"Outback Opal Hunters" Right on the Mark

1 00:00:02,840 --> 00:00:05,119 PAUL: Johnny, we've had a bit of a mishap, man. 2 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:06,839 Just taking Mark to the hospi. 3 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:10,879 He's not well, man. 4 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:14,559 Righto, I'll, erm, yeah, just get Rach. 5 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:22,074 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from www.OpenSubtitles.org 6 00:00:23,240 --> 00:00:25,879 PARAMEDIC: How you doing, Mark? Yeah, all right, bro. 7 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:34,399 I hope so. 8 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:40,159 I'll see you there. All right? 9 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:02,519 RACHEL: Mark got hit in the side of the face with the bucket from the excavator. 10 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:04,959 He's got a big indent in the side of his face, 11 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:10,679 so they think he may have fractured a few bones in his face. 12 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:13,719 PARAMEDIC: What pain are you in right now?MARK: Seven. Seven? 13 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:20,399 He's in a lot of discomfort and a lot of pain, and he's pretty frightened. 14 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:22,599 Paul's pretty shaken by the whole experience. 15 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:25,279 He's really quite upset with himself. 16 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:28,959 Mm, look, you know, at the end of the day, accidents happen. 17 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:30,639 He didn't mean to do it. 18 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:39,519 Absolutely, bro. I'll keep an eye out for him. 19 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:43,839 Yeah, I just seen his face, man, and... damn. 20 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:48,399 PAUL: Yeah, well, we had a bit of a accident this afternoon. 21 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:50,519 You know, we're plugging away, sort of, 22 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:53,919 you know, started rushing a little bit and, yeah, a bit of an accident. 23 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:56,879 I sort of smacked Mark in the head with the excavator 24 00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:59,119 and yeah, I might have broken his jaw. 25 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:03,479 It makes me feel sick in the stomach. Like, I don't, no good. 26 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:09,679 If you've got any sort of decency in your body, you feel bad for stuff like that. 27 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:16,799 NARRATOR: In Coober Pedy, South Australia, 28 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:19,799 temperatures have hit 40 degrees Celsius, 29 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:21,519 and the season end is imminent. 30 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:26,239 With team leader Mark I'Anson severely injured, 31 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,159 the Blacklighters are in total disarray. 32 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:35,279 What do you think we should do? Call it a year if you want or, you know, keep going. 33 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:39,559 It's really up to you guys and what you guys can do. 34 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:43,559 But either...If we're finding we'll keep going but...Yeah. 35 00:02:43,640 --> 00:02:46,439 If not we'll call... ..pull the pin. Yeah. 36 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:59,239 Mark will be ambulanced from the hospital to the airport 37 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:01,919 put into the Royal Flying Doctor, 38 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:05,519 and taken down to Adelaide to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. 39 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:07,839 I feel so lucky, bro, I swear. 40 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:11,399 I feel lucky to be alive. 41 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:17,519 Just tell Paul I love him. I love those guys, man. 42 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:21,639 It's just an accident, man. 43 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:27,759 Try and relax as much as you can. 44 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:54,919 What do you reckon we should do here, mate? 45 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,519 All this dirt here, push that back into the pit, 46 00:03:57,600 --> 00:04:01,799 and then we can start digging new fresh ground. 47 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:05,279 Do you want Rory spotting that stuff? Yeah, do you want to do that, Rors? 48 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:09,239 Yeah, I'll be here to help you out. Erm, and Luca, are you happy to offside me? 49 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:13,839 LUCA: Yeah, sure. Righto. I'll just go on, keep working on this agitator. 50 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:16,999 Be nice to finally get a couple going. 51 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:20,399 Tough year. Like, we've done all right, but two families to feed. 52 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:22,759 That's right. I'll leave you to it. 53 00:04:22,840 --> 00:04:25,919 All right.That's good. Good luck. Good luck, bud.See you later. 54 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:29,759 This trench has been really good for us but it's done now so we're moving on. 55 00:04:32,280 --> 00:04:37,039 In Grawin, New South Wales, the end of the opal season is looming. 56 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:42,199 Chris Cheal, his son Rory, daughter Luca, and partner Mark Bressan, 57 00:04:42,280 --> 00:04:46,959 are backfilling their mined-out trench and exposing the ground they want to work next. 58 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:52,319 Dad set an astronomical season target this year. He set it at a million dollars. 59 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:55,439 It'd be great to find some opal, get ahead, 60 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:57,639 so that we could stop stressing about money. 61 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:02,719 While we're filling this section of the open cut in, 62 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:04,839 I'm just going around with a leaf blower 63 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:07,919 blowing the dust off these rocks to see if there's, er, any opal. 64 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:19,439 There's a bit of light blue-green crystal. 65 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:23,159 There's stuff in there. You never know, we might 66 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,839 jag a stone worth a few hundred bucks. We'll see. 67 00:05:27,280 --> 00:05:30,519 Six kilometres away, there's just enough water left 68 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:35,519 at Ned's Dam for Chris and Luca to bring a second agitator online. 