"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode #3.7

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:02,999 . 2 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:05,759 NARRATOR: On Outback opal Hunters... 3 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:08,639 ROD: It's scary down there when you first start off. 4 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:11,719 The bushmen battle a collapsing mineshaft. 5 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:15,319 Ah! Jesus...Christ! 6 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:19,199 The Boulder Boys struggled to drain their flooded claim. 7 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:22,599 Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Cut, cut, cut, cut! 8 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:26,479 And out of time and money... We may lose everything. 9 00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:31,199 ..the Fire Crew hope they've finally hit the prize of legendary black opal. 10 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:33,279 Whoa. That's colour. 11 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:36,919 # Money 12 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:42,039 # And fancy clothes... # 13 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:50,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 14 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:57,679 Three months into the season, 15 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:01,199 Bushmen Rod Manning and Les Walsh are struggling to survive, 16 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:04,199 far from their season target. 17 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:09,879 Let's get this show on the road, Les. Yeah, all right, mate. 18 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:16,279 Hey, Les. What's wrong with that? 19 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:18,839 I don't know. We're not starting, bud. 20 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:25,759 This was hanging down. I just, I think it's just shaked loose. 21 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:28,879 Maybe one of the wires came out, Les. Maybe. 22 00:01:28,960 --> 00:01:30,799 I'll have a look around this side. 23 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:32,719 Someone's taken the alternator. 24 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:35,519 What? And the fan belt, that's what it is. 25 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:40,599 The Bushmen's only generator has been hit by thieves known as ratters. 26 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:46,239 It's not the first time their remote claim has been struck. 27 00:01:46,320 --> 00:01:49,519 If we do find someone down there, they're gonna get a bloody shock. 28 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:53,079 Oh. Hey, Les, this has been cut. 29 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:56,679 Rare crystal opal was stolen from their mine. 30 00:01:56,760 --> 00:02:00,239 Hey! Hey! Idiots! 31 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:03,439 Thieving bloody ratters. . 32 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:07,439 Did you check the blower? That empty? 33 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:14,559 Bone dry. NARRATOR: Fuel has been siphoned. 34 00:02:14,640 --> 00:02:17,919 What are we gonna do? Can we run this without the alternator? 35 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,719 Well, not really because we need... Oh, the fan. 36 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:25,319 We need the fan to be driven to drive the water pump. 37 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:27,399 So we have to have an alternator 38 00:02:27,480 --> 00:02:30,759 or a pulley on there to tighten the fan belt. 39 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:33,799 Without their generator, they can't mine 40 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:36,119 and can't make any money. 41 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:39,599 So, we're down 60 litres of diesel. We're down an alternator. 42 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:42,319 We're down a bloody fan belt. We're down the time 43 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,919 that it takes to fix it and find the bloody part. 44 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:49,959 Such a low act for someone to do to another bloke. 45 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:52,519 The Bushmen live off the grid, 46 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,679 70km from the nearest town. 47 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:58,479 While theft is a constant threat, 48 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:02,439 the lack of rules is all part of the appeal. 49 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:06,799 ROD: What I like probably the most about living out here is the freedom. 50 00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:10,359 Pretty much live the way you want to. No judgement out here. 51 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:14,399 We still got a lot of the freedoms you did have 60-70 years ago. 52 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:22,159 Rod and wife Amanda have been living in the bush for ten years. 53 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:24,559 It's a beautiful photo. 54 00:03:24,640 --> 00:03:28,439 ROD: We've got six kids, and they all live on the coast. 55 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:33,399 Amanda does like living here, but she misses the kids, you know. 56 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:35,599 What lured them here from the coast 57 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:39,479 is a treasure that could make them millionaires overnight. 58 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:43,479 Black opal, worth $43,000 a gram, 59 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:46,599 500 times more than gold. 60 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:50,079 When you bust into it in the wall, you know you've got something special 61 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:53,719 cos it just pops out at you, talks to you. 62 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,719 Just the most magnificent thing you've ever seen. 63 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:03,599 To rescue their season, the Bushmen are pinning their hopes 64 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:06,119 on a new mine, Bondi. 65 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:08,679 Just let me have a look in the face before we... 66 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:11,999 And the first signs are good. 67 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:14,639 Colour here up in this little patch here. 68 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:18,199 Bit of blue-purple, got a little bit of a glint to it, Les, and there's more. 69 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:24,159 But the ratters' latest attack has halted them in their tracks. 70 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:27,199 They've pretty much stopped us for the moment. That's for sure. 71 00:04:27,280 --> 00:04:30,319 We gotta try and find another bloody alternator now 72 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:32,519 and replace the bloody diesel. 73 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:37,159 That's a further $200 the Bushmen can't afford. 74 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:39,999 We need to find some opal. 75 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:43,359 We're struggling to pay the diesel bill to keep on mining. 76 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:00,959 CASSIDY: Do it. 77 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:03,319 Yeah! 78 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:07,679 2,000km away in the deserts of Western Australia, 79 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:13,199 the Fire Crew are also on the hunt for precious black opal... Look at the red in the corner. 80 00:05:13,280 --> 00:05:16,999 ..but in a location where it's never been discovered before. 81 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:20,439 We found thick trace, and we're following that today. 82 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:24,119 We found the end of it, which is the left-hand side. It stops there. 83 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:26,319 So we're going down. 84 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:31,519 As we're getting deeper into this, we're realising how hard this rock is. 85 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:35,319 A layer of granite is the last thing they need. 86 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:38,559 In two days' time, firefighter Adam 87 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:42,319 must leave for his next shift, 900km away. 88 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:45,759 We've got a limited amount of funds and a limited amount of time. 89 00:05:45,840 --> 00:05:50,199 There is a real risk coming out here, not finding anything, 90 00:05:50,280 --> 00:05:54,599 but the payoff is just so phenomenal that you'd be mad not to. 91 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:57,959 Last season, rookie miners Cassidy and Adam 92 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:02,199 invested their life savings, over $30,000, 93 00:06:02,280 --> 00:06:05,959 teaming up with Adam's parents Pete and Vikki. 94 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:11,759 They uncovered a huge haul of 30kg of little-known Australian fire opal. 95 00:06:11,840 --> 00:06:15,719 Look at that. Whoa! You beauty! Whoo! 96 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:17,719 But it all turned sour 97 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:21,479 when they couldn't find an international buyer. 98 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:24,519 Is this something that you'd be interested in buying? 99 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:26,679 Um, not really. 100 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:28,999 'We just can't keep digging it out for fun.' 101 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:35,399 This season, Adam and Cassidy are gambling on Pete's belief 102 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:39,399 there exists an undiscovered deposit of black opal, 103 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:42,919 thousands of kilometres from any known source. 104 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:49,639 If Pete's right, it will be life-changing for the family 105 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,639 and make headline news around the world... 106 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:56,199 For us to find a brand-new deposit, here in WA, 107 00:06:56,280 --> 00:06:57,999 that's going to be huge. 108 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:00,599 ..sparking a brand-new opal rush. 109 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:02,679 Black opal would just set us up. 110 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:04,959 It would be money in the bank straightaway. 111 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:10,759 You're talking millions if it produces what I expect it to. 112 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:13,599 But if Pete's wrong, he'll be sending 113 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:17,199 Adam and Cassidy even deeper into debt. 114 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:20,199 The stakes are high now. It's either make or break. 115 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:28,559 We're cleaning out the hole where we're trying to excavate a bit more dirt, 116 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:31,039 and we're starting to come to a bit of our limit. 117 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:34,519 I've only got so much reach with the bucket on the digger, 118 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:37,399 so it's starting to get in the way of where we need to dig. 119 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:42,119 We really need Dad's machine to push all this dirt out of the way. 120 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:46,439 Meanwhile, over 30km away... 121 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:48,559 PETE: Well, let's hope we can get it going. 122 00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:53,439 ..Dad Pete is trying to resurrect their 55-year-old front end loader 123 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:05,119 Able to shift half a tonne of dirt at a time, it can clear the mine site 124 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:08,159 20 times faster than by hand. 125 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:12,999 Sprung a leak. It's sprung a leak. 126 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:19,759 It just needs a bit of tender loving care. 127 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:27,319 No loader might just be the last straw 128 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:30,679 for newly engaged couple Adam and Cassidy. 129 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:34,439 So much sand. 130 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:37,879 The longer I spend out here, I really do realise just what an impact 131 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:40,039 it has on my life back home. 132 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:42,319 I do have moments where I want to go, "I'm over it. 133 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:45,039 Let's just go back home and let's just get on with life. 134 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:48,279 Is it really worth it?" That definitely is a question I ask myself. 135 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:55,799 Hopeful spot, but I think all of it's been quite black, hasn't it? Hang on a minute. 136 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:59,959 I think I found colour. No way, show me. Check that out. 137 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:06,079 Colour. Look at that. 138 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:19,399 Over 2,000km away in the opal fields of Queensland... 139 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:23,279 Whoa. That's a bit of water. Mm. 140 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:28,039 It's been a late start to the mining season for the Boulder Boys. 141 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:32,239 Heavy tropical rains have flooded their most productive opal pit. 142 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:35,999 This year, we had 18 inches of rain, which is a good wet season. 143 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:39,519 To stand any chance of hitting their season target, 144 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:43,999 Aaron and partner Ron desperately need to drain the water. 145 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:46,839 Things aren't going that well at the moment. 146 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:50,879 Want me to do it? What do you reckon? Pump her up. That's it. 147 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,799 Then it's done. It's not gonna happen by itself. 148 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:56,399 Have a look at this! Hey, what? 149 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:58,919 Last season, the now flooded pit 150 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,879 produced the biggest find in the Boulder Boys' career. 151 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:04,439 Now, that's opal, eh? 152 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:07,759 $100,000. Whoa! 153 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:09,759 That's what this is all about. 154 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:13,239 Steep slopes surround the pit. 155 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:15,639 To work it, Aaron and Ron need to get 156 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:20,479 three million litres of water up, out and away. 157 00:10:20,560 --> 00:10:22,799 We're just gonna pump it out over the hill here. 158 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:25,759 There's a little creek there. It'll run away from here. 159 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:28,239 We don't want it running back in. 160 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:32,359 A mate of mine, Eric, he's got a big pump that he said we can borrow. 161 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:37,279 To start pumping, a 50kg diesel pump needs to be manhandled 162 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:38,959 to the water's edge. 163 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:40,639 You're ready? Go. 164 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:43,679 Got a sore ankle. 165 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:46,359 Well, it's a good place to break your ankle. 166 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:48,559 Straight on the shin. 167 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:52,439 Oh! Oh, yeah. Hang on. 168 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:55,759 Hang on. This way. You get down in position, Ron. 169 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:59,079 I am. 170 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:02,559 On the tin, down the ramp. 171 00:11:07,160 --> 00:11:10,719 We'll start the pump up. It'll suck the water through the suction line 172 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:14,839 into the blue line to the discharge line and will go out over the hill. 173 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:18,559 It'll run into the creek, and in a few days we'll have it pumped out. 174 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:20,959 The discharge line needs to be long enough 175 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:23,519 to reach up the slope and to the creek, 176 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:26,799 a total distance of 150m. 177 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:29,839 So where we goin'? Up this way? Straight up there, mate. 178 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:32,399 And then that way. OK. 179 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:37,999 A little bit too short. 180 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:42,079 We'll have to think of something. 181 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:44,159 How many metres are we short? 182 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:48,239 Oh! We can pull our pump back. 183 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:51,239 Right, lift. 184 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:54,879 Oh, we're a bit short, but we dragged our pump up. 185 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:58,519 We're just joining the pipe. Because we haven't got a joiner, we're just using PVC. 186 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:02,119 The plan is, the metre-long PVC pipe 187 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:06,199 will act as a makeshift join and get them over the hill. 188 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:11,559 Right. All right. 189 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:17,399 This is the moment of truth. 190 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:28,199 Oi, oi. Cut, cut, cut, cut! 191 00:12:31,560 --> 00:12:33,959 Oi, oi. Cut, cut! 192 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:44,559 At the Bushmen's Bondi mine... 193 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:48,519 It's probably 60 litres of diesel been stolen. 194 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:52,879 ..ratters have taken fuel and an alternator from their generator, 195 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:56,479 leaving them without power, unable to mine. 196 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:03,479 Amanda, I'm going to see Nick. I'll be back later. 197 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:06,639 The Bushmen are on their way 198 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:09,799 to neighbouring miner and mate Nick Casement. 199 00:13:09,880 --> 00:13:14,679 They hope he can lend them the part and fuel to get back mining. 200 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:17,679 I'm having trouble holding it. The brake's slipping. 201 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:20,639 Earlier in the season, 22-year-old Nick 202 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:24,479 helped the Bushmen set up their new Bondi mine. 203 00:13:24,560 --> 00:13:26,839 Good work, Nick. Well done, mate. 204 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:29,959 They're hoping he can save the day once again. 205 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:39,039 Nick, if you're this crook, mate, 206 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:42,119 a trip to town in the ambulance won't hurt you, you know. 207 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:46,239 Nick is in no shape to help anyone. 208 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:51,199 It'll do you good. You'll be better in a couple of days. 209 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:53,639 So, what are you thinking? 210 00:13:56,560 --> 00:14:00,999 All right, then. Well, we'll, uh, bell out, OK? 211 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:06,719 Ring me if you get any worse, all right? 212 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:10,919 All right. Righty-oh, then. I'll close this door for ya. 213 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:13,239 See you, mate. 214 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:20,599 He asked us, you know, could we keep belling out and everything for him. 215 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:23,519 You can't say no when he's like that. No. 216 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:26,719 He said he'd give us a friggin' percentage of the hole anyways. 217 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:30,359 Yeah. Whatever. So we'll do that, eh? Yeah. 218 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:34,599 Nick helps us and we help him, 219 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:37,719 and if we're not working and we can give him a hand, why not? 220 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:42,039 Rod and Les will widen or bell out 221 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:45,519 the bottom of Nick's new mineshaft by hand. 222 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:49,359 It's one of the most dangerous jobs in an opal mine. 223 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:53,239 The newly dug shaft is soft and unstable. 224 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:55,639 It's a bloody long way down there, Les. 225 00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:59,399 Rocks falling 20m can potentially kill a miner. 226 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:03,159 Anything that comes down that shaft 65ft above, 227 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:05,839 it's coming straight at me. I've got nowhere to go. 228 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:08,479 Mate, I'm gonna toss you for the bell out, all right? 229 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:11,439 So, if it comes like that, I'll do the bell out. 230 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:14,479 Not a problem. Goes that way up, you do the bell out. Yup. 231 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:18,239 Fair enough? Yup. You sure? Yup. You ready? 232 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:24,799 Damn! 233 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:27,879 Jesus Christ, I hate ... You need a bit of exercise. 234 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:30,079 Man, I hate belling out. 235 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:32,239 Bloody Nora. 236 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:36,159 Yeah, I lost the bloody toss. I reckon rigged it. 237 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:39,199 Well, might as well make an effort. I don't win many things, 238 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:42,719 but that was a good one for a starter. 239 00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:48,759 Here we go! 240 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:52,359 Underground mining, your biggest fear is a cave-in. 241 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:56,399 This is the most dangerous bit. You have rocks falling from the top, 242 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:59,399 from anywhere down the shaft, your ladder coming down. 243 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:01,679 There's just so many things can go wrong. 244 00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:04,599 70km from the nearest hospital, 245 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:07,759 a serious injury could be fatal. 246 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:10,679 It's scary down there when you first start off. 247 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:17,399 Hey, Jesus Christ. What was that? 248 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:22,959 What the hell was that, Les? Hey? What's happening? 249 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,559 A bloody heap of that just hit me on the helmet. 250 00:16:25,640 --> 00:16:30,079 You all right down there? Yeah, keep an eye on what's happening. 251 00:16:30,160 --> 00:16:32,159 Righto. 252 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:39,159 I do have a bit of a slip coming in here. 253 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:42,679 It's not carrying anything, but it's not bad looking down. 254 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:49,119 LES: Look out! 255 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:52,199 Jesus Christ! 256 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:55,759 Hey, watch out. There's some freaking big rocks falling down. 257 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:58,279 Yeah, some fell out from up here. 258 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:02,079 I don't know where it came from, but it was a decent bloody rock. 259 00:17:06,360 --> 00:17:08,959 There's nowhere for Rod to hide. 260 00:17:30,560 --> 00:17:34,199 Ah! Jesus...Christ! 261 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:36,279 Jesus! 262 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:46,879 Cut! Cut! Cut! 263 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:52,119 At Dragonfly Claim, the Boulder Boys are fighting floodwaters 264 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:55,199 in their best opal pit. 265 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:57,959 The hose clamp came loose. You got a screwdriver? 266 00:17:58,040 --> 00:18:00,719 Yeah, I have. Put two on it, eh? 267 00:18:00,800 --> 00:18:05,599 I'm gonna need it. It's tight. Yeah, so we're gonna put two clamps on it. That'll hold it better. 268 00:18:05,680 --> 00:18:08,599 It's teething problems. Is that what they call it? 269 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:11,679 Yeah. OK. There you go. 270 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:16,959 Last season, the pit produced over $100,000 in boulder opal. 271 00:18:17,040 --> 00:18:20,719 To have any chance of reaching this season's target, 272 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:23,959 Aaron and Ron need it pumped out. 273 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:28,159 Look at the bands here. Same as what we were mining. 274 00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:30,399 Yeah. Opal's just in there. 275 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:33,399 We need to get this out before we can do anything. 276 00:18:33,480 --> 00:18:36,199 Could be millions. You don't know, eh, until you dig it. 277 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:46,639 She pumping? Nothing coming up yet. 278 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:54,119 Mate! 279 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:02,559 The little valve on the bottom, this is sticking. There's a bit of rope caught in it. 280 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:06,559 In the shallows, the submerged end of the pump is blocked. 281 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:10,119 Once we fix this, we'll prime it up. There's a heap in there. 282 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:12,759 That doesn't help. 283 00:19:12,840 --> 00:19:15,879 Now it might be better. I think so, mate, eh? All right. 284 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:17,959 To stop the valve from blocking, 285 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:21,519 they need to get it into the deepest part of the mine. 286 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:26,039 To do it, Aaron will need to climb this 10m sheer cliff face. 287 00:19:26,120 --> 00:19:29,559 We'll throw the rope over, and I'll walk around and I'll drag it out, Ron. 288 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:33,439 You're not gonna walk up there, are you? Be careful there. I'll be careful, Ron. 289 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:39,639 Hang on. Let me get some hose, all right? 290 00:19:43,360 --> 00:19:46,639 It's gonna work out right good, Ron. I hope so. 291 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:51,839 That'll do it, eh? That's it. That's the deepest point here. 292 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:57,399 From this vantage point, the enormity of the task hits Aaron. 293 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:00,199 That might take more than a few days to pump. 294 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:04,239 Approximately 3.2 megalitres of water, 295 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:07,959 the equivalent of one-and-a-half Olympic pools. 296 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:19,879 You beauty! 297 00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:22,719 Eventually, we got some more water coming out of it. 298 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:27,799 The pump will be running for three days, 299 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:30,919 chewing through fuel and cash. 300 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:36,199 While they wait, Aaron and Ron need another source of opal. 301 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:40,719 Let's see if Squibby can do some... make some more colour for us. 302 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:43,199 So how we go. 303 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:46,359 Another section of their claim producing opal 304 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:49,279 is a poor quality level close to the surface 305 00:20:49,360 --> 00:20:50,959 called the Squibby Level, 306 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:52,639 where 20 years ago 307 00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:55,279 Aaron's late father had success. 308 00:20:55,360 --> 00:20:58,159 Your dad got a rock just here. 309 00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:01,599 $20,000 one. Didn't he? In the shaft. Yeah. 310 00:21:01,680 --> 00:21:03,679 We're not far from the shaft. 311 00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:06,639 There was a ridge there. He got opal all the way down. Did he? 312 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:08,999 Pockets after pockets. 313 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:11,559 And we're sort of at the end of the ridge. 314 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:16,919 Opal out of the Squibby here is always a nice colour. 315 00:21:18,880 --> 00:21:21,319 One, two, three levels. 316 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:24,799 And then there's a change of ground there. Sorta must have dropped down. 317 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:27,399 We got the pink sandstone there, orangey stuff, 318 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:30,799 and same sandstone there as there. 319 00:21:30,880 --> 00:21:34,079 So, a lot of movement here. That's why we're getting opal. 320 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:38,039 Queensland boulder opal forms when silica-rich water 321 00:21:38,120 --> 00:21:40,959 trickles into cracks in ironstone boulders 322 00:21:41,040 --> 00:21:43,159 scattered through the sandstone 323 00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:46,759 in a process thought to take millions of years. 324 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:49,719 Ranging from a few inches to a metre across, 325 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:52,399 the only way to check the boulders for opal 326 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:54,959 is to break open every rock by hand. 327 00:21:55,040 --> 00:21:58,159 Going through it. Look at these greasy rocks here. They're good. 328 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:00,319 They are. They're a good style of rock. 329 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:04,199 These dark iron stone rocks are what they're looking for. 330 00:22:04,280 --> 00:22:07,599 Deeper in the wall, opal may have formed. 331 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:09,759 It's coming better as we're going in. 332 00:22:09,840 --> 00:22:13,959 Let's go in a little bit here to get a bit off the top, real gentle. 333 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:17,879 The trick now is to dig them out without destroying them. 334 00:22:17,960 --> 00:22:20,079 I'm gonna go in and take the top rock out. 335 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:23,679 But Ron's gonna stay and keep his eye on it that we don't throw any out. 336 00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:39,879 Did I hit this one, Ron? Yeah, that's a bottom. 337 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:43,079 It's a bottom one. We're all right. 338 00:22:43,160 --> 00:22:46,559 Hm. Yuck. 339 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:50,959 If they can't find opal here, 340 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:54,799 their season will experience yet another setback. 341 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:07,279 Oh, look at that now. That looks like an interesting shape. 342 00:23:07,360 --> 00:23:09,759 Oh! And it's an interesting colour! 343 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:13,999 Here. Have a look. Well, we'll saw him. 344 00:23:14,080 --> 00:23:16,799 Yes, I think it might have a stone or two in it. 345 00:23:16,880 --> 00:23:19,199 Nice clean blue, eh? Beautiful blue. 346 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:25,399 So have a look at this. Oh! 347 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:28,879 Ron's getting happy. Hey, Ron. 348 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:31,999 It's producing. It is like a little pocket, mate. It is. 349 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:35,839 All right. It's a trap. 350 00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:39,519 And it's all caught in this trap, the rocks. 351 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:41,999 There's another 400. That's 1,000 already, Ron. 352 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:45,079 That's all right. Wages. 353 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:48,079 It's good opal when you look in the dark bag and it's looking at you. 354 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:50,679 What we found here is very good. 355 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:54,079 It's hard to say what it's worth till we put it on the saw and cut it all up. 356 00:23:55,920 --> 00:23:58,679 Well, there you go. You've been carrying on. 357 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:00,639 Ron, we had a beautiful day today. 358 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:07,439 In outback Western Australia... 359 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:10,759 Oh, that's colour! That's colour! CASSIDY: Show me, show me. 360 00:24:10,840 --> 00:24:15,599 ..the Fire Crew may have just hit the jackpot. I don't wanna go. 361 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:19,359 A never-before discovered deposit of black opal 362 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:23,159 worth 500 times more than gold. 363 00:24:23,240 --> 00:24:25,839 CASSIDY: Oh, wow. 364 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:30,879 It's an addiction. It really is. I think it's easy to get sucked into the opal hunting vortex 365 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:33,199 because before you know it, you're hooked, 366 00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:37,159 and you're just thinking, "What else can I sell? How else can I get money? 367 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:39,039 What else can I do to stay out here longer? 368 00:24:39,120 --> 00:24:40,519 Because I need to find it now." 369 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:44,679 I don't know how to describe it. 370 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:49,119 They've discovered a seam of black material with flashes of colour. 371 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:53,079 Signs a pocket of black opal could be nearby. 372 00:24:53,160 --> 00:24:56,319 It's in here. The pocket's in there. 373 00:24:58,360 --> 00:25:00,359 Meanwhile, in Laverton... 374 00:25:00,440 --> 00:25:04,559 Adam's waiting for it out on the diggings cos we need to shift dirt. 375 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:08,919 ..Dad Pete's still battling to fix the 55-year-old loader 376 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:13,079 the family desperately need to clear the mine dirt from their claim. 377 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:16,679 That's why we need this one. This will do the job. 378 00:25:18,040 --> 00:25:21,319 You bugger. 379 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:25,559 In just two days, the crew lose firefighter Adam, 380 00:25:25,640 --> 00:25:27,639 who must return to work. 381 00:25:27,720 --> 00:25:31,359 Like Dad said, we just gotta find the level. We find that level and that's gonna be black opal. 382 00:25:31,440 --> 00:25:34,119 But I don't know how deep that level is. 383 00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:44,639 And we're out of fuel! Ugh! 384 00:25:44,720 --> 00:25:48,439 We're gonna be here forever. We are gonna be here for a long time at this pace. 385 00:25:48,520 --> 00:25:50,959 It's just...it's agonising. 386 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:53,279 I haven't got Dad here to tell me what's going on. 387 00:25:53,360 --> 00:25:55,519 I'm just doing the best I can. 388 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:58,239 And now I'm out of fuel. And I can't dig. 389 00:26:02,360 --> 00:26:05,399 Their operation is at a standstill. 390 00:26:08,160 --> 00:26:11,119 I've got this incredible trace of colour, 391 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:14,239 just bits and bobs here, there and everywhere. 392 00:26:14,320 --> 00:26:17,719 But I can't follow it. I can't dig. 393 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:22,199 I think the best bet would be to just clean up the hole and get a... 394 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:25,119 Here he is now. 395 00:26:25,200 --> 00:26:27,559 Pete hasn't fixed the loader. 396 00:26:27,640 --> 00:26:30,479 Tell me what you can see right there. 397 00:26:30,560 --> 00:26:35,039 But, hopefully, he can verify whether they've really found black opal. 398 00:26:35,120 --> 00:26:37,119 You see it? 399 00:26:39,680 --> 00:26:42,279 Oh, yeah, I see the line. You see the green line? Yep. 400 00:26:42,360 --> 00:26:44,199 Is that opal? Yeah. 401 00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:46,399 That's coloured opal, isn't it? Yep. 402 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:48,919 Is that it? We're on it. You're on it. 403 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:50,679 That's money, isn't it? Yeah. 404 00:26:50,760 --> 00:26:54,159 We just need more of it. Well, you can't stop now. You gotta keep following that. 405 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:58,759 Well, funny you say that cos we just ran out of petrol for the generator. 406 00:26:58,840 --> 00:27:02,079 You didn't bring any, did ya? No. Oh! 407 00:27:10,320 --> 00:27:11,879 Here we go! 408 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:16,479 20 metres below ground, Rod Manning's in serious trouble. 409 00:27:17,360 --> 00:27:21,999 Jesus...Christ! Jesus! 410 00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:30,079 Jesus! What the...was that? 411 00:27:30,160 --> 00:27:32,679 I don't know. What's going on down there? 412 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:34,759 Les, what happened? 413 00:27:36,040 --> 00:27:38,239 She come down on me. 414 00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:40,639 What the happened, Les? 415 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:43,319 Dirt fell out around the ring there. 416 00:27:43,400 --> 00:27:47,199 Couple of holes there from there around there. Yeah. 417 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:51,359 Oh, right up in there, mate. Yeah. that. 418 00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:54,439 I had rocks bouncing off me everywhere. 419 00:27:54,520 --> 00:27:58,919 I'm not doing any more. He needs another ring. 420 00:27:59,000 --> 00:28:02,519 The mine belongs to fellow miner Nick Casement. 421 00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:05,719 While the Bushmen have agreed on a 50% cut, 422 00:28:05,800 --> 00:28:11,679 for Rod, experiences like this bring the risks of opal mining home. 423 00:28:11,760 --> 00:28:17,199 I've been in a few dicey situations before and it sort of brings a lot of that back. 424 00:28:17,280 --> 00:28:20,319 You know, it's not a nice feeling. 425 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:33,679 Our life sort of revolves around colour. 426 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:35,959 And, uh, no colour, no life. 427 00:28:36,040 --> 00:28:38,879 It might be dangerous, but working Nick's mine 428 00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:42,319 is the best chance the Bushmen have of finding opal. 429 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:44,399 All right, Les. 430 00:28:44,480 --> 00:28:49,439 Rod has no choice but to go back down and keep digging. 431 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:52,159 Take it easy down there when you're down there. 432 00:28:58,920 --> 00:29:02,599 Put my eyes on because there's a bit of structure coming in here. 433 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:07,799 What's that? 434 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:16,199 Look at that! Oh! Look at that! 435 00:29:16,280 --> 00:29:19,599 You bloody beauty! Look at that! 436 00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:24,399 Green and blue and red, all on bloody black. 437 00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:29,199 Good quality black opal is worth $43,000 a gram. 438 00:29:29,280 --> 00:29:33,079 Rod and Les could finally be in for a payday. 439 00:29:33,160 --> 00:29:36,839 Hey, Les, we're on colour, mate! Righto. 440 00:29:36,920 --> 00:29:40,159 It's nice too! On black! 441 00:29:40,240 --> 00:29:44,879 On black big stuff? Real, real nice green on black. 442 00:29:44,960 --> 00:29:49,079 And there's a heap of black fell out onto the floor. 443 00:29:49,160 --> 00:29:52,919 And chuck us down a little container. Righto. 444 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:55,519 Here she comes! 445 00:29:56,080 --> 00:29:58,199 If he's happy, it's a big 'un. 446 00:29:58,280 --> 00:30:02,399 I've jackhammered down this way, busted the pocket. See the slip coming down here. 447 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:04,639 I had another one coming down through here, 448 00:30:04,720 --> 00:30:06,519 and that's where they intersected. 449 00:30:06,600 --> 00:30:11,119 That's where you get colour, where the water has run down. 450 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:15,039 I just got a container. I'll just start putting it in this container. 451 00:30:17,680 --> 00:30:22,279 Some blues, some green, a little bit of red. 452 00:30:22,360 --> 00:30:27,559 Oh, there's a nice little bit. Oh! 453 00:30:27,640 --> 00:30:32,879 You freakin' beauty. It's bloody nice. It's all on black. 454 00:30:32,960 --> 00:30:35,999 And I'm getting half a lunch box here already. 455 00:30:41,520 --> 00:30:43,799 It always pays to do someone a good turn. 456 00:30:43,960 --> 00:30:48,039 You got the bucket full yet? We got a couple of bob, Les! 457 00:30:48,120 --> 00:30:50,119 This is nice! 458 00:30:50,200 --> 00:30:53,439 We could have 20 grand here. I'm going up and calling bloody Nick, 459 00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:57,439 tell him to get out of his sick bed, come down here and we'll give it a rub. 460 00:31:05,280 --> 00:31:07,599 In outback Queensland... 461 00:31:07,680 --> 00:31:10,039 We kept digging that Squibby Level, Col. 462 00:31:10,120 --> 00:31:12,119 ..Boulder Boys Aaron and Ron 463 00:31:12,200 --> 00:31:15,679 are visiting mate and former partner Col Duff. 464 00:31:15,760 --> 00:31:18,439 This stuff is the stuff to play with. 465 00:31:18,520 --> 00:31:20,999 Veteran opal miner and cutter, 466 00:31:21,080 --> 00:31:23,079 the boys hope Col can help them maximise 467 00:31:23,160 --> 00:31:26,479 the value of their Squibby Level stones. 468 00:31:26,560 --> 00:31:30,599 The first step is to trim away the excess rock. 469 00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:34,719 It's a beautiful colour, so let's see what's there. So that one we'll leave for you. 470 00:31:34,800 --> 00:31:39,679 And this one here, you want me... Take the dead wood off and maybe trim it down a bit. Yeah. 471 00:31:39,760 --> 00:31:43,079 If we're lucky, it'll be opal all the way. That'll split at the end. 472 00:31:43,160 --> 00:31:45,959 All right, well, we'll work on that. 473 00:31:46,040 --> 00:31:50,839 With the diamond-tipped blade spinning at 3,000RPM, 474 00:31:50,920 --> 00:31:54,719 one slip and Ron not only risks serious injury 475 00:31:54,800 --> 00:31:57,679 but destroying the opal inside. 476 00:32:07,760 --> 00:32:09,879 We've got a nice green line here. 477 00:32:09,960 --> 00:32:12,959 We're gonna try and split that into two faces. 478 00:32:13,040 --> 00:32:16,719 Splitting it into two will make the boys more money. 479 00:32:23,600 --> 00:32:27,279 I'll do a bit of work on the grinder and come down on this back. 480 00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:29,439 And we put a slice in it, 481 00:32:29,520 --> 00:32:32,639 and just see if we can pop it into matching pairs. 482 00:32:32,720 --> 00:32:36,359 It will require all of Col's 30 years' experience 483 00:32:36,440 --> 00:32:41,639 to turn hundreds of dollars into potentially thousands. 484 00:32:41,720 --> 00:32:45,759 So I can see the line all the way through there now. 485 00:32:45,840 --> 00:32:48,919 And we already had a natural cavity there. 486 00:32:49,000 --> 00:32:53,999 So we've just made the most of it with the saw blade on the dead potchy side of that. 487 00:32:54,080 --> 00:32:56,759 We put that in. 488 00:32:57,440 --> 00:32:59,999 And pretty well, it just fell apart like that. 489 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:06,039 Bit of slicing and dicing. 490 00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:09,799 Aaron and Ron's haul is boulder opal 491 00:33:09,880 --> 00:33:13,999 with blues and greens, weighing 65g. 492 00:33:15,760 --> 00:33:17,999 The splits turned out pretty good. 493 00:33:18,080 --> 00:33:21,359 Wow, beautiful. Beautiful blue, green. Shame about those spots 494 00:33:21,440 --> 00:33:23,439 all the way through but you cut around them. 495 00:33:23,520 --> 00:33:26,639 It's a beautiful stone. Five carat. Blue, green. 496 00:33:29,720 --> 00:33:33,319 I think you could cut five grand out of that. 497 00:33:33,400 --> 00:33:36,919 That's good. Hey, that's good. No worries. Good to see you, Ron. 498 00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:39,519 Thanks again, Col. Good fun. 499 00:33:39,600 --> 00:33:44,039 This latest find keeps the Boulder Boys in business. 500 00:33:44,120 --> 00:33:46,199 We're not making big money, 501 00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:49,919 but enough to keep food on the table and diesel coming in. 502 00:33:50,000 --> 00:33:53,959 That's all we need, as long as we can keep going, keep chasing that opal. 503 00:33:54,040 --> 00:33:58,799 Cracking that rock and seeing that colour makes you happy to be here. 504 00:33:58,880 --> 00:34:00,399 That's what you come for. 505 00:34:00,480 --> 00:34:04,119 Ron's been here a week. We got a lot of things done. It's been great. 506 00:34:04,200 --> 00:34:07,839 It's good to have a good hand and someone that doesn't mind working. 507 00:34:07,920 --> 00:34:10,799 It's a good feeling that it's a box ticked. 508 00:34:21,120 --> 00:34:24,959 ADAM: See the green line? PETE: Yep. That's coloured opal, isn't it? Yep. 509 00:34:25,040 --> 00:34:27,679 That's money, isn't it? Yeah, you're on it. 510 00:34:27,760 --> 00:34:32,399 The Fire Crew are convinced they've found signs of black opal 511 00:34:32,480 --> 00:34:35,439 worth up to $43,000 a gram. 512 00:34:35,520 --> 00:34:38,639 We gotta find the level. Find that and that's gonna be black opal. 513 00:34:38,720 --> 00:34:41,399 If they're right, it will be the first time 514 00:34:41,480 --> 00:34:44,519 black opal has been discovered in Western Australia. 515 00:34:44,600 --> 00:34:46,879 On the verge of making history, absolutely. 516 00:34:46,960 --> 00:34:50,639 Look, it's WA. And we've got potentially black opal. 517 00:34:50,720 --> 00:34:54,279 And everyone's gonna be rushing back here. 518 00:34:54,360 --> 00:34:57,559 But with a potential fortune beneath their feet, 519 00:34:57,640 --> 00:35:01,959 the Fire Crew's treasure hunt has hit a wall. 520 00:35:02,040 --> 00:35:05,039 The funds are low, we haven't quite got the machinery. 521 00:35:05,120 --> 00:35:09,239 We need fuel, we need time. We need a lot of what we don't have. 522 00:35:09,320 --> 00:35:12,599 We need a lot more money to actually do the job properly. 523 00:35:12,680 --> 00:35:15,479 We're gonna be here for weeks, and we didn't plan for this. 524 00:35:15,560 --> 00:35:18,199 We don't have time for that. I gotta get back to work. 525 00:35:18,280 --> 00:35:22,519 Yeah, so we just have to reassess everything. I think that's right. 526 00:35:22,600 --> 00:35:28,199 With the dig on hold, the Fire Crew leave behind their 3sq km claim. 527 00:35:28,280 --> 00:35:33,399 The hope is the remoteness will protect it from prying eyes. 528 00:35:39,880 --> 00:35:43,759 Back at home base, 900km away in Perth, 529 00:35:43,840 --> 00:35:46,839 Adam, Pete and Vikki get to work, 530 00:35:46,920 --> 00:35:50,599 cleaning up the find they hope is black opal. 531 00:35:52,240 --> 00:35:55,399 PETE: What we've discovered, it's exciting for us, 532 00:35:55,480 --> 00:35:57,599 but we still need to validate it. 533 00:35:57,680 --> 00:36:01,359 We'll get a second opinion, take a few pieces in with us, 534 00:36:01,440 --> 00:36:04,359 prep 'em up a bit to show 'em what we've got. 535 00:36:04,440 --> 00:36:08,719 Bit of colour there. I've got green flash here. 536 00:36:08,800 --> 00:36:12,519 He's an independent jeweller, he'll give us his thoughts on it. 537 00:36:12,600 --> 00:36:17,399 Just to verify what we've found by an independent person. 538 00:36:17,480 --> 00:36:21,519 This season, hunting this black opal, it's becoming a bit stressful. 539 00:36:21,600 --> 00:36:24,159 Dad's always pretty sure of what he has. 540 00:36:24,240 --> 00:36:28,279 I'm still sitting at that 80% of what we've got is black opal. 541 00:36:28,360 --> 00:36:30,479 Definitely got fire opal, I know that. 542 00:36:30,560 --> 00:36:32,759 But that black stuff, not sure what that is. 543 00:36:32,840 --> 00:36:36,239 I'm excited. Are you excited? I'm excited. Ahh! 544 00:36:36,320 --> 00:36:40,559 Adam and Cassidy have gambled $30,000 of their savings 545 00:36:40,640 --> 00:36:43,719 chasing the opal dream in Western Australia. 546 00:36:43,800 --> 00:36:47,119 Their hopes of finding life-changing black opal 547 00:36:47,200 --> 00:36:51,119 are now all in the hands of expert jeweller Alfie Gryg. 548 00:36:51,200 --> 00:36:54,719 So, we've been following this black trace. Mm-hm. 549 00:36:54,800 --> 00:36:57,279 The situation we're in is it's expensive to dig. 550 00:36:57,360 --> 00:36:59,639 So ideally, we'd like for you to give us 551 00:36:59,720 --> 00:37:01,959 kind of a bit of a green light on this today. 552 00:37:12,160 --> 00:37:16,239 What's this black stuff that we're looking at? Is that potch or...? 553 00:37:16,320 --> 00:37:19,279 No, I think this is more of your shale. 554 00:37:22,000 --> 00:37:25,879 OK. Never heard of that. Yeah, shale's, um... 555 00:37:25,960 --> 00:37:28,159 Yeah, that's not opal. What is shale? 556 00:37:28,240 --> 00:37:30,239 That little flake there in the corner? Yeah. 557 00:37:30,320 --> 00:37:32,879 Is that anything? No. That's nothing. 558 00:37:32,960 --> 00:37:36,199 From seeing this, would you continue digging, Alfie? 559 00:37:36,280 --> 00:37:40,559 I don't think there's enough in there. Hm. 560 00:37:42,320 --> 00:37:44,439 So it's not black opal. 561 00:37:44,520 --> 00:37:47,599 It's fire opal with shale. 562 00:37:47,680 --> 00:37:51,119 Yep. Right. Thanks for your honest truth, Alfie. 563 00:37:53,520 --> 00:37:56,079 Every moment I think we're getting one step closer, 564 00:37:56,160 --> 00:37:58,239 I feel like we're taking two steps back. 565 00:37:58,320 --> 00:38:04,079 For now, it's the end of the line for the Fire Crew's black opal dream. 566 00:38:04,160 --> 00:38:06,679 I feel a little bit drained. 567 00:38:06,760 --> 00:38:08,319 Doesn't mean we're gonna stop, 568 00:38:08,400 --> 00:38:11,879 but it just means we're gonna have to regroup and figure out a new plan. 569 00:38:11,960 --> 00:38:16,559 At the moment, we're probably out of pocket. We haven't made a profit, we haven't made any money. 570 00:38:16,640 --> 00:38:20,119 But that's the risk that you take. It's a very high risk industry. 571 00:38:20,200 --> 00:38:22,479 PETE: You sort of deal with the losses. 572 00:38:22,560 --> 00:38:25,359 You just have to find a way to keep going. 573 00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:27,559 But there is good news. 574 00:38:27,640 --> 00:38:31,359 Their fire opal is finally finding buyers online. 575 00:38:31,440 --> 00:38:34,439 Adam and Cassidy aren't giving up hope. 576 00:38:34,520 --> 00:38:37,119 So, I think we're gonna try and find some more fire opal, 577 00:38:37,200 --> 00:38:38,879 just get that bank balance back up. 578 00:38:39,760 --> 00:38:43,319 And then, we'll re-evaluate and go and look for the black opal again. 579 00:38:54,920 --> 00:38:59,039 Right, let's have a look at some opal and see what we can figure out, eh? 580 00:38:59,120 --> 00:39:03,639 Forced to abandon their own mine after key equipment was stolen... 581 00:39:03,720 --> 00:39:06,319 Such a low act for someone to do to another bloke. 582 00:39:06,400 --> 00:39:09,519 ..and surviving rock falls in Nick's mine... 583 00:39:09,600 --> 00:39:12,639 Ah! Jesus...Christ! 584 00:39:14,280 --> 00:39:16,719 What's that? 585 00:39:16,800 --> 00:39:18,879 ..the Bushmen have finally found opal. 586 00:39:18,960 --> 00:39:21,519 Real, real nice green on black. 587 00:39:21,600 --> 00:39:23,919 They're keen to show a recovered Nick 588 00:39:24,000 --> 00:39:27,039 and Rod's wife Amanda what they found. 589 00:39:27,120 --> 00:39:30,759 We got some reasonable colours, eh? 590 00:39:30,840 --> 00:39:34,199 The deal with Nick is a 50-50 split. 591 00:39:34,280 --> 00:39:37,799 It's worth a few dollars. I'd reckon you'd ask for 15 592 00:39:37,880 --> 00:39:40,959 and settle on 11 or ten, somewhere around that. 593 00:39:41,040 --> 00:39:44,919 I was thinking something like that. Ten grand, I'll be very happy. 594 00:39:45,000 --> 00:39:49,679 Don't forget, it was halfsies. Yes, I know, yes, half. 595 00:39:49,760 --> 00:39:53,839 Well, good luck. I think we're gonna need it. 596 00:39:53,920 --> 00:39:56,879 I think you might. 597 00:39:56,960 --> 00:39:59,879 The Bushmen have found a parcel of black opal. 598 00:39:59,960 --> 00:40:04,279 It's in the rough, showing good colour with a weight of 60g. 599 00:40:04,360 --> 00:40:05,999 They hope to get a total of... 600 00:40:08,880 --> 00:40:13,319 The Bushmen's half share will be their biggest find for over a year. 601 00:40:20,120 --> 00:40:25,119 It's a 70km drive into Lightning Ridge... 602 00:40:25,200 --> 00:40:28,719 to meet veteran opal buyer Edmond Lahoud. 603 00:40:28,800 --> 00:40:30,919 Edmond, how are you, my friend? How you going? 604 00:40:31,000 --> 00:40:33,399 Good to see you, mate. Good to see you too, mate. 605 00:40:33,480 --> 00:40:36,319 So, what you been onto? Little bit of black. 606 00:40:36,400 --> 00:40:40,559 Black and green. Not bad material, mate. 607 00:40:40,640 --> 00:40:43,439 Yeah, nice green. 608 00:40:43,520 --> 00:40:46,439 So, what do you have in the parcel, mate? 609 00:40:46,520 --> 00:40:50,719 Well, for anyone else I'd charge...18, 610 00:40:50,800 --> 00:40:55,039 but for you, probably go down to 14 for you. 611 00:40:55,120 --> 00:40:59,359 That's definitely exciting. Colours are there, 612 00:40:59,440 --> 00:41:02,479 but honestly, what I can cut out of you, mate. 613 00:41:02,560 --> 00:41:04,559 You're open for offers? 614 00:41:04,640 --> 00:41:08,199 Oh, of course. I'd go down to 13.9, mate. Yeah. 615 00:41:08,280 --> 00:41:13,279 Mate, how does eight grand grab ya? Not at all. No, no, no. 616 00:41:13,360 --> 00:41:16,639 Eight grand, come on. No. 617 00:41:16,720 --> 00:41:21,999 You don't wanna pay too much for it and you wanna bleed us dry, huh? 618 00:41:22,080 --> 00:41:24,919 It's not like that, mate. If I bleed you dry, 619 00:41:25,000 --> 00:41:27,439 how do I bloody make a living later on? 620 00:41:27,520 --> 00:41:33,799 Well, there's a reason why I generally leave Les outside the buyer's room. 621 00:41:33,880 --> 00:41:37,399 The old feller tends to get a little bit wound up, 622 00:41:37,480 --> 00:41:41,119 and if he the buyer off, he'll go down, not up. 623 00:41:41,200 --> 00:41:45,079 All you buyers make millions. Give us nothing so we can hardly live. 624 00:41:45,160 --> 00:41:47,719 And you choose not to see the bloody inclusions in it. 625 00:41:47,800 --> 00:41:50,159 That's the problem. You gotta give and take. 626 00:41:50,240 --> 00:41:53,959 Rod, look, I appreciate you coming to see me, 627 00:41:54,040 --> 00:41:56,239 you know, and... 628 00:41:56,320 --> 00:41:59,959 What about... 12? ..12? 629 00:42:00,040 --> 00:42:05,599 Mate, I tell you something, I don't wanna play bloody lawyer's game. 630 00:42:05,680 --> 00:42:10,599 I'm very hungry for material. It's scarce now. We all know. Yep. 631 00:42:10,680 --> 00:42:13,719 I'm prepared to pay a little bit more than what I normally do. 632 00:42:13,800 --> 00:42:17,599 I'll go up to nine grand, OK? 633 00:42:17,680 --> 00:42:20,159 Nah, even nine. Come on, mate. 634 00:42:20,240 --> 00:42:23,519 Nine grand. Come on, shake a hand on it, Rod. 635 00:42:23,600 --> 00:42:26,919 Nah, can't do nine, mate. I'll tell you what. What? 636 00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:29,399 We'll stop the buggerising about. Yeah. 637 00:42:29,480 --> 00:42:33,559 I'll take ten grand, and I won't take anything underneath ten. 638 00:42:35,680 --> 00:42:40,479 Ah, look. Just for the sake of keeping my supply going, I'll shake hands on it, mate. 639 00:42:40,560 --> 00:42:42,479 Thanks, Edmond. Appreciate it. No worries. 640 00:42:43,680 --> 00:42:47,039 We got the ten grand, which is what we wanted. 641 00:42:47,280 --> 00:42:50,199 So we're as happy as buggery. Yeah. 642 00:42:50,280 --> 00:42:54,079 For the Bushmen, it's a good end to a bad week. 643 00:42:54,160 --> 00:42:59,639 Their 50% share has netted them a cool $5,000. 644 00:42:59,840 --> 00:43:03,759 The week started off bloody horrible. The ratters had been into us. 645 00:43:03,840 --> 00:43:07,639 We couldn't work. It was a bit depressing there for a while. 646 00:43:07,720 --> 00:43:10,959 But one good deed really seems to have paid off. 647 00:43:11,040 --> 00:43:14,199 And we can get back to mining now. We got some money to buy diesel. 648 00:43:14,280 --> 00:43:16,279 We can keep on going. 649 00:43:16,360 --> 00:43:18,319 Don't get much better than this. 650 00:43:18,920 --> 00:43:21,039 subtitles by Deluxe 650 00:43:22,305 --> 00:44:22,883