"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode #4.1

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,119 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 2 00:00:04,200 --> 00:00:06,119 Jesus. 3 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:09,519 ..the Bushmen lose their way deep underground... 4 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:12,599 We just strayed off course a little bit. Just as well we're not at sea. 5 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:15,239 ..chasing priceless black opal. 6 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:19,039 Newcomers, the Poms... 7 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:21,239 Carl, look at that. That's beautiful. 8 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:23,319 ..hunt a prized opal... 9 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,399 It's the excitement of finding treasure. 10 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:27,479 ..to kick-start their mining careers. 11 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:29,559 I think I've stuffed it up. Yes! 12 00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:32,079 And after their find of a lifetime... Yes! 13 00:00:32,160 --> 00:00:35,519 ..the Tunnel Rats... They can't beat that. This is already pegged. 14 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:37,599 ..must tackle a rival team. 15 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:39,919 Why is his peg in my claim? 16 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:42,479 Why the...is his peg in my claim? 17 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:50,074 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=- 18 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:07,639 1: We're still a long way from reaching our target. 19 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:10,079 We've only got two months, and so we pushed out. 20 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:14,399 So, this our last shot. 21 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:17,919 Who's that out there? 22 00:01:19,480 --> 00:01:22,479 On the opal fields of South Australia, 23 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:24,559 there's trouble brewing for family team, 24 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:26,639 the Tunnel Rats. 25 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:29,879 We've got someone walking on our claim, looking around. 26 00:01:29,960 --> 00:01:34,599 Possibly, wanting to peg some dirt which is close to us. 27 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:37,159 I don't really wanna talk to them, to be honest, 28 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:39,239 cos there's only gonna be chaos. 29 00:01:39,320 --> 00:01:43,599 Oh, look at that. I've never seen an opal like this in my life. 30 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:46,039 After 22 years struggling to make ends meet, 31 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:49,279 they have just hit the best opal of their lives 32 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:51,879 worth over $100,000. 33 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:53,239 Yes. Yes! 34 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:55,119 LEESE: That was an amazing experience. 35 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:57,279 It's like a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing. 36 00:01:57,360 --> 00:01:59,839 You just don't expect that'll ever happen to you. 37 00:01:59,920 --> 00:02:01,919 And there could be much more. 38 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,159 RODNEY: I just feel like life's just changed. 39 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:06,959 It just made things a lot easier for us. 40 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:09,839 But their whole way of life is now under threat, 41 00:02:09,920 --> 00:02:14,039 and time is fast running out for this opal mining family. 42 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:16,479 We're gonna be getting shoved out of Mintabie. 43 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:19,999 I can't afford to shift. I can't get out of here. 44 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:24,239 In just two months' time, all the mines in the town of Mintabie 45 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:28,839 are to be closed and the area returned to its indigenous owners. 46 00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:31,759 The Tunnel Rats will lose both their mines, 47 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:34,679 and their mining camp home. 48 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:39,399 I've invested over $500,000. We've all gotta get out of here. 49 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:41,679 So, if I've got no money to get out. 50 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:43,759 Well, I don't know where I'm gonna go, 51 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:45,839 and how I can afford to shift. 52 00:02:45,920 --> 00:02:48,759 We've come up with a target of $200,000. 53 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:52,079 We just need that money to be able to relocate, and set us up. 54 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:54,159 We've got to get it. We have to get it. 55 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:56,679 It's a must. There's no ifs, buts or maybes. 56 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:58,999 Opal is the only way out. 57 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:02,079 But news of their big find has spread, 58 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:04,159 and rivals are closing in, 59 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:06,759 scouting the ground next to their claim. 60 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:08,999 We need to go knock them other pegs in. 61 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:12,359 I've got some pegs ready, and we're gonna go stick them in. 62 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:16,159 Miners are only allowed to own one claim at a time, 63 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:19,039 marked by four corner pegs. 64 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:22,199 Dad Rodney's covers the entrance to their mines 65 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:25,879 and Bayden's, the area where they made their recent big find. 66 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:30,599 The ground between them could be rich in opal. 67 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,679 The danger now is that the rivals might peg it first. 68 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:36,879 We gotta put Leese's pegs in the ground now. 69 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:38,639 Yeah, we gotta do it now. Yeah. So... 70 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:40,399 Yeah, we gotta go get 'em. 71 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:42,479 As long as they haven't done it already. 72 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:49,479 We'll just get going on the other side. Yeah. 73 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:00,079 Is that our peg? No. That's their peg. 74 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:02,999 The rivals have got their red pegs in first. 75 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:06,119 But it looks like they're inside Bayden's claim. 76 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:08,959 This is already pegged here. They can't peg that. 77 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:11,839 When they're pegging, they're just not pegging any ground, 78 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:14,119 they're pegging my claim. 79 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:16,559 See my peg here? Yeah. See, he's pegged there. 80 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:20,599 Yes. He can't do it. Have a look at my...peg. 81 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:24,239 It's here, it comes through there. Why has he got a peg there? 82 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:26,719 Why is his peg in my claim? 83 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:28,799 Why the...is his peg in my claim? 84 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:43,799 Hey. It stinks in there. 85 00:04:43,880 --> 00:04:46,559 Ugh, Rod, is that you? Is it? 86 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:49,439 He'd be in serious trouble if that smell was me, Les. 87 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:54,079 In outback New South Wales, 70km from the nearest town. 88 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:56,999 Bushmen, Rod and Les, are on the hunt. 89 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:02,879 I reckon a snake's got in here or something and died. 90 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:05,719 In the fierce heat, the stench of a dead animal 91 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:07,999 has saturated the Bushmen's camp, 92 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:10,639 making living inside unbearable. 93 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:14,399 Amanda's not really happy about the smell. 94 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:17,839 It's all right, nothing's there. 95 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:21,079 Ooh, yeah, it's gotten worse in here since this morning. 96 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,199 She'd have hit me with a pick handle 97 00:05:23,280 --> 00:05:25,879 if I'd gone to work, and left that smell there. 98 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:28,679 Ugh, Roddy, the stink coming out of here. 99 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:31,319 Jesus. 100 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:34,519 What this is is, this is our conditioner for summer. 101 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:37,919 All this side of the claim I've worked, it's all mined out. 102 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:41,519 So the air conditioner sucks the cold air up from underground 103 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:43,599 and blows it in here. 104 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:46,519 Something's gotten down one of the old shafts and died, 105 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:48,599 and it smells bloody horrible. 106 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:51,959 So, I'm gonna have to climb down this old mine here, 107 00:05:52,040 --> 00:05:55,079 and see what it is. 108 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:57,319 Ahh! Jesus Christ! 109 00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:00,999 Halfway into the season, the Bushmen are fighting hard 110 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:03,239 to reach their target. 111 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:07,039 Things are grim. You know, we do need to find some money desperately. 112 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:09,199 I'm worried a bit about Les. 113 00:06:09,280 --> 00:06:11,759 I know he hasn't had enough diesel to run his genny, 114 00:06:11,840 --> 00:06:15,199 so, he's had no electricity for a week or two. 115 00:06:15,280 --> 00:06:17,719 The hope is that we find enough money. 116 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:21,359 I need another vehicle, and soon as we get enough money, I'm gonna get one. 117 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:23,999 I hope to find enough colour to be able to go 118 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:26,399 and visit our kids and our grandkids. 119 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:32,239 Rod and Les are hunting the most prized of all opals - black opal. 120 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:36,199 The best stones can sell for $43,000 per gram, 121 00:06:36,280 --> 00:06:39,479 500 times as much as gold. 122 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:43,079 If we don't find it, well, we gotta tighten the belt a bit more. 123 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:47,679 But until the source of the smell at camp is found and removed, 124 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:51,439 Rod and Les won't be mining anything. 125 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:54,279 ROD: I'm not really happy about going underground here 126 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:58,039 because this is really dangerous ground, this little field. 127 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:00,399 I haven't been down there for years. 128 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:02,719 So, I don't know what it's gonna be like. 129 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,639 But I know it's not gonna be good. 130 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:08,079 LES: What's it look like down there? 131 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:10,919 Bloody awful. 132 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:13,999 Oh, I don't want to do this. 133 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:17,799 The ground here is very unstable, it's very wet. 134 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:19,879 Jesus. 135 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:22,399 The walls start to dry out, and as they dry out, 136 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:26,719 they shrink, and as they shrink, they develop those big cracks. 137 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:29,839 And all this is just the walls that have caved in. 138 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:34,159 If you're walking past, and one of those big rocks come down, 139 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:36,799 it's definitely gonna ruin your day. 140 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:38,959 You found anything yet? 141 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:42,639 I can't smell too much, but I don't think it's down this end. 142 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,839 Knowing what some mines go like, pieces falling out of the walls 143 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,239 and stuff like that, or the roof falling in, 144 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:50,639 you do worry, and try and keep a check on him. 145 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:54,279 Jesus. 146 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,359 It's a real dangerous mine, this. 147 00:07:56,440 --> 00:07:58,919 We don't work it anymore for that reason. 148 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:01,319 The smell's starting to get a bit worse, 149 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:03,599 so we might be getting a bit closer. 150 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:07,519 Jesus. It's a kangaroo. 151 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:09,439 Oh! 152 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:12,599 It's come down here and landed straight 153 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:15,239 on one of those steel posts we've got. 154 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:18,359 Drop the bag down? Yeah, mate, drop it down. 155 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:20,719 Here she comes. 156 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,119 I just wanted it to get in, get it and get out. 157 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:27,519 I didn't wanna hang around down there too long. 158 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:31,279 For the smell or the danger of the mine. 159 00:08:41,560 --> 00:08:43,559 Right-o! 160 00:08:45,560 --> 00:08:49,559 Well, we've got the kangaroo situation under control. 161 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:52,679 That smell's gone, and now we wanna do a bit of digging. 162 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:56,799 We go back and do what we were suppose to start this morning. 163 00:08:56,880 --> 00:09:00,679 Three kilometres from camp, at their latest mine, Bondi, 164 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:03,719 they've had a tip-off that valuable opal was found 165 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:07,519 in three exploration holes drilled here years earlier. 166 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:09,199 OK, Nige. 167 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:12,359 The story is that when it was drilled 20 years ago, 168 00:09:12,440 --> 00:09:15,399 really nice colour came out of this grouping. 169 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:20,319 They've already dug out one, but two more remain. 170 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:24,599 So, I'll get a compass bearing on where that is. 171 00:09:24,680 --> 00:09:27,479 Taking a bearing from one of their ventilation shafts 172 00:09:27,560 --> 00:09:29,439 to the location of the holes 173 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:32,359 should give them the direction to dig underground. 174 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:35,919 When I go underground, I stand straight underneath this hole. 175 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:39,959 When I get the same reading underground as what I've got here, 176 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:41,959 that's where we need to go. 177 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:46,639 Straight through here. 178 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:49,559 Hole. Hole. Yeah. 179 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:51,999 It will be pretty close. 180 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:54,439 We reckon that the exploratory holes 181 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:57,519 that we're looking for are a couple of metres that way. 182 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:08,199 I just have to move in a second, but it's looking all right 183 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:10,279 in that section there, mate. 184 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:13,599 Rod must use all his 40 years' experience 185 00:10:13,680 --> 00:10:17,239 to make the two-tonne machine delicately slice the earth 186 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:21,319 at a rate of just 30cm-an-hour. 187 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:25,079 With black opal worth up to $43,000 per gram 188 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:29,799 and scattered randomly, they can't afford to miss a single piece. 189 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:31,879 If you can get an opal the size of your thumbnail, 190 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:33,479 it'd be worth $30,000. 191 00:10:33,560 --> 00:10:37,719 Anything in that place? Hold it. Here we go. You ready? 192 00:10:42,680 --> 00:10:44,679 It didn't. Continue. 193 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:48,439 After several hours' digging, 194 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:51,199 Rod rechecks his compass bearings. 195 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:56,959 Oh...mate. 196 00:10:57,040 --> 00:10:58,799 We've strayed off course a little bit. 197 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:00,639 Just as well we're not out to see, 198 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:02,599 we'd definitely have a bloody battle. 199 00:11:02,680 --> 00:11:06,599 Ugh. Mate, move. Move. 200 00:11:10,560 --> 00:11:14,999 There's gonna be loads of scraps just left around on piles. 201 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:18,879 Stuff that people have missed. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. 202 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:21,119 In Opalton, Queensland, 203 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,279 British couple, Carl Grice and Mary McMillan, 204 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:27,399 are taking their very first steps as prospectors, 205 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:31,439 hunting surface opal in almost eight million square kilometres 206 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:33,239 of Australian outback. 207 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:38,239 There's gotta be something left at the top, hasn't there? 208 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:40,719 Former schoolteacher, Carl, has quit his job 209 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:43,079 to chase the opal dream. 210 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:45,159 It's a complete lifestyle change, 211 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:47,359 and the excitement of finding treasure. 212 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:49,599 Mary is a skilled jeweller. 213 00:11:49,680 --> 00:11:52,559 I create custom, opal jewellery. 214 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:54,639 When I came to Australia a few years ago, 215 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:58,279 I discovered Australian opal and just fell in love with it. 216 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:00,479 But they're both new to opal hunting. 217 00:12:00,560 --> 00:12:03,999 Their plan is to make a living, turning any stones they find 218 00:12:04,080 --> 00:12:06,079 into high-end jewellery. 219 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:09,319 I started having a go at cutting opal about a year-and-a-half ago, 220 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:12,799 and found that, actually, I was OK at it. 221 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:15,159 They've gambled all their savings 222 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:18,639 kitting out a second-hand camper van as their mobile base, 223 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:22,919 enabling them to cut and set opals wherever they find them. 224 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:25,439 We've spent all our savings setting up the van, 225 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:28,519 and it's a lot more than what we anticipated. 226 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:31,919 We borrowed money to buy it. This is every penny I have, 227 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,999 and money I don't have, and now I'm driving it down the road. 228 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:39,679 Their destination is the opal Mecca of White Cliffs, New South Wales 229 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:42,679 to hunt legendary opal pineapples 230 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:45,919 worth up to half a million dollars apiece. 231 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:48,479 It's a little mining community. Everyone's friendly 232 00:12:48,560 --> 00:12:51,679 and willing to help, and that's why we thought, 'Let's come back here 233 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:54,039 and get a lease and do some digging.' 234 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:56,959 But they've never mined a day in their lives. 235 00:12:57,040 --> 00:12:59,599 We've read a little, but we are complete rookies. 236 00:12:59,680 --> 00:13:01,919 With their debt growing daily, 237 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:05,599 Carl and Mary need to find opal as quickly as they can. 238 00:13:05,680 --> 00:13:09,159 Our target this season is... $100,000. Yeah. 239 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:11,239 That'd be good. 240 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:20,879 So, how much do you think we need to find? 241 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:24,119 I think to get us started in White Cliffs, We'll need at least 3,000. 242 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:25,879 Between 3,000 and 5,000. 243 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:31,039 We're gonna have to find at least one really good piece. 244 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:34,039 The first stop on their journey is Opalton, Queensland, 245 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:39,679 home of boulder opal, worth up to $20,000 per gram. 246 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:43,079 Boulder opal's probably my favourite type of Australian opal 247 00:13:43,160 --> 00:13:45,879 because I just feel it's a bit more fascinating, 248 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:47,959 it's a bit more interesting. 249 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:50,719 In the 1880s, hundreds of opal mines 250 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:53,359 covered this land until a dip in prices 251 00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:55,439 sent many miners bankrupt. 252 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:57,479 Now, with prices soaring again, 253 00:13:57,560 --> 00:14:00,999 Karl and Mary could be on the way to a fortune. 254 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:03,999 If we can find a few pieces we can cut into stones, 255 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:06,799 Mary can set a piece, and we could sell that. 256 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:11,999 But these remote opal fields stretch almost 1,000 square kilometres 257 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:16,719 and temperatures can hit a deadly 46 degrees Celsius. 258 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:20,439 In 2018, 13 people died 259 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:23,839 of heat exhaustion in the outback. 260 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:27,199 We're taking a chance, and this is a little part of that. 261 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:32,319 All these boulders on the side of the road. Can you see? 262 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:34,599 The ironstone as well, aren't they? Yeah. 263 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:38,199 In Queensland, with a $50 fossicking permit, 264 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:40,679 anyone can hunt for opal on the surface 265 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:43,199 of publicly designated land. 266 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:45,279 I reckon this is ironstone, Mary. 267 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:49,799 They're looking for boulder opal found inside ironstone rocks. 268 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:51,879 We're in the right place. Yeah. 269 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:54,159 And the ground is scattered with ironstone 270 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:56,879 that could hold opal that's been missed. 271 00:14:56,960 --> 00:14:59,919 It's slightly darker than all the other bits around, isn't it? 272 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:03,959 Yeah, that's the sandstone. You can see the difference. 273 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:06,439 We're managing to get our eye 274 00:15:06,520 --> 00:15:09,479 and spotting the ironstone pretty quickly. 275 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:12,759 It stands out from the sandstone quite significantly. 276 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:16,959 The tricky part now, is to try and spot a boulder that's got 277 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:20,479 potential colour in it from one that hasn't. 278 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:23,279 Oh, look. What is it? 279 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:27,079 It's quite cute, isn't it? Oh. 280 00:15:27,160 --> 00:15:29,879 It's just that milky blue. Yeah. 281 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:32,679 But all they're finding is common opal 282 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:36,639 with little or no colour, known as potch. 283 00:15:37,720 --> 00:15:41,079 Yes, that's the colour. That's really, really potch. 284 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:44,079 It's feeling a little bit like a needle in a haystack. 285 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:46,359 We're teased with the right signs. 286 00:15:46,440 --> 00:15:49,519 We get close with a little bit of potch, 287 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:53,399 but nothing that we can really usefully do anything with 288 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:55,879 has presented itself at the moment. 289 00:15:55,960 --> 00:15:59,439 It's pretty hard going with the flies, and the heat, and digging. 290 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:02,119 Do you think we should try somewhere else? 291 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:04,879 Maybe we should try and find something a bit more remote, 292 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:07,799 a bit more of an older dump. Let's go for it. 293 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:16,679 BAYDEN: They can't peg that. 294 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:20,559 My claim goes from there, and comes all the way through there. 295 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:22,999 At the Tunnel Rats' Grasshopper Mine, 296 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:25,559 Rival miners have pegged an unclaimed area 297 00:16:25,640 --> 00:16:28,999 right next to their most productive bit of land. 298 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:31,559 This is already pegged. No, it's not. 299 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:33,639 What do you mean? It's not pegged. 300 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:38,359 Bayden's convinced the rival's pegs are meters inside his own claim, 301 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:40,559 but dad Rodney isn't so sure. 302 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:44,479 So, the way I've pegged it, how I wanted to peg it, 303 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:47,639 was I had my peg coming straight through yours. 304 00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:51,039 Yeah, that's where it should have been. And that is how it his is. 305 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:54,759 No, it's not, because your peg 306 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:58,879 goes through on an angle like that. 307 00:16:59,960 --> 00:17:03,799 Bayden has mistakenly set his pegs at an angle, 308 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:08,399 and the rivals have legally pegged the land right next to him. 309 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:12,639 If the rich opal seam that has netted the Tunnel Rats $100,000 310 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:15,439 continues into the rivals' claim, 311 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:19,799 Bayden, Rodney and Leese will have just lost access to it. 312 00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:22,159 We're talking big money here. And this kind of... 313 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:25,639 It's just...you off to the point where you just... 314 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:28,959 I can't even explain. 315 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:33,399 I can't even explain. Oh, I just can't. 316 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:39,879 No-one's gonna take care our riches off us. Not Dad and I. 317 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:42,159 No. Worked too hard. 318 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:44,839 You see my peg here? Yes, son. 319 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:46,559 See he's pegged there. Yeah. 320 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:49,199 He can't do it. Yes, he can. 321 00:17:49,280 --> 00:17:51,679 For Bayden, after working this claim 322 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:56,079 for 17 years with little reward, it's the last straw. 323 00:17:56,160 --> 00:17:58,399 Come over here. No. Let's walk over here. 324 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:01,799 No, I don't want to go over there. I'm looking at my peg. 325 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:04,879 You've got to look where the other peg is. OK? 326 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:07,959 The only reason I probably even haven't done it... 327 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:12,799 It needs to come over more. That's what it is. 328 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:14,879 Yeah. 329 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:18,199 I've made a mistake. That was my first original spot 330 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:21,879 where I put my peg. But then, I had an angle. 331 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:24,559 Breathe. Breathe, honey. Breathe. 332 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:28,119 Just breathe. I was scared about it yesterday. 333 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:30,879 I was scared it was gonna happen. 334 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:33,439 Just breathe. Take big breaths. Come on. 335 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:38,279 They're still working in your claim, son. So, don't panic. 336 00:18:38,360 --> 00:18:41,839 That's why I wanted people to ... 337 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:43,359 Peg! 338 00:18:43,440 --> 00:18:46,599 Hey. That's why! 339 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:48,679 me, Dad. 340 00:18:50,240 --> 00:18:54,679 How many times did I say, 'Please look at my claim?' 341 00:18:54,760 --> 00:18:57,199 How many times, Dad? 342 00:18:57,280 --> 00:19:00,999 I said, 'Please, look at my claim.' 343 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:03,079 Son... You know it. 344 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:07,759 It's all right. You're still working in your ground. 345 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:10,559 All I wanna do is, we'll sell the opal we've got, 346 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:14,079 and I'm done here in Mintabie. I'm done. I'm done. 347 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:19,719 Son, all this ground through here 348 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:23,319 is the ground that is producing opal, OK? 349 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:26,319 Our drive's coming this way. 350 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:31,279 Here. Underneath. So, we're nowhere near 351 00:19:31,360 --> 00:19:34,079 anybody else's ground. 352 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:38,399 And they have just missed the run by 20 or 30 metres. 353 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:40,959 It's all right, son. It's all right, mate. 354 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:44,199 So, we're just gonna continue mining on our ground. 355 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:47,519 So, nothing's stopping me. 356 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,319 When you think that somebody's coming in 357 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:52,959 to steal your dreams... 358 00:19:54,320 --> 00:19:56,039 ..yeah, it gets emotional. 359 00:20:01,360 --> 00:20:05,239 Well, if it's silent in there, if we come back and go through there, 360 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:07,919 we should still hit the edge of it. 361 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:11,359 Deep in Bondi, their last remaining untapped mine, 362 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:14,239 the Bushmen have lost their way. 363 00:20:14,320 --> 00:20:16,319 I would've thought it was on this direction. 364 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:18,679 We keep saying we're looking for nine inchers. 365 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:21,319 What we mean by that is, 366 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:24,799 one of them, which is a nine-inch exploratory hole. 367 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:28,359 They're hunting a group of long-lost exploratory holes, 368 00:20:28,440 --> 00:20:30,559 rumoured to hold good opal. 369 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:33,439 That's what we're looking for. The three over there, 370 00:20:33,520 --> 00:20:35,519 they drilled up colour 20 years ago. 371 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:38,439 But Rod and Les have been digging in the wrong direction. 372 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:41,599 Bring this right forward and lay it forward. 373 00:20:41,680 --> 00:20:45,559 We were sort of going in that way cos we were following a nice seam, 374 00:20:45,640 --> 00:20:49,799 and we actually had to swing around about 45 degrees. 375 00:20:52,120 --> 00:20:54,959 Having struggled to find any good opal for months 376 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:57,039 and running out of fuel and food, 377 00:20:57,120 --> 00:21:00,679 the Bushmen need their luck to change. 378 00:21:00,760 --> 00:21:02,919 We could sure do with a payday at the moment, 379 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:05,959 the way things are going. So, we're really hoping 380 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:08,079 that this will be it. 381 00:21:09,160 --> 00:21:13,959 If we don't hit it soon, it's more goat stew and... 382 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:18,079 and just scabbing to try and get diesel to go back underground, 383 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:20,879 and keep on doing what we're doing. 384 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:24,839 LES: Shift your bloody machine out the road. 385 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:27,639 Well, that sounds a bit exciting. It is exciting. 386 00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:29,719 You've got it a little harder, flatter now. 387 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:32,479 It better be good, I'm telling you. 388 00:21:32,560 --> 00:21:36,199 Ho! There she is. Look at that. 389 00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:40,039 Not bad bloody black. 390 00:21:40,120 --> 00:21:45,479 We found an opal. It's not big money, but it's a real good trace. 391 00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:48,879 If you're not finding gem opal, this is the next best thing to it 392 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:51,599 because it's a really good sign 393 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:54,479 that you're leading up to something. 394 00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:58,119 ROD: For once, Les, the stories appear to be right. 395 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:01,079 It was in the truth section of the fiction section. 396 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:03,759 We might suck this out so I can get in here properly, mate, 397 00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:05,719 cos it is continuing. 398 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:08,199 I might be able to undercut it with the digger. 399 00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:12,759 To chase the opal, they first need to clear out the mined earth. 400 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:16,199 A powerful diesel-fuelled vacuum called a blower, 401 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:20,319 sucks up the excavated rock at a rate of four tonnes-an-hour 402 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:22,399 depositing it above ground. 403 00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:29,159 Guess what, Les? Not sucking? 404 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:32,239 Something's gone wrong. Oh, God, now what? 405 00:22:35,880 --> 00:22:37,879 The belts are off. 406 00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:39,959 The belts have come off the pulley 407 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:43,239 that powers the blower's 20-year-old vacuum pump. 408 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:47,639 Jesus. What else can go bloody wrong? 409 00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:49,839 We were sucking out, and all of a sudden, 410 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:51,919 the blowers stopped working. 411 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:54,319 It had spat all the drive belts off. 412 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:59,159 We're just getting so close to those nine-inch exploratory holes. 413 00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:02,079 And we're starting to get really nice potch with good colour. 414 00:23:02,160 --> 00:23:06,239 It's just that frustration in not being to get down there, you know? 415 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:08,519 See, it's cracked here. It's cracked there. 416 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:11,159 The pulley is broken here, its cracked through here, 417 00:23:11,240 --> 00:23:13,359 and it's not staying on the shaft. 418 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:16,199 We're just gonna weld the bloody thing up, and be done with it. 419 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:18,279 I know you don't wanna do it, but... 420 00:23:18,360 --> 00:23:20,799 Yeah, I know, because... No, I know. Don't tell me why. 421 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:23,679 Don't tell me what's gonna happen, cos I don't wanna know. 422 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:26,999 All I wanna know is, if you weld it there, 423 00:23:27,080 --> 00:23:28,999 it's not gonna kill either of us, is it? 424 00:23:29,080 --> 00:23:31,519 We won't be up here. No, OK. So what are we worried about? 425 00:23:31,600 --> 00:23:33,279 Let's just bloody do it. 426 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:38,879 Rod wanted to do the dodgy cos I'm not into that dodgy stuff much. 427 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:41,279 I'd sooner fix it properly. 428 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:47,279 You shouldn't do it, but didn't have much choice. 429 00:23:47,360 --> 00:23:51,079 So, I wanna keep digging. Yeah, we need some money. 430 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:53,759 Now we're ready to roll. 431 00:23:56,040 --> 00:23:58,519 Well done, mate. Beauty. 432 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:03,519 It's bloody good to be back at work, get a bit of digging done. 433 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:11,399 You reckon you can pass us the jackhammer, Les? Yeah, right-o. 434 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:15,479 There's a bit of bloody purply blue stuff here in the wall. 435 00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:17,559 Now, I've got a seam coming down there. 436 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:19,639 I've got another seam coming down there. 437 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:21,719 Then I've got a horizontal coming down here. 438 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:25,439 And where it all meets, that's generally where you find colour. 439 00:24:25,520 --> 00:24:27,559 You better get the lid off the colour tin. 440 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:29,439 We're gonna need it, I think. 441 00:24:29,520 --> 00:24:31,919 I'm getting that feeling. You got the feeling? 442 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:34,119 I've got the bloody feeling, mate. 443 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:36,199 You got your hand on it? 444 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:42,519 Bloody beautiful. I can see that from here. Yeah, look at that. 445 00:24:42,600 --> 00:24:44,879 Yeah, it's gotta be good. 446 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:48,679 This is just getting better and better. 447 00:24:54,200 --> 00:24:57,199 We've got a four-wheel drive. Let's do a bit of off road. 448 00:24:57,280 --> 00:25:00,279 See if we can find some old-timer's dig-ins. 449 00:25:00,360 --> 00:25:04,079 In outback Queensland, novice miners Karl and Mary 450 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:06,719 are hoping to find valuable Boulder Opal 451 00:25:06,800 --> 00:25:12,079 by sifting through the waste dirt from 100-year-old abandoned mines. 452 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:15,399 We've been told that having a scratch around in some of the old-timer dumps 453 00:25:15,480 --> 00:25:17,559 can turn up some material. 454 00:25:17,640 --> 00:25:19,919 Those boys used to throw valuable stuff away. 455 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:22,759 It wasn't valuable to them, but it is to us. Yeah, absolutely. 456 00:25:22,840 --> 00:25:24,839 But they've never mined before, 457 00:25:24,920 --> 00:25:27,239 and have so far found nothing. 458 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:30,039 We've realised just how much hard work it's gonna be. 459 00:25:30,120 --> 00:25:32,479 We scratched around, we got hot, we got sweaty, we've got 460 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:35,519 covered in flies and dusty, and really didn't turn anything up. 461 00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:39,319 It's a big expectations to turn up to a place you've never been before, 462 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:42,239 do something you've never done before. 463 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:44,999 They're now gambling what little they have left 464 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:51,479 on hiring a 4x4 to help them go even deeper into the harsh outback. 465 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:55,359 Well, this looks like it could be it. Brilliant. 466 00:25:55,440 --> 00:25:58,439 The further they go, the greater chance they have 467 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:03,079 of discovering old mine sites that haven't been thoroughly picked over. 468 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:07,919 These are really old dumps. They're probably 60, 70 years old. 469 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:10,439 So, the good stuff's probably been taken from the top. 470 00:26:10,520 --> 00:26:12,639 But there might be some treasure underneath. 471 00:26:12,720 --> 00:26:15,839 So, we're gonna dig down and see if we can find a bit more colour. 472 00:26:19,120 --> 00:26:22,439 We're going a little further down, and I'm just washing off 473 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:25,439 to help get some of the dirt off 474 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:27,719 so we can see if there's any colour 475 00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:30,119 inside any of these bits of ironstone. 476 00:26:33,040 --> 00:26:35,119 Hang a minute, Carl? 477 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:37,679 Look at that. Oh, look at that. Wow. 478 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:41,519 That's real colour. That's beautiful. Lovely. 479 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:44,159 Wow, look at that. 480 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:46,559 There's loads of little veins in there as well. 481 00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:48,839 That could face on the top there. 482 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:51,239 It goes all the way through. Wow. Yeah. 483 00:26:51,320 --> 00:26:54,679 If we come down on the face of that. Look at that. That's a stone. 484 00:26:54,760 --> 00:26:57,719 If the opal in this stone runs right through it, 485 00:26:57,800 --> 00:26:59,999 it will create a full opal face 486 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:03,279 which could be worth around $500. 487 00:27:03,360 --> 00:27:05,599 Have you got another bit? Yeah, hang on. 488 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:08,839 Were they all in that last shovelful? Yeah. 489 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:11,439 It all just came together. Oh, wow, look at that. 490 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:13,599 That colour's stunning. That's my favourite. 491 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:15,679 That's the green. Yellow-green. 492 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:18,199 I can't believe that just came out of there. 493 00:27:18,280 --> 00:27:21,079 Look at the brightness. 494 00:27:21,160 --> 00:27:23,919 That is so vibrant. 495 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:27,039 That's fantastic. Isn't it? We've got a stone to cut. 496 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:33,479 We've just found some really, really amazing colour. 497 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:37,239 Some really bright blue-green. 498 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:39,599 It might have a nice face on it. 499 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:42,159 So these are potential jewellery opals. 500 00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:44,479 These are the first cuttable stones we've seen 501 00:27:44,560 --> 00:27:47,719 since we arrived in Opalton yesterday. So, this is exciting. 502 00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:51,159 If I can cut those to their best, I think we got enough stones to cut. 503 00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:53,359 Do you reckon? Yeah, I do. 504 00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:55,199 If we can find a buyer for those, 505 00:27:55,280 --> 00:27:58,079 we definitely have enough to get set up in White Cliffs. Yeah. 506 00:27:59,480 --> 00:28:02,199 Back at their mobile base, the Poms will need 507 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:05,439 Carl's newly-learned skills at cutting stones... 508 00:28:05,520 --> 00:28:08,879 I'll probably be a bit cautious, not wanting to do the wrong thing. 509 00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:11,519 ..and Mary's skills at making jewellery 510 00:28:11,600 --> 00:28:14,239 to turn these rough stones worth hundreds 511 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:18,199 into finished pieces worth thousands. 512 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:20,639 There's a lot of sun spots in the face. 513 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:24,239 If those sunspots clear out, there's some beautiful colour underneath. 514 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:26,319 But it's very thin. 515 00:28:29,160 --> 00:28:31,159 Hope we don't lose the colour. 516 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:36,439 Oh. 517 00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:40,319 I think I've stuffed it up. 518 00:28:47,240 --> 00:28:49,639 She knows. She knows exactly. 519 00:28:49,720 --> 00:28:51,839 Lady, here. 520 00:28:51,920 --> 00:28:54,799 In Mintabie, rival miners have pegged a claim 521 00:28:54,880 --> 00:28:58,079 right next to the Tunnel Rats' rich opal mine, 522 00:28:58,160 --> 00:29:01,039 putting them on high alert. 523 00:29:01,120 --> 00:29:06,159 Just put the dog on the leash at the front there for security measures. 524 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:08,399 They bark at everything, and anything. 525 00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:12,239 So, anyone snooping around, she will let us know for sure. 526 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:15,239 Get going, buddy. Yeah, it looks like it. 527 00:29:16,680 --> 00:29:18,599 Yeah, it wants to. 528 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:20,559 Timber! 529 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:22,879 In just two months, they face eviction 530 00:29:22,960 --> 00:29:25,639 from their camp and mining claims. 531 00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:28,159 And now, with rival miners closing in, 532 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:30,799 it's a race to find opal. 533 00:29:30,880 --> 00:29:33,959 RODNEY: Every day, I feel that we're running out of time 534 00:29:34,040 --> 00:29:37,599 and I'm trying to look for ways to cut corners 535 00:29:37,680 --> 00:29:40,199 to get the dirt out faster. 536 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:42,759 Dad's gonna be homeless. I'm gonna be homeless. 537 00:29:42,840 --> 00:29:46,959 We need money to be able to buy another place. 538 00:29:53,560 --> 00:29:56,719 Like, it's trying. There's a fleck of red, but that's all. 539 00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:59,439 Up here, we've got potch and colour, 540 00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:01,719 and here we've got green. 541 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:05,159 We'll come in over the top and we'll drop it down. 542 00:30:05,240 --> 00:30:07,279 You don't want to get the jackhammer too close, 543 00:30:07,360 --> 00:30:08,959 or you'll smash up all your opal. 544 00:30:09,040 --> 00:30:12,519 Right-o, give us a hand. You all right? 545 00:30:12,600 --> 00:30:15,159 Oh, yeah, there's green up there. Oh, yes. 546 00:30:15,240 --> 00:30:18,519 Look at that. Look at that. Yeah. 547 00:30:19,600 --> 00:30:22,119 It's pay dirt, mate. It's pay dirt. 548 00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:25,479 All right, what do you wanna do? Green, blues, reds. 549 00:30:32,360 --> 00:30:34,759 Look at those pieces. 550 00:30:36,840 --> 00:30:38,999 You know, it just seems like... 551 00:30:39,080 --> 00:30:41,119 it just keeps on getting better. 552 00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:44,239 Chuck it in the drum, and let's get it all. Yeah, let's get it all. 553 00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:49,559 Bayden, look at that. Oh. 554 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:53,879 I can't see any there. No, I got it off with my hand. 555 00:30:53,960 --> 00:30:58,199 Look at that. Look at freaking... Yes! 556 00:30:58,280 --> 00:31:01,479 Yes! That's what I'm talking about. 557 00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:03,559 Yes! Yes! 558 00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:10,439 I'm nearly shaking! Yes! 559 00:31:15,160 --> 00:31:18,199 Yeah. We need another bucket. 560 00:31:18,280 --> 00:31:20,279 Oh, use the Bobcat. 561 00:31:20,360 --> 00:31:22,519 I think I'm bragging now. I think I might have 562 00:31:22,600 --> 00:31:24,319 to just start dumping in the Bobcat. 563 00:31:24,400 --> 00:31:28,039 It's the find they desperately need to move out of Mintabie, 564 00:31:28,120 --> 00:31:30,999 and keep their opal dream alive. 565 00:31:31,080 --> 00:31:33,519 The green just held off and held off and held off, 566 00:31:33,600 --> 00:31:37,039 and all of a sudden, it's like, 'Hey. It's time to pay you.' Come find me. 567 00:31:37,120 --> 00:31:40,679 And, mate, it's come at a good time for us, I'll tell you. 568 00:31:47,560 --> 00:31:49,559 Hope we don't lose the colour. 569 00:31:52,760 --> 00:31:54,759 Oh. 570 00:31:58,520 --> 00:32:00,519 I think I've stuffed it up. 571 00:32:00,600 --> 00:32:03,559 At the start of his dream journey to become an opal miner, 572 00:32:03,640 --> 00:32:08,439 British ex-schoolteacher Carl has made his first rookie mistake. 573 00:32:08,520 --> 00:32:10,679 I got overexcited, trying to get the sunspots out 574 00:32:10,760 --> 00:32:12,359 so I could see the colour, 575 00:32:12,440 --> 00:32:15,519 and I've taken both out. The colour, and the sunspots have gone. 576 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:17,599 We're just down to bare ironstone. 577 00:32:17,680 --> 00:32:21,439 With its high moisture content, opal is relatively soft 578 00:32:21,520 --> 00:32:24,599 compared to other gems, and is easily damaged 579 00:32:24,680 --> 00:32:27,079 by an inexperienced cutter. 580 00:32:27,160 --> 00:32:29,879 We only had two stones that looked like they were promising. 581 00:32:29,960 --> 00:32:32,119 So, we've got one left. That one has to work 582 00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:34,919 if we're gonna make any money. 583 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:37,959 I'm just letting the stone roll around, 584 00:32:38,040 --> 00:32:41,719 taking off some more of the ironstone and letting the shape appear. 585 00:32:41,800 --> 00:32:46,239 Jeweller Mary is already crafting $1,000 worth of gold 586 00:32:46,320 --> 00:32:48,319 into a ring for the stone. 587 00:32:50,120 --> 00:32:53,599 Because gold's quite expensive to buy, I usually just buy it 588 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:55,719 for each commission that I do, 589 00:32:55,800 --> 00:32:58,759 but I've got a little piece left over. 590 00:32:58,840 --> 00:33:01,439 We're just trying to make the opal fit. 591 00:33:04,160 --> 00:33:07,799 Mary, do you wanna bring your gold out, darling, and see if this fits? 592 00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:09,479 Yeah. 593 00:33:10,560 --> 00:33:13,839 That's gonna be a beautiful ring, isn't it? Yeah, well done. 594 00:33:15,680 --> 00:33:21,159 Opals are quite soft. As a gemstone, they're quite fragile. 595 00:33:21,240 --> 00:33:24,959 If there's a slight weakness in the opal, it can crack and break. 596 00:33:25,040 --> 00:33:27,839 So this is quite nerve wrecking. 597 00:33:32,200 --> 00:33:34,999 So I think that's almost there. 598 00:33:35,080 --> 00:33:39,879 It goes in there nicely, but it just, sort of, catches slightly. 599 00:33:39,960 --> 00:33:41,959 Carl. What? 600 00:33:42,040 --> 00:33:45,599 The opal's still too big. Are you kidding me? 601 00:33:45,680 --> 00:33:49,039 I need to have a bit of gold still on the outside of the back plate. 602 00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:51,279 That's gonna be a lot smaller, Mary. 603 00:33:51,360 --> 00:33:53,599 It needs to be like this on both sides. 604 00:33:53,680 --> 00:33:55,319 That's a lot. 605 00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:01,359 Usually, you start with the opal, 606 00:34:01,440 --> 00:34:03,439 and you cut the metal to the size of the opal. 607 00:34:03,520 --> 00:34:05,959 But because gold is hideously expensive, 608 00:34:06,040 --> 00:34:08,599 we've had to trim the opal to the size of the metal, 609 00:34:08,680 --> 00:34:11,279 which is just heart-breaking. 610 00:34:15,400 --> 00:34:17,679 Yeah, that'll do. Stop! 611 00:34:19,280 --> 00:34:23,799 So, now we've re-cut the stone, and I've filed the ring. 612 00:34:23,880 --> 00:34:26,439 So, now, hopefully, when I put it on there, 613 00:34:26,520 --> 00:34:28,639 it should stand up on its own. 614 00:34:28,720 --> 00:34:30,879 I've got a couple of pieces of solder here 615 00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:36,319 that will hopefully join the ring band to the setting. 616 00:34:39,520 --> 00:34:43,679 So, now, I've just got to heat it all to the same temperature. 617 00:34:43,760 --> 00:34:47,799 And then I'll pickle that for about 40 minutes. 618 00:34:47,880 --> 00:34:51,119 The ring is pickled in a solution of acid and water 619 00:34:51,200 --> 00:34:54,159 to remove residues from the solder. 620 00:34:54,240 --> 00:34:58,239 And finally, the opal is placed in its setting. 621 00:34:58,320 --> 00:35:02,279 It's the perfect size, which is why it's taken too long. 622 00:35:02,360 --> 00:35:05,519 Setting opals is quite dodgy 623 00:35:05,600 --> 00:35:07,759 because they're so fragile. 624 00:35:07,840 --> 00:35:11,839 When it just survives the whole process, it's really nice to see it. 625 00:35:11,920 --> 00:35:15,359 Karl and Mary have turned a $500 stone 626 00:35:15,440 --> 00:35:20,959 and $1,000 of gold into a piece they hope is worth over $6,000. 627 00:35:21,040 --> 00:35:23,439 The ring is 14 karat gold. 628 00:35:23,520 --> 00:35:26,759 $6,000 even sounds cheap, but we need the money. 629 00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:30,959 And Carl has polished five more lower quality stones. 630 00:35:31,040 --> 00:35:35,079 The stones, we'd like $1,000, but I'd probably ask for $1,500. 631 00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:38,919 In their first ever opal deal, Carl and Mary are meeting 632 00:35:39,000 --> 00:35:41,839 with experienced opal buyer, Erik Madsen, 633 00:35:41,920 --> 00:35:45,759 who travels the Queensland opal fields looking for stock. 634 00:35:45,840 --> 00:35:48,159 Good to see you, Erik. Mary, how are you? 635 00:35:48,240 --> 00:35:50,719 I'm an opal dealer from Sydney, and they mentioned to me 636 00:35:50,800 --> 00:35:54,839 that they have some nice pieces that they would like to show to me, 637 00:35:54,920 --> 00:35:56,919 and maybe wanna sell. 638 00:35:57,000 --> 00:35:59,279 So, we've managed to find a few pieces... Yeah. 639 00:35:59,360 --> 00:36:01,199 ..which I've cut and polished. 640 00:36:02,280 --> 00:36:05,079 So that's those there. Yeah. 641 00:36:05,160 --> 00:36:09,039 ERIK: Yeah, OK, that's a bit of... 642 00:36:09,120 --> 00:36:11,599 It's not worth a real big amount of money. 643 00:36:11,680 --> 00:36:15,199 I've also made a ring with a really nice opal. 644 00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:19,879 Oh, that's beautiful. 645 00:36:19,960 --> 00:36:21,999 So, it's 14-karat gold. 646 00:36:22,080 --> 00:36:24,159 That's our prize gem out of the lot. 647 00:36:24,240 --> 00:36:26,879 It's clean face. It's got all the colours. Yeah. 648 00:36:28,960 --> 00:36:32,839 And you like to sell the whole lot as one parcel lot? 649 00:36:32,920 --> 00:36:35,439 Ideally. So, how much are you looking at? 650 00:36:35,520 --> 00:36:38,159 We'd like $1,500 for the stones. 651 00:36:38,240 --> 00:36:41,159 And the ring's gotta be worth at least $6,000. $6,000. Yeah. 652 00:36:41,240 --> 00:36:43,999 Yeah. $7,500. 653 00:36:44,080 --> 00:36:47,679 You know, $7,500 for the lot, I think it's a bit high for me. 654 00:36:48,760 --> 00:36:51,199 I'm interested in it. 655 00:36:52,880 --> 00:36:56,319 I can give you $6,500 for the lot. 656 00:36:57,880 --> 00:36:59,879 What do you think about that? 657 00:36:59,960 --> 00:37:03,279 Erm... What do you reckon? 658 00:37:04,360 --> 00:37:07,519 It's less than what we wanted, but... Yeah, I think... 659 00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:09,719 Yeah, we need it, really, don't we? Yeah. 660 00:37:09,800 --> 00:37:11,919 Yeah, OK, $6,500. OK. 661 00:37:12,000 --> 00:37:14,519 Thanks, Erik. Thank you. Thank you very much. 662 00:37:14,600 --> 00:37:16,599 Their opal is boulder opal, 663 00:37:16,680 --> 00:37:19,759 cut and polished with one set in a gold ring. 664 00:37:19,840 --> 00:37:24,159 Worth $6,500, it's just the kick-start the Brits need 665 00:37:24,240 --> 00:37:27,599 to begin their new life as opal miners. 666 00:37:27,680 --> 00:37:31,839 This place has been really good for us. It's been a fantastic experience, 667 00:37:31,920 --> 00:37:35,639 and we're looking forward to moving on towards White Cliffs now. 668 00:37:35,720 --> 00:37:39,959 We've made enough money to help us set up our own mine. 669 00:37:40,040 --> 00:37:43,799 At least get some power tools, and lights for when we're tunnelling. 670 00:37:43,880 --> 00:37:46,319 We're looking forward to learning more about opal, 671 00:37:46,400 --> 00:37:48,719 a bit more about mining, a bit more about ourselves 672 00:37:48,800 --> 00:37:50,799 and having the adventure. 673 00:37:56,360 --> 00:37:59,079 There's a couple of bob, mate! 674 00:37:59,160 --> 00:38:00,759 Oh, yeah? Yeah, yeah. 675 00:38:00,840 --> 00:38:02,439 Where's the other half? Up here. 676 00:38:02,520 --> 00:38:06,039 After years of finding just enough to survive, 677 00:38:06,120 --> 00:38:09,279 the Bushmen's opal drought appears to be over. 678 00:38:09,360 --> 00:38:12,559 I reckon, Les, that this is gonna be a payday. 679 00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:14,959 I know the baked beans cupboard's nearly empty. 680 00:38:15,040 --> 00:38:19,079 Yeah. Oh, man, it's everywhere. 681 00:38:19,160 --> 00:38:21,719 I'm scared to dig it out, Les. It's been that long. 682 00:38:21,800 --> 00:38:24,959 Do you want me to get under it? No, it's too big for that. 683 00:38:28,160 --> 00:38:30,519 Oh, man. 684 00:38:31,600 --> 00:38:34,679 Digging colour out of the wall, there's no better feeling. 685 00:38:34,760 --> 00:38:38,639 For Rod and Les, opal fever has struck again. 686 00:38:38,720 --> 00:38:43,039 When you got the opal bug bad, it's the joy you get looking into it. 687 00:38:43,120 --> 00:38:46,319 Something about the colours do something to your soul. 688 00:38:46,400 --> 00:38:48,479 It's just so pretty. 689 00:38:48,560 --> 00:38:50,639 I love looking at opal. 690 00:38:50,720 --> 00:38:53,159 Oh-ho-ho! Les! 691 00:38:53,240 --> 00:38:55,599 I'd say that will go in the colour jar, mate. 692 00:38:56,680 --> 00:38:58,799 Yeah, this is a really good place. 693 00:38:58,880 --> 00:39:03,919 Hard work, trying to break all the bloody stuff 694 00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:08,799 you have to go through to find this, and here it is. 695 00:39:08,880 --> 00:39:12,359 Oh, man, what a feeling. 696 00:39:12,440 --> 00:39:14,559 I reckon you dream in black and white, 697 00:39:14,640 --> 00:39:17,319 but I know I dream in colour. 698 00:39:17,400 --> 00:39:19,879 Oh, ho ho ho! 699 00:39:19,960 --> 00:39:22,239 She keeps going. 700 00:39:22,320 --> 00:39:26,239 This here is as good as it gets for blue-green. 701 00:39:26,320 --> 00:39:29,039 You know, that could be a three-grand stone. 702 00:39:29,120 --> 00:39:32,479 Getting into some good money now. Look at that twinkle in there. 703 00:39:32,560 --> 00:39:35,559 It's gonna be a good payday when we cash it in. 704 00:39:35,640 --> 00:39:39,679 We'd have something different to eat than bloody beans and kangaroos. 705 00:39:39,760 --> 00:39:43,439 Beautiful stuff. I reckon we picked up 20 grand. 706 00:39:45,120 --> 00:39:48,599 The Bushmen have unearthed high quality black opal, 707 00:39:48,680 --> 00:39:50,999 mainly medium-value blue-green 708 00:39:51,080 --> 00:39:53,399 on an intense black base. 709 00:39:53,480 --> 00:39:55,879 They have almost 400 grams 710 00:39:55,960 --> 00:40:00,079 with an estimated value of $20,000, 711 00:40:00,160 --> 00:40:04,679 taking their season total to over $30,000. 712 00:40:04,760 --> 00:40:07,319 How good is that? That's real good. 713 00:40:09,200 --> 00:40:12,079 I'm feeling pretty, bloody good about 714 00:40:12,160 --> 00:40:14,399 all these bits of colours coming my way. 715 00:40:14,480 --> 00:40:17,959 Yeah, I do smile to myself, 716 00:40:18,040 --> 00:40:22,359 and I think it's really good. 717 00:40:22,440 --> 00:40:25,759 We hit $20 grand there this afternoon, which is fantastic. 718 00:40:25,840 --> 00:40:29,239 It's a lot of money, but I reckon there's bigger things to come. 719 00:40:29,320 --> 00:40:32,799 If this is the edge of it, you imagine what the good stuff's gonna be like. 720 00:40:32,880 --> 00:40:35,439 A bloody river in here, if this is only the edge. 721 00:40:36,960 --> 00:40:39,439 I'm thinking we're gonna hit it in this claim. 722 00:40:39,520 --> 00:40:42,839 This might be the claim that gets us all we want. 723 00:40:55,680 --> 00:40:58,919 Good morning, Robert. Good morning colour opal miners. 724 00:40:59,000 --> 00:41:02,279 At the Tunnel Rats' Mintabie camp, fellow miner 725 00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:04,759 and and international opal dealer, Robert Haanstra 726 00:41:04,840 --> 00:41:07,039 has arrived to value their recent find. 727 00:41:07,120 --> 00:41:09,159 How are you going, mate? Nice to see you. 728 00:41:09,240 --> 00:41:12,399 Robert goes to the region, and keeps an eye on the prices 729 00:41:12,480 --> 00:41:14,919 cos he also mines himself. 730 00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:18,239 So, I trust his judgment, for sure. 731 00:41:18,320 --> 00:41:21,919 Valuing opal is subject to a number of variables, 732 00:41:22,000 --> 00:41:26,199 including colour, size, brightness and shape. 733 00:41:26,280 --> 00:41:30,359 All righty, so, the two categories I've separated into 734 00:41:30,440 --> 00:41:34,519 is your top grade, which is all you're solid cutters here 735 00:41:34,600 --> 00:41:37,479 with a very bright bar along the top of it, 736 00:41:37,560 --> 00:41:39,879 and using the potch as your base. 737 00:41:39,960 --> 00:41:42,559 And this is the largest stone in the lesser grade. 738 00:41:42,640 --> 00:41:46,719 This one's more of a jelly, and you can see the comparison difference, 739 00:41:46,800 --> 00:41:48,799 where you've got a really dense pattern 740 00:41:48,880 --> 00:41:53,599 and very bright to a jelly, which is very grey in the lower grade. 741 00:41:53,680 --> 00:41:55,879 And you got a lot of smaller stones. 742 00:41:55,960 --> 00:42:00,599 Bear opal a mixture of lighter and darker Mintabie crystal. 743 00:42:00,680 --> 00:42:05,159 It's in the rough, and there is 800 grams of it. 744 00:42:05,240 --> 00:42:07,359 So how much have we got here, Rob? 745 00:42:07,440 --> 00:42:10,519 Well, for the four parcels, obviously, the top two are the best. 746 00:42:10,600 --> 00:42:13,359 The second two are very nice colour, but smaller pieces. 747 00:42:13,440 --> 00:42:16,879 I've come to a total general estimate of... 748 00:42:20,960 --> 00:42:22,919 $37,500. 749 00:42:23,000 --> 00:42:25,079 Yes! All right! Yes. 750 00:42:25,160 --> 00:42:27,719 So, yeah, I wish you the best there. That's awesome. 751 00:42:27,800 --> 00:42:31,399 I'm excited. Finally. High-five! 752 00:42:33,120 --> 00:42:36,639 LEESE: I think that mine has a lot more to give. 753 00:42:36,720 --> 00:42:40,079 Every time you have a look, you just seem to find something. 754 00:42:40,160 --> 00:42:45,359 The opal just seems to keep coming, one pocket after the next pocket. 755 00:42:45,440 --> 00:42:50,079 It just makes me so happy that I haven't wasted my life. 756 00:42:50,160 --> 00:42:52,479 That's something that we've been waiting for 757 00:42:52,560 --> 00:42:56,799 for a long, long, long time, to see it and experience it. 758 00:42:56,880 --> 00:42:59,159 Opal keeps on coming out, and all of a sudden, 759 00:42:59,240 --> 00:43:02,799 it's red, it's greens, its oranges, and all sudden it gets darker. 760 00:43:02,880 --> 00:43:05,359 And it's just... It's beautiful. 761 00:43:05,440 --> 00:43:07,439 I'm just hoping when it actually does make 762 00:43:07,520 --> 00:43:10,799 proper thick stuff, that's gonna be all black opal, mate. 763 00:43:12,400 --> 00:43:14,399 That will really be a lot of change. 764 00:43:17,640 --> 00:43:19,639 Subtitles by Deluxe 764 00:43:20,305 --> 00:44:20,642 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm