"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode 3

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:02,159 . 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:04,239 On Outback Opal Hunters... Keys! 3 00:00:05,560 --> 00:00:08,719 ..the Fire Crew... Someone's in a tenement where they shouldn't be. 4 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:11,639 ..battle suspected thieves... This is all under tenement. 5 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:15,479 ..in their hunt for opal worth 500 times more than gold. 6 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:17,959 Oh, no! The Cooke Brothers' quest... 7 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:20,639 Black opal. That's what we're here for - the real stuff. 8 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:23,239 ..gets a new partner... I'll paid for the claims. 9 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:26,319 I'll pay for the excavator to come in and do all the hard work. 10 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:29,359 ..and comes to a grinding halt. SAM: No! 11 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:31,559 The Young Guns' inexperience... 12 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:33,879 Being underground, things can be dangerous. 13 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:36,799 Hey! ..causes a near-fatal accident. 14 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:44,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 15 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:01,559 So, Jay, what's the plan for today? 16 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:03,639 I'd like to pull some colour out. 17 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:05,839 Hopefully, we can pull out a bit more seam. 18 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:08,479 We definitely need a bit more of a pay cheque coming in. 19 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,439 After quitting their dead-end jobs on the coast, 20 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:16,879 rookie opal hunters Jaymin Sullivan, JC Caruana and Noah McDonough 21 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:21,439 are hoping to hit the big time in the oldest opal field in Australia. 22 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:24,159 We want the big opals this season. 23 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:25,839 That's what we're here to do, 24 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:28,319 it's what we're here to find, what we're here to get. 25 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:30,839 They're hunting rare pineapple opal, 26 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:33,159 only found in this area and worth 27 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:36,159 up to half a million dollars apiece. 28 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:37,839 But only two weeks in, 29 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:41,319 the Young Guns are already struggling to survive. 30 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,199 I think I've got $97 left. 31 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:45,919 That's it. 32 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:49,519 I promised the boys when they came here they were gonna make serious money, 33 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:52,199 that we're guaranteed to find some good opal, 34 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:54,479 and, you know, I've really got to deliver that. 35 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:04,559 With JC and Noah new to opal mining, 36 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:09,119 their whole operation relies on third generation opal miner, Jaymin, 37 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:11,879 leading a team for the very first time. 38 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:15,879 What's the plan? We've gotta expand our mine down there a little bit. 39 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,879 Gotta dig in some new directions and find some new opal. 40 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:21,199 So it seems our opal has run dry at the moment, 41 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:24,199 which means we have to explore in different areas of the mine. 42 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:27,839 We've got two jackhammers, so we can go in two different directions. 43 00:02:27,920 --> 00:02:30,399 Yeah. I'll keep digging the drive that I was digging, 44 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:33,159 and you guys can dig a bit of a new area. 45 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:35,519 See if we can get some more, fund another week. 46 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:37,599 That's it. 47 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:43,079 The mine is quite cramped at the moment, 48 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:45,479 so, to expand that is going to be fantastic. 49 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,279 We want to get our own drives happening in different areas 50 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:50,599 so we're not crowded on top of each other. 51 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:55,359 Enlarging the mine requires tons of dirt and rock to be dumped by hand, 52 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:59,279 then dumped on the surface by a 20-year-old hoist. 53 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:01,439 JAYMIN: The bucket holds a lot of weight. 54 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:03,879 It's, you know, a very heavy piece of equipment. 55 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:06,919 It's probably one of our most dangerous parts of the operation. 56 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:20,839 Hey, Jay, I think the bucket's stuck. 57 00:03:20,920 --> 00:03:24,639 It's not coming down? Nah, it's stuck. Bloody hell. 58 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:27,919 There's probably dirt stuck in the mechanism up there or something. 59 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:31,519 Yeah, all righty. Well... 60 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:36,079 I can't go up. Yeah, no, definitely don't go up the ladder 61 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:38,879 if it's stuck, cos it could just come flying back down. 62 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,559 It is a hundred percent dangerous to climb up the ladder 63 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:44,519 if the bucket has got stuck, because if you're climbing up 64 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:46,799 and then it comes down on top of you, 65 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:49,679 it's going to probably result in a fatality. 66 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:52,799 With no other way in or out of their mine, 67 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:57,919 if they can't get the hoist moving, they'll be stranded ten metres down. 68 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:00,439 Um, we'll see if we can get it to come back down. 69 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:07,039 It's not moving. Nah. 70 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:09,519 It's got stuck before, but it's always come good. 71 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:14,919 It's coming down. It's coming. There you go. 72 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:17,199 Thank God. You got it. Jesus! 73 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:26,119 So that was a major issue. It just highlighted that we do need 74 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,879 a different exit and entry to the mine, 75 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:30,999 just for safety reasons. 76 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:34,119 But without the machinery to dig the safety exit, 77 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:38,919 Jaymin's plan is to connect to an existing mine shaft nearby. 78 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:41,199 I don't think our diggings downstairs 79 00:04:41,280 --> 00:04:44,279 are too far off breaking into, possibly, this shaft. 80 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:47,959 Before they tunnel through, they need to do a safety check. 81 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:50,759 Maybe we can try and jerry rig something to send down there, 82 00:04:50,840 --> 00:04:53,239 have a bit of a look. JC: What's your idea? 83 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,719 What have you got? Maybe we can tie Noah's phone 84 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:57,719 to the end of a rope with a flashlight. 85 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:01,919 That's genius. Pure genius. 86 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:05,199 Mm-hm. Let me just lower it down and it should just spin around. 87 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:08,759 Yeah. And just send it down. 88 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:13,439 NOAH: Sweet. Well done. 89 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:16,399 It's the shaft rover. All right, let's have a look. 90 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:20,919 Look how good it works. That's pretty good. That's awesome. 91 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:24,919 The walls are safe, but it's all shaft and no tunnels. 92 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:27,639 So it doesn't look like there's much workings done, 93 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:30,759 which means we've got more digging to do to get from where we are. 94 00:05:30,840 --> 00:05:32,439 But while we get that set up, 95 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:35,199 we might as well check some of the other shafts in the area. 96 00:05:35,280 --> 00:05:37,439 OK, boss. The makeshift camera hoist 97 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:39,519 will allow them to identify mines 98 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:42,519 with good potential for future opal finds. 99 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:45,519 So there is something like 50,000 shafts all over the field. 100 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:47,199 Some can be a little bit hard to see. 101 00:05:47,280 --> 00:05:48,879 So it's very important to be aware 102 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:51,079 what you're doing as you're walking around. 103 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:53,719 We'll chuck it over this one and lower it down. 104 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:55,799 Have a quick look. 105 00:05:56,840 --> 00:05:59,519 This thing works like a treat. That's so good. 106 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,519 There's something in it. Do you need a ladder? 107 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:07,599 I reckon we just chuck the thing down there. 108 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:10,039 You sure? We'll see if we can get it just on the edge. 109 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:12,359 It looks like there's some digging straight out. 110 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:15,839 I'm going to go get this one. You got it? Yeah. Just throw it. 111 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:19,239 You got it? Hey! Jesus! 112 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:24,599 Do you need the rope? No, just pull this. 113 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:39,639 How did you manage that? Jesus! 114 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:44,719 Thank you. Jesus. Thank you. 115 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:46,999 Oh, my hip. 116 00:06:47,080 --> 00:06:48,679 I thought I was gone, 117 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:50,359 but within a few seconds, 118 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:54,519 these boys were straight over there so, I kinda owe them my life. 119 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,439 It's almost like watching one of your best mates die. 120 00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:00,359 That's really how serious it could have been. 121 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:03,199 For team leader Jaymin, the near-fatal accident 122 00:07:03,280 --> 00:07:07,079 is a reminder of his responsibilities to the novice crew. 123 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:09,239 I think there's a fine balance between 124 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:12,799 us needing to find opal and pushing ourselves quite hard 125 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:15,759 while still maintaining safety. If we can't do that, 126 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:17,839 we might as well pack up and head home. 127 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:27,559 500kms away, in Lightning Ridge... 128 00:07:27,640 --> 00:07:29,879 You OK to start her up? Yeah. 129 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:32,719 Pete Cooke and his apprentice Sam Westra, 130 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:34,799 are hunting Black Opal. 131 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:38,799 And chasing their $50,000 season target 132 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:41,039 with just one working digger, 133 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:43,439 the archaic Steen Machine. 134 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:46,079 Well, this is a bit of a prototype, this machine. 135 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:48,159 It's all homemade and half-arsed, 136 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:51,439 but it seems to be holding together and doing the job. 137 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:53,879 The remotely-controlled Steen Machine 138 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:55,959 allows them to dig the opal level 139 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:58,759 from the safety of the surface. It's working well. 140 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:01,479 We're filling the bucket up, putting it in the truck. 141 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:04,519 It should only take a couple of buckets till we get the truck full, 142 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:08,279 then get that in the town and wash it, see if there's any opal in it. 143 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:11,159 In just his second season hunting opal, 144 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:15,199 20-year-old Sam is badly in need of a good find. 145 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:18,279 I have to be out opal mining, and I have to make money 146 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:20,959 because, if I don't, I'm wasting my time. 147 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:25,919 Is that jammed? SAM: Yeah, it's-it's not right. 148 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:29,639 The arm won't go out any more. 149 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:32,639 I'm not getting any response from the back. 150 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:35,799 It's a case of, uh, "Houston, we've got a problem." 151 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:40,799 Without the Steen Machine, Pete and Sam 152 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:43,799 have no way of pulling dirt from their mine. 153 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:47,039 They need to find a quick fix back at Pete's place. 154 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:54,119 Well, Sam, we're between a rock and a hard place here, mate. 155 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,399 It'll be a couple of weeks at least 156 00:08:56,480 --> 00:08:58,479 till we can get some parts to fix it. 157 00:08:58,560 --> 00:09:01,599 No, I can't afford to be sitting round. 158 00:09:01,680 --> 00:09:03,999 It's just chewing into my savings at the moment. 159 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:06,599 Yeah. So, uh... I can hear what you're saying, mate. 160 00:09:06,680 --> 00:09:09,839 Obviously, we can't do anything with this until we get the parts. 161 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:12,639 Well, we've got to find something to do, um... 162 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:15,559 Look, I haven't found any money in 12 months. 163 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:17,639 You know, how long can you sustain that? 164 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:21,159 A bit of a wake-up call for me. Sam's just a young fellow. 165 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:23,679 He hasn't got a lot behind him at this stage. 166 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:26,679 I want to keep him here with me. If he can't make any money here, 167 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:29,679 he'll leave and go to a real town and get a real job. 168 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:32,359 I do have a mate 169 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:35,119 who's been hassling me to wash some dirt for him. 170 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:37,479 Yeah. It's going to be a bit of a pain to do, 171 00:09:37,560 --> 00:09:40,559 but with a chance of finding some opal and finding some money. 172 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:42,879 At the end of the day, that's what we need. 173 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:45,199 That's it. We need money to keep going. 174 00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:47,559 Their digger may be out of action, 175 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:52,039 but Pete's $16,000, two-ton agitator wash plant isn't, 176 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,159 and could hold the key to them making some hard cash. 177 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,119 PETE: Not everyone has their own agitators set up. 178 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:01,599 You've got to pay a lot of money to have one of those. 179 00:10:01,680 --> 00:10:06,239 Lightning Ridge opal forms between ten and 30 metres below ground 180 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:08,319 in a layer of ancient clay. 181 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:11,999 The clay has to be washed off before any opal can be seen. 182 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:14,319 And, for that, you need an agitator. 183 00:10:15,800 --> 00:10:17,999 A kilometre outside town, 184 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:23,039 Pete's mate Mitch McCabe has opal dirt he wants to wash. 185 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:25,839 PETE: Mitch is a local ambulance officer. 186 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:28,679 The claim he bought's a very shallow area. 187 00:10:28,760 --> 00:10:32,719 We can take a few loads for him and see if there's any more opal in it. 188 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:36,679 What's going on? This is it? This is your little trench incline? 189 00:10:36,760 --> 00:10:39,039 Yeah, this is the one that I got close to town. 190 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:41,919 So I've just been working through the old trenches here. 191 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,479 I don't have any of the big machinery or excavators, 192 00:10:44,560 --> 00:10:47,599 I don't have diggers, so I need to up the ante, 193 00:10:47,680 --> 00:10:50,159 get the big machinery in, wash it all. 194 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:51,839 That's how you find opal here. 195 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:54,119 You need to wash everything in Lightning Ridge. 196 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:56,159 Right, so that's the pile... 197 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:59,599 That's the stuff I want to start washing. Let's work out a deal. 198 00:10:59,680 --> 00:11:01,919 You've got some opal to show me what's come out? 199 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:05,519 Be interesting to see what rubs he's got. 200 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:08,879 But, um, I don't think I'd do it less than 50:50. 201 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:11,279 Yeah. Well, these are 202 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:14,279 four little ones that I've sort of rubbed up. Oh, yeah? 203 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:17,279 PETE: I like that little dark stone with the red flash on it. 204 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:19,799 It's not bad, eh? Mm. The opal looks nice. 205 00:11:19,880 --> 00:11:23,599 It looks like good potential. Nice, dark body tone. 206 00:11:23,680 --> 00:11:26,359 Black opal. That's what we're here for, the real stuff. 207 00:11:26,440 --> 00:11:29,519 So what's your thinking on a deal? 208 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:31,319 Well, I've paid for the claims. 209 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:34,599 I've paid for the excavator to come in and do all the hard work. Mm. 210 00:11:34,680 --> 00:11:36,839 So you give me what you think's a fair deal. 211 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:38,919 Well, I reckon, um... 212 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:42,919 Pay for half the fuel and the agi... Yep. 213 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:45,119 ..and we go halves on the opal, 50:50. 214 00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:49,999 Yeah, I think that sounds pretty fair, mate. 50:50. 215 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:51,879 OK, guys. Yeah. 216 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:00,879 Bit of a make or break this one. Yeah. 217 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:04,719 I really don't want to be pouring more money after this. Yeah. 218 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:07,559 This is a big deal now. This is black opal. 219 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:10,119 We need to bring in everything that we've got. 220 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:14,639 $30,000 down and desperate to turn their fortunes around, 221 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:17,199 Adam Piromanski and Cassidy Ricketts 222 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:21,759 are travelling 1,000kms into the harsh Australian Outback. 223 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:25,359 They're gambling their future on finding rare black opal 224 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:28,879 worth over 500 times more than gold. 225 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:31,079 Black opal, it's the king of the opal. 226 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:34,279 With traditional opal, you find it, you've still got to find a buyer, 227 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:36,799 but with black, consider it money in your hand. 228 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:38,919 For us to find a brand-new deposit 229 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:42,119 here in WA, that's gonna be huge. 230 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:44,999 On a scouting trip several weeks earlier, 231 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:50,159 they identified a site that could hold a fortune in black opal. 232 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:52,839 This is the trip to find out if it's here or not. 233 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:54,919 Adam and I, we're at a stage in our lives 234 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:58,079 where we're saving up for weddings and babies, 235 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:01,199 and these trips out here, they're not cheap. 236 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:03,879 Adam's father Pete who led them here 237 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:07,719 is convinced it contains black opal. We've got a lot of faith in Pete. 238 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:10,599 He spent years out here, learning the land. 239 00:13:10,680 --> 00:13:15,359 If Pete is right, it would be the only black opal for 2,000kms. 240 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:17,039 You want to believe what he says. 241 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:20,999 But then you also know that he's a little bit spiritual 242 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:24,399 and out of this world, so you're like, "Is it real or not?" 243 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:28,079 To dig out the site, they're relying on a front-end loader 244 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:31,159 that Pete has bought second-hand in Laverton, 245 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:33,479 but that Adam and Cassidy haven't yet seen. 246 00:13:33,560 --> 00:13:35,159 The machine has to work 247 00:13:35,240 --> 00:13:37,719 cos there's no way we can really find out 248 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,799 if there is black opal here in WA without that machine working. 249 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:42,479 A lot's pending on it. 250 00:13:42,560 --> 00:13:46,319 With each day costing hundreds of dollars in lost earnings and fuel, 251 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:50,679 Adam and Cassidy need to find black opal quickly. 252 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:54,359 Let's see this machine that we've just spent ten hours driving for. 253 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:04,599 I don't have much to say right now. 254 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:09,079 This is it, eh? Yeah. A very powerful machine. 