"Outback Opal Hunters" School of Hard Rocks

1 00:00:08,040 --> 00:00:10,679 How many scrapes are you gonna do until we check? 2 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:13,959 I first need to rip this hard band right off the top 3 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:15,839 before we get near the level. 4 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:20,759 It is hard to breathe with all the dust. 5 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:24,039 This is hard . Bloody hell. 6 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:27,279 I've got dust in my mouth. It's not great work. 7 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:29,919 It's just really, really dusty. 8 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:33,519 You can't even see the opal with all the dust. 9 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:37,919 It's bloody hard ground. It's gonna take ages, Dan, to get through the roof. 10 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:41,599 I don't know about you spotting from out there. It doesn't make a lot of sense. 11 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:44,159 Well, how about I get on the other side of the fan? 12 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:45,839 Yeah, let's give that a try. 13 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:50,239 Best that Renee's inside and she can spot it as it breaks down. 14 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:52,479 And because we think the opal's on the ceiling, 15 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:56,239 we need a good view of it. From back there, it's not working with all the dust. 16 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:01,719 So, the fan's to blow the dust outwards. 17 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:04,599 Otherwise it comes in here and it gets really dusty 18 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:07,279 and then I start coughing. It's not good for your lungs. 19 00:01:09,960 --> 00:01:13,759 It's a bit unsettling being in here with Dan bringing the roof in. 20 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:19,119 Pretty scary under here. It looks like a big waterfall of dirt coming down. 21 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:21,319 Whoa! 22 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:25,199 Are you all right? Renee! 23 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:33,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 24 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:45,599 You all right? 25 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:49,559 You all right? 26 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:53,839 You all right? You okay? 27 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:56,239 Yeah, that dust. 28 00:01:56,320 --> 00:01:58,759 Did that all come at ya? Yeah. 29 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:03,079 And that big chunk of rock coming down as well.Yeah. 30 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:04,999 Yeah, not good. That's bad. 31 00:02:05,080 --> 00:02:08,719 You stand right back cos I don't want you in danger here 32 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:11,879 and obviously they're bigger bits than I thought. A lot more dust. 33 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:16,159 I think I'm gonna go and get a drink. I'm a bit like coughing. Have a rest, have a breather. 34 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:17,839 All right. 35 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:22,679 NARRATOR: It's nearly season end 36 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:25,479 as unworkable 50 degree summer temperatures 37 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:28,639 engulf the desert wastelands of Coober Pedy. 38 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:32,279 Dan Measey and girlfriend Renee Everest 39 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:35,159 have one last chance to unearth opal 40 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:38,159 at their cavernous claim, Benito's Folly. 41 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:42,759 We have a lot of financial pressures. The flights with me flying back and forth 42 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:44,959 to Coober Pedy from the Adelaide Hills. 43 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:47,239 Spent a lot of money already on the machinery. 44 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:49,639 We've had breakdowns, lots of things going wrong. 45 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:54,079 But the main thing is for me to come up and live and work with Dan full time. 46 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:58,279 But we are a long, long, long way off that at the moment. 47 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:00,799 I've invested at least a quarter of a million dollars. 48 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:05,359 Finding opal is mandatory. I have to pay for the machine, get a return on investment. 49 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:08,039 But we're nowhere near our target. The pressure's on. 50 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:14,879 This ground, it's not nice to work in. It's very, very hard. 51 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:18,039 Holy... 52 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:22,959 It's taking out the machine, it's slow going. 53 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:26,279 But it's what we've got to work with. Better be some opal. 54 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:34,639 I reckon there's machinery over there. 55 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:36,919 That concerns me. 56 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,559 That could be a bit of an opal rush. 57 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:43,399 Hey, Dan. I can see some machinery next door. 58 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:45,119 Oh, really? Yeah. 59 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:47,359 You know how that guy found some opal? 60 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:50,839 I think he's been telling everyone. Okay, I'll come up. 61 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:55,719 A recent massive 150,000 dollar find 62 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:57,839 near Dan and Renee's claim 63 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:00,439 has sparked an opal rush in the area. 64 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:03,519 The couple are under threat of their mine being surrounded 65 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:06,839 and losing access to opal-rich ground. 66 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,519 Cool, you're here. What's going on?Look. 67 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:13,439 We've got new neighbours. Oh, yup, they're all moving in on us. Far out. 68 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:15,599 And there's another car coming in. 69 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:20,639 Someone doesn't keep their mouth shut, next minute every man and his dog are out there. 70 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:23,719 Bit deflated that everyone's gonna come and crowd around us now. 71 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:29,079 Because they peg all around us and there is a good opal run. We're gonna miss out. 72 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,959 Geez. Who's that? 73 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,559 That's old Frank. A long-term opal miner. 74 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:37,039 He fell down a shaft last year. Did he?Yeah. 75 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:41,079 He broke both ankles. Wife had to find him out in the field. Still trying to find opal. 76 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:43,759 Tough old bugger. What goes? Bit of a rush, eh? 77 00:04:43,840 --> 00:04:47,439 Yeah. What are you doing here? I heard there's a bit of activity 78 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:50,999 so while I'm here, I might as well peg a claim. You're pegging a claim too? 79 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:53,199 There's a bit of action down the bottom.Yeah. 80 00:04:53,280 --> 00:04:57,479 The boys over here did quite well. I think 150,000.Mm. 81 00:04:57,560 --> 00:05:00,159 We're getting boxed in. We ARE getting boxed in, Dan. 82 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:04,519 Uh, just one corner will do. We're running out of ground here. 83 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:07,879 I'll look for a spot. See how I go. Good to see you again. 84 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:10,079 Cheers, mate. See you later.See you later. 85 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:11,959 So, how are you feeling about that, Dan? 86 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:14,199 I trust old Frank. He's a good old bloke. 87 00:05:14,280 --> 00:05:18,399 But it's just another person moving in on us, unfortunately. 88 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:28,079 The year's been really hard for our team, the Mooka Boys. 89 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:30,839 We've had a lot going on in our personal lives. 90 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:33,959 Leif's had to take off and really get his business up and running. 91 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:37,759 This year we probably shouldn't have been mining. We really didn't have the time. 92 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:42,999 Down at Lunatic here, we're digging that ramp out. It's getting a bit tight 93 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:44,719 for the digger. 94 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:47,279 It's taken us all year to get to this stage now. 95 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:49,839 Just looking at the face of the tunnel 96 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:51,519 we've got to get the opal from. 97 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:53,799 Just got to get that skiddy here, get in there 98 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:58,159 and just hope that Leif rocks up, cos otherwise we've been working all year for nothing now. 99 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:04,319 Leif's got that skiddy locked up. It needed a service. i can't get to it unless he's here. 100 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:08,079 That's no good.Last I heard, he was about 600 Ks north on the stations 101 00:06:08,160 --> 00:06:11,839 and I haven't heard from him. How long ago did you hear from him? A week nearly. 102 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:16,519 Same time I heard from him. We don't need this, man. We just need this opal out, eh. 103 00:06:20,840 --> 00:06:24,559 The Mooka Boys. Brothers Matt and Cozza Kathagen 104 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:28,999 have had their mining operation at Lunatic Claim grind to a halt 105 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:33,159 while they wait for team leader Leif Tanzer to return. 106 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:36,439 We've set a season target this year for $200,000. 107 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:39,239 We're well into the tens of thousands of dollars we've spent 108 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:41,879 trying to crack into the ground here. Machinery parts, 109 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:43,919 diesel costs, explosives, 110 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:45,839 all of those are really adding up fast. 111 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:49,239 We haven't come anywhere near close to covering costs this year. 112 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:53,639 This year I had a little baby girl, which really added to the financial pressures. 113 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:57,079 In the past, I really didn't have to worry about anyone except for myself. 114 00:06:57,160 --> 00:06:59,319 I've got to make sure I keep food on the table 115 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:03,079 and it's starting to feel a bit desperate and I need to get some money this year. 116 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:06,959 So just at the bottom of our ramp. Leif and his old man, 117 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:08,639 they already done another cut 118 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:11,719 and produced some black opal out of there. That's why we're here 119 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,399 tackling this rock cap, hoping to find some more. 120 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:18,479 Black opal, named for its dark body tone, 121 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:21,719 is one of the rarest opal types in the world. 122 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:26,679 The highest quality can be worth up to $50,000 a gram. 123 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:31,759 Hey, who's that? 124 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:36,679 There he is! Yeah! You beauty! 125 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:41,759 Oh, that's some perfect timing. 126 00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:44,559 Bit of a shame we haven't had Leif for most of the season. 127 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:46,839 He's really handy in a lot of different ways 128 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:48,919 and we just love working together. 129 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:51,199 Yeah! You took the wrong track, hey! 130 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:53,119 You legend! 131 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:55,639 You beauty, mate! What's going on? How are you? 132 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,199 God, it's good to see you. How you been? 133 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:01,559 We were about to start calling stations looking for you! 134 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:03,799 We had a breakdown out there last week, man. 135 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:06,759 The satellite or something went down so I had no signal. 136 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:08,799 Good news, bruv, we're ready to go. 137 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:12,799 Your ears must have been burning, man, we were just saying we need Leif now. 138 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:14,879 That's awesome. It looks heaps good, hey. 139 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:17,479 Yeah, the ramp's dug. We've got the face ready to go. 140 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:22,639 We're ready to grab the genny, power the site up. Get in and start going, man. 141 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:35,439 With the claim's four-metre-deep access ramp to the mine face completed, 142 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:38,959 the team are now able to use Leif's skid steer loader 143 00:08:39,040 --> 00:08:43,039 to tunnel through the opal level and extract pay dirt. 144 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:46,359 Thought about getting the jackhammer down there and start making a hole 145 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:48,639 for the power box to go in. Yeah. 146 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:51,679 We're just getting everything here at our claim at Lunatic. 147 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:55,079 Gonna put a power box down there. We've got the bobcat out here now 148 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:59,119 that's gonna start tunnelling. The whole operation's coming together now. We're happy. 149 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,719 Below the pink line, where you see all these muds 150 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:05,879 mixed up with white kopi material, that's our opal level. 151 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:08,679 That's what we've been digging the whole season to find. 152 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,519 Now we're in it, every single day could be a payday. 153 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:14,319 Kopi is a light-coloured rock 154 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:17,079 consisting of sandy gypsum clay 155 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:20,719 commonly found at the same depth as the opal level. 156 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:23,679 Here we go. 157 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:32,439 Gonna go spike the wall now, loosen up all the area around the level. Save a whole lot of jackhammering. 158 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:41,159 Looking pretty good. We've got a nice level coming across here. 159 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:43,679 So it's just a matter of getting in and checking 160 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,959 and hopefully we'll find that little slide we're looking for. 161 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:50,239 Right under this pointer, through this soft patch. 162 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:54,119 There's opal running all through and it's popping up right underneath there.Right. 163 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:57,959 We take out some of the top of it and underneath it cos it is throwing up here. 164 00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:02,359 Yeah, gotta be careful. We've got a lot of weight, rock and dirt 165 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:05,959 hanging over the top of us, so you've got to watch the side wall. 166 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,519 Constantly got to be checking for loose material 167 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:11,439 coming off or dropping in or any movement in the wall. 168 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:21,439 All right, he's coming back. 169 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:26,239 That ram! Yeah, it's leaking. Oh, . 170 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:31,199 I don't know how long it's gonna last, hey. No, man, it's leaking heaps. 171 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:33,319 I suppose that's what happens, you know. 172 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:37,479 You let that thing sit for a year, you know, things shrink. 173 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:47,879 Matt, Cozza!Yo! That ram, it's broken the seal. 174 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:51,239 You're kidding me. That's not good news. 175 00:10:51,320 --> 00:10:52,919 We only just started. 176 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:03,439 What do you reckon? A little bit more? Yeah, you should go. Why not? 177 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:06,599 Me and Sam are back down at Bad Dog. 178 00:11:06,680 --> 00:11:09,399 Driven down to get under this roof. 179 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:12,119 We're here for ages with this shovel 180 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:14,919 and filling up the rickshaw, then take it up the ramp. 181 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:17,759 Cos we don't have anywhere to back stow dirt at the moment. 182 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,719 All right. here we go. 183 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:23,039 Nope. Help. 184 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:25,359 Oh, that sucks! 185 00:11:28,680 --> 00:11:31,759 Another one going up. Hey! 186 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:33,959 Yeah, mate. What's going on down there? 187 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:37,439 We've only got a couple of buckets up here in the last little while. 188 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,039 Yeah, we're doing our best, mate. Try a bit harder. 189 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:42,399 I think we just got told. We're in trouble. 190 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:46,239 I think they're being a bit slack. I just gave them a bit of a serve. 191 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:49,119 They might bloody, uh, pull their socks up a little bit. 192 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:51,839 We're pulling dirt up a 30-degree incline. 193 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:57,199 It doesn't look that steep, but when you're dragging 80, 100 kilo of dirt up it, it gets bloody heavy. 194 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:01,759 You ready? 195 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:04,919 Not really. One, two, three. 196 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:14,159 Look out, Sam, I'm losing it! 197 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:19,359 You right? I think so. 198 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:22,319 I don't think we should have done that. 199 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:24,999 You didn't hurt yourself? No, no, I'm all good. 200 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:29,039 This isn't working, Sam.No. We're just gonna end up getting hurt. 201 00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:32,039 The only option I see is to put another hole down, Sam.Yeah. 202 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:35,279 Bell out on the right level. Put it in front, 203 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:37,399 dig over to it. 204 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:39,999 I think that's the only option, Sam. 205 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:45,039 The Bushmen's new recruits, Ben Moses and Sam Mehan, 206 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:49,079 are working under the supervision of veteran miner, Les Walsh, 207 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:51,839 while team leader Rod Manning has been forced to leave 208 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:53,759 on urgent business. 209 00:12:53,840 --> 00:12:56,079 Rod's down at Maitland sorting out some stuff 210 00:12:56,160 --> 00:12:58,959 with the bloody Mines Department. The Mines Department 211 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:01,079 uploaded a web page one day. 212 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:03,599 It said that there were all these claims invalid. 213 00:13:03,680 --> 00:13:07,319 Before we knew it, hundreds of claim owners were getting letters in the mail, 214 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:09,439 cease work, you can't work any longer. 215 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:11,199 It completely stopped us from mining. 216 00:13:11,280 --> 00:13:16,119 Rod is travelling 600 kilometres to get the team's claims validated 217 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:20,239 at the Mines Department office to save their mining future. 218 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:23,039 Rod's not here. We aren't digging Robbie's, 219 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:24,959 so we're not using the digger and blower, 220 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:28,079 so our next best chance is getting both of us down here digging. 221 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:32,839 We've been fortunate with Dead Dog. It was the first claim we even went through the validation with, 222 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:36,079 so we got it sorted as soon as possible and that's the only reason why 223 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:38,759 we can dig this claim. The others are all up in the air. 224 00:13:38,840 --> 00:13:41,919 Season's gonna end any week now with this heat. 225 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,679 Really under the pressure now to get some opal. 226 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:47,999 Les wants to retire, so we really want to kind of set him up. 227 00:13:48,080 --> 00:13:50,879 I'm hoping Dead Dog will bring the money in 228 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:53,239 so I can slow down a bit more. 229 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:55,599 Realistically, we just need to find opal. 230 00:13:55,680 --> 00:13:57,399 And I need a car. I don't have a car. 231 00:13:57,480 --> 00:14:00,559 I've been borrowing vehicles and getting rides where I can 232 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:03,079 so it'd be really nice to actually own my own car. 233 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:07,159 So we've got Rema in now. He's putting a hole down for us. 234 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:11,759 Putting it down about four or five foot in front of us so it's not as far to drive. 235 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:16,439 The opal level at Dead Dog is 1.5 metres below the hoist, 236 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:20,359 accessible only via a steep 30-degree incline. 237 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:23,799 The Bushmen want to move their hoist by sinking a new shaft 238 00:14:23,880 --> 00:14:27,399 at the correct depth and link up to the main digging area 239 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:30,119 to speed up the mining process. 240 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:35,639 They've spent $2,000 to hire drill operator, Homer Remalli, 241 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:37,559 aka Rema. 242 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:41,279 We've got some really nice level coming up. 243 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:46,359 One thing I don't like, Sam, I can still see white horse in this drill. 244 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:49,839 Don't tell me that. I don't want to hear that, Ben. 245 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:52,479 So this is white horse. It's rock-hard this stuff. 246 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:56,559 It's like trying to jackhammer through steel. It's like a gypsum-based mineral in it. 247 00:14:56,640 --> 00:14:59,839 Veins of it in it. And it's just an absolute nightmare 248 00:14:59,920 --> 00:15:04,319 when you're digging. You do get a lot of crystal around this stuff so it is a good sign. 249 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:08,759 Just going through what the drill brought up, Sam. Come and look at this, mate. 250 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:12,039 That looks good.Oh, wow. Gosh. Shit, yeah. 251 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:15,439 That's on a nice dark base, Les. Bloody beautiful. 252 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:18,599 I'm really keen to get down there and connect the shaft and drive 253 00:15:18,680 --> 00:15:21,079 cos we might find a nice pocket in between. 254 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:23,559 We're gonna put these ladders down and have a look. 255 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:26,599 I'm gonna line up exactly in line with that pipe 256 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:29,639 with the jackhammer from this side, and hopefully Sam can hear it 257 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:31,719 and we know then what direction we gotta go. 258 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:34,799 I'm thinking Ben's here. That's where I hope he is. 259 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:37,759 That's where we worked out where we think the other shaft is. 260 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:40,319 Fingers crossed, cos that's the direction I'm going in. 261 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:46,439 Bloody hell. 262 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,719 We're digging in exactly the same spot. I can hear him. 263 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:57,079 We can't be far at all. 264 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:00,239 Why has it got so hard?! 265 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:02,599 Oh, , this is hard. 266 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:07,719 Oh, I just hit white horse. 267 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:10,759 Which means I'm close to the hole cos it came into the shaft. 268 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:13,119 But it's so hard to get through. 269 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:16,199 We're so close to each other but I bet he's hit white horse too. 270 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:19,079 And now it's making it ten times harder to get through. 271 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:26,039 What's a seal kit gonna cost us? How long is this gonna take? 272 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:29,879 It's cheaper to replace the ram, instead of pulling it apart.Yeah. 273 00:16:29,960 --> 00:16:32,439 Just buy a whole ram for 400, 500 bucks. 274 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:35,879 Reckon we can use it for now? Yeah, we can use it for now. 275 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:40,159 It looks like the bobcat's thrown a seal in one of the four in one rams, 276 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:43,239 where the bucket opens up, and it's really critical we have that 277 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:47,599 just because it's really tight down there, so it's the only way you can get a lot of dirt. 278 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:50,599 Unfortunately, uh, here, like a lot of things here, 279 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:53,279 once we get close to the opal the more things go wrong. 280 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:55,319 and that's definitely what's happened today. 281 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:58,799 The end of the mining season is fast approaching. 282 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:03,399 Funds critically low, the Mooka Boys have no choice 283 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:07,119 but to continue digging with their damaged skid steer. 284 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:18,519 Season target's not really good so far. 285 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:21,039 We've found dribs and drabs but, um, you know, 286 00:17:21,120 --> 00:17:23,919 it's not even really enough to...to cover costs. 287 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:26,199 We've got very little amount left in the bank. 288 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:29,319 Having another ram blow out takes the bottom end out of that. 289 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:32,919 At the moment, we're walking home with nothing. We gotta find something. 290 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:36,279 Here comes the bobcat! Ooh, bobcat coming. 291 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:52,239 Oh, . 292 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:59,239 The bobcat's starting to run a little bit rough. Not quite sure why. 293 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:01,439 Not a bloody good sign though. 294 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:03,679 This is the only thing we've got to tunnel with. 295 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:07,039 Not really sure what's going on at the moment. 296 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:11,559 What the ? The pick-up in the tank fell off. 297 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:16,759 All right? So dirt went through the bottom of the tank, but it only is a small pipe. 298 00:18:16,840 --> 00:18:20,479 When the fuel sloshes around, it gets a gap there, 299 00:18:20,560 --> 00:18:23,039 it starves it when it's under a full load.Yup. 300 00:18:23,120 --> 00:18:28,839 So... But to get to that, you've got to pull the engine out to get to it. 301 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:31,279 Slower again. Bloody hell. Oh, well. 302 00:18:31,360 --> 00:18:33,759 There's still digging yet. 303 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:38,119 Hopefully it can hold out long enough to hit a couple of targets, get enough money 304 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:39,879 to put it back on the road properly. 305 00:18:43,680 --> 00:18:46,839 It's lost it again. No up and down. 306 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:50,639 That makes life hard. 307 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:55,479 Far out. Not having a good run here. 308 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:57,679 me. 309 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:00,239 Down to picks and shovels this week, bro. 310 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:08,559 We gotta make hay while the sun shines. 311 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:10,279 We gotta go hard while Renee's here. 312 00:19:10,360 --> 00:19:13,599 The hot weather approaching, we've got to get in and out really quick. 313 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:19,799 It's like being in the Sahara Desert. Dan loves it though. 314 00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:22,519 Dan's in his element. 315 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:29,719 Let's touch base and have a chat and see what we're up to. 316 00:19:31,120 --> 00:19:35,159 Unfortunately, with the way the wind's turned now, it's coming straight up this ramp 317 00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:38,079 and this drive and then straight through the drives here. 318 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:41,119 We've got dirt and fill falling in and blasting in. 319 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:43,599 The worst conditions we could have got ya, sorry. 320 00:19:43,680 --> 00:19:46,759 Dan, have a look. Look at this. Look at that, that's huge. 321 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:51,559 That's there? Yeah, that was here. 322 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:54,159 That's got colour in it. Trying to see back there 323 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:58,079 with the wind and dust, you trying to see from in here. This is not good. 324 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:02,359 The wind should die down tonight. If there's a piece that big, full of colour, 325 00:20:02,440 --> 00:20:04,919 and we've thrown it away, I think we need a blacklight. 326 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:09,799 As temperatures soar toward 50 degrees, 327 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:12,519 hot air rises from the earth's surface. 328 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:15,159 Simultaneously, cooler, denser air 329 00:20:15,240 --> 00:20:17,519 rushes in from higher altitudes 330 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:21,999 causing desert winds up to 135 kilometres per hour. 331 00:20:22,080 --> 00:20:24,639 Beneath the cooling night skies, 332 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:26,519 the winds dissipate... 333 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:28,199 So, under the blacklight, 334 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:31,359 the opal glows a fluorescent aqua colour. 335 00:20:31,440 --> 00:20:35,919 ..allowing Dan and Renee to return with an ultraviolet blacklight 336 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:38,759 to expose opal for their last dig of the season. 337 00:20:38,840 --> 00:20:40,759 All righty, Dan, I can't see anything 338 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:43,679 so I think we'll do a couple more scrapes.Okay. 339 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:46,279 There's a huge amount at stake. If I don't find opal. 340 00:20:46,360 --> 00:20:50,039 I've thrown a lot of my life savings into mining. 341 00:20:50,120 --> 00:20:52,959 If that all falls over, if I have a serious machine breakdown 342 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:56,079 and I haven't got something in the bank to carry that breakdown, 343 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:58,679 I may have to leave Coober Pedy for a period of time 344 00:20:58,760 --> 00:21:00,959 to make a dollar elsewhere and get back on track. 345 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:05,119 I can see some headlights. Who's that? 346 00:21:05,200 --> 00:21:06,799 Someone sniffing around. 347 00:21:08,040 --> 00:21:09,639 Checking your claim. 348 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:13,559 Oh, my God. Dan's off. 349 00:21:13,640 --> 00:21:15,239 Must have been a night shifter. 350 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:19,479 Just sort of tailed out of the excavator. 351 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:22,279 It's worrying. I don't want to be left here all on my own. 352 00:21:22,360 --> 00:21:23,959 Dan? 353 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:29,919 Who's that? ..who that was? 354 00:21:31,760 --> 00:21:34,319 night shifters. 355 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:38,519 Gone now. These people coming and ratting of a night. 356 00:21:38,600 --> 00:21:42,439 If they were doing an honest thing, they wouldn't have taken off. He took off. 357 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:48,839 A recent $150,000 haul of opal found on a neighbouring mine 358 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:52,799 has attracted thieves attempting to steal unguarded opal 359 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:55,159 from Dan and Renee's claim. 360 00:21:55,240 --> 00:21:59,599 They'll go to all this effort trying to find bloody opal and then come here and knock it off. 361 00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:02,039 We've got to chase them to keep them worried. 362 00:22:02,120 --> 00:22:04,879 All right, we'll keep at it, then. Let's keep going. 363 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:07,439 We can't leave opal now. We can't leave any trace. 364 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:11,359 We gotta smash this out tonight so there's nothing left for them. Yup. 365 00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:24,319 We're starting to get towards the end of the season now. 366 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:27,799 If we don't find opal, that means I can't move up here full time 367 00:22:27,880 --> 00:22:32,279 and be with Dan and sort of work and live together 100% of the time. 368 00:22:35,800 --> 00:22:37,799 Oh, my God, I think I've found something. 369 00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:40,759 Dan! Dan! Come and have a look! Yeah? 370 00:22:40,840 --> 00:22:43,239 Yeah, come and have a look. What have you got? 371 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:45,439 Ooh, that looks nice. It's a piece of opal. 372 00:22:45,520 --> 00:22:48,559 It looks heaps better with the white light on it. 373 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:50,719 Look at that! That's so pretty. 374 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:53,999 Look at those colours! That's top crystal. Look at that stuff. 375 00:22:54,080 --> 00:22:57,879 That's in the dump there? Yeah, so that was down here. Is there any more there? 376 00:22:57,960 --> 00:23:01,079 I only just found that piece. Let's have a quick... 377 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:04,639 No more there. There's got to be some. 378 00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:07,519 I can't see anything. That's great. 379 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,759 That's where it come from. That's it. We've got to knock that all out. 380 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:14,599 So do you want me to go get the jack pick and bucket? Get the jack pick, bucket, 381 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:18,239 and we'll start with knocking that top out. I'm gonna slowly knock this all in 382 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:21,079 cos there's a vertical run that material's running there. 383 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:25,239 We're just gonna catch it all. We'll fill up a couple of buckets if we need to. 384 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:27,079 All right? Yep. 385 00:23:32,360 --> 00:23:34,959 Oi! Look at that! Look at that, Dan. 386 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:37,519 Oh! Finally we found something! 387 00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:40,199 Look at that. Top stuff. That is beautiful. 388 00:23:40,280 --> 00:23:45,719 Wow. Late night, but that's worth the effort. Look at that. Finally! Luck's changed. 389 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:52,319 I wish this dirt would soften up. 390 00:23:53,320 --> 00:23:55,159 It's getting harder! 391 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:59,439 White horse is just a really, really hard rock like sediment. 392 00:23:59,520 --> 00:24:01,959 It's like harder than cement. It's dusty 393 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:05,519 and it's so hard to get your jackhammer through. 394 00:24:05,600 --> 00:24:07,399 Nine metres underground, 395 00:24:07,480 --> 00:24:09,679 Bushmen Sam and Ben's efforts 396 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:12,799 to link up two shafts on Dead Dog claim 397 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:17,079 have been stalled by a patch of notorious white horse. 398 00:24:17,160 --> 00:24:21,679 Impenetrable rock often found at the base of a fault or slip. 399 00:24:21,760 --> 00:24:24,999 Most of the time you're not getting it through the white horse, 400 00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:27,599 you've got to actually go all around it and pop it out. 401 00:24:27,680 --> 00:24:31,039 because it's just too hard to get the jackhammer through. 402 00:24:31,120 --> 00:24:35,759 We're close. It's vibrating and I can hear him. We've had shutdowns. 403 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:38,679 We've really been set back with our timeframes 404 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:42,999 and if we don't get digging and build up some momentum, we'll go broke sooner than later. 405 00:24:43,080 --> 00:24:47,199 If we're not finding opal, I can't sustain myself off opal money. Simple as that. 406 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:51,639 Let alone even getting a car to even get to and from the mine itself. 407 00:24:57,520 --> 00:25:00,359 Yes! Hey! 408 00:25:00,440 --> 00:25:04,039 We just broke through. Oh!What happened? 409 00:25:04,120 --> 00:25:08,519 Oh! I just seen a jack tip, Les. That's really good. 410 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:19,399 Oh! 411 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:24,039 Push it all through this way. I got heaps of room below me. 412 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:32,519 Until this hole fills up, we don't have to rickshaw any of it. I can backfill all this. 413 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:38,399 I've got 15, 20 feet below me here, so we should be able to open this up without another rickshaw. 414 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:42,279 That's a bit better. Are you getting a bit of airflow yet?Yeah. Ah! 415 00:25:42,360 --> 00:25:44,359 Fresh air! I just felt that then. 416 00:25:44,440 --> 00:25:47,279 I was struggling then. I nearly dropped coming through there. 417 00:25:47,360 --> 00:25:50,359 It was about 35, 40 degrees in this shaft then. 418 00:25:50,440 --> 00:25:54,559 And as soon as it come through, it just dropped down to normal mine temperature. 419 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:57,719 I can actually breathe again, which is nice. 420 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:01,359 Moved 30 kilo of dirt and I'm sweating like I moved 30 tonne. 421 00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:04,079 Mine's gonna be fully operational again now. 422 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:06,999 We're not dragging anything uphill. We're on the right level. 423 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:09,959 We can get onto some opal. Getting bloody late in the season. 424 00:26:10,040 --> 00:26:12,399 It's so good. 425 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:15,399 Look at this. Nice! 426 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:17,119 That's what we want to see then. 427 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:20,439 We found some nice colour in the drill dirt. We were expecting 428 00:26:20,520 --> 00:26:25,839 to find material. Hopefully there's a nice big plate of colour down here. 429 00:26:25,920 --> 00:26:29,159 That's some really nice black potch in the wall here. 430 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:32,159 That's in line with where that crystal colour was. 431 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:34,319 Oh, Sam. Yup? 432 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:36,959 It's getting really thick, man. Ooh! 433 00:26:37,040 --> 00:26:40,439 Oh! That's some dark, thick potch. 434 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:42,999 Potch is known as common or colourless opal. 435 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:48,039 Basically, it has the same makeup of opal and goes through the same process to form. 436 00:26:48,120 --> 00:26:50,159 However, it's formed without the colour. 437 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:52,839 It'll be fantastic to go to Les and Rod with a find. 438 00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:55,359 Like, Rod's away. Les wants to retire. 439 00:26:55,440 --> 00:26:58,319 So we really want to kind of set him up. It'd just be fantastic 440 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:01,799 to show that Ben and I can come down here 441 00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:04,479 and dig out a nice pocket while they can't be at work. 442 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:07,319 I think we'll drop some of this now, mate.Yeah, no worries. 443 00:27:07,400 --> 00:27:11,879 Bit risky doing this on my own. I'll get you down here. I'll give you a hand. 444 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:14,999 There we go. See this crystal seam in here?Yeah, nice. 445 00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:16,679 I think we'll get the sieve and... 446 00:27:22,760 --> 00:27:25,879 Oh, check that out, man. Oh, look at that, Sam! 447 00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:28,599 Oh, my God. See how it's broken off? 448 00:27:28,680 --> 00:27:30,719 Yeah.You know what that means, don't you? 449 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:32,799 I think something's gonna be in here. 450 00:27:32,880 --> 00:27:35,399 There could be a surprise in that sieve, mate. 451 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:37,279 Ooh! There we go. 452 00:27:37,360 --> 00:27:39,879 Look at it. It's everywhere. Whoa, mate. 453 00:27:39,960 --> 00:27:42,039 What have we hit, Sam? 454 00:27:42,120 --> 00:27:46,519 This is a bloody good pocket, Sam. Look at the size of these stones and the colour in them. 455 00:27:46,600 --> 00:27:48,559 Check that out! Look at that! 456 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:51,839 Ha-ha!Making sandwiches here out of opal. 457 00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:54,279 Look at that. 458 00:27:54,360 --> 00:27:57,199 That's awesome. Oh, this is good. 459 00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:00,119 You know what, we've got that tumbler here too. 460 00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:01,879 True. I'm wondering, mate, 461 00:28:01,960 --> 00:28:05,439 if it's worth we just throw this in and we go through it later on. 462 00:28:05,520 --> 00:28:07,959 I gotta say, this is gonna be a first. 463 00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:10,399 Yeah, underground. Tumbling underground. 464 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:14,159 Basically, a miniature aggy. We'll put some water in with it, 465 00:28:14,240 --> 00:28:17,359 just gonna clean it right up. It'll wash all the dirt off it. 466 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:19,559 It's nice soft dirt, so it shouldn't take long. 467 00:28:19,640 --> 00:28:22,239 Should wash down pretty quick, couple of hours. 468 00:28:22,320 --> 00:28:24,919 We don't know what's in there until we wash it down 469 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:27,439 and make it clean and have a look in the sun. 470 00:28:27,520 --> 00:28:32,919 But all we know is there is a bit of colour in there, so hopefully it's even better than we think it is. 471 00:28:39,840 --> 00:28:45,319 Have a look in this last sunlight at the stuff he's pulling out. Make sure we're not missing anything. 472 00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:47,799 The problem with working down here in the pit, 473 00:28:47,880 --> 00:28:50,519 it casts a shadow quite early in the afternoon 474 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:52,919 and it's just not dark enough to use the blacklight. 475 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:55,239 Put everything pretty much into this spot. 476 00:28:55,320 --> 00:28:58,359 The whole year's been about this one spot. We've all got families 477 00:28:58,440 --> 00:29:01,439 so we've got to wait for the right area that turns to colour. 478 00:29:01,520 --> 00:29:03,919 Hey, boys! Yo. 479 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:06,079 There's material in here, man. Is there? 480 00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:07,799 Is that what you just dumped? Yeah. 481 00:29:07,880 --> 00:29:11,479 I was looking right next to where he was scraping, man, 482 00:29:11,560 --> 00:29:14,399 and I wasn't really seeing much. But we're missing stuff, man. 483 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:17,999 That's decent size material to be throwing away. It's really hard to see. 484 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:20,559 Oh, that's huge, mate. Give us a look. 485 00:29:22,040 --> 00:29:24,479 As season end closes in, 486 00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:26,639 the Mooka Boys' last load of dirt 487 00:29:26,720 --> 00:29:29,239 before mechanical problems shut them down 488 00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:32,159 has given the team a glimmer of hope. 489 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:34,719 We're still in the potch, eh? Yeah, it's blue potch, 490 00:29:34,800 --> 00:29:37,359 but it can turn any time. That's good size though. 491 00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:41,239 Yeah. We can't go missing this. Now the ram's gone, we need a payday, man. 492 00:29:41,320 --> 00:29:44,839 What do you reckon? We work under blacklight? Yeah, wait till nighttime. 493 00:29:44,920 --> 00:29:46,959 Yeah. We won't miss that with a blacklight. 494 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:49,799 Let's do that. It'll be much easier to dig then.Yeah. 495 00:29:49,880 --> 00:29:53,879 Oh, come on, opal gods. One win, that's all we need. 496 00:29:59,080 --> 00:30:00,919 Well, we're here at nighttime now. 497 00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:04,439 Sun's going down, so the blacklights work a hell of a lot better. 498 00:30:04,520 --> 00:30:08,119 Usually you don't see anything with a normal light on in here. 499 00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:11,679 Soon as you turn that off, you can see the opal. Right there. 500 00:30:13,320 --> 00:30:15,679 See that big rock? When it gets under , 501 00:30:15,760 --> 00:30:18,039 that's when it makes opal and colour. 502 00:30:18,120 --> 00:30:19,719 Big chunk. Oh, yeah. 503 00:30:23,840 --> 00:30:27,839 Really, really hard stuff up there and there's so much trace in here 504 00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:29,519 it's gonna make it slow. 505 00:30:31,560 --> 00:30:36,399 We haven't got too far in and were finding some really loaded up slides. 506 00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:39,319 It's only very think opal, probably half a mil thick. 507 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:43,239 But it is showing us there is opal material all through the area. 508 00:30:43,320 --> 00:30:45,159 How we going? Any trace or anything? 509 00:30:45,240 --> 00:30:48,599 Yeah, there's heaps of trace still. I just... Oh! Oh! 510 00:30:48,680 --> 00:30:51,039 I can see that from here, man! What's that? 511 00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:52,719 What have you got there? 512 00:30:53,720 --> 00:30:57,439 Another piece there. Oh, I can see colour! 513 00:30:57,520 --> 00:31:00,119 Yeah! 514 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:03,279 Look at that! That's glassy matrix but that's not bad. 515 00:31:03,360 --> 00:31:06,119 But it's colour, bro. Hang on, there's more, there's more. 516 00:31:06,200 --> 00:31:10,359 Oh, man. Even bigger. Yeah! Ye-eah! 517 00:31:10,440 --> 00:31:13,959 Oh, yeah, clean that up. I can see a lot of colour in that. 518 00:31:14,040 --> 00:31:16,999 Oh, mate, we've got some colour! Ha-ha-ha! 519 00:31:17,080 --> 00:31:22,959 Ooh, there's more. Yeah, there's still colour in that. Still coming, boys. Still coming. 520 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:24,959 Yeah, more of it. Hang on. 521 00:31:26,760 --> 00:31:29,799 Another bit of matrix. You wouldn't pick that up in the daylight. 522 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:35,039 You'd just see just the edges. Everything else is coated but it looks a solid matrix there. 523 00:31:37,080 --> 00:31:39,159 This is some good saleable material, boys. 524 00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:42,719 It's only matrix but there's something here at least. 525 00:31:42,800 --> 00:31:44,519 Well, I think it's all run out, boys. 526 00:31:44,600 --> 00:31:46,759 There's nothing left in there, eh? Yeah. 527 00:31:46,840 --> 00:31:49,199 Let's pack her up. It's getting late. 528 00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:57,679 Bring the bucket up, Les. We've finally broke through there, mate. 529 00:31:57,760 --> 00:31:59,759 Not a great deal of dirt's been coming up. 530 00:31:59,840 --> 00:32:03,399 Everyone's up here. No opal yet. Wait until you see what's in here. 531 00:32:03,480 --> 00:32:07,079 We've got a good reason for that, Les.Yeah?Wait until you see this, Les. 532 00:32:07,160 --> 00:32:10,599 NARRATOR: Les, Sam and Ben must keep the Bushmen afloat 533 00:32:10,680 --> 00:32:14,679 as team leader Rod is away renewing the team's mine claims 534 00:32:14,760 --> 00:32:18,199 after a government error shut them down. 535 00:32:18,280 --> 00:32:20,399 You ready, guys? Let's see what's in here. 536 00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:22,719 Look at what she's doing to your car there, Les. 537 00:32:22,800 --> 00:32:25,159 God, it'd want to be good now, hey? 538 00:32:29,080 --> 00:32:32,439 Can you see it already, Les? I see a little bit there. 539 00:32:32,520 --> 00:32:34,879 There's some bloody nice colour. Sure is. 540 00:32:34,960 --> 00:32:37,719 Oh, that's a nice piece.Oh, yeah. I like that stone. 541 00:32:37,800 --> 00:32:41,199 Ooh, that one's nice, isn't it! I reckon there's a bit of money here. 542 00:32:41,280 --> 00:32:43,519 I reckon so. As much as I'd like to sit here 543 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:47,279 and look at it day in day out, that doesn't put food on the table 544 00:32:47,360 --> 00:32:49,599 or diesel in the tank. We've got to sell it. 545 00:32:49,680 --> 00:32:51,959 Before we sell, we have to come up with a number. 546 00:32:53,280 --> 00:32:56,879 NARRATOR: The Bushmen have a parcel of crystal opal. 547 00:32:56,960 --> 00:32:59,999 It features the full spectrum of colours. 548 00:33:00,080 --> 00:33:04,039 Washed in a tumbler, it weighs 1.5 kilograms. 549 00:33:05,400 --> 00:33:09,199 I reckon this stuff's worth around twenty grand a kilo, don't you? 550 00:33:09,280 --> 00:33:11,439 That'd put it at about 30 grand. 551 00:33:11,520 --> 00:33:15,039 I reckon it's worth a bit more than that.You reckon a bit more? A bit more? 552 00:33:15,120 --> 00:33:18,879 What if we said 40 and we sort of bottom out at 30? 553 00:33:18,960 --> 00:33:22,119 That's a better idea. I've got a mate of mine in town at the moment. 554 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:24,999 What if we give him a buzz, see if he'll come for a drive? 555 00:33:25,080 --> 00:33:27,559 Dale's from up near Brisbane. 556 00:33:27,640 --> 00:33:29,599 I've known Dale about four, five years. 557 00:33:29,680 --> 00:33:33,839 Dale does a lot of cutting for himself and he does a lot of stuff selling online. 558 00:33:33,920 --> 00:33:36,239 He's been in town buying now for about a week. 559 00:33:36,320 --> 00:33:38,199 I know it's near the end of his trip. 560 00:33:38,280 --> 00:33:41,799 We need to get some money in ASAP and this is the perfect opportunity. 561 00:33:41,880 --> 00:33:44,839 How you going, Dale? Bloody long drive, mate. 562 00:33:44,920 --> 00:33:47,079 You're lucky, mate, I was on the my way home. 563 00:33:47,160 --> 00:33:51,679 I reckon you're lucky, mate, when you see what's under this. Wrap your eyes around that. 564 00:33:53,760 --> 00:33:56,999 It's only been out of the ground for about an hour, mate, so. 565 00:33:57,080 --> 00:33:58,759 Mine fresh. It's mine fresh, mate. 566 00:33:58,840 --> 00:34:00,679 We even tumbled this lot underground. 567 00:34:00,760 --> 00:34:03,159 There's a lot of nice greens, golds, reds. 568 00:34:03,240 --> 00:34:05,679 You've got every colour of the rainbow here, mate. 569 00:34:05,760 --> 00:34:08,959 What are you looking at? You can take the whole lot of it for 40 grand. 570 00:34:10,160 --> 00:34:13,439 Forty. You're kidding me, mate. No.I'll give you 20 for it. 571 00:34:13,520 --> 00:34:15,839 I drove all the way out here, mate. Nah. No chance. 572 00:34:15,920 --> 00:34:18,799 With what the Mines Department's putting us through, 573 00:34:18,880 --> 00:34:21,399 how many people did you see digging on your way here? 574 00:34:21,480 --> 00:34:27,359 Well.It's worth more than 20 else I'll take it home and put it in me cupboard. 575 00:34:27,440 --> 00:34:30,239 Tell you what, mate, we'll drop to 35 I reckon. 576 00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:34,159 And that's about as far as they go. That's about as far as we're gonna go on it. 577 00:34:34,240 --> 00:34:36,439 All right, look, I've got an idea. 578 00:34:36,520 --> 00:34:38,199 I've got my machine on the back. 579 00:34:38,280 --> 00:34:40,679 How about I rub one back, maybe even finish it, 580 00:34:40,760 --> 00:34:44,399 and if it turns out as well as I'm thinking I'll give you your 35. 581 00:34:44,480 --> 00:34:48,119 But if it doesn't cut as good as you guys are saying 582 00:34:48,200 --> 00:34:51,479 and as good as I'm hoping, I'll give you 30. 583 00:34:53,600 --> 00:34:55,799 Whatever happens here today, me, Sam and Les, 584 00:34:55,880 --> 00:34:58,159 we've all got to be happy with it. 585 00:34:58,240 --> 00:35:02,519 If one of us isn't happy with it then we walk away from the deal. It's that simple. 586 00:35:10,360 --> 00:35:14,279 Last night we actually lost the control to the front bucket on the skid steer. 587 00:35:14,360 --> 00:35:16,519 So to get it on the trailer today 588 00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:19,679 I'm gonna have to use the excavator to lift that front bucket up, 589 00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:22,599 drag it onto the trailer and drop it on down. 590 00:35:22,680 --> 00:35:25,919 And yeah, hopefully we can get that skiddy sent out and fixed up 591 00:35:26,000 --> 00:35:29,159 in the next couple of weeks before the end of the season. 592 00:35:29,240 --> 00:35:31,399 NARRATOR: Desperately in need of funds 593 00:35:31,480 --> 00:35:34,279 to repair their damaged skid steer loader, 594 00:35:34,360 --> 00:35:37,839 the Mooka Boys need to assess last night's opal haul 595 00:35:37,920 --> 00:35:39,559 before team leader Leif 596 00:35:39,640 --> 00:35:42,999 is forced to work off site as a diesel mechanic. 597 00:35:43,080 --> 00:35:46,559 Did you have a chance to look at that opal last night out of the tumbler? 598 00:35:46,640 --> 00:35:48,919 Had a quick squizz, hey. What did we end up with? 599 00:35:49,000 --> 00:35:50,759 Potch. How many? 600 00:35:50,840 --> 00:35:53,319 We were getting two bucks an ounce for this last time. 601 00:35:53,400 --> 00:35:55,839 Yeah, about that. So, the matrix... 602 00:35:55,920 --> 00:35:57,679 It was about five ounces from memory. 603 00:35:57,760 --> 00:35:59,879 That's a good size too. 604 00:35:59,960 --> 00:36:02,759 What's this little one in here? That's the exciting bit. 605 00:36:02,840 --> 00:36:06,159 So with the chips that come out the bottom of the tumbler, look at that. 606 00:36:06,240 --> 00:36:08,319 Yeah, wet him. Holy hell! 607 00:36:08,400 --> 00:36:10,519 Ho-ho-ho, man! 608 00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:13,999 That's great colour. That's what we're here for. 609 00:36:14,080 --> 00:36:18,719 NARRATOR: The Mooka Boys have a parcel of matrix opal and potch. 610 00:36:18,800 --> 00:36:20,639 Blue/green in colour 611 00:36:20,720 --> 00:36:22,919 with flashes of yellow and purple. 612 00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:27,559 It's been washed in a tumbler and weighs 218 grams. 613 00:36:27,640 --> 00:36:33,079 They also have a single chip of high-quality crystal opal. 614 00:36:34,080 --> 00:36:37,599 What do you reckon with this stuff? About a hundred bucks an ounce? 615 00:36:37,680 --> 00:36:40,759 Yeah, that'd be fair, hey. Couple of hundred bucks of potch. 616 00:36:40,840 --> 00:36:43,279 What about that matrix? What'd you say? Five ounces? 617 00:36:43,360 --> 00:36:47,559 Yeah. I think it'd probably... 500 bucks what's there. 618 00:36:47,640 --> 00:36:50,079 And what, 200 for this so we've got 700 for the week. 619 00:36:50,160 --> 00:36:54,279 It's only 700 bucks for the week but at the end of the day, we've got a hole open. 620 00:36:54,360 --> 00:36:56,639 We're on level. And there's colour in there. 621 00:36:56,720 --> 00:36:58,359 Full of opal. It's got colour. 622 00:36:58,440 --> 00:37:00,559 We just need to get these machines right. 623 00:37:03,480 --> 00:37:06,079 Well, what a week, hey. Yeah. 624 00:37:06,160 --> 00:37:07,799 Hah! Hah! 625 00:37:07,880 --> 00:37:11,239 Another week, another broken machine. Found a bit of colour, man, 626 00:37:11,320 --> 00:37:13,159 so it wasn't that bad. 627 00:37:13,240 --> 00:37:15,519 The good thing and the bad thing about opal is 628 00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:17,439 every dig could be your fortune 629 00:37:17,520 --> 00:37:19,839 or it could, you know, send you broke. 630 00:37:19,920 --> 00:37:22,679 So there's always a chance we can turn this around. 631 00:37:22,760 --> 00:37:25,799 Ah, cheers again, boys. Cheers.Cheers. 632 00:37:32,960 --> 00:37:35,439 Sounds like a gamble, Les, but - It is a gamble. 633 00:37:35,520 --> 00:37:37,719 You guys still win. I still win. 634 00:37:37,800 --> 00:37:39,799 It's an extra five grand, Les. 635 00:37:39,880 --> 00:37:42,599 Yeah, okay, we'll give him a try at that and then. 636 00:37:42,680 --> 00:37:44,399 All right, let me set this up and... 637 00:37:44,480 --> 00:37:49,239 Tell you what, I'll even give you a big one to have a crack at. Righto, let's do it. 638 00:37:50,440 --> 00:37:54,279 NARRATOR: To get top dollar from buyer and cutter Dale Haselden 639 00:37:54,360 --> 00:37:57,879 the Bushmen are gambling on the quality revealed 640 00:37:57,960 --> 00:38:00,479 in a single stone from their haul. 641 00:38:00,560 --> 00:38:03,359 The pressure is on for the stone to cut. 642 00:38:03,440 --> 00:38:05,519 He's offered us 35. 643 00:38:05,600 --> 00:38:08,199 If it doesn't cut, we're losing out on five grand. 644 00:38:08,280 --> 00:38:10,839 That five grand could be my car. 645 00:38:13,080 --> 00:38:15,599 Just running around the outsides 646 00:38:15,680 --> 00:38:18,959 to find how good that colour runs. 647 00:38:19,040 --> 00:38:21,399 Just shape it up a slight little bit. 648 00:38:21,480 --> 00:38:23,999 NARRATOR: With seven years' experience as a cutter, 649 00:38:24,080 --> 00:38:26,399 Dale uses a diamond-coated wheel 650 00:38:26,480 --> 00:38:30,639 removing any excess claystone and flaws called inclusions 651 00:38:30,720 --> 00:38:33,039 to expose the colour bar in the opal. 652 00:38:33,120 --> 00:38:36,119 Can already start to see that's starting to pop. 653 00:38:38,120 --> 00:38:41,239 Look at Les watching him like a hawk.SAM: I know. 654 00:38:41,320 --> 00:38:43,879 I've never seen Les so serious before.I know. 655 00:38:45,480 --> 00:38:47,079 How we looking there, Dale? 656 00:38:47,160 --> 00:38:50,879 This is cutting a lot better than what I was anticipating. 657 00:38:50,960 --> 00:38:53,359 Do you want to have a look? Have a look in the sun. 658 00:38:53,440 --> 00:38:56,479 This was the material it's cutting like. Oh, look at that. 659 00:38:56,560 --> 00:38:59,839 Look likes a $35,000 parcel to me, mate. 660 00:38:59,920 --> 00:39:03,559 Looks like you might be getting a car there, Sammy, hey.Yes! 661 00:39:03,640 --> 00:39:06,599 That's the nicest crystal I've seen in a while, guys. 662 00:39:06,680 --> 00:39:11,079 Well, if you're happy, mate, we're happy. I'll let you shake hands with Les. 663 00:39:11,160 --> 00:39:13,999 He's taking charge. Not a problem. 664 00:39:14,080 --> 00:39:16,119 Thank you very much. Not a problem. 665 00:39:16,200 --> 00:39:17,839 Good deal, mate, 35 grand. 666 00:39:19,960 --> 00:39:22,279 Thirty-five grand is a really good outcome 667 00:39:22,360 --> 00:39:24,319 considering the way we started the week 668 00:39:24,400 --> 00:39:28,919 and spending the money on the hole. We're all really cheering with 35 grand. Couldn't be happier. 669 00:39:29,000 --> 00:39:31,719 I think Rod's gonna be pretty impressed with this week. 670 00:39:31,800 --> 00:39:33,959 Today was a good chunk out of the target. 671 00:39:34,040 --> 00:39:36,079 We've still got a long way to go to hit it, 672 00:39:36,160 --> 00:39:38,719 but today definitely took a good chunk out of that. 673 00:39:38,800 --> 00:39:40,439 That's a big milestone in itself. 674 00:39:40,520 --> 00:39:42,799 It was a roller coaster Les, wasn't it? 675 00:39:42,880 --> 00:39:45,479 It's been a rough week. You're not wrong, mate. 676 00:39:45,560 --> 00:39:47,159 Cheers, guys. Cheers! 677 00:39:47,240 --> 00:39:49,759 Good week! I want a better one next week. 678 00:40:00,160 --> 00:40:02,599 So what we get? Have a look at this stuff. 679 00:40:02,680 --> 00:40:05,919 Holy bee-jolies, look at that! Did you expect all that?No! 680 00:40:06,000 --> 00:40:08,479 Have a look at it. It's pretty awesome, eh? 681 00:40:08,560 --> 00:40:10,439 Oh! Look at that colour. 682 00:40:10,520 --> 00:40:12,959 Now what I've done, I've classed it up into sort of 683 00:40:13,040 --> 00:40:17,479 these five different classes here but I'm thinking we put it all together. 684 00:40:18,720 --> 00:40:21,199 NARRATOR: Dan and Renee's final haul for the season 685 00:40:21,280 --> 00:40:25,519 is crystal opal featuring the full spectrum of colours. 686 00:40:25,600 --> 00:40:29,479 The parcel has been tumbled and weighs 93 grams. 687 00:40:31,160 --> 00:40:33,279 So what shall we start the asking price at? 688 00:40:34,560 --> 00:40:36,559 What are you thinking? 689 00:40:36,640 --> 00:40:39,879 Well, how about 35? I mean its beautiful material. 690 00:40:39,960 --> 00:40:43,279 Yeah, why not. You're on the money. Let's go for 35. Let's start at 35. 691 00:40:43,360 --> 00:40:46,439 Do you know anyone we could call? I've actually give George a ring. 692 00:40:49,720 --> 00:40:53,199 I've been here at Coober Pedy for 54 years. 693 00:40:53,280 --> 00:40:56,839 Full-time opal miner. Do a bit of buying as well. 694 00:40:56,920 --> 00:40:59,399 Dan said he's got a bit of opal he wants to show me 695 00:40:59,480 --> 00:41:03,119 and try to sell and hopefully it's what I'm looking for. 696 00:41:03,200 --> 00:41:06,399 It's nice looking stuff, hey. 697 00:41:06,480 --> 00:41:08,879 You'll see some of that's pretty kicky colour. 698 00:41:08,960 --> 00:41:11,119 Very bright. Very nice. 699 00:41:11,200 --> 00:41:13,719 So it's just on, um, three ounces there, George. 700 00:41:13,800 --> 00:41:15,719 Three ounces.Yep.Right. 701 00:41:15,800 --> 00:41:17,919 What's your asking price for this, guys? 702 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:20,879 We need 35 for it, George. 703 00:41:23,120 --> 00:41:25,479 Look at the colour, man. Clean. 704 00:41:25,560 --> 00:41:27,559 I'm not doubting the colour at all. 705 00:41:27,640 --> 00:41:31,519 But, I'm looking more around 28. 706 00:41:31,600 --> 00:41:35,439 If you're happy with that, we can work something out. 707 00:41:35,520 --> 00:41:37,519 It's too low, George. It's too low, man. 708 00:41:39,040 --> 00:41:42,959 What about...32? 709 00:41:43,040 --> 00:41:46,479 Is that your final offer, your best offer?Yeah.Yeah. 710 00:41:46,560 --> 00:41:48,519 Come on. Yeah.Yeah. 711 00:41:50,160 --> 00:41:53,239 All right, 32. All right. That's excellent. 712 00:41:53,320 --> 00:41:55,399 We'll do that, George. That's fantastic. 713 00:41:55,480 --> 00:41:58,919 Thank you very much. Thank you.Thanks, George. That's excellent. 714 00:41:59,000 --> 00:42:01,559 We're gonna end with a season at a third of the budget 715 00:42:01,640 --> 00:42:03,239 than what we were expecting, 716 00:42:03,320 --> 00:42:05,919 but this sale's really got us sort of over the line. 717 00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:08,639 Isn't it beautiful, Dan! Yeah. 718 00:42:08,720 --> 00:42:10,839 It's a pretty amazing spot. So ancient. 719 00:42:10,920 --> 00:42:13,879 Oh, my god, look at that! Look how beautiful that is! 720 00:42:13,960 --> 00:42:16,719 No, it is. That's amazing. Look at that view! 721 00:42:16,800 --> 00:42:20,319 I was hoping you'd like it. You've outdone yourself, Dan! 722 00:42:20,400 --> 00:42:24,759 You've a learnt a lot. You've been a great help learning the loader 723 00:42:24,840 --> 00:42:27,399 and having a go in the tip truck and they're big things. 724 00:42:27,480 --> 00:42:30,839 Not everyone would take that on, so I had a little present for you. 725 00:42:30,920 --> 00:42:33,039 What's that? 726 00:42:33,120 --> 00:42:35,799 Dan! Just a little, er... 727 00:42:37,480 --> 00:42:40,759 Okay. That's for you.Huh. 728 00:42:40,840 --> 00:42:43,519 Oh! What, what's this, then? 729 00:42:43,600 --> 00:42:45,759 It's not quite what I was expecting. 730 00:42:45,840 --> 00:42:48,479 What were you expecting? 731 00:42:48,560 --> 00:42:51,839 That's the keys for the loader. Oh, the keys for the loader! 732 00:42:51,920 --> 00:42:54,999 Oh, wow! You've even got like a little R on the keyring. 733 00:42:55,080 --> 00:42:57,639 The keys to the loader. Oh, thank you. 734 00:42:57,720 --> 00:43:00,039 Well, I've got a surprise for you as well.Really? 735 00:43:00,120 --> 00:43:03,039 Yeah, I've decided to move up here full-time.Really? 736 00:43:03,120 --> 00:43:05,879 Yeah, definitely.Even though we didn't make target. 737 00:43:05,960 --> 00:43:08,999 Even though we didn't make target. You need the help. 738 00:43:09,080 --> 00:43:11,479 I miss you. I want to be with you full-time. 739 00:43:11,560 --> 00:43:13,919 So I'm gonna move up here full-time and help out. 740 00:43:14,000 --> 00:43:16,439 Are you sure you can? We didn't make the target. 741 00:43:16,520 --> 00:43:19,919 Oh, no, I've got some savings. I'll use that and, um, yeah. 742 00:43:20,000 --> 00:43:22,599 Wow! We'll charge ahead.Awesome. 743 00:43:22,680 --> 00:43:24,799 Thank you. 744 00:43:24,880 --> 00:43:28,159 Wow. Awesome. All right, time to celebrate.Yeah. 745 00:43:28,240 --> 00:43:31,999 That's perfect. Wow, that's worth a celebration. 746 00:43:32,080 --> 00:43:34,079 Ah!Ooh! 747 00:43:36,160 --> 00:43:37,919 Cheers to next season! 748 00:43:39,040 --> 00:43:41,599 I can't believe you thought that was something else. 749 00:43:41,680 --> 00:43:43,639 What else would that be? 750 00:43:43,720 --> 00:43:46,239 Subtitles by Deluxe 750 00:43:47,305 --> 00:44:47,891 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from www.OpenSubtitles.org