69 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:38,799 If they can get it working, then they can process more 70 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:41,959 of their growing stockpile of opal-bearing dirt. 71 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:44,639 Ned's Dam hasn't got very good catchment. 72 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:48,559 And it's been so dry. We're lucky enough we just got a little bit of water there 73 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:50,879 going in now that's allocated to us. 74 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:53,279 So, Dad, what's wrong with the bearing? 75 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:56,919 Er, the old bearing, it's cracked right through the housing. 76 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:00,879 I've just got one coming. It's $500-odd. We'll put that in and then 77 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:03,119 hopefully, it'll last for a few years. 78 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,799 I'm feeling very agitated by the agitators. 79 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:08,559 I'm just trying to get this other agitator up and running 80 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:12,599 and at least I can double production and have some sort of chance 81 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:15,159 at maybe, erm, reaching our target. 82 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:19,759 NARRATOR: The bearing reduces friction between the chain-driven agitator barrel 83 00:06:19,840 --> 00:06:23,239 and the shaft, allowing the barrel to rotate smoothly. 84 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:26,799 Well, that's the problem with this one. Right there. It's cracked through. 85 00:06:27,840 --> 00:06:30,759 Once your bearing like that starts coming apart and collapses, 86 00:06:30,840 --> 00:06:32,559 you can damage your shaft. You know, 87 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:35,639 then you might have to replace your shaft, which is a major job. 88 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:39,559 What we've got to do now is, erm, pack the other bearing and get it all back on. 89 00:06:43,280 --> 00:06:46,919 This housing has been badly damaged at some stage. 90 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:49,719 Just don't know where I'd find another housing like that. 91 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:52,719 There's always something. Nothing's ever easy, that's for sure. 92 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:56,399 Well, I might give Mark a look at it. 93 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:58,599 I don't like the look of this housing, mate. 94 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:01,239 It's been damaged really badly. 95 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:03,359 We can't get a break, can we?No. 96 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:07,079 We could put that $500 bearing in and then if it wrecks it, 97 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:09,159 we've got a major problem. 98 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:11,559 I desperately want to get this agitator spinning. 99 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:15,239 Bugger it. I don't know, man, I'm stumped now. 100 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:33,999 Yeah. There we go, straight away. 101 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:37,839 So the divining is something that I sort of picked up off Dad. 102 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:40,679 I use two wires. And what I'm sort of doing 103 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:43,679 is I'm feeling for movements in the wires, what they're doing, 104 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:47,959 whether they're pulling across a slip or pulling across a material read. 105 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:52,519 Reads the whole way. That's how quick you can find a spot. 106 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:57,159 There's no real scientific thing for it. I think it's a thing to do with, like, you know, 107 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:00,079 like, I suppose like the energy inside ya. 108 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:04,119 What do you reckon?Here. Just right in this area. The lowest bit, yeah.Yeah. 109 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:06,999 We've been looking for a new spot. 110 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,519 We've come around the corner to the west from our main claim at Lunatic. 111 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,919 We're here today to mark it out, get the pegs in. 112 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:18,359 Here's looking like the last place we can mine. 113 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:20,759 Machines have been breaking down one by one. 114 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:22,839 All we got left is a digger. 115 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:25,159 So we're kind of looking for a shallow dig here. 116 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:31,559 In the blazing season-ending heat on the Andamooka opal fields, 117 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:36,839 the Mooka Boys, Matt and Cozza Kathagen, and team leader Leif Tanzer, 118 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:41,599 are pegging their final hopes of success on an abandoned claim. 119 00:08:41,680 --> 00:08:45,759 You're at 99!Right behind me, this said they found 120 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:49,879 about $14 million-worth of opal here. We've got a nice ramp running down through. 121 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:53,399 So the hope is that that opal's still running underneath that ramp. 122 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:55,199 We're calling it Last Chance Ramp. 123 00:08:56,880 --> 00:09:00,879 Right there! Yeah, this year's definitely some added pressure for me. 124 00:09:00,960 --> 00:09:03,799 I've had a little baby girl at the start of the year. 125 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:05,599 Trying to kick off a new family. 126 00:09:05,680 --> 00:09:09,399 To be rocking up with no money is really starting to play on my mind. 127 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:12,319 The boys have got families, too, to look after. 128 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:14,079 Now we're at the end of the season, 129 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:17,319 I'm really starting to get a bit worried, to be honest. 130 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:19,159 272 North-West. 131 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:24,199 We set a pretty high season target of $200,000 this year. 132 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:26,359 We need money to pour into the business 133 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:28,559 to expand like we want to, so... 134 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:30,479 Yeah, it'd be really good to get there, 135 00:09:30,560 --> 00:09:33,359 but, look, unless we find opal, that dream is won't happen. 136 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:37,279 The team have also been one man down, 137 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:41,359 with Leif working outside Andamooka to supplement his income. 138 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:44,999 Right, bro.All right. Catch you on later. See yous later, hey.Killer, man. 139 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:49,159 Yeah, this year Leif decided to take off, start his own heavy diesel mechanic business. 140 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:51,599 He's kind of travelling the Outback here servicing 141 00:09:51,680 --> 00:09:55,079 a lot of different opal fields and all the cattle stations around here. 142 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:58,999 We've got a quarter of a tank left in that digger. 143 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:01,919 We got one tank left and that's all we've got for the year. 144 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,439 This might just be our last chance this season, bro. 145 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:06,519 Oh, well, let's get swinging. 146 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:14,359 Yeah, so we're left with just the old dinosaur digger that we've got. 147 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:16,079 It's definitely on its last legs. 148 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:19,999 Hopefully, move a couple of metres of this overburden out. 149 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:21,679 We'll find the level down there 150 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:23,999 and we'll have a bit of a floor to have a go at. 151 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:29,399 In Australia, the opal levels are generally found 152 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:32,039 within a consistent range of depth. 153 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:33,959 But on the Lunatic opal field, 154 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:38,159 ground faults have made the level impossible to predict. 155 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:40,519 There's a fair way to go still, isn't there? 156 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:44,199 What if we decide we strip everything to that level? 157 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:46,599 Yeah, that's what I'll try and do, yeah. 158 00:10:46,680 --> 00:10:49,479 Bring that bucket up here so I can go through it. 159 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:58,959 Yeah, real chips in it and it's all been packed in, in the dirt. 160 00:11:00,680 --> 00:11:03,519 You see, it's mixed up with dirt, little gravel rocks. 161 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:09,039 The same sort of thing needs to happen to this to form, that opal needs to form. 162 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:12,079 So the ground is definitely doing what we want it to do. 163 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:13,839 We just haven't found the opal yet. 164 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:17,119 We're hoping that we're hovering above the opal level, 165 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:19,279 and we're about to start exposing some. 166 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:29,479 Hey, she's overheating man. 167 00:11:29,560 --> 00:11:32,839 I'm gonna have to pull up for a while.You're kidding me. 168 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:36,039 One big problem we have with this digger is it tends to overheat. 169 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:40,199 Pretty frustrating. We don't have a lot of time. We've got a lot of dirt to move. 170 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:43,479 This is our last machine left. sakes! 171 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:53,999 Oh, yeah, it's completely different. 172 00:11:57,840 --> 00:11:59,719 Ooh. 173 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:04,639 That one there looks... That looks like the one, doesn't it? Pretty similar. 174 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:10,079 NARRATOR: To maximise production in the final weeks of the mining season, 175 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,239 Chris and partner Mark need to fix an agitator 176 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:15,999 so there's two running in tandem. 177 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:18,719 Its broken bearing housing needs replacing. 178 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:20,799 I reckon it could be the right size. 179 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:24,559 It's just whether he... If he doesn't need it, he'd probably give it to us. 180 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:27,479 They've found a housing on the claim next door. 181 00:12:27,560 --> 00:12:31,559 Hey, Tony, you've got a machine down there with the same housing on it. 182 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:37,479 If you need it, that's fine, mate. That option's not there. 183 00:12:37,560 --> 00:12:40,639 So we might just have to send that housing and that bearing in 184 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:42,439 with Rory to Walgett tonight. 185 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:47,079 We can keep digging. See if we can get some more colour 186 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:50,359 and shoot into this, you know. Yeah. All right.All right. 187 00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:52,519 When you've got two families to feed, 188 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:57,319 we've got all the expenses, machinery, maintenance, that all adds up. 189 00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:00,119 Final push of the season. Find more opal. 190 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:13,679 RORY: Mark and I are tracking pretty well with the earthworks. 191 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:16,079 We've got all this dirt pushed over into the pit. 192 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:20,239 Mark's now working on all the red dirt, all the ironstone dirt so. 193 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:22,199 He's moved that over already. 194 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:25,839 And this is the last pile we're gonna have to move over. 195 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:30,599 A little bit risky at this point of the season. 196 00:13:30,680 --> 00:13:32,999 Stopping digging to do all the earthworks. 197 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:39,319 While Mark and Rory continue shifting waste dirt to expose a new dig site, 198 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:41,919 Luca and Chris have the bearing housing 199 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:45,559 back from the town of Walgett, 70km away. 200 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:47,679 CHRIS: The reason the other bearing cracked 201 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:50,799 was because the outside of this wasn't perfectly round. 202 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:52,999 LUCA: Yeah. And it wasn't a snug fit. 203 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:55,679 Now this has had the sleeve put in it, 204 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:59,119 we should be able to just put it back together and it'll last for years. 205 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:01,519 Perfect. We've been able to wash barely anything 206 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:04,279 compared to what we're pulling out, so having another agi 207 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:05,999 just means we can speed that up, 208 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:08,159 have more tail outs and find more opal. 209 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:11,879 You can just hold that. 210 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:14,999 Just hold a little bit of pressure on that for us please.Mm-hm. 211 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:29,759 All right. 212 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:37,279 Better hook the chain up. Fingers crossed we can get it spinning. 213 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:39,239 Adjust this whole tractor pack over. 214 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:44,479 The big shift's there, Luca. We'll have to back these ones off. 215 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:51,479 They persuade this to go that way. 216 00:14:57,880 --> 00:15:00,319 Get it? Not quite?Not quite. 217 00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:05,039 Back it off some more. Is that it? 218 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:08,919 It's so close, but... 219 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:17,959 There you go.Done. 220 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:25,079 Hey, guys.Hey, we just got this chain on and that. 221 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,559 We want to just fire it up and... Yeah, sure...make sure she's gonna 222 00:15:28,640 --> 00:15:30,999 spin it all right. Sounds good here. Yeah, righty. 223 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:42,919 Pretty happy with that. Well done Luca. 224 00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:47,639 Yeah.Done well.Good job. Feels good. 225 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:51,519 Yeah, a lot of work just to get it to that stage. 226 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:54,879 Lot of fabrication. Hot days. 227 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:58,959 Just a relief to see that it spins and we'll run some loads through it. 228 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:14,799 Good to have two agis up and running Mark. 229 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:23,999 Filled with freshly mined dirt, from the newly exposed opal level on their claim, 230 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:29,599 the team can now run two agitators simultaneously, doubling production. 231 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:34,079 Water is mixed through and the claystone dirt disintegrates into a slurry. 232 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:37,879 After 24 hours opal-bearing rock remains. 233 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:43,399 What do we reckon? This one I'm not too sure about. Hopefully, I'm proven wrong. 234 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:47,439 At least we've doubled our chances now.Yeah.Here we go. 235 00:17:04,320 --> 00:17:07,519 Lacking the colour a bit so far. It is mate, yeah. 236 00:17:14,640 --> 00:17:17,719 They're going just... Not quite there, eh? 237 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:24,359 You've tried to find red on the top there. 238 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:32,119 That one tried, too. 239 00:17:35,360 --> 00:17:37,439 Don't know if she's gonna do it, Mark. 240 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:40,999 One tail out done. Er, not as good as, er, we hoped for. 241 00:17:41,080 --> 00:17:44,039 Er, probably one of our worst ones of the season, to be honest. 242 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:48,999 Just gonna have to hope this second tail out saves the day. 243 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:53,799 Yeah. As far as the dollars go, it's certainly not what we're looking for. 244 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:01,559 PAUL: Forty yesterday. Bloody thunderstorms today. 245 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:03,359 Hey, welcome to the Outback. 246 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:06,679 Blacklighters Paul and John 247 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:09,559 are trying to finish the season one man down 248 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:14,119 as team leader Mark recovers from a fractured cheek in hospital. 249 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:18,919 The way it is at the moment, it's a little bit too overcast to be checking for opal in the face. 250 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:21,239 I got Paul over here helping out, loading me up. 251 00:18:21,320 --> 00:18:25,519 Fair bit of wind today. Clogging up the hopper belt at the back. 252 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:30,399 So once it gets too much fine dust under there, you know, it sort of, it just slips on it. 253 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:33,799 So the belt won't turn. We'll get the blower out, we'll give it a blow 254 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:36,479 and we'll see if it solves the problem. 255 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:41,559 Pretty annoying. We don't need these little problems, you know. 256 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:46,119 It's only me and John here so, hey, if I'm not loading up Opalzilla, 257 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:49,399 putting opal dirt through there, we're not making money, you know. 258 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:53,439 Opalzilla is the team's opal processing plant. 259 00:18:53,520 --> 00:18:57,359 Discarded mine dirt and rock is loaded into the hopper, 260 00:18:57,440 --> 00:18:59,679 and passes through the trommel. 261 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:04,439 The trommel tumbles off dirt and dust, revealing the rock surface. 262 00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:07,319 Then it is exposed to ultraviolet light, 263 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:09,839 which causes any opal to fluoresce. 264 00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:15,199 I'm just making sure the belts running true. 265 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:18,599 Seems to be all good at the moment, so I'll keep plodding along. 266 00:19:21,360 --> 00:19:24,439 Yeah, so what are you reckon? I'll go stuff around 267 00:19:24,520 --> 00:19:26,759 over there for a bit and you keep going here? 268 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:29,039 You've got some of that top to do, haven't you? 269 00:19:29,120 --> 00:19:32,759 Yeah, we need a bit more ground to be able to get to the bottom. 270 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:36,119 Sounds like a plan? All right. Cool banana. 271 00:19:38,120 --> 00:19:43,119 The light improving, Paul heads to the open cut 200m away. 272 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:46,039 John will have to work Opalzilla alone. 273 00:19:46,120 --> 00:19:49,799 Running it on your own is not the easiest, you just fill the hopper, 274 00:19:49,880 --> 00:19:52,119 and catch all the opal on the belt. 275 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:54,799 The pressure is on but, yeah, I'd like to, you know, 276 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:58,159 show Mark a little something to cheer him up a bit. 277 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:00,079 A bit weird being back here by myself. 278 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:02,639 Usually have Mark wandering around the place. 279 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:05,879 Alls I want to do is find some opal and put a smile on his face. 280 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:08,879 Cos he's gonna go through a tough time in the next few days. 281 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:13,079 Bit daunting getting back in the machine. 282 00:20:13,160 --> 00:20:16,039 You know, first time after the incident. 283 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:22,759 Jesus. 284 00:20:22,840 --> 00:20:25,559 Lost my mojo a little bit. 285 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:33,039 There's not much you can do, you know, just got to try and stop thinking about it, 286 00:20:33,120 --> 00:20:35,479 and just get on with the task at hand. 287 00:20:38,760 --> 00:20:43,359 Me working here by myself, it's, you know, it's 50% progress down. 288 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:45,479 I don't have to get out if Mark's here. 289 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:48,759 Hey, I'm just gonna chip away at it, really small, little bites, 290 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:51,199 and, hey, hopefully, we can come across some opal. 291 00:20:58,280 --> 00:21:03,079 Oh, yeah! Hello! Have a look at that! 292 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:06,279 Hopefully, there's more. 293 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:14,159 It's overheating. 294 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:16,399 MATT: Sick of this. Every time we get digging 295 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:19,399 and close to opal, a machine plays up. 296 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:22,079 How the hell are we supposed to get to level like this? 297 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:26,159 We're right on the edge of boiling. Oh, mate, we blow an engine now, 298 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:28,399 that's definitely our season over, mate. 299 00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:31,639 Mate, we'll just have to open the hood and leave it open, eh? Yeah. 300 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:36,519 Try and get a bit of air in. We've got 20L of water, we can top it back up, man. 301 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:39,879 Yeah, all right, maybe we do that and let it cool down. 302 00:21:39,960 --> 00:21:43,839 All right. Some water. 303 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:48,239 NARRATOR: Season-ending scorching summer temperatures are fast approaching. 304 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:51,879 And the Mooka Boys are down to their last working machine. 305 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:55,559 Yeah, each season, it seems to be getting dearer and dearer to live out here. 306 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:58,919 Yeah, we're in a desperate sprint to find opal at the moment. 307 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:01,399 Yeah, summer's starting to set in out here. 308 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:04,959 It's real harsh climate so you know we've got to get out. 309 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:08,359 Most of our machine work and everything done before it gets too hot. 310 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:10,599 The wind's getting hot. Burning your lips. 311 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:12,679 It's hard to keep moisture in your eyes. 312 00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:16,559 You know it really takes it out of you, this type of weather. 313 00:22:16,640 --> 00:22:19,479 The good thing about the wind is it keeps the flies away, 314 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:22,399 but the bad thing about it is it'll give you wind burn. 315 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:27,439 Oh, she's full, coming out the overflow.Ooh, sweet. 316 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:34,759 All right, hopefully, that's enough to get it through, man, cos we can't stop. 317 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:37,399 Yeah, just leave the top open and let the air flow in. 318 00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:40,839 Bit of water, bit of air to it. It might just do the trick. 319 00:22:42,240 --> 00:22:46,959 The main problem we're having here is late last season, the top of our exhaust broke off. 320 00:22:47,040 --> 00:22:50,159 We haven't had the time or the money to fix it yet this season. 321 00:22:50,240 --> 00:22:53,319 So because of that, the heat tends to circulate around the engine 322 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:55,079 causing it to overheat. 323 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:58,799 Today we're just gonna put a bit of extra water in it and keep the bonnet open 324 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:02,879 and hopefully that's enough just to get us through the last few weeks of this season. 325 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:12,519 Yeah, it's a little bit dodgy watching that bonnet flap around. 326 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:14,559 It might end up coming off. 327 00:23:14,640 --> 00:23:18,519 So at the moment, I'm just worrying about getting down to this level. 328 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:22,159 As long as that digger keeps going, then that's what it's gonna be. 329 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:26,639 Every time this bucket's in level, we've got another chance, 330 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:31,159 so, I've still got hope we might be able to turn this season around yet. 331 00:23:35,480 --> 00:23:39,599 We brought the last bit of diesel that we can possibly afford out in this little tanker. 332 00:23:39,680 --> 00:23:42,279 So we're gonna put it in this digger. 333 00:23:42,360 --> 00:23:45,359 Hopefully, it doesn't run out before we find some opal. 334 00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:49,399 Hopefully, we can get a full tank out. 335 00:23:52,560 --> 00:23:55,759 All right, that just run out, bro. Oh, are you kidding me? 336 00:23:55,840 --> 00:23:59,959 That's it.Well, looks like about three-quarters of a tank we've got. 337 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:04,439 So it's gonna have to bloody do, eh. Yeah, bro, let's hope that's enough. 338 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:18,399 Oi, bro, you're leaking, man!What? Leaking heaps of diesel!Oh, 339 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:23,239 Spin it around! Hang on, hang on, hang on! 340 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:27,639 Oh, 341 00:24:36,720 --> 00:24:40,519 Sometimes where you get one, there may be more. Let's have a look. 342 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:43,799 Oh, yeah, here we go! Here we go! 343 00:24:43,880 --> 00:24:46,519 Have a look at the colour in that bad boy! 344 00:24:47,640 --> 00:24:50,799 In the weather-beaten opal fields of Coober Pedy, 345 00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:53,399 Paul is working the Servo claim alone 346 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:56,879 as team leader Mark recuperates in hospital. 347 00:24:56,960 --> 00:25:00,239 Having fun now. This is what it's all about. 348 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:05,279 It's thicker, that bit there. 349 00:25:05,360 --> 00:25:07,999 Yeah, starting to get somewhere now, you know. 350 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:11,959 The more that comes out, hey, the happier we're gonna be. 351 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:16,999 200m away, John is also working solo, 352 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:19,639 operating ten-tonne Opalzilla. 353 00:25:19,720 --> 00:25:24,599 Rocks and more rocks. Skinny, scrappy bits. 354 00:25:24,680 --> 00:25:28,239 So far, it's been pretty quiet. For our target, it's not too good. 355 00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:32,959 There's still 50 grand to go. The pressure is definitely building on us. 356 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:37,439 The red's starting to come through here. 357 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:41,519 It's only thin. But just in behind there. 358 00:25:43,360 --> 00:25:47,759 That is pretty nice. So we'll try and pop that out. 359 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:52,119 Ooh, it's still going. 360 00:25:55,680 --> 00:25:57,279 Got to be careful with the red. 361 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:03,039 Look at that. That is just We're talking money there. 362 00:26:03,120 --> 00:26:06,199 They're only small, but Jesus Christ, look at the colour. 363 00:26:06,280 --> 00:26:09,799 Absolute gem. Like, Johnny's even gonna be happy with that! 364 00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:12,839 And there's more. Look at it, it's just popping out everywhere. 365 00:26:13,880 --> 00:26:15,479 A big payday today. 366 00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:21,679 Just have a look at that colour in the wall there. 367 00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:24,719 That's beautiful. 368 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:32,199 It's playing hard to get. Whoops! 369 00:26:34,800 --> 00:26:38,319 It's still coming out though. Look at it. Just pieces everywhere. 370 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:42,199 It's still got the skin on it but see where it's a little chipped on the corner. 371 00:26:42,280 --> 00:26:44,279 And we've got a fair bit of it in there. 372 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:47,879 I reckon I've got it all out hopefully. 373 00:26:47,960 --> 00:26:49,799 I wonder how Johnny's going over there. 374 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:53,319 Hopefully, he's got some more to add to the collection that I just scored. 375 00:26:58,640 --> 00:27:00,839 The old crusty rusty drummy. 376 00:27:03,480 --> 00:27:05,839 The process here is we've been out mining all day. 377 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:08,759 We've come back with a with a bucket full of stuff. 378 00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:11,239 Just looks like a bunch of mud now. 379 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:14,079 Yeah, we just chuck it in the tumbler in the concrete mixer 380 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:17,719 and we'll let that spin around for a few hours and we'll tip it out, 381 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:21,599 put it in the trays and, you know, we'll sort it out and grade it out. 382 00:27:21,680 --> 00:27:25,999 Let's just wait until it's, erm, washed up, cleaned up, and we'll find out what we've got. 383 00:27:27,040 --> 00:27:29,399 Once you tumble it, that's when the results are in 384 00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:32,319 and you know it's either good or it's just crap. 385 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:34,799 Just have to see how she comes out of the tumbler. 386 00:27:46,120 --> 00:27:49,199 We're losing diesel? COZZA: Yeah, bro. Yeah. 387 00:27:50,280 --> 00:27:53,959 You got that?Yeah, I got it. We need a cable tie or something, man. 388 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:55,759 Hang on a sec bro. Hang on a sec. 389 00:27:58,680 --> 00:28:01,359 Here we are, man. Come on. 390 00:28:03,600 --> 00:28:06,519 Ready?Yeah, man. Diesel everywhere. 391 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:10,679 Oh, you ! How much did we just lose?A bit, man. 392 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:12,599 sakes. 393 00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:17,239 At their new claim, Last Chance Ramp, 394 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:22,239 the Mooka Boys' only working machine is barely hanging on in the heat, 395 00:28:22,320 --> 00:28:24,999 down to the last tank of fuel for the season, 396 00:28:25,080 --> 00:28:27,279 it's also sprung a leak. 397 00:28:27,360 --> 00:28:29,679 This is about all I could find is this hose here. 398 00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:33,319 No, it's not gonna work, but I reckon is what I can do is just shorten it. 399 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:38,079 Had a bit of excess hose curled up in the back here. I'll just cut it and then pull a bit over. 400 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:39,759 Well, let's hope, mate. 401 00:28:40,960 --> 00:28:43,719 Yeah, man, I got it! All right, I'll go fire it up 402 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:47,359 quick and just make sure there's no leaks, eh?Yeah. Ah, hang on one sec. 403 00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:56,279 You ready?Yep!Here we go. 404 00:28:58,640 --> 00:29:01,199 You beauty! She's not leaking, bro! 405 00:29:01,280 --> 00:29:04,639 Let's clean this stuff up and start digging opal, eh? 406 00:29:04,720 --> 00:29:08,279 The fuel leak is fixed, but under the scorching sun, 407 00:29:08,360 --> 00:29:12,079 the digger risks overheating and destroying the engine. 408 00:29:12,160 --> 00:29:14,679 Yeah, this summer's coming in pretty harsh this year. 409 00:29:14,760 --> 00:29:19,239 Ah, we've got a lot of flies. The sun is just absolutely belting down on us all day. 410 00:29:19,320 --> 00:29:21,479 It really does just suck the energy out of ya. 411 00:29:22,680 --> 00:29:24,399 For any hope of success, 412 00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:27,039 Matt and Cozza need to work at night, 413 00:29:27,120 --> 00:29:29,799 when the temperature can drop ten degrees. 414 00:29:34,680 --> 00:29:36,519 Drips of oil.Yeah. 415 00:29:36,600 --> 00:29:40,079 See all these little bits glowing here, that is just his drips of oil. 416 00:29:40,160 --> 00:29:42,719 All over the bloody ground. 417 00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:45,559 As Matt breaks up the rocky level, 418 00:29:45,640 --> 00:29:48,239 Cozza uses an ultraviolet black light 419 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:50,479 to search the ground. 420 00:29:50,560 --> 00:29:52,919 Right at the front of ya up top, is that just oil? 421 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:57,159 Where?Right there. That yellow stuff? 422 00:29:59,680 --> 00:30:01,799 I dunno. 423 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:05,479 It's just gypsum and it glows yellow.OK. 424 00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:10,359 Ultraviolet light reacts with electrons 425 00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:14,039 in the mineral gypsum, which causes it to glow. 426 00:30:14,120 --> 00:30:16,319 That's what you're looking at, innit?Yeah. 427 00:30:16,400 --> 00:30:19,679 Yeah, we had that in the other mine next to the opal, so maybe. 428 00:30:19,760 --> 00:30:22,679 Yeah, righto.There's some silica material here. 429 00:30:22,760 --> 00:30:24,839 Not glowing blue though. 430 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:27,879 It's not glowing the right colour. Opal will glow up blue. 431 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:31,559 All right, go for it again. Yeah, all right jump over, mate, I'll dig this. 432 00:30:34,880 --> 00:30:38,439 Oh, wait! Hey, move! Move! Move! Oi! Hey! 433 00:30:39,760 --> 00:30:42,279 I've just seen that bit of wall slipping off there. 434 00:30:42,360 --> 00:30:45,199 Have you got it? Have you seen some opal here?There's opal? 435 00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:47,519 Well, just some, yeah, something glowing. 436 00:30:47,600 --> 00:30:50,239 Go quick, cos I'm just hanging on to that wall there. 437 00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:55,959 Please be colour. Please be colour. 438 00:31:00,520 --> 00:31:02,119 We need this so bad. 439 00:31:08,240 --> 00:31:11,159 Fingers crossed, hey. RORY: Lucky we've got one more chance. 440 00:31:12,440 --> 00:31:15,039 NARRATOR: After their worst tail out of the year, 441 00:31:15,120 --> 00:31:19,759 the Cheals are hoping their second agitator will yield better results. 442 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:25,999 What's at stake, it's not just about tailing out opal and selling it. 443 00:31:26,080 --> 00:31:27,959 We're setting it now, that costs money. 444 00:31:28,040 --> 00:31:29,759 There's a much bigger picture there. 445 00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:34,519 We'll not only find a bit of opal, you know, we're looking to find some big hits. 446 00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:37,279 And, erm, you know, that's what we need to sort of help us 447 00:31:37,360 --> 00:31:39,519 be able to move forward and live comfortably. 448 00:31:39,600 --> 00:31:41,519 It's something special we're looking for. 449 00:31:41,600 --> 00:31:43,519 You know, we're looking for a decent hit. 450 00:31:44,960 --> 00:31:48,479 Ah, yeah.At the top. That's sort of facing a bit, is it? 451 00:31:48,560 --> 00:31:50,799 See, it's got a flash of red under there. 452 00:31:52,880 --> 00:31:56,959 You've got one, do ya?Yeah. It'll cut a stone, I think. 453 00:31:57,040 --> 00:32:00,919 Well, it's looking a little bit better. Yeah. Nice work, Christopher. 454 00:32:03,440 --> 00:32:05,039 That's pretty good colour. 455 00:32:06,040 --> 00:32:08,839 Yeah, that's looking better. Yeah, that's a bit better, eh. 456 00:32:08,920 --> 00:32:12,759 Bloody oath. Nice job. Thanks, man.That's probably the stone of the day so far. 457 00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:18,039 Oh, wow, this is another good one. Look at that. It's got red in it. 458 00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:21,999 Good one!Not too bad, eh? 459 00:32:22,080 --> 00:32:24,519 Things are looking a little bit better, eh?Yeah. 460 00:32:29,320 --> 00:32:31,999 Ooh, I think I might have got the stone of the day! 461 00:32:32,080 --> 00:32:35,079 Yeah?Jag one, did ya? Oh! 462 00:32:36,760 --> 00:32:40,479 Yeah, wow, look at that. Some size about it. I think it might rub. 463 00:32:40,560 --> 00:32:44,279 It's hitting black too, innit?Yeah. Looks like it. Looks all right, eh? 464 00:32:44,360 --> 00:32:48,119 Nice job, Marky fella. That's looking better.Good on ya. Yeah.Bloody oath. 465 00:32:51,960 --> 00:32:55,439 NARRATOR: The Cheals have black and crystal opal, 466 00:32:55,520 --> 00:32:58,199 featuring the full spectrum of colours. 467 00:32:58,280 --> 00:33:01,359 It's been washed and weighs three kilograms. 468 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:09,319 After cutting and polishing the best stones, Chris and Mark 469 00:33:09,400 --> 00:33:13,799 have travelled to the Gold Coast over 800km away 470 00:33:13,880 --> 00:33:16,799 to sell direct to international opal dealer, 471 00:33:16,880 --> 00:33:18,719 Sonja Trifunovic. 472 00:33:18,800 --> 00:33:22,119 So we're gonna go in and see Sonja at her shop. 473 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:25,359 Hopefully, she likes something and we can get it across the line. 474 00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:27,639 SONJA: Good to see you. How are you? I'm good. 475 00:33:27,720 --> 00:33:29,719 How are you? I'm good, yes. 476 00:33:29,800 --> 00:33:31,719 I'm Sonja Trifunovic. 477 00:33:31,800 --> 00:33:35,479 OK. And I've been dealing in opal industry since 1992. 478 00:33:35,560 --> 00:33:38,319 So that's over 30 years' experience. 479 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:41,399 I think I'm interested in this parcel. 480 00:33:41,480 --> 00:33:44,599 Yeah?How much you got on this parcel here? 481 00:33:45,920 --> 00:33:48,639 80.80,000?Yeah. 482 00:33:49,720 --> 00:33:51,439 Whoa. 483 00:33:56,640 --> 00:34:01,479 Would you break the parcel? Like, if I picked the stones, er, I need? 484 00:34:01,560 --> 00:34:04,359 Really didn't want to split the parcel. 485 00:34:04,440 --> 00:34:06,199 You're pushing the boundaries. 486 00:34:06,280 --> 00:34:07,999 This is what I want. 487 00:34:08,080 --> 00:34:11,839 So if you're not interesting to split the parcel, 488 00:34:11,920 --> 00:34:15,319 you might miss out on a sale. Next time. You do the business next time. 489 00:34:15,400 --> 00:34:18,239 If you're not happy with it... What are you offering? 490 00:34:24,960 --> 00:34:27,279 The best I can do is sixty-five. 491 00:34:29,320 --> 00:34:32,399 Nothing else you want to have a go at there?Erm... 492 00:34:35,640 --> 00:34:37,359 Yeah, I pick this one. 493 00:34:39,640 --> 00:34:42,919 Six thousand. That's the best I can go.Seventy-one.Yeah. 494 00:34:47,200 --> 00:34:50,799 And if we make the deal, I might have a surprise for you. 495 00:34:52,120 --> 00:34:54,479 Yep.Are you happy with that? 496 00:34:57,800 --> 00:35:02,599 Yeah, mate. Yeah.Yeah. OK? Deal. Oh. good. 497 00:35:02,680 --> 00:35:06,079 Very good. Thank you. Thank you, Sonja. Thank you. 498 00:35:06,160 --> 00:35:09,959 OK, so I just...So I only said deal cos I want to know what the surprise is. 499 00:35:10,040 --> 00:35:13,039 You want to see the surprise? You've got me intrigued. 500 00:35:13,120 --> 00:35:14,999 OK, give me a sec. 501 00:35:16,680 --> 00:35:20,359 Hey, Chris, this is Haris. Haris?Yes. 502 00:35:20,440 --> 00:35:23,279 And Mark.Nice to meet you, mate. He's a surprise for you. 503 00:35:23,360 --> 00:35:27,119 Ah, OK.Sonja was saying that you've got some nice stuff to look at. 504 00:35:27,200 --> 00:35:30,039 Yes, yes.Yeah.We do, mate, yes. 505 00:35:30,120 --> 00:35:33,679 So he's a jeweller and he like to have a look so... 506 00:35:33,760 --> 00:35:36,239 So what were you asking for these ones? 507 00:35:36,320 --> 00:35:41,239 We're asking thirty-five. Thirty-five?Yeah. Would you do twenty-nine? 508 00:35:46,400 --> 00:35:48,959 Was hoping to get a little bit more than that. 509 00:35:52,400 --> 00:35:54,479 Why don't we meet in the middle. Thirty-one? 510 00:35:55,600 --> 00:35:57,199 I think that's... 511 00:35:58,880 --> 00:36:01,799 Deal.Deal, thanks, mate. Pleasure. 512 00:36:07,040 --> 00:36:08,639 Yeah, I feel good. 513 00:36:08,720 --> 00:36:12,159 You need sales like that when you're running gear like we've got. 514 00:36:12,240 --> 00:36:15,199 There's quite a lot of costs associated with mining. 515 00:36:15,280 --> 00:36:17,759 You've got to be turning opal over to survive. 516 00:36:17,840 --> 00:36:21,159 But certainly we're happy and we're sitting in a pretty good position. 517 00:36:28,600 --> 00:36:31,039 Yeah, I've got some big bits of potch, mate! 518 00:36:31,120 --> 00:36:33,079 Yeah, right. Well, that's something. 519 00:36:38,120 --> 00:36:43,039 Nah! Blue man! It's potch again?Yep. 520 00:36:43,120 --> 00:36:44,799 Just potch bro. 521 00:36:44,880 --> 00:36:46,559 We're not having any luck, are we? 522 00:36:48,800 --> 00:36:50,719 Dig away! 523 00:36:50,800 --> 00:36:55,839 NARRATOR: Potch, opal with no play of colour, is normally a good sign. 524 00:36:55,920 --> 00:36:59,239 But with their final reserves of diesel almost gone, 525 00:36:59,320 --> 00:37:02,919 the Mooka Boys need to find quality gemstone 526 00:37:03,000 --> 00:37:05,919 to rescue the worst season they've ever had. 527 00:37:07,000 --> 00:37:10,359 It's always really hard to bring money home for your family out here. 528 00:37:10,440 --> 00:37:13,999 It's not like you're having big wins every single year opal mining. 529 00:37:14,080 --> 00:37:17,039 We just hope that we can find enough money to cover costs. 530 00:37:22,520 --> 00:37:24,839 How we going down there, bro? Cos I'm 531 00:37:24,920 --> 00:37:26,639 just about out of diesel now? 532 00:37:26,720 --> 00:37:29,399 I'm not finding any material in here, man! 533 00:37:29,480 --> 00:37:33,039 I've got probably enough just to get through that last block or 534 00:37:33,120 --> 00:37:36,039 I'm thinking maybe we just go down just to double-check that. 535 00:37:36,120 --> 00:37:40,399 Yeah, I reckon. You're still scratching on something every now and then on the floor. 536 00:37:40,480 --> 00:37:43,199 Just rip a hole in it. See what we've got underneath. 537 00:37:43,280 --> 00:37:46,719 Oh, well, bugger it, man, let's just go straight down deep as I can go 538 00:37:46,800 --> 00:37:50,239 and that'll be about... that'll be about it for our diesel.All right. 539 00:37:57,120 --> 00:37:58,919 Whoa. 540 00:37:59,000 --> 00:38:00,879 Yeah, I'm slipping down here. 541 00:38:00,960 --> 00:38:03,639 It's starting to cave in under your track now.Yeah. 542 00:38:08,480 --> 00:38:11,399 Seeing anything, bro?No, man. 543 00:38:11,480 --> 00:38:15,079 It's starting to get dangerous, mate. This pile might fall or I might tip it. 544 00:38:15,160 --> 00:38:19,159 Yeah, I don't want to land the digger on top of us. One more scoop for luck, eh. 545 00:38:23,520 --> 00:38:25,799 Need more diesel if we're gonna go down more. 546 00:38:25,880 --> 00:38:28,119 Ah, bro, it's all we can do. 547 00:38:28,200 --> 00:38:31,119 If there's nothing down there, there's nothing down there, eh. 548 00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:33,879 We found a pocket of potch, but that's it. 549 00:38:33,960 --> 00:38:36,599 All right, mate, I'm gonna get out of here.All right. 550 00:38:43,040 --> 00:38:46,519 Team leader Leif is back from his remote call out. 551 00:38:46,600 --> 00:38:49,679 The Mooka Boys can now value what they've found. 552 00:38:49,760 --> 00:38:52,679 Have a look at this, man. I've chucked it through the tumbler. 553 00:38:54,440 --> 00:38:57,159 Yeah, right. We're not having much luck at the moment, eh. 554 00:38:57,240 --> 00:39:00,959 Yeah, I don't know. We might have just missed out on the big score this one. 555 00:39:02,120 --> 00:39:05,839 The Mooka Boys have low-value opal and potch. 556 00:39:05,920 --> 00:39:08,239 Blue-green and purple in colour, 557 00:39:08,320 --> 00:39:12,079 it's been tumbled and weighs 620g. 558 00:39:14,360 --> 00:39:16,799 What do you reckon is gonna be worth?I dunno. 559 00:39:20,560 --> 00:39:22,879 Hundred bucks?Yeah, righto. 560 00:39:26,520 --> 00:39:29,239 Not a whole lot of opal but here's to a good team. 561 00:39:29,320 --> 00:39:31,999 Yeah, cheers.Hard year. Cheers, boys.Beauty. 562 00:39:34,320 --> 00:39:36,679 We've got every chance to find opal still. 563 00:39:36,760 --> 00:39:40,479 Ah, that's it.Just got to keep grinding away.Yeah. 564 00:39:40,560 --> 00:39:43,679 I'd love to say we're gonna find opal here at Last Chance Ramp, 565 00:39:43,760 --> 00:39:47,199 but the last few days digging, it's really not looking good. 566 00:39:47,280 --> 00:39:50,919 Hopefully, we can find some opal and wrap this season up and get out of here. 567 00:40:02,680 --> 00:40:04,479 Is that all from this week?Yeah. 568 00:40:05,680 --> 00:40:08,319 I'll tip some water out so we don't make much of a mess. 569 00:40:08,400 --> 00:40:10,719 Yeah. Well, there's plenty of water going around. 570 00:40:14,560 --> 00:40:17,519 It's all out the cut. Red, red in the bed. 571 00:40:17,600 --> 00:40:19,839 This guy's just some potch and colours. 572 00:40:19,920 --> 00:40:22,439 Which there's still some pretty nice stones in there. 573 00:40:22,520 --> 00:40:24,959 But some of 'em are just little half-and-halfies. 574 00:40:25,040 --> 00:40:28,359 Some of that could go in here. In betweens. Yeah. This is our grey. 575 00:40:30,360 --> 00:40:33,919 Pretty nice stuff in there and there's just the rest of our colours, shells. 576 00:40:34,000 --> 00:40:37,399 Oh, this is boomba gemba. Look at the bar in this guy. 577 00:40:38,640 --> 00:40:41,319 If you can't hit that, you shouldn't cut opal. 578 00:40:41,400 --> 00:40:44,559 So yeah, I'm pretty damn impressed with this, Paul. 579 00:40:44,640 --> 00:40:49,079 I mean, that red's bloody enormous, man.Gemmo. Look at that sandwich. 580 00:40:49,160 --> 00:40:54,239 Pretty nice. If that thickens up, oh, gosh.Oh, we're in.Golly gosh. 581 00:40:54,320 --> 00:40:57,999 Team leader Mark is still recovering after a mining accident. 582 00:40:58,080 --> 00:41:02,039 John and Paul have stepped up and worked their two claims, 583 00:41:03,240 --> 00:41:08,359 unearthing crystal opal, featuring the full spectrum of colours. 584 00:41:08,440 --> 00:41:12,799 It's been washed in a tumbler, and weighs 1.6kg. 585 00:41:14,600 --> 00:41:17,639 Johnny, that's all right. What's there? That's a tough one, man. 586 00:41:19,040 --> 00:41:20,639 What have you got? 587 00:41:23,560 --> 00:41:25,559 I'm thinking anywhere 15 to 20. 588 00:41:28,960 --> 00:41:31,399 Honestly, I think I see 15 here. 589 00:41:34,480 --> 00:41:36,679 There's got to be at least four or five here. 590 00:41:36,760 --> 00:41:40,279 There's probably four or five there. So could be looking at 20 grand plus. 591 00:41:40,360 --> 00:41:42,559 20 grand week. Huh?I think so. 592 00:41:42,640 --> 00:41:45,879 20 grand.That's what happens when you bring in the A-graders.Oi. 593 00:41:45,960 --> 00:41:49,119 The A-grade, mate.Pitching. It was the A-grade. Oi, that's awesome. 594 00:41:52,960 --> 00:41:55,679 Mark's gonna be happy with this. That's...I hope so. 595 00:41:55,760 --> 00:41:58,439 That's a lot of opal, eh. That is a lot of opal. 596 00:41:58,520 --> 00:42:02,519 Let's get on the phone to mud pants and show him what we've got on the table, eh? 597 00:42:02,600 --> 00:42:04,199 I think so. 598 00:42:07,080 --> 00:42:10,999 Hey, how you going? Yeah, I'm still not with it. 599 00:42:11,080 --> 00:42:13,559 We feel bad, hey. Real bad. 600 00:42:16,120 --> 00:42:20,319 Seeing his face for the first time since he got on the flight back home, 601 00:42:20,400 --> 00:42:23,959 it's... You know, it hurts. 602 00:42:25,440 --> 00:42:28,319 Man, like, it cuts deep, eh? 603 00:42:29,400 --> 00:42:32,479 It's not easy. But hey, that's life. 604 00:42:32,560 --> 00:42:35,999 Everyone goes through shit in their, you know, in their time, 605 00:42:36,080 --> 00:42:38,879 and you just, it's how you deal with it and move forward. 606 00:42:41,600 --> 00:42:44,439 We have found a bit this week. It's been all right. 607 00:42:44,520 --> 00:42:48,039 The red coming through some of here . 608 00:42:48,120 --> 00:42:50,759 Ah, that's very well done, man. 609 00:42:50,840 --> 00:42:54,639 Ah, stoked. It's awesome. Just awesome to hear from yous, hey. 610 00:42:54,720 --> 00:42:58,519 Oi, we've had a good week, mate, but it could have been better if you were here. 611 00:42:58,600 --> 00:43:00,519 We'll live and learn, hey. 612 00:43:00,600 --> 00:43:02,199 Yeah. One of those things. 613 00:43:02,280 --> 00:43:05,439 Put it behind us and get on with it, hey. That's it. Get on with it. 614 00:43:06,640 --> 00:43:09,319 We'll keep motoring on as he's doing. 615 00:43:09,400 --> 00:43:11,519 He's a bloody tough , hey. 616 00:43:11,600 --> 00:43:13,359 I love the guy and, hey, 617 00:43:14,480 --> 00:43:17,599 it happens, but we've just got to keep moving forward 618 00:43:17,680 --> 00:43:19,679 and pull the opal out of the ground. 619 00:43:20,720 --> 00:43:22,719 Subtitles by Deluxe 619 00:43:23,305 --> 00:44:23,244