255 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:12,159 I feel like everything needs to be fixed on this. 256 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:17,519 Oh, a bit of tyre. 257 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:20,319 Bit of the bucket's missing. Where? At the front. 258 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:22,399 Oh, just weld a bit on. Oh. 259 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:24,279 Right. I'm speechless. 260 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:26,999 Time off work, the cost to be out here, it's all adding up. 261 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:29,559 So, feeling pretty frustrated right now. 262 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:33,199 I feel like it won't move because it looks like it's rusted together. 263 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:37,079 I bought a machine, gave $500. 264 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:39,199 It's a bit of good gear. 265 00:14:39,280 --> 00:14:41,959 Are we moving this today? I've got to get it running today, 266 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:44,679 and then tomorrow I'll bring the truck in. 267 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:47,159 Yep. We'll put it on the truck and take it back. 268 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:49,239 Ah, it'll work. It'll work. 269 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:51,639 What we need is... 270 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:54,919 We needs some fuel. And then we can see if it works? 271 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:57,519 Yeah. Then I'll start cranking it. It'll fire up. 272 00:14:57,600 --> 00:14:59,599 All right. OK. 273 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:05,319 All right. Let's turn it over. 274 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:08,399 Oh. Oh. Oh. It's stuck. 275 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:11,679 Starter motor's stuck. 276 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:19,039 The starter motor seems to be playing up. 277 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:21,159 Just because it's old, um, 278 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:23,279 personally, I think it's an advantage. 279 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:28,919 Yeah. Look, if this doesn't get going, 280 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,319 we're not gonna know if there is black opal there. 281 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:34,199 This grinds us to a halt. I'm pretty much in the mindset 282 00:15:34,280 --> 00:15:37,239 where I've gotta head back to Perth and pick up another machine. 283 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:38,919 We need to find another option. 284 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:41,919 Even if we do have to throw a bit money into it. 285 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:43,999 So we've been thinking that 286 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:46,559 this has got a bit more work to get up and running. 287 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:48,639 So it's a couple more days. Yeah. 288 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:52,199 And I was thinking maybe I head back to Perth and pick up a digger 289 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:54,679 to either do the work or assist with the work. 290 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:59,599 Yeah, but... How much is it gonna cost? 291 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:04,079 Um... Yeah, that's the thing. I'll make a few phone calls... 292 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:08,119 Yeah? ..but it shouldn't cost us too much. 293 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:11,079 So you want to go halves. Yeah. 294 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:17,799 That's... Hang on, one more. 295 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,679 All right, Dad. I think we need to go get that machine. 296 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:26,119 All right. All right. Sounds good? 297 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:28,839 Yeah. Great. Yeah. Let's do it. All right. 298 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:33,199 It's a good heavy machine, the old Chamberlain. 299 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:35,559 We own it. You know, it's not on hire. 300 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:37,759 I'll get it going. 301 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:42,519 It's crunch time now. We really need the digger. 302 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:46,359 Adam's got to find that machine for us and bring it back 303 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:48,559 cos we need to start digging. 304 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:59,439 Oh. I think that ladder saved my life. 305 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:03,759 In White Cliffs, rookie miner JC has had a near miss 306 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:06,359 with a 15-metre-deep shaft. 307 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:08,999 Hey! Jesus. Got me? Give us your hand. Give us your hand. 308 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:11,519 How did you end up down there? 309 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:14,119 I just went to chuck the ladder. 310 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:15,999 Dude, I don't even know. 311 00:17:16,080 --> 00:17:17,879 That was very scary. 312 00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:23,439 As team leader, Jaymin is responsible for safety 313 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:27,639 and has to report the incident to the lease owner, his father. 314 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:29,919 I'm under a lot of pressure from Dad 315 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,039 to make sure that we're mining safely. 316 00:17:32,120 --> 00:17:36,119 If he shut us down, it'd be the end of things for a good, long time. 317 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:39,559 Hey, Jay, how you going? Yeah. 318 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:42,799 Had like a little bit of a near-miss. 319 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:45,439 Yeah. Yeah. What happened? JC, like, slipped 320 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:48,359 and nearly went, uh, down a hole. 321 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:52,399 Is he all right? Yeah. No, he's all right now. 322 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:55,559 You're gonna have to keep an eye on these boys, Jay. 323 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:59,159 It's your responsibility. I can't be watching over yous all the time. 324 00:17:59,240 --> 00:18:01,479 So, you know, tell him to get serious 325 00:18:01,560 --> 00:18:03,759 or, you know, they can ship out. 326 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:07,559 You know, while we're all young adults, 327 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:09,319 we still have to heed Dad's advice 328 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:12,079 because we are using some of his machinery. 329 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:14,399 And, you know, he can shut us down if he decides, 330 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:16,399 you know, he doesn't like what he sees. 331 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:19,879 Before JC's fall, the boys had been working on a plan 332 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:23,439 to connect two mine shafts to improve safety. 333 00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:27,759 So connecting these two shafts, um, that's gonna be a great opportunity 334 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:30,799 for all of us to even prove to Dad as well that we can be safe 335 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:34,599 and that we can work together without any major dramas. 336 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:36,679 We can do that. We can... 337 00:18:38,120 --> 00:18:41,839 Time for me to prove after my spill that I can work safely. 338 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:43,919 To connect the two mine shafts, 339 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,319 the boys will have to dig through five metres of hard ground... 340 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:50,959 We're just gonna continue our tunnel straight along there. 341 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:53,439 ..shifting around ten tons of rubble. 342 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:05,239 Oh, looks like we've broken through to something. 343 00:19:05,320 --> 00:19:08,519 You through? We're through! Wahey! 344 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:13,359 Oh, I can see a bit of daylight coming down the actual shaft. 345 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:16,759 We've got a lot of dirt to move, that's for sure. 346 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:20,679 If you bust into a mine and there's a shaft above 347 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:23,159 where you've been digging and that's full of dirt, 348 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:25,719 that could just let go and that could fall down on you. 349 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:28,799 It's very dangerous to work under backfilled mine shafts. 350 00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:33,599 We haven't actually hit the shaft, it's about a metre or two 351 00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:36,479 a little bit further up, so we've got a few tons of dirt. 352 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:39,559 It's gonna take us quite a while just to shift all that dirt. 353 00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:48,519 It's pretty tight up there, but I'm gonna try and crawl through 354 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:50,599 and see what we can see up there. 355 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:58,319 Boys, we have a lot of dirt to dig out. 356 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:03,679 Hey! I've found a bit of opal! 357 00:20:04,880 --> 00:20:08,039 Look at that! 358 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:15,199 I was just crawling up through that dirt, 359 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:18,679 clawing away and coming up and it's just sitting right there. 360 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:25,999 I want to smash a couple of trucks in. 361 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:27,759 I'd like to get two in the one day. 362 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:29,919 This is our time and fuel we're burning. 363 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,319 We're taking a gamble on someone else's dirt. 364 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:36,159 In Lightning Ridge, in need of cash, 365 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:39,559 Pete and Sam are teaming up with local miner Mitch 366 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:44,239 to wash the clay from his diggings for a half share of any opal found. 367 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:48,759 If we don't get any opal in this wash, 368 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:51,599 we've wasted our time, money and energy. 369 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:54,679 Fourth gear. Full speed ahead. All good. 370 00:20:55,720 --> 00:20:59,399 Their first challenge - with Mitch's mine a kilometre away, 371 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:02,839 they need to get their truck and 17-tonne excavator 372 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:05,719 through the centre of town to collect his diggings. 373 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:09,799 The Road Runner, that's the nickname for my new excavator. 374 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:11,919 Most excavators run on steel tracks. 375 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:14,319 You can't drive them on the road. 376 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:16,679 I'm gonna need a licence to get to drive 377 00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:19,359 a 20-ton excavator down the main street. 378 00:21:19,440 --> 00:21:21,239 This one's on truck wheels, 379 00:21:21,320 --> 00:21:24,199 so that means it's very versatile. 380 00:21:24,280 --> 00:21:26,679 This thing probably does 40K's. 381 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:29,439 I'm gonna have to watch out for the speed lines here. 382 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:35,239 You could do nothing, just hit the pub and go broke, 383 00:21:35,320 --> 00:21:37,359 or you can have a go at washing some dirt. 384 00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:41,919 This is Mitch's, isn't it? Yeah, that's it, mate. 385 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:48,199 We're hoping for as much as we can get out of this wash, 386 00:21:48,280 --> 00:21:50,399 cos we still get 50 percent of it. 387 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:55,119 We're just getting these trucks loaded as quick as we can. 388 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:57,319 Every minute that we're here, 389 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,319 it's costing us diesel and costing us our time. 390 00:22:01,360 --> 00:22:03,559 Righty-o. I reckon that's about full, Pete. 391 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:08,999 Another day in paradise. That's it, mate. 392 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:12,279 Pete and Sam want to get the first load washed 393 00:22:12,360 --> 00:22:14,839 in their agitator as quickly as possible... 394 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:18,359 That's all of it. That's one load in the agi. 395 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:20,919 ..so that by the time they return from the mine, 396 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:23,119 it will be ready for the next load. 397 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:29,319 All right, that's full? Yeah. 398 00:22:29,400 --> 00:22:31,399 I'll follow you back. Yeah. 399 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:42,679 That'll do. 400 00:22:48,520 --> 00:22:52,359 No. That hasn't gone down much. 401 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:54,559 No? She's still pretty full? 402 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:58,119 The first load is still thick with hardened mud. 403 00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:01,079 We're gonna have to let it go all night before we'll get that in. 404 00:23:01,160 --> 00:23:04,559 This dirt's hard as a cat's head. Yeah. It's behaving different. 405 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:07,239 You just have to deal with it. It's gonna take longer. 406 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:11,439 So we got these cameras here set up. 407 00:23:11,520 --> 00:23:15,559 We can watch these from in town on our phones or on the TV. 408 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:17,719 Saves us coming out every hour. 409 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:21,799 To increase their chances of spotting any opal 410 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:25,399 during the clean-up, Pete is working on a new invention. 411 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:28,199 It's a vibrating screen, so we put the tailings 412 00:23:28,280 --> 00:23:29,879 from our agitator in the top. 413 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:32,439 Small stuff goes through a five-mil mesh 414 00:23:32,520 --> 00:23:34,719 into the wheelbarrow to be discarded. 415 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:37,159 This stuff goes into a bulk bag, 416 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:39,399 which then goes into the tailing out room. 417 00:23:40,440 --> 00:23:42,559 This is basically to make our job easier. 418 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:45,879 The Shincracker Shaker, we've called this one. 419 00:23:45,960 --> 00:23:49,079 Just hook on those front two lugs. I'll just drag it back. 420 00:23:49,160 --> 00:23:51,759 Otherwise, you won't get the wheelbarrow in. Yeah. 421 00:23:56,800 --> 00:23:58,919 Oh! Oh, no! 422 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:06,879 After about 22 hours of driving, 423 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:10,519 I'm pretty relieved that we've got a piece of machinery 424 00:24:10,600 --> 00:24:12,599 to do the work that we need to do. 425 00:24:13,720 --> 00:24:16,119 Already $30,000 down, 426 00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:20,559 the Fire Crew have had to spend more money hiring a digger 427 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:24,279 needed to start their hunt for legendary black opal 428 00:24:24,360 --> 00:24:27,839 worth over 500 times more than gold. 429 00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:31,119 We've spent three grand on this machine that we didn't budget for, 430 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:34,639 so if there wasn't pressure already to find black opal, there is now. 431 00:24:34,720 --> 00:24:38,599 Dad's not going to be super impressed with the money we had to lay out for this digger, 432 00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:42,679 but I wasn't super impressed with the condition of Dad's machine. 433 00:24:42,760 --> 00:24:44,839 Adams prospector dad Pete 434 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:47,999 has been banking on a third-hand front-end loader 435 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:52,879 he recently purchased for $500 to deliver the muscle they need. 436 00:24:52,960 --> 00:24:55,839 But, so far, it's not moving an inch. 437 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:02,639 Where'd you find this? I found it lying around 438 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:05,159 That is shiny and new. 439 00:25:05,240 --> 00:25:07,359 So what will it cost? 440 00:25:07,440 --> 00:25:10,599 Cost us about three grand and that was a mate's rate. 441 00:25:11,720 --> 00:25:14,559 Mate's rates? Just three grand, boom, 442 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:17,759 extra like that, we didn't budget for. 443 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:20,519 How's your machine going? Uh, yeah. 444 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:22,839 I'm having a few issues with that. Yeah, OK. 445 00:25:22,920 --> 00:25:24,919 Trying to get the fuel to the injectors. 446 00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:27,959 Yeah, OK. So, uh... I'll get it going. 447 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:30,759 Look, we've already been out here for way too long. 448 00:25:30,840 --> 00:25:32,879 We haven't produced anything. 449 00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:35,799 We've got to cop that on the chin and we've gotta get moving. 450 00:25:35,880 --> 00:25:38,479 This trailer's not gonna make it through this country. 451 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:41,239 That's right. Use the truck. 452 00:25:43,360 --> 00:25:46,679 I've gotta race into town and try and get that other digger working. 453 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:50,799 I've gotta leave Adam to try and load the machine onto the truck. 454 00:26:00,560 --> 00:26:02,599 Woo! 455 00:26:02,680 --> 00:26:04,679 You stoked? Yeah, I'm pretty happy. 456 00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:07,279 That's good. Let's go! 457 00:26:13,640 --> 00:26:16,039 Hey, Jay! Yeah? 458 00:26:16,120 --> 00:26:18,119 I think we're done. 459 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:22,959 Ten metres underground, with only one way in and out of their mine, 460 00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:27,719 rookies Jaymin, JC and Noah are tunnelling 461 00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:30,919 to an abandoned mine shaft to make an escape route, 462 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:33,399 should their main entrance get blocked again. 463 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:35,959 JC's just shovelling out the last of the dirt now, 464 00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:38,359 and we'll have our second escape route. 465 00:26:38,440 --> 00:26:41,679 Check it out! We've officially connected to the shafts. 466 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:43,959 We'll just have to do a bit of digging at the top 467 00:26:44,040 --> 00:26:46,679 and put the ladder into place, and we've got two ways 468 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:49,359 in and out of the mine, which is absolutely fantastic. 469 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:52,839 We cleared out the tunnel underneath. 470 00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:56,039 We can get through there. It's time to clean up some of this top here. 471 00:26:56,120 --> 00:26:58,799 If you look at it, you can see some of those dangerous rocks 472 00:26:58,880 --> 00:27:00,879 hanging right on the lip of the shaft there. 473 00:27:00,960 --> 00:27:03,879 We want to get rid of those, cos if we're standing under the shaft 474 00:27:03,960 --> 00:27:06,239 and one of those falls down, that could be deadly. 475 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:08,399 Let's get harnessed up. Let's do it. 476 00:27:10,840 --> 00:27:14,239 We're going to all the lengths now to ensure safety. 477 00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:16,399 While we dig this shaft out here, 478 00:27:16,480 --> 00:27:18,719 I'm going to be harnessed up and anchored 479 00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:21,319 and that way, nothing can really go wrong. 480 00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:23,759 That will keep you safe. Definitely? Yeah. 481 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:26,439 I'm putting my trust in you, dude. All right. 482 00:27:27,640 --> 00:27:29,639 Let's dig. 483 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:32,879 At the moment, the boys are working together 484 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:34,959 to clear the top of the shaft there 485 00:27:35,040 --> 00:27:37,199 in preparation for lowering down the ladder. 486 00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:40,879 We just want a nice, flat edge to be able to set that ladder on. 487 00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:44,799 It is a little bit of a test for those guys to work safely together. 488 00:27:44,880 --> 00:27:46,999 After JC almost fell down a hole, 489 00:27:47,080 --> 00:27:49,079 Jaymin came down hard on us. 490 00:27:49,160 --> 00:27:51,279 He feels probably a bit responsible for us. 491 00:27:51,360 --> 00:27:53,839 We've got Noah watching over JC 492 00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:55,559 to make sure he's being safe. 493 00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:58,679 So basically, Noah's doing while I dig. 494 00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:00,759 Good plan. It's a good plan 495 00:28:08,840 --> 00:28:10,999 Ah! oh! 496 00:28:11,080 --> 00:28:13,719 Wrecked it before I've even used it. Good on me 497 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:15,839 Righty-o, try that. 498 00:28:15,920 --> 00:28:18,759 After a series of delays and breakdowns, 499 00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:21,519 Pete and Sam have built a sorting machine 500 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:24,479 they hope will almost halve the time it takes 501 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:28,359 to process their pay dirt and get their season back on track. 502 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:30,639 We've got to come up with something else 503 00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:32,879 to keep the money going. 504 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:35,639 If the dirt washes down well enough in the agi, 505 00:28:35,720 --> 00:28:37,839 then we can get tailing out. 506 00:28:37,920 --> 00:28:42,759 But, 3kms away, their agitator wash plant is still struggling to clean 507 00:28:42,840 --> 00:28:45,439 the unusually hard earth from the diggings. 508 00:28:48,520 --> 00:28:52,639 Oh, no! Pete, the agi's stopped going. 509 00:28:52,720 --> 00:28:55,439 On the cameras, the barrel's not going around any more. 510 00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:59,279 She's not going. We'll have to go and see what's going on. All right. 511 00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:01,879 We'll take the buggy out. We'll take the shortcut. 512 00:29:05,840 --> 00:29:07,879 Hopefully, it's just out of fuel. 513 00:29:07,960 --> 00:29:10,399 Yeah, well, if the engine's stopped, 514 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:13,479 it's not just the barrel, so it kinda spat a chain. 515 00:29:13,560 --> 00:29:15,559 As long as the agi isn't wrecked. 516 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:26,999 No! It's not...not good. 517 00:29:28,800 --> 00:29:31,199 There'll be a few hours cleaning this up 518 00:29:31,280 --> 00:29:34,319 before we can get running again. We've got to keep it going. 519 00:29:34,400 --> 00:29:36,679 It's got dirt in it, we gotta wash it and get it out. 520 00:29:36,760 --> 00:29:39,959 That's the whole idea. It's done what it's meant to do. 521 00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:43,879 We've got the hard dirt to finally start turning to mud. 522 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:47,679 The agi's job is to wash away all the clay dirt 523 00:29:47,760 --> 00:29:49,959 until all that's left are stones 524 00:29:50,040 --> 00:29:54,799 and, if they're lucky, a few pieces of priceless black opal. 525 00:29:54,880 --> 00:29:57,479 But it's got too thick, and hasn't been able 526 00:29:57,560 --> 00:29:59,879 to get away underneath the agi frame. 527 00:30:01,280 --> 00:30:04,559 We've got this diesel-powered pressure washer. 528 00:30:06,000 --> 00:30:08,599 You need two hands to hang on. It's got a heap of power. 529 00:30:16,440 --> 00:30:18,239 We don't have much choice. 530 00:30:18,320 --> 00:30:20,559 We've got to get this thing up and running again, 531 00:30:20,640 --> 00:30:23,159 finish washing this dirt down so we can tail it out. 532 00:30:25,320 --> 00:30:27,759 A bit of house cleaning, I suppose you'd call it. 533 00:30:32,840 --> 00:30:34,839 Righto. There we go, that's it. 534 00:30:34,920 --> 00:30:36,919 They've lost valuable time, 535 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:40,719 but the agi has washed enough stones to begin processing. 536 00:30:40,800 --> 00:30:44,159 Me and Pete have bought these bulk bags. 537 00:30:44,240 --> 00:30:47,759 We'll put it at the agi and reverse it out, 538 00:30:47,840 --> 00:30:50,239 and put them in these bags and take them into town. 539 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:53,679 Ready for all the gems to come out. 540 00:30:58,720 --> 00:31:00,519 We got some heat moving. 541 00:31:01,600 --> 00:31:03,599 Hopefully, it stays there. Yeah. 542 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:08,159 Four days behind schedule on their hunt for legendary black opal, 543 00:31:08,240 --> 00:31:12,759 Adam and Cassidy are racing to get their rental digger to the dig site 544 00:31:12,840 --> 00:31:15,039 in Pete's modified truck. 545 00:31:16,120 --> 00:31:19,719 So the issue that we had was that the front brakes were locked on. 546 00:31:19,800 --> 00:31:22,079 Directed by that, we took the brakes off. 547 00:31:22,160 --> 00:31:24,839 So, I feel sorry 548 00:31:24,920 --> 00:31:26,719 for any kangaroo that gets in the way. 549 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:30,039 This trip is probably gonna be our toughest yet. 550 00:31:30,120 --> 00:31:32,159 We're working with heavy machinery now. 551 00:31:32,240 --> 00:31:35,239 We've got a limited amount of funds, a limited amount of time. 552 00:31:35,320 --> 00:31:38,879 It's going to test our character, it's going to test our patience. 553 00:31:38,960 --> 00:31:42,279 There is a real risk coming out here, not finding anything, 554 00:31:42,360 --> 00:31:45,799 but the payoff is so phenomenal that you'd be mad not to. 555 00:31:45,880 --> 00:31:48,319 Uh-uh. Ooh! 556 00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:51,599 There goes the mirror. Don't need that. Don't need it. 557 00:31:53,840 --> 00:31:56,239 This is it. This is the turn-off. 558 00:31:56,320 --> 00:31:58,399 We made it. 559 00:31:58,480 --> 00:32:01,159 We made it. Yeah. Here's the dig site. 560 00:32:02,240 --> 00:32:04,239 There's the ramp. 561 00:32:09,400 --> 00:32:12,719 We did it. We're already way behind schedule. Yeah. 562 00:32:12,800 --> 00:32:16,119 Way over budget. We better get this thing off and start digging. 563 00:32:16,200 --> 00:32:18,199 Yeah, it's about to get real. 564 00:32:20,040 --> 00:32:23,119 We're back here, where Pete's seen the trace. 565 00:32:23,200 --> 00:32:25,199 A lot of cleaning up to be done. 566 00:32:25,280 --> 00:32:28,919 Adam's gonna move this dirt so we can get back down that hole there. 567 00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:31,159 The hole is where the team found 568 00:32:31,240 --> 00:32:33,959 signs of black opal on their last trip 569 00:32:34,040 --> 00:32:37,239 worth up to $43,000 a gram. 570 00:32:37,320 --> 00:32:40,279 Black opal is the most valuable opal on the planet 571 00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:44,319 and there's no other deposit within 2,000kms. 572 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:45,999 It's definitely a game-changer, 573 00:32:46,080 --> 00:32:48,599 finding black opal out here and striking it big. 574 00:32:48,680 --> 00:32:50,679 Black opal would just set us up. 575 00:32:50,760 --> 00:32:52,839 It would be money in the bank straightaway. 576 00:32:52,920 --> 00:32:56,639 But opal thieves or ratters are known to shadow miners 577 00:32:56,720 --> 00:33:00,319 and, at night, could clean out the Fire Crew's entire claim. 578 00:33:00,400 --> 00:33:02,599 Adam, look! Keys! 579 00:33:06,720 --> 00:33:08,999 Someone's in a tenement where they shouldn't be. 580 00:33:19,560 --> 00:33:21,559 What's going on? 581 00:33:21,640 --> 00:33:24,079 This is all under tenement under here. 582 00:33:24,160 --> 00:33:28,199 So, I was making sure you guys weren't doing something you weren't supposed to be. 583 00:33:28,280 --> 00:33:30,959 Prospecting? Yeah. Oh, you just travelled through 584 00:33:31,040 --> 00:33:34,199 and are having a quick squeeze? We're on our way to Uluru. 585 00:33:34,280 --> 00:33:36,719 Ah, cool. Well, have a safe trip. 586 00:33:36,800 --> 00:33:39,439 Hope you don't have any dramas. See ya. 587 00:33:39,520 --> 00:33:41,959 People on your claim, that's a big no-no. 588 00:33:42,040 --> 00:33:44,279 It's against the law for them to be on your claim, 589 00:33:44,360 --> 00:33:47,519 but they're just passing through, so, I've got no dramas with that. 590 00:33:47,600 --> 00:33:49,839 I wanted to make sure I knew what they were doing. 591 00:33:49,920 --> 00:33:52,479 Just two families - All right. ..passing through. 592 00:33:54,640 --> 00:33:56,639 Look at you go, you pro. 593 00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:01,839 You know what I'm thinking? What? 594 00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:04,119 We need to buy one of these. Yeah. 595 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:10,439 Eight years ago, Adam's father found signs of black opal here, 596 00:34:10,520 --> 00:34:12,439 six feet underground. 597 00:34:13,520 --> 00:34:16,719 Adam is desperate to find the same seam. 598 00:34:20,720 --> 00:34:23,319 Look at that. Oh, look who's just showed up. 599 00:34:23,400 --> 00:34:25,439 Mum is the bean counter. 600 00:34:25,520 --> 00:34:27,719 She will say, "Yes, that is doable," 601 00:34:27,800 --> 00:34:30,239 or, "No, you're not doing that." 602 00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:32,839 I thought we weren't gonna bring this machine out. 603 00:34:32,920 --> 00:34:35,319 I thought it was gonna be too costly. 604 00:34:35,400 --> 00:34:37,639 What we're trying to do is do a low-cost, 605 00:34:37,720 --> 00:34:40,679 viable way of opal hunting. 606 00:34:40,760 --> 00:34:44,079 Adam and Cass have just hired a little mini excavator. 607 00:34:44,160 --> 00:34:45,879 Way out of our budget. 608 00:34:45,960 --> 00:34:49,479 This is day four. This is the first bit of digging we've had done. 609 00:34:49,560 --> 00:34:51,919 I know, but I don't like outlaying 610 00:34:52,000 --> 00:34:54,199 a lot of money for digging out opal. I know. 611 00:34:54,280 --> 00:34:56,879 It's making it high-risk. I don't like high-risk. 612 00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:03,199 How good does that piece look? Yeah. That's the trace. 613 00:35:03,280 --> 00:35:06,359 That's thick. Thick black trace in the rubble 614 00:35:06,440 --> 00:35:09,679 is an indicator that a seam of priceless black opal 615 00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:11,759 could be nearby. 616 00:35:11,840 --> 00:35:15,079 Holy... What? Look at this. 617 00:35:15,160 --> 00:35:17,639 Oh, my God! Look how thick it is. Oh, my... 618 00:35:17,720 --> 00:35:20,199 Oh! Look at that. 619 00:35:20,280 --> 00:35:23,919 Ooh! Look at that! Oh, my God! Look how thick it is. 620 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:27,559 Holy moly! That was... That was Cassie. 621 00:35:27,640 --> 00:35:29,719 The size of that trace, 622 00:35:29,800 --> 00:35:32,039 and that colour, just being just black, 623 00:35:32,120 --> 00:35:33,999 really, really exciting stuff. 624 00:35:34,080 --> 00:35:36,679 Just gonna follow the thread. Keep pulling and pulling 625 00:35:36,760 --> 00:35:39,239 until we find the end, which hopefully will be colour. 626 00:35:39,320 --> 00:35:42,559 If the trace leads to a large pocket of black opal, 627 00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:44,719 they could be digging up a fortune. 628 00:35:44,800 --> 00:35:47,119 That's what we came here for. 629 00:35:47,200 --> 00:35:49,239 When you find it, that rush... Yeah. 630 00:35:49,320 --> 00:35:51,359 That feeling you get.. It's like no other. 631 00:35:51,440 --> 00:35:53,639 You want it again and again. Good! 632 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:05,159 All right? Good. Ready for a big day of tailing out? Yeah. 633 00:36:05,240 --> 00:36:08,879 Pete and Sam are about to begin sorting the washed stones 634 00:36:08,960 --> 00:36:11,079 from fellow miner Mitch's dirt 635 00:36:11,160 --> 00:36:13,599 with Pete's latest invention. 636 00:36:13,680 --> 00:36:15,719 PETE: The Shincracker Shaker, mate. 637 00:36:19,280 --> 00:36:21,319 SAM: Oh, yeah. The moment of truth. 638 00:36:21,400 --> 00:36:25,319 The shaker removes particles too small to have any value, 639 00:36:25,400 --> 00:36:28,959 leaving just the rocks large enough to contain good opal. 640 00:36:29,040 --> 00:36:33,279 There's no decent-sized particles getting through that screen. 641 00:36:33,360 --> 00:36:36,239 Basically, it's just made it a bit easier to search through. 642 00:36:36,320 --> 00:36:37,919 Coming in, fellas. 643 00:36:38,000 --> 00:36:42,079 Their deal with Mitch is they'll get half of anything they find. 644 00:36:42,160 --> 00:36:45,879 This is the part where you find out whether the hard work was worth it. 645 00:36:54,080 --> 00:36:56,919 Mm, it's a nice colour. It's a bit better. 646 00:36:57,000 --> 00:36:59,079 Got some nice red on black, 647 00:36:59,160 --> 00:37:01,559 a bit of yellow in it, orange, gold... 648 00:37:04,600 --> 00:37:06,679 Nice, big-sized knobby. 649 00:37:06,760 --> 00:37:08,959 Well, we've got a little grey knobby 650 00:37:09,040 --> 00:37:12,639 with a bit of greeny gold in there. 651 00:37:12,720 --> 00:37:15,159 There's a few chips that show good potential. 652 00:37:15,240 --> 00:37:17,839 I've gotta go back to work. The boys are gonna rub 653 00:37:17,920 --> 00:37:21,679 a few of the extra stones down and hopefully value-add to our parcel. 654 00:37:21,760 --> 00:37:23,399 All right. Good day. 655 00:37:23,480 --> 00:37:25,479 Alright. No worries. All right, mate. 656 00:37:25,560 --> 00:37:27,559 OK, let's pack it up. 657 00:37:27,640 --> 00:37:31,839 Rubbing the best of the rough stones could triple their sale value. 658 00:37:31,920 --> 00:37:34,199 Some of these stones cut, 659 00:37:34,280 --> 00:37:35,879 it will increase the value 660 00:37:35,960 --> 00:37:39,559 and hopefully get a bit more than just covering the cost. 661 00:37:39,640 --> 00:37:43,519 But, if they make a mistake, they could ruin the opal. 662 00:37:43,600 --> 00:37:46,359 Did a cutting course 663 00:37:46,440 --> 00:37:49,439 down here to learn the basics. 664 00:37:49,520 --> 00:37:51,319 We've cut a few of our own stones, 665 00:37:51,400 --> 00:37:56,039 but we haven't been finding enough opal to be cutting too many. 666 00:37:56,120 --> 00:37:59,599 He's learning how to weld, he's learning how to problem-solve. 667 00:37:59,680 --> 00:38:01,799 Sam's going ahead in leaps and bounds. 668 00:38:17,800 --> 00:38:20,519 They're the best three that have come up. 669 00:38:24,840 --> 00:38:27,039 That one's nice. I like that. 670 00:38:27,120 --> 00:38:30,359 I reckon that's near eight hundred bucks on its own, isn't it? 671 00:38:30,440 --> 00:38:32,159 You'd ask a thousand? Yeah. 672 00:38:32,240 --> 00:38:34,439 And go down a little bit perhaps? Yeah. 673 00:38:34,520 --> 00:38:37,119 That's a lovely little stone, that one. 674 00:38:37,200 --> 00:38:39,879 I reckon there's a couple of grand in those three stones. 675 00:38:39,960 --> 00:38:42,479 We've got that bucket still with all that rough in it. 676 00:38:42,560 --> 00:38:44,639 Yeah. Probably still worth $1,500 there? 677 00:38:44,720 --> 00:38:46,799 I still think we'll get 1,500, so... 678 00:38:46,880 --> 00:38:49,279 What's that coming to, $3,500? 679 00:38:49,360 --> 00:38:52,319 For contract washing, it's not bad when it's not our own dirt. 680 00:38:52,400 --> 00:38:54,919 Yeah. I think we're doing pretty well to get that. 681 00:38:55,000 --> 00:38:56,719 Their three polished stones 682 00:38:56,800 --> 00:39:00,159 are a mix of black and lighter crystal opal. 683 00:39:00,240 --> 00:39:04,959 With the 5kg bucket of rough, that's an estimated total of... 684 00:39:09,320 --> 00:39:11,399 First couple of jobs for the season 685 00:39:11,480 --> 00:39:13,199 we found a bit of opal. 686 00:39:13,280 --> 00:39:14,959 But, um, it's not a lot of money. 687 00:39:15,040 --> 00:39:18,759 I could keep myself going on this, but it's not why I'm here. 688 00:39:18,840 --> 00:39:21,759 I'm here to find big opal, to make it all worth it. 689 00:39:21,840 --> 00:39:24,919 You've got to be a born optimist to be an opal miner. 690 00:39:25,000 --> 00:39:27,799 You've got to hope for the best and just deal with the worst. 691 00:39:27,880 --> 00:39:30,279 You know, we're looking for millions. Course we are. 692 00:39:30,360 --> 00:39:32,479 That's what we're here for, the big bucks. 693 00:39:42,240 --> 00:39:45,559 That's it. That's our goal complete. Yeah. Back to mining. 694 00:39:45,640 --> 00:39:47,639 With their escape ladder installed, 695 00:39:47,720 --> 00:39:49,919 the Young Guns can finally start searching 696 00:39:50,000 --> 00:39:52,599 for the opal payday they badly need. 697 00:39:52,680 --> 00:39:55,279 We've got enough money for, 698 00:39:55,360 --> 00:39:58,759 you know, a few more jerries' worth of petrol to keep us digging. 699 00:39:58,840 --> 00:40:00,439 That's everything I've got. 700 00:40:00,520 --> 00:40:02,799 You know, out here, everything's very hard. 701 00:40:02,880 --> 00:40:05,119 You know, and we're struggling for food. 702 00:40:06,880 --> 00:40:08,759 Look... Hey, take that out. 703 00:40:09,760 --> 00:40:12,359 You see stuff? Yeah, right. Right there. 704 00:40:12,440 --> 00:40:14,679 Look at that. Whoa! 705 00:40:14,760 --> 00:40:17,199 Yeah, look, it goes all up there. Oh! 706 00:40:18,400 --> 00:40:20,199 We've got stuff. 707 00:40:20,280 --> 00:40:22,839 We've got opal! Yeah, look at that. 708 00:40:22,920 --> 00:40:24,999 Yeah. Wow. 709 00:40:25,080 --> 00:40:27,959 Woo-wee! We might actually have some good opal here. 710 00:40:28,040 --> 00:40:30,519 Oh, here we go. Look. You've got a bit? Look at that. 711 00:40:30,600 --> 00:40:33,039 Woo! Yeah, I mean, hopefully this will get me 712 00:40:33,120 --> 00:40:35,359 a good schnitzel and a beer at the pub. 713 00:40:35,440 --> 00:40:37,999 That's what keeps me going, really, to be honest. 714 00:40:39,880 --> 00:40:43,879 Let's go check out if we've got anything worthwhile in itself. 715 00:40:45,120 --> 00:40:47,199 So how much you boys reckon is in there? 716 00:40:47,280 --> 00:40:51,439 I'm gonna say at least 1500. 717 00:40:51,520 --> 00:40:53,839 15? 1500? Jeez! Yeah. 718 00:40:54,920 --> 00:40:57,039 Be good if it was five. 719 00:41:00,240 --> 00:41:02,439 The clay-covered opal shards 720 00:41:02,520 --> 00:41:04,759 are put in a container with some water 721 00:41:04,840 --> 00:41:09,119 and placed on a homemade tumbler to wash away the dirt. 722 00:41:11,680 --> 00:41:13,559 # They see me rollin' 723 00:41:13,640 --> 00:41:15,439 # They hatin' # 724 00:41:15,520 --> 00:41:18,799 We'll check back tomorrow morning and see who's right. 725 00:41:18,880 --> 00:41:21,839 When I'm right, you can buy me a beer. 726 00:41:21,920 --> 00:41:25,239 It's on. I like the confidence. It's on, mate. 727 00:41:32,840 --> 00:41:34,919 See what we've got. 728 00:41:35,000 --> 00:41:37,599 I'll let you do the honours there. 729 00:41:41,600 --> 00:41:43,599 Oh, here it comes. 730 00:41:48,000 --> 00:41:50,519 Oh, you did find some. Look at that. That's... Jeez! 731 00:41:50,600 --> 00:41:52,599 There's heaps! Covered in mud. Look at it. 732 00:41:52,680 --> 00:41:55,279 Oh! That's nice. Look at these crystal bits. 733 00:41:55,360 --> 00:41:58,599 Oh, look at that colour. It's actually a lot more than I thought. 734 00:42:05,080 --> 00:42:07,479 Hey, Graeme. We have some more opal for you. 735 00:42:07,560 --> 00:42:10,599 Just to value, though. We're not trying to sell it to you this time. 736 00:42:10,680 --> 00:42:15,039 So a good, honest evaluation would definitely be helpful. 737 00:42:18,440 --> 00:42:20,799 Oh, that looks really nice. 738 00:42:20,880 --> 00:42:23,879 I mean, it's still not quite thick material, 739 00:42:23,960 --> 00:42:27,359 but I tell you what, this is actually in demand. 740 00:42:27,440 --> 00:42:29,519 This is, um, inlay material. 741 00:42:30,800 --> 00:42:33,919 I think today you've got... 742 00:42:36,280 --> 00:42:39,439 ..at least two grand in this stuff. 743 00:42:40,480 --> 00:42:43,079 Yeah. Woo! Looks like I owe you a beer. 744 00:42:43,160 --> 00:42:46,599 You owe me a beer, buddy. Well done, fellas. Awesome. 745 00:42:46,680 --> 00:42:49,399 Their opal is crystal opal. 746 00:42:49,480 --> 00:42:51,239 It's in the rough. 747 00:42:51,320 --> 00:42:52,919 There's 41 grams of it, 748 00:42:53,000 --> 00:42:54,599 making it worth... 749 00:42:55,840 --> 00:42:57,439 Now it seems like it's paying off, 750 00:42:57,520 --> 00:42:59,319 I'm really excited about that now. 751 00:43:01,120 --> 00:43:03,239 I'm ecstatic I came out here. 752 00:43:03,320 --> 00:43:05,039 Feel like it's a bit of a calling. 753 00:43:05,120 --> 00:43:08,319 I'm definitely proud of the boys. We've had our dramas this week, 754 00:43:08,400 --> 00:43:12,079 but, I think we've all learned from everything that's happened. 755 00:43:12,160 --> 00:43:15,279 It's just one more step to us becoming successful miners. 756 00:43:40,920 --> 00:43:42,919 subtitles by Deluxe 756 00:43:43,305 --> 00:44:43,680 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm