05,440 --> 00:43:09,079 I had lots of fun, and it was a lot different me wearing a ball gown. 764 00:43:09,160 --> 00:43:13,399 I bet it was! We were hoping you'd done pretty well. 765 00:43:13,480 --> 00:43:16,559 We've even got some plonk! Oh, how good is that? 766 00:43:18,000 --> 00:43:19,639 Whoa!There you go! 767 00:43:19,720 --> 00:43:23,359 Hey, that's all right! Oh, ! You have this one, Les! 768 00:43:23,440 --> 00:43:25,839 Thanks. Mind how you go. 769 00:43:25,920 --> 00:43:28,959 Cheers, Les.All cheers. Good on ya, mate. 770 00:43:29,040 --> 00:43:30,839 Thank you. Now to get back digging! 771 00:43:31,880 --> 00:43:33,879 Subtitles by Deluxe 771 00:43:34,305 --> 00:44:34,917 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm