"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode #4.2

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:02,479 . 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:04,239 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 3 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:07,519 I haven't gone through all this for some other to get my money! 4 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:10,119 ..the Bushmen are victim to an underground robbery. 5 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,319 Hey, you . You dug my claim, mate. 6 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:15,399 No. Yes, mate. 7 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:19,599 New team the McFarlanes explore a condemned mine field... 8 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:22,279 Holy ! ..desperate to find opal 9 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:25,039 to repair their broken home. Whoa, whoa, whoa! 10 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,919 Dad, come up. CONNIE: Can you hear him? Can you see him? 11 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:30,199 What do you want me to do? Come and get us. 12 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:32,879 The Young Guns battle to find a new claim... 13 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:34,959 This spot is is what I think. 14 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:38,239 ..as their mine becomes too dangerous to work. 15 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:46,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 16 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:06,479 Well, let's hope we have a good day underground, mate. 17 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:09,439 Yes. We gotta be getting close to that good ground. 18 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:11,999 In outback New South Wales, 19 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:14,599 the Bushmen Rod Manning and Les Walsh 20 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:17,559 are closing in on a group of nine-inch drill holes 21 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:19,639 they believe hold opal. 22 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:24,199 The story is that, when it was drilled 20 years ago, 23 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:27,079 really nice colour came out of this group here. 24 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:29,239 If our measurements are right, 25 00:01:29,320 --> 00:01:31,999 we should be about three foot away from the ridge ground. 26 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:40,999 Whoa-ho-ho! I've just hit a nine-inch, Les. 27 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:43,799 That should be the start of the good ground just there. 28 00:01:44,960 --> 00:01:48,279 Hang on, that don't look right. No. That's more than a nine-inch. 29 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:50,919 That's a drive in there. Can't be a drive in there. 30 00:01:54,040 --> 00:01:56,039 It is a drive! 31 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:58,159 We should be nowhere near it. 32 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:00,559 No, absolutely nowhere near our boundary. 33 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:04,679 Rod and Les have just discovered a horizontal shaft, known as a drive, 34 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:07,079 illegally cutting through their claim. 35 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:13,439 They've come right in on that trail! 36 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:28,319 The Bushmen have lived for years off the grid, 37 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:30,679 with little money, in survival mode. 38 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,319 Last winter season was a shocker. 39 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:36,679 The summer season was a disaster for us. 40 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:38,839 We were broken down. 41 00:02:38,920 --> 00:02:41,199 I was thinking about it: "Yeah, it won't be long, 42 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:43,439 I'll be able to get myself another good car." 43 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:45,719 Don't know how far down the track that is now. 44 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:51,159 So far, Rod and Les have made $31,000 45 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:54,839 of their season target hunting black opal. 46 00:02:54,920 --> 00:02:58,039 With the money we got, we pretty much paid all our debts. 47 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:01,479 We've pretty much come back to square now. 48 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:05,479 With ongoing diesel, food costs and machine repairs, 49 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:07,999 the Bushmen have to find more opal. 50 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:11,399 Power keeps going out. 51 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:13,479 Lately, it's been going on and off 52 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:15,559 probably five, six times a day. 53 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:20,359 Rod's wife Amanda is also close to breaking point. 54 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:23,239 I'm stuck here in the middle of nowhere, with no power. 55 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:27,999 The generator that Les gave us, 56 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:31,439 it's old, it needs work. It's really affecting the power. 57 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:34,559 I promise, soon as we hit some opal, 58 00:03:34,640 --> 00:03:37,479 I'll get a new generator. I'm gonna hold you to that. 59 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,279 For us, our answer to just about everything is opal. 60 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:46,759 Hey, look at this! They've got a digger parked here. 61 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:50,999 They've come right through on our seam, Les. 62 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:54,319 Yeah? Right through to the back of where we're supp... 63 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:57,919 They've taken it all. Ah, someone's paying for this, Les! 64 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:09,159 Today it's going to be a bit of a busy day. 65 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:11,799 We're heading straight underground with the machine 66 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:13,919 and doing a bit of work, moving some dirt, 67 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:15,999 clearing our way through. 68 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:18,799 In White Cliffs, rookies the Young Guns 69 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:21,679 are battling to expand their new opal claim 70 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:25,039 with an expensive hired mini loader - a Kanga. 71 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:29,999 We've really stepped it up, getting the Kanga, 72 00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:32,599 but at the same time, it just means 73 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:35,079 we need to find opal even more now. 74 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,159 200 bucks a day is really taking it out of us. 75 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:40,279 We're not finding the quantity of opal 76 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:42,359 that we need to run it. 77 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:47,239 The Young Guns are digging out an old mine attached to their camp, 78 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:49,319 bought with their last savings. 79 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:54,679 But to reach the opal level they hope is buried deep within the mine walls 80 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:58,359 means clearing tonnes of dangerously unstable rock. 81 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:00,959 I reckon we'll dig pretty late today. What? 82 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:10,239 JC? Are you all right? Yeah, yeah, I'm right here. 83 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:12,319 What was that? 84 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:17,679 All this area here is old diggings. 85 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:20,399 I don't think this part's been touched in over 12 years, 86 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:22,839 so all that dry dirt, when that comes out, 87 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:24,959 it can just make cave-ins like that happen. 88 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:31,319 All in their early 20s, 89 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:34,119 team leader Jaymin, JC and Noah 90 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:37,319 have had a tough start to their first mining season together, 91 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:41,919 hunting crystal opal worth up to $25,000 a gram. 92 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,919 When I got the boys out here, I did have this idea in my head 93 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:47,399 that we'd kind of come out here, move a bit of dirt 94 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:49,519 and get rich the end of the day. 95 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:52,679 We can't just stop and just set up all our equipment in one area 96 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:55,759 and then just move as soon as you find another interesting hole. 97 00:05:55,840 --> 00:05:58,679 It's not about that. It's about checking our other options. 98 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:01,799 It's been a little bit of a wake-up check, I guess, for me, 99 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:04,599 just to come out here and seeing how much work has to go 100 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:07,199 into running this team, running the Young Guns. 101 00:06:07,280 --> 00:06:11,119 The rookie miners live in a sparse camp with no running water. 102 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:13,559 I just want a morning coffee. Are you kidding me? 103 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:19,119 'The biggest decision I ever made in my life is probably coming out here. 104 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:21,239 Everything's a bit harder than normal.' 105 00:06:22,280 --> 00:06:25,399 You have to grow up a lot, cos you're completely self-sufficient. 106 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:28,079 Where we are in terms of finding opal at the moment... 107 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:30,639 You know, it's not really the millions 108 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:34,279 or the fortune that Jaymin promised us in the beginning. 109 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:37,239 We're not pulling out heaps of colour at the moment. 110 00:06:39,840 --> 00:06:42,399 It started caving. What? Oh... 111 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:46,839 Bloody hell. Look at that. It still looks like there's a lot right around the top there. 112 00:06:46,920 --> 00:06:49,359 Obviously, that's not the size of the actual shaft. 113 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:51,439 Let's get down there and just clear it out 114 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:53,719 and maybe take off some of this. 115 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,799 It's always been my responsibility bringing the boys out here 116 00:06:56,880 --> 00:06:59,719 to this different life. I need to send them home safely. 117 00:07:01,040 --> 00:07:03,919 But as Jaymin clears away the landslide, 118 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,999 another threat begins to build from the Kanga exhaust. 119 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:10,159 There's smoke in here. Yeah. 120 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:14,199 Deadly carbon monoxide. 121 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:24,199 Some of the best opal in the ridge come out of this area. 122 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:26,279 Back in the day? In the day. 123 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:28,759 I think it's just a go. There's something about it. 124 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:31,279 It's a gut feeling - that's fine, but how safe is it? 125 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:34,719 Well, I won't really know until I get in and have a look. 126 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:37,759 In Lightning Ridge, outback New South Wales, 127 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:39,839 Gavan McFarlane, wife Connie 128 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:41,999 and 16-year-old daughter Teagan 129 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:44,839 are heading to one of the richest but most dangerous 130 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:47,759 mining fields in the region, Potch Point. 131 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:51,239 I was told that the neighbouring claim, 132 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:53,919 they got $25 million out of it. 133 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,919 We're here? We're here. We're ready to go? OK. 134 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,559 'I'm as keen as to get in there and have a go.' 135 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:03,119 So we got this one, one next door and the one here. 136 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:07,679 'Looking at the catch there, erm, surrounded by condemned claims.' 137 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:10,079 The mines close to Gavan's claims 138 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,599 were shut down ten years ago by authorities 139 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:14,679 after massive cave-ins. 140 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:16,759 'I never left anything structural there 141 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:18,959 to help hold the ground up and it collapsed.' 142 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:21,399 If it doesn't look safe, I'll be up straight away. 143 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:23,479 I won't hesitate. Keep on talking to me 144 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:26,559 so I can hear your voice, and I'll be happy. All right? 145 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:29,279 She knows about that, and her concerns are that... 146 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:32,479 that could potentially happen in this claim, as well. 147 00:08:32,560 --> 00:08:35,079 Righty-oh. I'm going down. 148 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:38,439 Well, don't be too long. No. 149 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:40,639 Oh... What? 150 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:44,039 Uh, it's just a bit of movement. Nothing. I've seen worse. 151 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:46,119 Righty-oh. 152 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,119 'When all else fails, burn the splitting block.' 153 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:54,159 Seven years ago, Gavan escaped the life of a software engineer 154 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:56,319 700 kilometres away on the coast, 155 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:58,399 to mine for opal. 156 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:01,319 I always wanted to come and visit Lightning Ridge. 157 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:03,799 When you see opal in the raw and in the rough, 158 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:07,319 it's that absolutely beautiful gem. I just fell in love. 159 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:10,719 'I think the treasure hunter in me was ignited.' 160 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:15,319 'I'm a city girl born and bred from the eastern suburbs of Sydney. 161 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:20,239 Yes, it's quirky, but it's great. It's a community that I'd, like, taken to grow up in.' 162 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:23,639 Everyone's out here, helps each other when anyone's in need. 163 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:26,279 I thought, "That's so much nicer than being in the city." 164 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:28,679 Welcome underground, my darling. 165 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:30,759 It's fun. I'm learning new things 166 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:32,839 and being with my dad 167 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:37,279 and having fun being down mine holes when I'm allowed to be down them. 168 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:39,359 Why go shopping when you can literally find 169 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:41,999 your own piece of jewellery and make it all yourself? 170 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:47,039 But the path to opal riches is a constant struggle. 171 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:50,439 We live completely off grid. All our power comes from solar. 172 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:52,959 I have to truck our water in from in town. 173 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:56,759 This is my room. 174 00:09:56,840 --> 00:09:58,839 I don't think you can call it a roof. 175 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:01,599 It's kind of just sitting there. Sometimes at night, 176 00:10:01,680 --> 00:10:03,679 some of the stuff just falls through. 177 00:10:03,760 --> 00:10:06,159 We've got gaps and breezes in places. 178 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:08,639 It's all money to seal it all up. 179 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:13,359 So in winter, we freeze to death and in summer, we overheat. 180 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:16,679 A new house would be good, eh, chicken? Yeah, a new house. 181 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:20,799 That would be so good - like, a bigger and better house. 182 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:22,839 Just more of our own space 183 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:25,079 cos we're all, like, piled in at one place. 184 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:28,399 I just want to make it a home. I want to make it comfortable for us. 185 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:31,519 To rebuild their family home, 186 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:34,319 the McFarlanes have set a modest season target 187 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,439 of $20,000. They're pinning their hopes 188 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:40,719 on famed Lightning Ridge black opal. 189 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:43,639 I'm driven to go to work to provide for my family. 190 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:47,039 Enough's enough. The means is to find some opal and get some money. 191 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:52,479 But Connie's fearful the previous miners 192 00:10:52,560 --> 00:10:55,999 left Gavan's new claim because it was too dangerous. 193 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:58,879 'They still can get caught in mine collapses 194 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:02,079 and all of that sort of stuff, so someone has to worry about it, 195 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:04,239 cos Gav's not worrying about it.' 196 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:07,999 Teagan's a teenager. She don't see it. I'm worried about it. 197 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:12,839 If we let that fear take over us, 198 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:15,559 we wouldn't even get in the ladders and go underground. 199 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:21,159 I'm at the roof now. OK. I can't see you any more, so make sure you keep on talking. 200 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:23,479 I'm here. You're all right. 201 00:11:23,560 --> 00:11:26,159 They've left a fair bit of gear here. Have they? 202 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:28,239 Gloves... Oh. OK. 203 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:30,919 ..bits and pieces, cords... 204 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:33,159 But they've just left in a hurry. 205 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:36,479 I think what's happened is that they've had side fall-ins. 206 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:40,159 And it scared them out. 207 00:11:40,240 --> 00:11:44,399 Don't panic, but it could be a bit of roof separation towards that... 208 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:46,639 Holy ! 209 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:49,319 Are you all right? What was that? Dad, come up. 210 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:51,999 Can you hear him? Can you see him? No. 211 00:11:57,080 --> 00:11:59,639 See? 212 00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:03,919 It's all gone. The whole lot - it's all gone. 213 00:12:05,680 --> 00:12:08,799 With their hopes of survival resting in one mine, 214 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:12,919 the Bushmen have discovered the rich seam opal they're chasing is gone. 215 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:18,119 Yeah. That'd be quite a few dollars, I would say, that come out of there. 216 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:21,079 Well, they don't cross boundaries for nothing, do they? 217 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:24,599 Well, that's right. Only if they're really on it and it's good . 218 00:12:24,680 --> 00:12:28,079 They've crossed the boundary by five or six metres, probably, 219 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:30,599 and that's where the pocket is - just behind there. 220 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:34,679 Can you imagine what they've got here out of all this? 221 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:37,399 Well, we can't do much about it, now they've taken it. 222 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:40,479 I haven't gone through all this 223 00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:42,999 for some other to get my money! 224 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:45,159 Taking ! I'm going to see him. 225 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:53,839 Rod and Les are heading to the makeshift camp of John Scheepers. 226 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:58,639 He's recently started mining the claim next door to Bondi 227 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:00,719 and is Rod's primary suspect. 228 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:04,399 He doesn't want to be on our mine. I can tell you, Rod, I'm furious. 229 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:08,319 Don't do anything stupid. 230 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:10,559 Hey, you ! 231 00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:14,799 You want to cross the boundary and dig my claim, you ? 232 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:18,999 Trucked your frame out. Good job I don't know what you're talking about, mate. 233 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:23,439 You dug my claim, mate. No, mate. Yes, mate! 234 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:27,439 Oh, he lost the plot, just about. I thought he was gonna kill him. 235 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:30,159 Settle down there, Rodney. Settle down? 236 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:32,639 Mate, I didn't dig any drive in your claim. 237 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:37,719 Yeah, it doesn't look fresh, anyway. I know, we get hot up the collar quick, but... 238 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,679 Yeah, it doesn't look like a... What do you mean? 239 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:42,839 The drive doesn't look like a fresh drive. 240 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:45,999 I haven't dug the drive there, mate. 241 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:51,239 I reacted before I actually thought about it, 242 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:54,319 and if I wasn't so wild and had a look at the drive, 243 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:56,919 I would have realised it was an old drive. 244 00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:00,239 It wasn't me, mate, honestly. That drive was there before I got there. 245 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:04,519 Where that dig is, I'm only starting digging there now. 246 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:08,359 I'll take your word for now, but it's only for now. 247 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:10,919 I'm gonna go and have a look. Yeah, I understand. 248 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:19,399 I think I've engaged the mouth before I engaged the brain, Les. 249 00:14:19,480 --> 00:14:21,479 Yeah. Yes. 250 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:25,879 'It turned out he wasn't at fault at all. It was the people he'd bought the claim off.' 251 00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:28,799 The old neighbour crossed the boundary 252 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:31,999 and came in on the seam that we were looking for. 253 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:34,079 He's taken it all out. 254 00:14:35,080 --> 00:14:37,679 We'll go and have a cup of tea. There you go. 255 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:40,559 Do you want a nip in it? It should be all right, mate. 256 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:43,199 That'll fire me up worse. 257 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:45,599 I mean, after all that bloody effort, 258 00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:47,759 all that trouble to get over there, 259 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:50,239 it's coming good, you're just getting good opal, 260 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:53,959 and bang! You find out someone... Someone's beat you to it. 261 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:57,999 With no money, part of Bondi gutted 262 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:00,079 and the opal taken, 263 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:02,639 the Bushmen are back at rock bottom. 264 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:17,999 I don't feel like I'm breathing in the best of air right now. 265 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:20,079 In White Cliffs, the Young Guns 266 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:22,279 are battling to dig a new drive 267 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:26,039 in search of an opal level in a tight, unventilated chamber. 268 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:31,599 Oi! What's up? 269 00:15:32,840 --> 00:15:36,319 What's up? Turn that thing off. Yeah. 270 00:15:36,400 --> 00:15:38,399 These fumes are getting too full-on. Yeah. 271 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:42,239 Vital for shifting dirt, their hired mini loader 272 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:44,439 is belching out deadly smoke. 273 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:47,119 But we're getting a little bit further underground now. 274 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:50,119 Before was all right, cos we still had all this space here, 275 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:53,239 but what do you reckon? Now that we stopped, I don't feel good. 276 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:55,319 I reckon we need to get out of here. 277 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:57,399 Prolonged exposure to diesel fumes 278 00:15:57,480 --> 00:15:59,479 and poisonous carbon monoxide 279 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,799 can result in organ failure and be fatal. 280 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:05,399 'I started to feel pretty sick down there.' 281 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:10,319 That's concerning, so now we're pretty stuck for things. We're not quite sure what to do. 282 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:12,399 I think we're gonna need to get, erm, 283 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:14,479 an extraction fan, a heap of ducting. 284 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:16,559 If we get it shipped out, can we afford 285 00:16:16,640 --> 00:16:18,879 to let the Kanga be sitting there for five days? 286 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:22,759 Erm... It's costing us, like, a grand just for it to sit there for five days. 287 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:24,919 We could find a nice spot to dig, I mean... 288 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:27,479 Yeah, we can have a look. We'll scout around the field 289 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:29,679 and see what's out there and then, of course, 290 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:31,759 we'll have to peg a claim, which will cost 291 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:34,079 another $200, or something. I can't believe... 292 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:36,159 We can't afford to let it sit there. 293 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:41,599 'It's basically gonna be me and JC gonna jump in the car, 294 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:44,359 have a look at the west field, some new area over there 295 00:16:44,440 --> 00:16:47,119 - I know there's a lot of opal cutting been happening - 296 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:51,999 to see if we can find somewhere we can use the Kanga above ground and start gouging.' 297 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:57,359 Oh, yep! Let's have a look down here. 298 00:16:57,440 --> 00:16:59,319 There, the whole thing's not pegged. 299 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:01,519 Just drive in down there? Erm, might as well. 300 00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:05,439 Oh, it looks kind of... We should have a look at this. 301 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:07,519 I'll try and get back here first. 302 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:21,959 Set, go! 303 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:32,079 No. I can't get any foothold. 304 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:40,919 Where are you? I just heard something drop. 305 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:43,119 Dad? Yeah, I'm fine. 306 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:45,919 Dad, come up. Hold on. Something's just fallen. 307 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:49,319 In Lightning Ridge, Gavan McFarlane 308 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:52,239 is down a dangerous, newly-acquired mine. 309 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:54,559 He's assessing whether it's safe enough to work, 310 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:57,199 as wife Connie and daughter Teagan watch on. 311 00:17:57,280 --> 00:18:01,159 It's fine for you. You know what's going on, we don't. Yeah, yeah. 312 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:03,719 'The earth's always moving. It's a fright. 313 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:07,239 It certainly scares you. Brings the hairs up at the back of your neck.' 314 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:09,319 I'm going in now. 315 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:12,279 With their family home in urgent need of repairs, 316 00:18:12,360 --> 00:18:14,999 Gavan has to find a new opal-bearing mine 317 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:17,319 to pay for the house overhaul. 318 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:20,119 He has his sights set on a shaft at Potch Point, 319 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:23,359 a rich but dangerous opal field. 320 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:26,719 There'd been a major fall-in where the big money was got. 321 00:18:26,800 --> 00:18:30,079 That could potentially happen in this claim, as well. 322 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:32,639 Wow! "Wow" what? 323 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:35,319 Nice slide. Nice slide? 324 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:37,999 Hm! What do you mean? There's been a cave-in slide? 325 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:41,759 No, no, no. Ground slide. Oh, OK. Good signs. 326 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:45,719 Slides or faults occur when rock separates 327 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:49,519 and silica, washed down into the cracks by water, 328 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:52,119 forms opal over millions of years. 329 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:54,839 You're confident that it's safe? 330 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:57,799 My gut feels that if it's worked correctly 331 00:18:57,880 --> 00:19:00,719 and all of the safety procedures are followed, 332 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:02,799 you know, I won't have a problem. 333 00:19:05,280 --> 00:19:07,519 I've gotta do this. Yeah, I know. 334 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:09,599 This one I gotta do, but... 335 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:13,199 I say there's a lot of risk. It's a gamble I think all opal miners take. 336 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:16,279 The run could be right in here and they've missed it altogether. 337 00:19:16,360 --> 00:19:19,759 Oh, perfect. Left there for us? Us. Exactly. 338 00:19:19,840 --> 00:19:22,639 It's our turn. This is the one? This is the one. 339 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:25,559 OK. Might give Pete a ring, see what he's doing. 340 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:28,759 I'll see if I can get him up here today. 341 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:32,719 'Peter Driscoll - he's been in the area 30-odd years more. 342 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:36,079 He knows all the fields like the back of his hand. 343 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:39,639 To have a partner, especially who understands 344 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:42,359 what can happen and what to look for and all that, 345 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:44,439 is extremely important.' 346 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:47,759 As long as you've got props in there, it's as safe as houses, mate. 347 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:52,199 The first four rules of mining are: one, two, three, four - all safety. 348 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:56,639 With no crane, Gavan's employed 349 00:19:56,720 --> 00:20:00,319 fellow Lightning Ridge opal hunters Pete Cooke and Sam Westra 350 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:05,599 to get his machinery, including a second-hand one-tonne digger, down the shaft. 351 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:08,639 We're gonna try and get it down without catching on the wall 352 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:10,359 or snagging on the collar. 353 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:12,399 I need millimetre directions. 354 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,479 But anyway, we'll see how we go. 355 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:25,199 The six-metre shaft is only 90 centimetres wide. 356 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:30,479 Righto. Can you come down? Yeah, I'm good. 357 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:32,719 Yeah, we're good. 358 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:35,679 Whoa, whoa, whoa! Whoa, blue! 359 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:38,479 Ah, hang on. It got me in a pickle. Get it upright. 360 00:20:38,840 --> 00:20:41,399 Tug? Yes, please. 361 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:44,479 We're gonna have to put the legs on out here. 362 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:46,559 Righto. Holding there, brother. 363 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:51,119 Can you just hold it from swinging? No, I'll pin it. 364 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:54,359 With the digger hanging by 14-millimetre cables, 365 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:57,199 Gavan must crawl underneath the one-tonne machine 366 00:20:57,280 --> 00:20:59,279 to attach the legs and arm... 367 00:20:59,360 --> 00:21:01,359 and hope the crane holds. 368 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:04,039 This is the part of the job I hate, 369 00:21:04,120 --> 00:21:06,319 getting underneath of this pin. 370 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:08,399 The pin itself, I've been on a... 371 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:11,079 ..with a mate's digger, and it's taken hours. 372 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:14,959 We had to get sledgehammers and all sorts of wonderful things in. 373 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:18,399 Pete's Crane has already cost $150. 374 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:21,879 With the day almost gone, Gavan needs to complete the job. 375 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:24,479 I can finish this off now. 376 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:26,919 That's it. That's wonderful. 377 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:29,079 Woo! Yeah. 378 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:33,639 Ah! Success! 379 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:37,279 That was good, eh? Nothing to it, mate. 380 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:40,879 'In the original line, they found millions 381 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:43,039 and millions of dollars with this digger, 382 00:21:43,120 --> 00:21:45,159 so it's my turn.' 383 00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:50,999 Welcome home. Find some gems. 384 00:21:56,080 --> 00:21:58,239 The people crossing our boundary 385 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:01,959 and taking our big pocket was a major disappointment, 386 00:22:02,040 --> 00:22:04,279 but next week, we could be flush, you know? 387 00:22:04,360 --> 00:22:07,039 The Bushmen need to get back on their feet 388 00:22:07,120 --> 00:22:10,959 after long-gone miners illegally dug part of their claim, 389 00:22:11,040 --> 00:22:13,559 clearing it out of opal. 390 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:16,559 You'll have a bit of tin lying around somewhere, won't you, Les? 391 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:19,839 In Les's backyard scrap yard... 392 00:22:19,920 --> 00:22:22,679 That'll do. ..they're looking for fencing material 393 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:25,039 to clearly mark their claim's boundary. 394 00:22:26,280 --> 00:22:28,279 All we do is opal mine, 395 00:22:28,360 --> 00:22:30,719 so we don't find opal, we don't have any money. 396 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:35,039 'If we find opal, it means Les can have a car. 397 00:22:35,120 --> 00:22:37,119 He can go to town when he wants to. 398 00:22:38,120 --> 00:22:40,119 We need a lot of things. 399 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:42,799 New solar batteries... 400 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:48,319 And Amanda's been asking for a new generator for a long time.' 401 00:22:48,720 --> 00:22:51,399 If we find opal, it means we get all that stuff. 402 00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:53,479 All right, coming down. 403 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:06,959 'Me and Les work pretty well together because he has his way 404 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:09,519 and I have my way, and we meet in the middle.' 405 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:11,799 Don't throw it through the hole. 406 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:13,879 you! 407 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:16,919 'We generally get through things.' 408 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:18,759 That'll do. 409 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:21,319 The fence ensures new neighbouring miner John 410 00:23:21,400 --> 00:23:24,399 knows exactly where the boundary is between claims. 411 00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:27,039 'That fellow next door that I ripped into, 412 00:23:27,120 --> 00:23:29,559 it wasn't his fault, he didn't do it. 413 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:32,119 The people that done it are long gone. 414 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:34,839 They've taken our promise away. 415 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:36,919 That's where it was all supposed to be.' 416 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:38,999 You can imagine how much money, 417 00:23:39,080 --> 00:23:41,519 potentially, they could have got out of there. 418 00:23:41,600 --> 00:23:47,119 It's all part of opal mining. If you can't handle disappointment this isn't a job for you. 419 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:53,719 It's not the end of everything here at Bondi. 420 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:55,799 We'll find it again. 421 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:59,039 Just gotta head in another direction. We now know where it isn't. 422 00:23:59,120 --> 00:24:01,199 There's no point going any further that way, 423 00:24:01,280 --> 00:24:03,279 so we brought the digger back out. 424 00:24:03,360 --> 00:24:05,599 We're going to skim down this side wall. 425 00:24:07,600 --> 00:24:10,959 This might be the seam that they came in on 426 00:24:11,040 --> 00:24:13,479 and we might get a little bit of colour out of this. 427 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:21,399 Oh, that's a big piece of black! 428 00:24:21,480 --> 00:24:24,479 They might have left us a bit, Les. Woo, yeah! 429 00:24:28,240 --> 00:24:30,239 It's not even that bloody steep! 430 00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:33,239 And I can't move the car back out. 431 00:24:33,320 --> 00:24:36,079 In search of a new mine to dig for opal, 432 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:39,159 the broke Young Guns have balked their car. 433 00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:44,319 I can just smell my tyres! 434 00:24:47,560 --> 00:24:50,319 'Probably wasn't the best idea driving down here. 435 00:24:50,400 --> 00:24:52,959 I thought it'd be fine, reversing back out.' 436 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:55,119 We have so much costs already, 437 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:57,999 and now stuff like this happens and it just wears you down. 438 00:24:58,080 --> 00:25:00,959 Wanna have a look? No, I want to just go back! 439 00:25:05,080 --> 00:25:08,799 300 metres away from their camp, Noah is on foot, 440 00:25:08,880 --> 00:25:11,999 also looking for a new opal hotspot. 441 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:14,079 I was looking for a spot 442 00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:16,359 that hasn't already been pegged, claimed. 443 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:18,879 Makes it a little bit more difficult to find a spot. 444 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:21,519 The Young Guns' existing mine is off limits 445 00:25:21,600 --> 00:25:23,599 until a ventilation fan arrives 446 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:27,359 to remove diesel exhaust, making it safe to work. 447 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:29,799 I've been walking around for a while now. 448 00:25:29,880 --> 00:25:32,399 You know, a lot of it is just not big enough 449 00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:35,039 to fit the Kanga around here. 450 00:25:35,120 --> 00:25:38,479 The Kanga is the Young Guns' digging workhorse. 451 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:41,319 It's costing them $200 a day to hire. 452 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:45,239 Noah needs to find an area that's shallow 453 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:48,239 and easily accessible. Oh, well, have a look at that. 454 00:25:49,280 --> 00:25:52,959 This looks really good. It even looks like it has a nice little ramp in there. 455 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:55,639 It looks like they were using some sort of mini loader 456 00:25:55,720 --> 00:25:58,639 or a machine to get right in here. 457 00:25:58,720 --> 00:26:00,719 Look at all these rocks. 458 00:26:02,040 --> 00:26:04,119 Oh, wow! So here, look at that. 459 00:26:04,200 --> 00:26:06,719 There's really blue opal in that rock there. 460 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:11,359 That's all my water. Look at that! 461 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:14,599 This is a good sign - really good. It looks really nice, as well. 462 00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:16,879 It's a really nice colour. Really nice blue. 463 00:26:16,960 --> 00:26:19,839 I mean, the spot is almost perfect, 464 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:21,959 I think, in my opinion. 465 00:26:23,440 --> 00:26:26,359 So just heading back to the camp now. Gonna surprise them. 466 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:29,399 With all this opal in this spot, hopefully they're, uh, 467 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:32,039 as excited as I am about it. "Where are you, mate?" 468 00:26:32,120 --> 00:26:34,799 Maybe they're already here. Hey, how you going? 469 00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:40,519 "Not good. Jaymin's got us bloody stuck." Stuck? 470 00:26:40,600 --> 00:26:44,519 "Yeah, what do you want me to do?" "We need you to..." 471 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:46,759 We need you to come and get us. 472 00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:55,039 Yeah, I think I'm almost there. I think I can see you guys. 473 00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:59,799 Are you ready? Yeah. On three. 474 00:27:00,120 --> 00:27:02,119 One, two, three. 475 00:27:07,400 --> 00:27:10,519 I don't know what we do. I think we're gonna need someone else 476 00:27:10,600 --> 00:27:12,719 to help us push it out or either pull it out 477 00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:14,799 with some straps, or something, 478 00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:16,919 but if we had at least another person, 479 00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:19,119 we'd be able to push it straight back out. 480 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:23,039 I'm hot. 481 00:27:23,120 --> 00:27:25,439 Noah's van doesn't have the power 482 00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:27,519 to pull the bogged vehicle out. 483 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:33,559 The Young Guns decide to wait for anyone passing by. 484 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:41,679 Oh, you hear that? How you going, boys? 485 00:27:41,760 --> 00:27:46,159 How you doing? Can you see down there? 486 00:27:46,240 --> 00:27:48,239 You're a bit stuck, eh? 487 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:50,519 We got our car a little bit stuck down there. 488 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:55,199 If we can just get a couple of people pushing, that'd be sweet. All right. We'll get onto it. 489 00:27:55,280 --> 00:27:57,279 Thanks, mate. Absolute champions. 490 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:03,639 On three. One, two, three. 491 00:28:03,720 --> 00:28:06,759 Now let it rock forward a bit. Let it rock forward a bit. 492 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:11,599 Yeah, that's it, go on! Get up there! 493 00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:15,719 That's it! 494 00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:18,959 Go on, mate! 495 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:28,359 Thanks a lot, boys. No worries. Cheers, man. No worries. 496 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:32,279 Don't know what we would have done if you guys didn't rock up, man. 497 00:28:32,360 --> 00:28:34,359 With an entire day lost, 498 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:37,079 the Young Guns need to make a decision. 499 00:28:37,160 --> 00:28:41,519 Is Noah's find worth paying $230 for a mining lease? 500 00:28:44,320 --> 00:28:47,799 Where did you find the opal? Just down there. There? Yes. 501 00:28:47,880 --> 00:28:50,319 If you found opal there, that's all that matters. 502 00:28:50,400 --> 00:28:52,959 We can definitely bring the Kanga down the ramps. 503 00:28:53,040 --> 00:28:55,319 But if we're gonna do some digging, 504 00:28:55,400 --> 00:28:57,479 we're going to need to peg it. Hm. 505 00:28:57,560 --> 00:29:00,519 That's going to cost us. Yeah, $200 or so. 506 00:29:01,800 --> 00:29:05,679 The last of their money is reserved for food and fuel. 507 00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:08,639 The Young Guns gamble it all on Noah's find. 508 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:10,999 That about cover it? I think that'll do it. 509 00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:13,079 This spot of yours better bloody pay off! 510 00:29:22,640 --> 00:29:26,519 Always in the beginning it's cramped, getting my head where I'm gonna start work. 511 00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:30,599 I think I'll start that end. At notorious Potch Point, 512 00:29:30,680 --> 00:29:33,479 Gavan and mate Pete are setting up a new mine 513 00:29:33,560 --> 00:29:35,959 in a claim abandoned for ten years. 514 00:29:36,040 --> 00:29:39,439 Fairly underworked, talking to some of the guys that worked up here. 515 00:29:39,520 --> 00:29:42,079 They've all said to me that the potential's there. 516 00:29:43,200 --> 00:29:46,079 Millions have been made in surrounding claims, 517 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:50,319 but dangerous mining practices causing massive roof collapses 518 00:29:50,400 --> 00:29:52,919 shut most of them down. 'In the beginning, 519 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:56,159 there's a risk of it falling where the walls have dried, 520 00:29:56,240 --> 00:29:59,399 because the drives have been open for so many years.' 521 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:02,519 The ultimate price anyone can pay in this game is death, 522 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:07,119 so we're putting as much safety and precaution as we can 523 00:30:07,200 --> 00:30:09,359 to stop anything like that happening to us. 524 00:30:09,440 --> 00:30:13,159 Gavan's hoping to find opal to repair the family home 525 00:30:13,240 --> 00:30:15,439 for daughter Teagan and wife Connie. 526 00:30:15,520 --> 00:30:17,559 Could mean a roof. 527 00:30:17,640 --> 00:30:20,559 It could mean walls and more doors 528 00:30:20,640 --> 00:30:23,159 and a little bit more luxury out here. 529 00:30:24,320 --> 00:30:27,159 Down the mine, the first step is to reinforce 530 00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:30,679 weak points in the sandstone walls with pinewood struts. 531 00:30:30,760 --> 00:30:32,959 I need to get it firm in there. 532 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:35,519 Where's that cheap pick? Might come in real handy. 533 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:37,599 I'm beginning to think that... 534 00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:43,839 Did you hear that? Oh, I did hear that. 535 00:30:43,920 --> 00:30:46,559 Opal! I'm not exactly mining, 536 00:30:46,640 --> 00:30:49,799 but I'm trying to make a bit of an area, so I can get this timber in, 537 00:30:49,880 --> 00:30:52,559 and I heard a little chink there before. 538 00:30:54,720 --> 00:30:57,399 That's the noise I used to listen for in the old days. 539 00:30:57,480 --> 00:30:59,479 Thud, thud, chink! 540 00:30:59,560 --> 00:31:02,479 And it's like metal hitting glass. 541 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:06,239 Now, whether it could have been just this tiniest bit of trace... 542 00:31:06,320 --> 00:31:08,439 With the promise of opal in the wall, 543 00:31:08,520 --> 00:31:10,799 Gavan is keen to get on the digger. 544 00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:16,319 We're just trying to get the digger into position so we can start work. 545 00:31:16,400 --> 00:31:19,799 It's too close to the edge of the hole. We gotta move it back a bit. 546 00:31:19,880 --> 00:31:23,839 And the roof ram goes up all the way up to the roof and holds the whole thing steady. 547 00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:30,879 But in the small eight-metre-square mine, 548 00:31:30,960 --> 00:31:34,559 the hydraulic arm can't extend far enough out to dig. 549 00:31:35,880 --> 00:31:38,599 It's tight. 550 00:31:38,680 --> 00:31:42,519 I'm limited in movement in my digger. 551 00:31:46,120 --> 00:31:48,519 Gavan gouges away at the rock face, 552 00:31:48,600 --> 00:31:50,639 trying to give the machine some room. 553 00:31:50,720 --> 00:31:52,719 A painstaking task 554 00:31:52,800 --> 00:31:54,879 that still produces a pile of dirt. 555 00:31:54,960 --> 00:31:58,719 It's amazing how it doesn't look like very much has come down out of that wall, 556 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:01,759 but we've got a pile of dirt in front of us to clean up. 557 00:32:01,840 --> 00:32:03,839 Then we can get into that roof. 558 00:32:05,480 --> 00:32:07,839 For the digger to be moved closer to the wall, 559 00:32:07,920 --> 00:32:11,639 first the loose sandstone needs to be shifted. 560 00:32:11,720 --> 00:32:15,399 Even in this dirt, valuable opal could be hidden. 561 00:32:15,480 --> 00:32:18,119 Gavan and Pete need to get it to their agitator 562 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:20,199 for the sandstone to be washed. 563 00:32:21,280 --> 00:32:23,279 Opal can be anywhere. 564 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:26,039 The old saying is that you can move 10,000 tonnes of dirt 565 00:32:26,120 --> 00:32:28,479 and it wouldn't make enough money to buy you lunch, 566 00:32:28,560 --> 00:32:31,359 or you can move two wheelbarrowfuls and be a millionaire. 567 00:32:31,440 --> 00:32:34,039 And that's how it happens. 568 00:32:41,840 --> 00:32:44,399 Keep on digging, mate. We're close. 569 00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:47,399 Smell that? Oh, that's colour! 570 00:32:48,920 --> 00:32:51,839 In their Bondi mine, the Bushmen are chasing 571 00:32:51,920 --> 00:32:54,199 what's left of a stolen opal seam. 572 00:32:56,680 --> 00:32:59,439 We're hoping that there's a little bit in this side wall 573 00:32:59,520 --> 00:33:01,839 and trying to salvage what we can 574 00:33:01,920 --> 00:33:04,079 out of the area that's gone. 575 00:33:05,160 --> 00:33:08,559 With ongoing diesel, repair and living costs, 576 00:33:08,640 --> 00:33:11,599 to survive, they need to find opal soon. 577 00:33:11,680 --> 00:33:13,879 No, not there yet. I'll just see. 578 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:16,959 No colour? No. 579 00:33:18,160 --> 00:33:20,679 'Someone's coming over the boundary and taken it, 580 00:33:20,760 --> 00:33:24,319 it blows all your dreams apart and what you was gonna do with that money.' 581 00:33:25,680 --> 00:33:28,639 You just have to pick yourself up 582 00:33:28,720 --> 00:33:30,719 and just keep on digging. 583 00:33:30,800 --> 00:33:32,799 Are you ready? Yeah. 584 00:33:34,360 --> 00:33:36,359 I'll just bust that out. 585 00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:44,919 Stop, stop, stop! 586 00:33:46,120 --> 00:33:48,799 Right, hang on. Hang on, you hold it there. 587 00:33:49,080 --> 00:33:53,199 Cor, that's nice! Told you I could smell it, didn't I, eh? 588 00:33:53,280 --> 00:33:57,519 Come on, baby. Come on. We're getting a new generator! 589 00:33:57,600 --> 00:34:00,119 Oh, ho, ho! You ready? Yeah. 590 00:34:01,440 --> 00:34:03,799 BOTH: Whoa! 591 00:34:03,880 --> 00:34:05,959 That's good. 592 00:34:06,040 --> 00:34:08,079 Oh, look at it! 593 00:34:08,160 --> 00:34:11,359 Blue, green... Put it in the washing machine 594 00:34:13,000 --> 00:34:15,199 All right, mate. Let's get this bit here out. 595 00:34:19,200 --> 00:34:22,319 Oh! Beautiful, mate. There you go. 596 00:34:24,440 --> 00:34:26,999 Some good there, Les. Yeah, that's money. 597 00:34:27,080 --> 00:34:29,479 That's money, mate. So much of it's on black. 598 00:34:29,560 --> 00:34:31,599 Look at that - that's a nice piece there. 599 00:34:31,680 --> 00:34:34,959 That's a good piece! Beautiful greens! What do you reckon? 600 00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:37,799 I reckon we'd have to be up around the 20. Don't you? 601 00:34:37,880 --> 00:34:40,239 I'd reckon. 602 00:34:40,320 --> 00:34:44,039 The disappointment of them coming through and taking most of the seam, 603 00:34:44,120 --> 00:34:47,639 me going over and seeing the bloke and jumping up and down like a goose... 604 00:34:47,720 --> 00:34:52,519 All that frustration, all that anger - it's all gone now, cos we're on colour. 605 00:34:52,600 --> 00:34:54,999 You know, it just makes such a difference. 606 00:34:55,080 --> 00:34:57,439 The Bushmen have found black opal. 607 00:34:57,520 --> 00:34:59,919 It's medium-quality in the rough. 608 00:35:04,320 --> 00:35:07,519 They're hoping to get $15,000 for the package. 609 00:35:10,520 --> 00:35:13,639 'We heard this bloke was up at the dump, buying. 610 00:35:13,720 --> 00:35:16,959 I hadn't dealt with him before, he's an American fella.' 611 00:35:17,040 --> 00:35:20,399 Dealer and cutter Jim Runkle travels the world 612 00:35:20,480 --> 00:35:23,719 buying opal for his high-end jewellery design business. 613 00:35:23,800 --> 00:35:26,119 'We're a bit apprehensive, cos obviously 614 00:35:26,200 --> 00:35:28,479 we want the most for them that we can get, 615 00:35:28,560 --> 00:35:30,799 and he wants the less for them that he can get.' 616 00:35:30,880 --> 00:35:32,959 Hey, Jim. Hey. How are you, mate? 617 00:35:33,040 --> 00:35:35,519 That's Les. Nice to meet you. Jim here. 618 00:35:35,600 --> 00:35:37,839 You wanna have a look at that? Yeah. 619 00:35:48,520 --> 00:35:50,599 It's not too bad. 620 00:35:50,680 --> 00:35:53,599 I guess it all depends on what you're asking for it. 621 00:35:53,680 --> 00:35:56,039 Well, had a good look through it 622 00:35:56,120 --> 00:35:58,959 and I reckon a fair price is 20 grand. Hm. 623 00:36:00,600 --> 00:36:03,719 'When you don't know the buyer, it's a little bit tougher, 624 00:36:03,800 --> 00:36:06,119 cos they always argue.' 625 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:08,479 Tell you what, I can see 15 in it. 626 00:36:08,560 --> 00:36:10,999 I'm sure you can 627 00:36:11,080 --> 00:36:13,799 Are you doing five? Hm... 628 00:36:13,880 --> 00:36:15,879 I'll tell you what, I'll go 16. 629 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:19,359 I'll tell you what, if you go 17, we got a deal. 630 00:36:20,880 --> 00:36:24,039 How about if I meet you in the middle? $16,500. 631 00:36:24,120 --> 00:36:27,359 You'll get more from me? I'll buy more. I'll be back in November. 632 00:36:28,600 --> 00:36:31,679 Les? Oh, yeah. 633 00:36:31,880 --> 00:36:36,239 All right. OK? $16,500. All right. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. Thanks, Jim. 634 00:36:36,360 --> 00:36:38,679 It's all yours. All right, let me get the money. 635 00:36:38,760 --> 00:36:41,239 That's what we need now. That's what we need now. 636 00:36:43,080 --> 00:36:45,959 With the sale of $16,500, 637 00:36:46,040 --> 00:36:50,799 it brings the Bushmen's season total to $47,500. 638 00:36:51,400 --> 00:36:54,559 This sale was real good. We're really, really happy. 639 00:36:54,640 --> 00:36:58,399 Yeah, we've got a couple of bucks in our pocket now again, for a while. 640 00:36:59,480 --> 00:37:03,719 It'll just take the pressure off. Not eat bloody goat for a while! 641 00:37:05,080 --> 00:37:10,959 'Be able to get the generator for Amanda, which she's pretty happy about.' 642 00:37:11,040 --> 00:37:13,839 It's not enough for Les to buy a big, flash car yet, 643 00:37:13,920 --> 00:37:16,679 but it's getting close. It's been a good day. 644 00:37:24,640 --> 00:37:26,959 Oh, you got the bucket there. Got the bucket. 645 00:37:27,040 --> 00:37:32,199 That's good - bit of confidence. Confidence. No expectations, but confidence. 646 00:37:32,280 --> 00:37:34,559 In Lightning Ridge, outback New South Wales, 647 00:37:34,640 --> 00:37:36,759 after 24 hours, 648 00:37:36,840 --> 00:37:39,879 Gavan and Pete have returned to their agitator, 649 00:37:39,960 --> 00:37:42,479 a 6,000-litre water-filled drum 650 00:37:42,560 --> 00:37:44,679 that washes the dirt off mined rock 651 00:37:44,760 --> 00:37:46,959 to make any opal visible. 652 00:37:47,040 --> 00:37:49,479 He's just gone up now to reverse the agi... 653 00:37:50,600 --> 00:37:53,679 ..and when it's running in reverse, all the stuff comes up, 654 00:37:53,760 --> 00:37:55,759 come down the chute onto the table, 655 00:37:55,840 --> 00:37:58,559 and that's when we start going through it. 656 00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:02,039 This is your payday or lay day - one of the two. 657 00:38:04,040 --> 00:38:07,159 Gavan and Pete are looking for Nobby opal 658 00:38:07,240 --> 00:38:10,599 formed by silica in small, pebble-sized voids. 659 00:38:10,680 --> 00:38:12,679 This is a nice pocket of Nobby. 660 00:38:12,760 --> 00:38:15,079 It should be lovely. I need a new pair of jeans 661 00:38:21,920 --> 00:38:23,919 Ah! 662 00:38:24,200 --> 00:38:26,959 Nobby. Yeah! Looking good. 663 00:38:27,040 --> 00:38:29,039 Some nice bits of trace. 664 00:38:29,120 --> 00:38:31,559 Yeah, that's a perfect bit there. Look at that. 665 00:38:31,640 --> 00:38:33,719 That's what we like to see happen. 666 00:38:33,800 --> 00:38:35,799 A cross between purple and blue. 667 00:38:35,880 --> 00:38:38,759 It's good trace. It's in here everywhere. 668 00:38:38,840 --> 00:38:41,159 This is a great indicator. 669 00:38:41,240 --> 00:38:44,439 Yeah, mate, I'm beside myself. Yeah, that's awesome. 670 00:38:44,520 --> 00:38:46,519 Oh, I can't wait to get back there 671 00:38:46,600 --> 00:38:49,279 and back on that digger, mate. Oh, absolutely. 672 00:38:50,480 --> 00:38:53,479 In the first small load, Pete and Gavan have found... 673 00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:02,039 It has an estimated value of $200. 674 00:39:02,120 --> 00:39:04,439 But more importantly, it reveals 675 00:39:04,520 --> 00:39:06,879 the massive potential of the new mine. 676 00:39:06,960 --> 00:39:09,519 For that little bit of dirt in the back of the truck, 677 00:39:09,600 --> 00:39:11,839 that's an indicator that there is colour there. 678 00:39:11,920 --> 00:39:14,199 So what we've got is the start, 679 00:39:14,280 --> 00:39:16,519 the makings, the colour happening. Good one. 680 00:39:16,600 --> 00:39:18,599 Good one. Oh, I love this. 681 00:39:21,280 --> 00:39:24,439 'It is just amazing - that first, you know, truckload, 682 00:39:24,520 --> 00:39:28,439 that first wash, that first go to the edge and we actually found something.' 683 00:39:28,520 --> 00:39:31,559 Let's hope there's more! What a lovely sound. 684 00:39:31,640 --> 00:39:35,239 TEAGAN: 'It could change everything. I'm so excited.' 685 00:39:35,320 --> 00:39:38,079 Might even be able to get a wall in my bedroom! 686 00:39:38,160 --> 00:39:40,839 Here's to a million chances. 687 00:39:40,920 --> 00:39:44,319 I'm really, really pleased that I got this opportunity on this mine. 688 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:46,919 This could mean a lot of things. First and foremost, 689 00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:49,559 family and comfort. A new roof over our head. 690 00:39:49,640 --> 00:39:52,679 It'd be even nice to surprise the girls at the end of the year 691 00:39:52,760 --> 00:39:55,959 and say, "I've planned us a holiday." That would be really amazing. 692 00:40:05,040 --> 00:40:07,279 NOAH: 'Hopefully, there's actually opal here, 693 00:40:07,360 --> 00:40:10,159 and I didn't just lead everyone on a wild-goose chase.' 694 00:40:10,240 --> 00:40:12,559 That would be disappointing to everyone, I think, 695 00:40:12,640 --> 00:40:15,519 but we'll soon find out, I suppose. 696 00:40:15,600 --> 00:40:21,919 The Young Guns, broke and losing $200 a day on equipment hire, have spent their last cash 697 00:40:22,000 --> 00:40:24,719 on a 50x50 square metre lease 698 00:40:24,800 --> 00:40:28,679 they've named Noah's Ark after Noah's opal discovery. 699 00:40:28,760 --> 00:40:31,439 But we need big stuff. You guys keep digging. 700 00:40:31,520 --> 00:40:35,479 I'm gonna keep doing this. We need to make up for all the time we've lost and wasted 701 00:40:35,560 --> 00:40:37,799 not using the Kanga, so I'm not getting off it. 702 00:40:37,880 --> 00:40:40,319 No happy boss until we get the real big stuff. 703 00:40:41,400 --> 00:40:43,519 The opal could be in any rock 704 00:40:43,600 --> 00:40:46,599 that JC and Noah jackhammer from the mine face. 705 00:40:48,120 --> 00:40:51,519 Each load has to be meticulously sifted through. 706 00:40:55,720 --> 00:40:57,999 Holy . Oi! 707 00:41:01,000 --> 00:41:03,079 Holy ! 708 00:41:03,160 --> 00:41:05,479 What is it? What are you freaking out about? 709 00:41:05,560 --> 00:41:07,559 You're not gonna believe this! 710 00:41:07,640 --> 00:41:09,799 ALL: Whoa! 711 00:41:09,880 --> 00:41:11,879 Dude, what the ! 712 00:41:11,960 --> 00:41:14,879 Dude! , dude! Where would that have come from? 713 00:41:14,960 --> 00:41:17,519 I wanna know where that's from. So do I. 714 00:41:17,600 --> 00:41:19,959 I am scouring the dirt 715 00:41:20,040 --> 00:41:23,199 because Jaymin's found a really nice piece 716 00:41:23,280 --> 00:41:25,359 and we have no idea where it's come from. 717 00:41:25,440 --> 00:41:30,039 I think this was the last spot, so I'm just seeing and making sure that it's not still down here 718 00:41:30,120 --> 00:41:32,119 in this little pocket he did. 719 00:41:32,200 --> 00:41:34,199 And we keep finding little bits, 720 00:41:34,280 --> 00:41:36,439 so it might have all smashed off one rock. 721 00:41:38,120 --> 00:41:41,679 There's some opal right in the wall here. Look at that. Oh, yeah? 722 00:41:43,640 --> 00:41:46,159 Holy ! Look at that! 723 00:41:48,320 --> 00:41:50,679 That must be where it came from then. 724 00:41:50,760 --> 00:41:52,799 Hey! 725 00:41:52,880 --> 00:41:56,039 We were finding bits and pieces. Noah's Ark, baby! 726 00:41:56,120 --> 00:41:58,639 Noah's Ark, baby! Dude, look at that! 727 00:41:59,800 --> 00:42:03,399 Dude, there might be more. Look at that! Yes. 728 00:42:05,080 --> 00:42:07,079 'So I actually found a bit of something, 729 00:42:07,160 --> 00:42:10,519 so it's already starting to pay off. It's really, really cool-looking. 730 00:42:10,600 --> 00:42:15,679 It's good, because we're already kind of starting to pay for the Kanga here, which is awesome. 731 00:42:15,760 --> 00:42:17,799 Some of the best opal we've ever found.' 732 00:42:17,880 --> 00:42:20,199 Noah's Ark! 733 00:42:20,280 --> 00:42:22,639 Woo! Howzat? 734 00:42:22,720 --> 00:42:25,479 The young guns have crystal opal 735 00:42:25,560 --> 00:42:29,359 ranging from specimen to high-quality cutting pieces, 736 00:42:29,440 --> 00:42:31,799 featuring the full spectrum of colours. 737 00:42:33,600 --> 00:42:35,599 ..with an estimated value of... 738 00:42:37,240 --> 00:42:39,239 ..bringing their season total to... 739 00:42:44,400 --> 00:42:46,159 Put a price on them all. 740 00:42:46,240 --> 00:42:48,959 'We did amazingly well. It's been absolutely fantastic.' 741 00:42:49,040 --> 00:42:51,559 It was when we really needed it the most, as well, 742 00:42:51,640 --> 00:42:53,639 so it was good to see that happen. 743 00:42:53,720 --> 00:42:55,999 'Noah was the one that took the ropes this week. 744 00:42:56,080 --> 00:42:58,479 He pointed us in the direction of Noah's Ark.' 745 00:42:58,560 --> 00:43:02,039 It's completely paid off, so Noah's our big winner for this week. 746 00:43:03,120 --> 00:43:05,119 There's just a big pressure there, 747 00:43:05,200 --> 00:43:09,679 but I'm really happy that it actually came up with something and it wasn't just a waste of time, 748 00:43:09,760 --> 00:43:12,599 and the spot I picked, which is awesome, really exciting. 749 00:43:12,680 --> 00:43:16,519 I'm so glad it's one of our biggest hauls, if not our biggest haul. 750 00:43:16,600 --> 00:43:19,239 I'll drink to that. Absolutely. 751 00:43:19,320 --> 00:43:21,639 Well done, boys. I'm so digging into this! 752 00:43:21,720 --> 00:43:24,359 I can't remember the last time we had food like this. 753 00:43:37,120 --> 00:43:39,639 I can't even believe it, mate! 754 00:43:40,480 --> 00:43:42,479 subtitles by Deluxe 755 00:43:44,000 --> 00:43:45,999 # ASH GRUNWALD: Money 755 00:43:46,305 --> 00:44:46,827 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm