"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode #4.3

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,919 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:08,279 ..the Tunnel Rats are under threat from poison gas... 3 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:11,319 If he's down there for too long and passes out, it'll kill him. 4 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:13,399 ..apprentice Sam steps up... 5 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:17,399 Look out, mate! Get out of the way! 6 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:19,959 ..to get a new mine up and running... 7 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:22,999 and rookie miners, The Poms... Crikey. 8 00:00:23,080 --> 00:00:26,279 ..go deep underground for the very first time. 9 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:28,359 That ceiling looks a bit dodge. Oh, blimey. 10 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:30,439 It's just falling off when I'm touching it. 11 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:35,639 # Money 12 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:41,279 # And fancy clothes # 13 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:49,074 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=- 14 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:55,999 BAYDEN: The end is coming very close for us. 15 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:58,599 To know that, finally, after 20 years, 16 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:03,679 I'm on opal and I'm on good ground and then I have to leave that behind, 17 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:05,759 that's what's pissing me off the most. 18 00:01:05,840 --> 00:01:09,959 Mintabie, on the edge of the Great Victoria Desert. 19 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:13,599 Summer temperatures consistently climb above 40 degrees. 20 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:20,119 So, now we'll drill some holes and do a blast. 21 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:22,439 Tunnel Rats Rodney Pearse, 22 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:26,759 son Bayden and partner Elisa are in a race to find opal. 23 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:31,479 Their chosen mining technique? Explosives. 24 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:34,079 First bomb in the hole. 25 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:37,199 They've set three bombs. We'll fire them. 26 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:39,999 We'll head into a safe zone, we'll count them going off. 27 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:44,079 It's just so important to make sure that every single bomb is going off. 28 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:49,599 If you're going in there and there could be an unfired explosive in there, 29 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:53,039 it could actually go off, which is deadly. 30 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:56,199 Two. 31 00:01:57,520 --> 00:01:59,519 I only heard two. 32 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:02,639 Looks like we've got a misfire. 33 00:02:04,600 --> 00:02:07,519 Could be anything. It could be a little cut in the fuse. 34 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:09,599 Elisa, just stay here, 35 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,279 I'm gonna go down there and check on that misfire. 36 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:14,839 Once I know what's going on, I'll let youse know. 37 00:02:14,920 --> 00:02:17,519 If I have to blow it out, I'll have to blow it out. OK. 38 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:19,599 Dad, you stay there, too. 39 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:23,799 If the fuse is burned, that creates heat. 40 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:28,159 And if there's still heat within that explosive, 41 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:31,599 the explosive can go off at any time. 42 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:33,679 It's very dangerous. 43 00:02:36,640 --> 00:02:40,199 The Tunnel Rats are hunting Mintabie crystal opal, 44 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:43,199 one of the world's most sought-after. 45 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:46,439 Still short of their season target, 46 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:48,759 the Tunnel Rats have just two months 47 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,399 before Mintabie is permanently shut down. 48 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:55,759 If I don't get at least $200,000, 49 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:59,199 I'm stuffed, Dad is stuffed. We need money 50 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:03,119 to be able to buy another place, another home. 51 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:10,519 You all right, son? Yeah, I found it. 52 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:19,639 All right, I've got the misfire out of the hole. 53 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:33,999 The bomb is now disarmed. Faulty fuse. 54 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:37,439 Yeah. Good. 55 00:03:37,520 --> 00:03:39,759 I'm just making another bomb to put in the hole. 56 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:42,039 So, all good to re-enter. 57 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:46,559 The home-made bombs contain enough ammonium nitrate explosive 58 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:49,079 to blast through a metre of solid rock. 59 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:02,839 Righto, lighting now. 60 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:18,519 Well done. All good. That was a good one. 61 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:30,119 We're heading out to an old claim of ours 62 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:32,239 in an area called Hidden Valley. 63 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:34,319 We're gonna pull the digger out of there 64 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:37,399 and take it out to Allawah where we need it to keep mining. 65 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:41,319 In the remote Outback of New South Wales, 66 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:45,319 Pete Cooke and his 20-year-old apprentice, Sam Westra, 67 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,199 are getting ready to do some heavy lifting. 68 00:04:48,280 --> 00:04:52,039 What we'll do, I'll just get the crane set up over the hole. 69 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:56,119 I just hope it's gonna lift it. Well, we will find out. 70 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:59,599 Little has been found in their Hidden Valley claim. 71 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:02,999 In an effort to rescue their season, they're cutting their losses 72 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:05,479 and hauling their one-tonne hydraulic digger 73 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:09,359 out of Hidden Valley and into their Allawah claim. 74 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:12,279 We still probably haven't had a claim 75 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:15,559 that's consistently producing good money. 76 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:18,639 The claim at Allawah is our best chance now 77 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:20,719 to pull out some gems. 78 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:24,239 Damage their only digger or get it stuck in the narrow shaft 79 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:26,799 and their season will be as good as over. 80 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,759 Hopefully, it'll fit. I think it'll be a pretty tight squeeze 81 00:05:29,840 --> 00:05:31,919 to try and get it out, so we'll see. 82 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:36,359 I'm gonna back this as close to the edge of the hole as I can, 83 00:05:36,440 --> 00:05:38,439 so we can hook the crane onto it. 84 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:42,079 Hopefully, the crane's got enough guts to pull it out. 85 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:44,519 Don't put yourself in that hole. 86 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:48,159 I don't want to have to pick you up out with the crane! 87 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:53,879 They're hunting for one of the most valuable gems on the planet. 88 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:58,159 Black opal. Worth up to $43,000 a gram. 89 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:02,919 If we don't find any opal this year, 90 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,759 you'd have to have a bit of a think about whether you continued on. 91 00:06:06,840 --> 00:06:10,279 At the end of the day, I could be earning more money doing something else. 92 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:14,279 I'd miss him if he left. That would be a shame. 93 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:18,159 And I really hope we find some opal, so that he can stay. 94 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:20,439 Moving to their Allawah claim 95 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:23,279 could be the last chance to hit their target. 96 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:25,559 But first, they need to get the digger 97 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:30,079 up the two-metre-wide mineshaft using their three-decades-old crane. 98 00:06:31,280 --> 00:06:34,079 I'm gonna have to go up and then, when the weight comes on, 99 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:37,079 it's just gonna... ..swing in 100 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,279 and then take the full weight on the crane. 101 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:44,479 There is still plenty of room for a disaster. 102 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:46,839 Righty-ho. Well, you're good to go. 103 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,759 At one tonne, the ungainly digger 104 00:06:54,840 --> 00:06:58,079 is at the limit of the crane's capacity. 105 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:03,399 It's coming. 106 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:07,999 Cable up. 107 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:15,399 There we go. How's that? 108 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:18,919 Yeah, keep going! 109 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:21,079 I can hear that crane struggling a bit. 110 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:25,799 It struggles with the weight a little bit. It's right on its limit. 111 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,719 Yeah, it's a pretty awkward load for Pete, so... 112 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:32,519 I'll get out there, give him a hand and get it on the back of the truck. 113 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:45,279 Is that the oil leaking out, is it? 114 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:47,359 Yeah, see it under there? 115 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:52,119 That crane's playing up. It must have blown something on the winch. 116 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:56,119 There's a locking valve and that's supposed to hold the winch in place. 117 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:58,199 Look out, mate! 118 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:01,239 Get out of the way! 119 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:08,319 Down. That'll do. 120 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:12,039 That's nearly uncontrollable, that. Right, well, it's on there 121 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:14,559 and we won't move it until it's fixed. 122 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:17,079 A little bit touch and go there for a moment. 123 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:20,159 I'm very glad it didn't happen as we're pulling up out of the hole. 124 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:23,239 That could have been... ..a bit of a disaster. 125 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,359 Whatever we've been doing, I've always had in my mind 126 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:35,679 that this is where... Where we're coming to. ..we're coming to. Yeah. 127 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:38,559 We're gonna be miners! We are gonna be miners. 128 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:41,759 Well, when I say "we", I mean you. 129 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:44,919 Are you gonna dig? Yeah, when you find the opal, I'll dig it out. 130 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:47,799 Oh, yeah, I see. Deal. 131 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:50,839 Ex-school-teacher Carl Grice 132 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:52,999 and jewellery-maker Mary McMillan 133 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,639 have finally reached the scorching desert plains 134 00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:58,519 of White Cliffs in remote New South Wales. 135 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:02,119 It suddenly feels really real. 136 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:04,399 I just hope it's what we dreamed it to be. 137 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:07,279 Three months ago, they sold their home, 138 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:09,999 packed up their entire lives into a camper van 139 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:14,359 and travelled across the country on their first-ever quest for opal. 140 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:17,639 We literally have sold everything, apart from what's in the van. 141 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:21,639 This isn't just a holiday for us. We need to make money from opal. 142 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:26,159 So far, the rookies have struggled in the harsh Outback 143 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:29,239 and now they're hoping their luck will change 144 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:31,759 in the oldest opal field in Australia. 145 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:37,719 Population is 200. Really? 146 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:40,119 Oh, yeah. 202. 147 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:44,239 We chose White Cliffs over one of the bigger fields, 148 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:47,119 because we've seen some of the opal that comes from here 149 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:49,279 and it's absolutely beautiful. 150 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:52,919 The Poms are hunting for the stunning pineapple opals 151 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:58,079 that White Cliffs is famous for, worth up to $500,000 apiece. 152 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:02,039 Can't wait to get started. 153 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:06,719 To help them, they've enlisted veteran local miner Graeme Dowton. 154 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:11,559 Welcome to White Cliffs. Thanks. Good to see ya. How are you going? 155 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:14,559 We've been very fortunate to have been in contact with Graeme. 156 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:17,319 He's a second-generation opal miner here in White Cliffs, 157 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:20,239 a bit of a local legend and he's helped organise our claim. 158 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:22,319 I've sorted out a bit of ground for them, 159 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:25,319 erm, part of the old historic opal field. 160 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:28,479 What's special about this spot? I do know that there's been opal 161 00:10:28,560 --> 00:10:31,959 coming out of that section there. That's on the edge of your claim. 162 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:34,079 Oh, I can't wait to get in there. 163 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:39,839 It's an old hole, dug out over 120-odd years ago. 164 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:41,919 This is a good option as a starter... Yeah. 165 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,119 ..because your level is gonna be somewhere between 20 and 30 feet. 166 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:47,799 So, we've just saved 20 feet of digging already, then. 167 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:50,239 And 20 feet of the worst ground 168 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:52,919 that you don't want to actually go through yourself. 169 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,999 Oh, superb. We could be digging quite soon, then. 170 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:58,079 Have you brought anything with you at all? 171 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:00,159 I've got a spade and a bucket. 172 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:03,119 OK, so you actually sound very unprepared at the moment. 173 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:05,359 You're really gonna have to start from scratch 174 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:07,559 and just put all of your gear together. 175 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:10,799 You're gonna have to go back and get it. Yeah, that's fair enough. 176 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:13,079 We'll pop down to the shop and grab everything. 177 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:18,719 Well, the shop where I'd be probably recommending will be in Dubbo. 178 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:21,479 How far is that? 650km. 179 00:11:21,560 --> 00:11:23,759 650km? 180 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:26,279 This is why I asked, did you bring anything with you, 181 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:28,599 just to save you that drive. You're kidding. 182 00:11:28,680 --> 00:11:30,679 A bit unprepared, Carl. 183 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:33,999 OK. I thought we were done with the long drives. 184 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:36,959 I'm annoyed for not doing my research before I turned up. 185 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:40,679 I just assumed there would be mining equipment available here. 186 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:44,239 That's gonna take us a day to drive there and a day to drive back. 187 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:46,319 I did suggest to Carl a few times, 188 00:11:46,400 --> 00:11:48,599 maybe we should pop in and just grab something. 189 00:11:48,680 --> 00:11:52,079 But Carl said, "No, no, don't worry, everything will be for sale there." 190 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:54,559 What have you actually got? We've got hand tools. 191 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:57,519 You haven't got any leads? No? One. One. 192 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:00,159 OK, so you're gonna need a couple of 25s. 193 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:02,279 You're gonna need at least two lights. 194 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:05,639 We haven't got a jackhammer either. Oh, OK. A jackhammer. 195 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:09,359 This is just all the basic stuff you probably could have brought with you. 196 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:12,359 Bit worried about them now. We're out here in White Cliffs. 197 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:15,959 This is a serious mining country. You can't toy around with this. 198 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:18,439 I can't set up the mine and now I've got to drive, 199 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:20,719 I think, a 1,300km round trip 200 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:22,799 to the nearest store to buy something. 201 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:25,559 It's not what we need. It's extra money, it's extra time. 202 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:28,039 Yeah. Not happy about it. 203 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:35,759 My lack of preparation. 204 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:38,759 Now we've got to drive a very long way just to get some equipment. 205 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:49,279 The gases after you blast, it's nitrous oxide. 206 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:53,279 It can actually cause big, big problems for your lungs. 207 00:12:53,360 --> 00:12:57,119 120 metres into their Grasshopper Mine, 208 00:12:57,200 --> 00:12:59,919 the Tunnel Rats are carrying out safety checks, 209 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:02,159 before they can let off more blasts. 210 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:04,599 So, what I'm doing is just... 211 00:13:04,680 --> 00:13:06,919 Sometimes, we'll just create a bit of smoke 212 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,679 or see which way... that flame's going. 213 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,559 So I'll know that the smoke is going to come this way. 214 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:15,999 It's always good to know the direction of where your gas is coming from, 215 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:18,399 cos sometimes it'll just get locked up somewhere. 216 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:22,399 That's one. Three. 217 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:25,839 Hello. 218 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:30,439 Three, two... 219 00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:34,079 ..one. 220 00:13:35,280 --> 00:13:39,079 As we get down deeper into the mine, the gases are taking a lot longer to clear. 221 00:13:39,160 --> 00:13:43,199 Very, very, very harmful to the lungs. It'll chop your lungs out. 222 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:45,879 I can still smell it. It's musty. 223 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:48,639 Like, real stale. Yeah, we should go. 224 00:13:49,680 --> 00:13:54,439 Exposure to nitrogen dioxide fumes can cause respiratory problems, 225 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:57,919 rapid heart rate, seizures, and even death. 226 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:01,919 It's taking longer to clear. Dad said you'd be lucky 227 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:04,639 to put two sets of shots off for a day, that's bad. 228 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:07,079 Yeah. But, back in the day, we used to put 229 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:09,279 six to seven shots off, no worries at all. 230 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:14,039 After a two-hour delay, 231 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:17,519 Bayden and Elisa try and return to the mine face. 232 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:21,319 That's stinky. No. 233 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:23,799 So, we can't just waste time. 234 00:14:23,880 --> 00:14:25,999 It'll take three or four hours to clear out. 235 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:28,079 Time is money for us at the moment. 236 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:32,559 Bayden! He can't help himself. 237 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:36,279 Worst-case scenario, if he's down there for too long and passes out, 238 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:39,279 it'll probably kill him. Get out of there! 239 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:43,919 Stinky? Yeah, it's too bad. 240 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:47,479 Glad I wasn't down there for any longer. 241 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:50,479 I'm already starting to get a bit of a head spin. 242 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:53,879 I feel a bit tired on the chest and feel just that little bit dizzy. 243 00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:57,679 So that's a good indication that I was down there for way too long. 244 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:01,999 If the Tunnel Rats are to continue mining safely, 245 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:04,879 they need to ventilate the tunnels. 246 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:07,639 We're definitely gonna have to drill holes. 247 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:10,759 Can't wait that much longer any more. 248 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:18,959 That's not looking real good, that crane. 249 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:21,039 That's not safe to use it like that. 250 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:24,639 Always something. If you've got tyres or wheels, 251 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:28,119 it'll cost you time and money. It's just not safe. 252 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:33,879 At Hidden Valley, Pete and Sam have serious crane problems. 253 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:38,679 So, erm, it's pretty bad, the way that winch is playing up. 254 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,439 So, we can't take it out to Allawah the way it is, 255 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:44,799 it'll end up in a disaster. Yeah, mate, I agree. 256 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:48,679 It was all going way too smooth. Something had to muck up. 257 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:52,239 The crane is critical for lowering their one-tonne digger 258 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:54,679 20 metres into their Allawah mine. 259 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:57,239 Difficult to see. I don't know how you even get at it. 260 00:15:57,320 --> 00:15:59,719 It's gonna be a headache, no matter what, I think. 261 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:05,439 Plan B is I've got another old crane truck 262 00:16:05,520 --> 00:16:07,519 that I use on another machine. 263 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:10,239 It's unregistered, so I can't drive it out to Allawah, 264 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:13,719 but what I might do is, I'll put it on the back of this truck. 265 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:18,639 It'll be a truck on a truck, so... 266 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:21,119 Yeah, it'll be a fair old load. 267 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:26,199 So, mate, as soon as we can get this old girl out of retirement, we'll get her running. 268 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:29,439 Yeah, mate, hopefully it won't be too much mucking around. 269 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:33,199 Chuck in a couple of batteries and bleed it up, it should start up. 270 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:37,039 Pete's old crane has been abandoned five kilometres away 271 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:39,119 at a disused claim. 272 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:43,719 The truck itself is a bit worn out. The crane still seems to be OK. 273 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:50,559 And that's the bit that we need, so we'll transport it out to Allawah. 274 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:52,639 You've got this old gear. 275 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:54,999 It's all come here to die, really. 276 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:57,519 You've got to make the best out of what you've got. 277 00:16:57,600 --> 00:16:59,599 Just patch it up, keep it going. 278 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:08,159 Yeah, that's on the back there. Only just! But it made it. 279 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:11,919 Now we'll head back to the shed and put the digger 280 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,999 and the power pack on the back of the top truck. 281 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:18,159 Next step, get that digger down the hole. 282 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,039 We'll be ready to go, you know, tomorrow or the day after. 283 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:28,159 But, the next day, there's bad news. 284 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:34,359 Oh, no! What have you done? 285 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:37,439 I've, er, wrecked my shoulder. How did you do it? 286 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:39,759 I lifted the jerry can to fuel up 287 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:42,839 and it's just gone "bang", it's just exploded. 288 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:46,239 I knew I'd torn something. It was excruciating pain. 289 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:49,039 I can't climb ladders. I can't go underground. 290 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:53,119 Several weeks before it's back to good again. 291 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:55,279 It's a pain, yeah, it's a nuisance. 292 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:04,479 Oh. I thought we were done with all these long drives for now. 293 00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:07,519 I thought we'd literally get our gear and be down a shaft. 294 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:11,359 In White Cliffs, rookie miners Carl and Mary 295 00:18:11,440 --> 00:18:15,279 have been forced to make a costly and time-consuming detour. 296 00:18:15,360 --> 00:18:18,879 My lack of planning has cost us a lot. 297 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:21,599 A 1,300km round-trip 298 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:26,439 to buy vital mining equipment they forgot to bring with them. 299 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:30,599 Now, they need to show mining mentor Graeme 300 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:33,519 they're serious about getting started. 301 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:36,159 Good morning! We are back. He's back from Dubbo. 302 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:38,999 Good to see you, mate. Had a long drive? Yeah, it was, 303 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:41,679 but I think we've got everything now on the list. 304 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:44,319 You know you get carried away in these hardware shops. Yep. 305 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,119 We've got the genny, got the jackhammer. Most important. 306 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:51,839 We've got some lights, cables, even hooks for pulling the opal out of the wall. That's how confident I am. 307 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:54,439 Oh, way to go. I think we've covered it all. 308 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:57,279 The Poms' unexpected shopping trip 309 00:18:57,360 --> 00:19:00,399 has cost them $3,000. 310 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:02,919 Most of our pot of money has gone. 311 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:06,079 We really need to get the mine set up 312 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:08,479 and crack on and find some opal now. 313 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:11,679 At the moment, we've just got a hole in the ground and a shaft, 314 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:13,799 which was built 100 years ago, maybe. 315 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:16,839 So, today, we're going to have to build a metal collar, 316 00:19:16,920 --> 00:19:20,039 which is a frame around the top of that shaft, to make it secure. 317 00:19:21,120 --> 00:19:26,319 These holes are really deep. I measured the one that we're going to use at 27 feet. 318 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:29,879 Erm, and the sides are very, very steep where all the rubble is. 319 00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:32,719 So, it's a little bit sketchy around there. 320 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:36,599 And the collar has got to support the entire shaft. 321 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:40,199 It's gonna be our entry and exit, so it has to be secure, has to be safe. 322 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:50,519 You're a machine! I'll sit back and watch you. 323 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:53,079 I'm not gonna feel right 324 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:55,159 if I don't work a sweat up today. 325 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:03,079 You all right? Yeah. 326 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:05,719 Snug as a bug. 327 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:08,999 It's a bit hairy, watching Carl so close to a hole. 328 00:20:09,080 --> 00:20:13,679 It is a big drop here, so just be... Be really careful. 329 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:27,999 Oh! Look at that. Spot-on, mate. 330 00:20:32,840 --> 00:20:35,199 Hang on, let me just get the next one. 331 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:45,839 I'm really excited now. Can't wait to get down there and have a look at what's there. 332 00:20:45,920 --> 00:20:48,039 The reality is, we've got our own mine. 333 00:20:48,120 --> 00:20:50,519 We're going to start digging in there. I can't wait 334 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:52,799 to find that first piece of opal that I can cut 335 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:54,919 and Mary can set, because that's our dream. 336 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:56,999 And our dream is very, very close now. 337 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:02,039 Keep it steady now. Keep your toes in, push that ladder out. 338 00:21:02,120 --> 00:21:05,399 Use your toes and keep it out. Right. 339 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:07,959 I see you. 340 00:21:08,040 --> 00:21:10,039 It's a bit wobbly. 341 00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:13,879 Crikey. 342 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:16,439 I think this ladder is as old as the mineshaft. 343 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:20,399 I'm at the bottom. 344 00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:24,079 How is it looking down there, Carl? 345 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:29,079 Blimey. The walls are a bit crumbly. 346 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:32,159 How is the ceiling looking? You need to check that first. 347 00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:34,239 The roof is a bit, as well. 348 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:38,039 Oh, blimey. It's just falling off when I'm touching it. 349 00:21:38,120 --> 00:21:40,279 The 100-year-old mine shaft 350 00:21:40,360 --> 00:21:42,599 leads to a network of tight tunnels... 351 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:44,679 I'm gonna go in there. 352 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:48,079 ..filled with tonnes of unstable dirt and rocks. 353 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:52,439 It's like a maze down here! 354 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:55,399 Oh! That ceiling looks a bit dodge. 355 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:58,199 Get your legs out, Carl. Yeah. 356 00:22:09,120 --> 00:22:13,479 Well, I'm not really having much luck here, Dad, due to the gas. 357 00:22:13,560 --> 00:22:15,799 Yeah, I'm not surprised. It's taking ages. 358 00:22:15,880 --> 00:22:19,879 Poison gas has forced the Tunnel Rats out of their Grasshopper Mine, 359 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:23,479 losing them half a day's mining, as they race to find opal 360 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:25,919 before being evicted. 361 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:27,999 Got to get rid of that smoke. 362 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:32,159 And the only way I know how to do it is to, er, to get the drill up 363 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:34,999 and to drill some holes for ventilation. 364 00:22:35,080 --> 00:22:37,119 So, y'all will get ready to go with the truck? 365 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:41,919 Yep. I've done a bit of service on it and tuned it up. 366 00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:46,679 Their hopes rest on a 13-tonne investigator rig 367 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:49,359 to drill the critical ventilation hole, 368 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:53,159 but its weight makes the 50-year-old army truck it sits on 369 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:57,799 unable to tackle the five kilometres of sand dunes in its way. 370 00:22:57,880 --> 00:22:59,999 I'm gonna probably gonna have to pull you 371 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:02,239 through that sand dune with the dozer. 372 00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:04,559 I would say so. We're not gonna get through. 373 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:07,679 We don't have to get it anywhere. 374 00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:09,999 We just tow it around with our bulldozer, a D9H, 375 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:12,079 so it pretty much tows anything. 376 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:20,439 With 410 horsepower, the D9H gets to work. 377 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:32,719 Everything went well, the dozer went well, we can start drilling a hole. 378 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:40,959 The plan is to drill a new shaft through 20 metres of sand and rock, 379 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:43,559 to release the trapped toxic gas. 380 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:49,239 The gas will just get sucked out. 381 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:51,759 Once it's out, I'm going straight back in to work. 382 00:23:56,680 --> 00:24:00,399 We'll have to put the 75ft on to break through. 383 00:24:00,480 --> 00:24:04,479 That's all the augers that we've got to break through. 384 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:11,519 After just six metres, they hit hard ironstone caprock 385 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:15,119 that could destroy the tungsten-steel teeth on the drill head. 386 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:21,759 It's gone down a bit, that much in ten minutes. 387 00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:26,439 They thought the drill felt like it was moving a little bit skew-whiff, 388 00:24:26,520 --> 00:24:29,679 so I think they wanna pull it back up 389 00:24:29,760 --> 00:24:33,159 and check the teeth on the bottom, to make sure nothing's broken. 390 00:24:34,680 --> 00:24:37,879 Stop. Oh! Oh, stop! 391 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:41,119 It chewed out all the bullets on our drill head. 392 00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:43,559 We'll have to change out the bullets. 393 00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:47,079 That's bad. 394 00:24:52,720 --> 00:24:54,919 The ground, we call it caprock, 395 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:58,599 it's just so damn hard, so abrasive to machinery. 396 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:00,679 Very, very hard. 397 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:03,199 But in the rush to replace the teeth, 398 00:25:03,280 --> 00:25:06,959 Bayden's forgotten to wear protective equipment. 399 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:09,599 What got ya? Ah, just a bit of metal. 400 00:25:09,680 --> 00:25:11,679 A shard. 401 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:14,439 Had a little bit of a shard fall back, hit me on the eye. 402 00:25:15,840 --> 00:25:17,839 Just hold it on it for a while. 403 00:25:17,920 --> 00:25:20,919 It could have been really bad if it was in my eyeball, 404 00:25:21,000 --> 00:25:24,079 but, luckily enough, it decided to go into my cheek instead. 405 00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:26,199 Giving it another crack. 406 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:28,679 Now we've got teeth, proper teeth on the head, 407 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:32,359 so we'll just give it another shot, it should drill better this time. 408 00:25:37,240 --> 00:25:39,679 After a five-hour operation, 409 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:42,879 it's time to check if they've drilled in the right spot. 410 00:25:42,960 --> 00:25:46,079 There's our hole. We said about there before, didn't we? 411 00:25:46,160 --> 00:25:48,559 There. Right there. Where we are, here, 412 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:50,919 this is where a lot of gas used to get trapped. 413 00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:54,159 Since this hole has been put in, the gas will come straight up here. 414 00:25:54,240 --> 00:25:56,999 So, yeah, we're pretty happy the way it's worked, yeah. 415 00:25:57,080 --> 00:25:59,559 It'll definitely help us get in there a lot quicker. 416 00:25:59,640 --> 00:26:01,639 So, we can start, get back to work. 417 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:13,919 It's just a pain in the neck. It really is. It's a bit of a blow. 418 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:17,559 A tough mining season has finally caught up with Pete. 419 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:20,359 His injured shoulder could derail their plans 420 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:23,039 to get their digger into their last workable mine, 421 00:26:23,120 --> 00:26:25,319 Allawah. 422 00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:27,759 That puts a damper on the plans a bit, doesn't it? 423 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:30,359 It does, but I reckon we can still do it. 424 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:32,439 Just still dig it out? Yeah. 425 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:36,399 To keep their season alive, 426 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:39,159 apprentice Sam must take on the responsibility 427 00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:41,239 for their underground operations. 428 00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:43,319 Just take... Let her down. 429 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:45,679 Down there is good. 430 00:26:45,760 --> 00:26:47,999 We can throw in the towel for four months 431 00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:50,159 or we can keep moving. 432 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:52,679 Just means I've got to learn a bit quicker. 433 00:26:52,760 --> 00:26:54,799 You just gotta get in and give it a crack. 434 00:26:54,880 --> 00:26:56,879 Righty-o. 435 00:26:56,960 --> 00:26:59,559 Me and Pete, we just gotta keep going. 436 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:01,719 Poor old Sam, you know, 437 00:27:01,800 --> 00:27:04,399 he's gonna have to just, er, step up to the plate a bit 438 00:27:04,480 --> 00:27:06,839 and, erm, shoulder a heavier load. 439 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:13,479 At the mine site, fellow Lightning Ridge miners, Gav and Tim, 440 00:27:13,560 --> 00:27:16,759 have been called in to provide Sam with some backup. 441 00:27:16,840 --> 00:27:18,999 The ladders? Rip 'em out? 442 00:27:19,080 --> 00:27:21,679 Well, if we do, it makes it easier. 443 00:27:21,760 --> 00:27:24,199 I think we do. There's no reason they should be there. 444 00:27:24,280 --> 00:27:27,679 If we can get them all in one go, that'd be good. I'll give it a go. 445 00:27:27,760 --> 00:27:31,319 On the surface, Pete and Tim will operate the crane 446 00:27:31,400 --> 00:27:35,439 and lower the one-tonne digger down the 20-metre shaft, 447 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:40,639 while Sam and Gav must guide it in and reassemble it below. 448 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:43,719 This worries me. Yeah. It's all gotta come out. 449 00:27:43,800 --> 00:27:46,359 Yeah. It sure has. 450 00:27:46,440 --> 00:27:49,799 The roof has got a bit of a slip in it, it's not in the greatest state. 451 00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:52,839 Erm, and, yeah, we're just worried bringing the digger down, 452 00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:55,159 it might knock parts of this roof out. 453 00:27:55,240 --> 00:27:57,239 You see that? 454 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:02,919 Well, that could fall down then on top of us, on top of our heads. 455 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:04,999 I know we've got hardhats on, 456 00:28:05,080 --> 00:28:08,039 but it still can sprain or break your neck. 457 00:28:08,120 --> 00:28:10,799 Wouldn't want our roof to cave in, that's for sure. 458 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:20,079 The ceiling could be very soft and crumbly. 459 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:26,999 Rookie opal miner Carl Grice is underground for the very first time. 460 00:28:27,080 --> 00:28:29,639 Blimey, this place looks old. 461 00:28:29,720 --> 00:28:33,639 Opened up in the late 1800s and unused for decades, 462 00:28:33,720 --> 00:28:35,919 the mine is treacherous. 463 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:37,999 The, er, walls are a bit crumbly. 464 00:28:38,080 --> 00:28:40,319 You have to wait. I'm coming down. 465 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:47,039 Mining veteran Graeme Dowton has found this claim for The Poms, 466 00:28:47,120 --> 00:28:50,959 but, until now, he hasn't been able to check the conditions underground. 467 00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:57,959 It's an old hole... Yeah. 468 00:28:58,040 --> 00:29:00,119 ..and it hasn't been overly worked yet, 469 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:03,159 so you've got plenty of direction to go off this. 470 00:29:03,240 --> 00:29:05,279 Oh, just watch for any of these cracks 471 00:29:05,360 --> 00:29:07,559 just opening up a little bit, anywhere. OK. 472 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:12,199 And, I mean, if you don't dig anything out too big down here, you're not gonna have any dramas. 473 00:29:12,280 --> 00:29:14,759 It's actually a good hole for you to start on, this one. 474 00:29:14,840 --> 00:29:18,999 How's it looking? Superb, Mary. Yeah, it looks good. 475 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:25,519 While the mine has got the green light, it still needs lots of work. 476 00:29:25,600 --> 00:29:28,599 There's quite a lot of backfill in there, a lot of old rubble, 477 00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:31,519 so that needs to come out before we can dig anything fresh. 478 00:29:31,600 --> 00:29:37,199 Critical to getting the dirt out is this 350kg tipping machine, 479 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:40,999 costing The Poms yet another $1,500. 480 00:29:41,080 --> 00:29:43,559 So, the tip is really, really important for us. 481 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:46,199 That's going to bring all the dirt up for us. 482 00:29:48,200 --> 00:29:51,399 You're gonna grab a leg, walk 'em in and spear 'em into the ground. 483 00:29:58,400 --> 00:30:00,999 You're not... 484 00:30:05,760 --> 00:30:07,799 Just lock him off there, somewhere. 485 00:30:07,880 --> 00:30:09,959 It's obviously very unstable. 486 00:30:10,040 --> 00:30:12,519 What we're doing now is potentially a bit dangerous, 487 00:30:12,600 --> 00:30:16,759 because, obviously, if it falls down, erm, it could clout one of us. 488 00:30:16,840 --> 00:30:18,839 Drag it just a little bit. 489 00:30:20,960 --> 00:30:23,359 Let's start putting the ladder together. 490 00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:27,679 This 18-metre ladder will allow a bucket of dirt 491 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:30,319 to run up and down the mine shaft. 492 00:30:30,400 --> 00:30:32,399 There we go. 493 00:30:37,040 --> 00:30:39,039 Ready? One, two, three... 494 00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:41,359 After half a day's hard graft, 495 00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:45,119 it's time to put the 50-year-old tipper to the test. 496 00:30:53,320 --> 00:30:55,839 Hey-hey! 497 00:30:57,160 --> 00:31:00,319 Finally, you're ready to start digging, start lifting dirt. 498 00:31:00,400 --> 00:31:02,599 Oh, fantastic! Thanks, mate. No worries. 499 00:31:02,680 --> 00:31:04,679 That's brilliant. That's brilliant. 500 00:31:10,520 --> 00:31:12,519 Hey, he's already punched through. 501 00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:15,879 We'll definitely get out of the way now, the sand's gonna come down. 502 00:31:15,960 --> 00:31:19,279 It's gonna be too dusty to see it, might as well move and be safe. 503 00:31:19,360 --> 00:31:21,559 Whoa! 504 00:31:21,640 --> 00:31:23,639 That's enough for me. 505 00:31:23,720 --> 00:31:27,399 The Tunnel Rats' new ventilation shaft is finally in place, 506 00:31:27,480 --> 00:31:31,439 but it will still take time to disperse all the toxic gas. 507 00:31:31,520 --> 00:31:33,679 We won't be able to do any underground mining, 508 00:31:33,760 --> 00:31:38,039 so, erm, until then, we'll have to do something else. 509 00:31:38,120 --> 00:31:44,079 While they wait, Rodney has a surprise plan B to find opal. 510 00:31:44,160 --> 00:31:49,199 Well, I've got a confession to make, that while you were away, 511 00:31:49,280 --> 00:31:53,439 I used to dump 20-litre containers of opal 512 00:31:53,520 --> 00:31:55,999 and stuff down a drill hole. 513 00:31:56,080 --> 00:31:59,799 Why would you do that? Because I had nowhere here to hide it. 514 00:31:59,880 --> 00:32:03,199 Didn't know what else to do with it, so I shoved it down a drill hole. 515 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:05,599 I've had my camp broken into. 516 00:32:05,680 --> 00:32:09,759 I didn't wanted to run the risk of that happening again. 517 00:32:09,840 --> 00:32:13,279 So, I thought, 'Well, I'm gonna put it down a hole.' 518 00:32:13,360 --> 00:32:15,359 Oh, the old 'X marks the spot'. Exactly. 519 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:17,919 You buried your treasure... Exactly. My treasure! 520 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:20,959 Been calling it 'my little bank', keeping it my little secret. 521 00:32:21,040 --> 00:32:24,799 It's better than a kick in the teeth. How about we go and get it? 522 00:32:27,480 --> 00:32:30,039 You know, Dad, he's classed as an old-school miner. 523 00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:32,119 The old-school miners, 524 00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:36,039 they do old-school mining things, like that. 525 00:32:36,120 --> 00:32:38,879 Righto, we will... We'll follow you and then... 526 00:32:38,960 --> 00:32:40,959 yeah, go and get it out. 527 00:32:47,520 --> 00:32:51,559 Well, I'm looking forward to seeing some colour come out of the hole, that's for sure. 528 00:32:58,400 --> 00:33:00,959 With countless drill holes to choose from, 529 00:33:01,040 --> 00:33:05,039 the team must rely on Rodney's memory to find the right one. 530 00:33:18,560 --> 00:33:20,959 Rodney's been struggling, definitely struggling. 531 00:33:21,040 --> 00:33:23,359 You can see it in him, he's getting very forgetful. 532 00:33:23,440 --> 00:33:25,439 He's not remembering to do lots of things. 533 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:30,479 Yeah, we'll see how we go. Hopefully, it's all lined up. 534 00:33:32,320 --> 00:33:35,879 There's, like, a piece of cardboard or something down there I can see. 535 00:33:35,960 --> 00:33:39,319 When we started putting the drill down, material started coming up, 536 00:33:39,400 --> 00:33:42,359 all sorts of stuff, a bit of paper and all this kind of thing. 537 00:33:42,440 --> 00:33:44,879 What the hell? We're drilling up a rubbish tip! 538 00:33:46,520 --> 00:33:48,559 But then, lo and behold... 539 00:33:48,640 --> 00:33:50,839 That's got colour in it. 540 00:33:50,920 --> 00:33:53,159 Look at that! 541 00:33:53,240 --> 00:33:56,599 ..opal and potch and all that started coming up. 542 00:33:56,680 --> 00:33:58,999 Oh, that's a big bit of green. 543 00:33:59,080 --> 00:34:01,559 Some of them are quite valuable. 544 00:34:01,640 --> 00:34:05,159 Dad? Yeah. What the hell were you doing burying that? 545 00:34:05,240 --> 00:34:07,959 Look at that one. That's gorgeous. That's nice. 546 00:34:08,040 --> 00:34:12,159 Once it started coming up, there were just some quite big chunky bits 547 00:34:12,240 --> 00:34:14,359 and it was a lot of dark material. 548 00:34:14,440 --> 00:34:16,799 Oh, yeah, that's nice. 549 00:34:16,880 --> 00:34:20,599 Oh, I'm stoked. That's awesome. That's a nice stone. 550 00:34:20,680 --> 00:34:24,079 That's probably another $300 stone, 400 bucks. 551 00:34:24,160 --> 00:34:27,079 The old 'X marks the spot' did the job, paid off. 552 00:34:27,160 --> 00:34:31,199 How many more of these holes have you got? Oh, that's it. 553 00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:33,799 I knew that there was opal down there, 554 00:34:33,880 --> 00:34:36,559 but I didn't realise there was that much opal down there. 555 00:34:38,000 --> 00:34:39,999 For the Tunnel Rats, 556 00:34:40,080 --> 00:34:43,119 Rodney's hidden stash has delivered an unexpected haul, 557 00:34:43,200 --> 00:34:46,279 over four kilos of rough opal. 558 00:34:57,840 --> 00:34:59,839 You see that? 559 00:34:59,920 --> 00:35:02,999 Wouldn't want our roof to cave in, that's for sure. 560 00:35:04,480 --> 00:35:06,919 20 metres below the parched Outback, 561 00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:09,519 rookie Sam is having to step up, 562 00:35:09,600 --> 00:35:12,999 installing a one-tonne digger in the new Allawah mine. 563 00:35:13,080 --> 00:35:15,879 Bringing the digger down might knock bits of the roof out, 564 00:35:15,960 --> 00:35:17,959 with the state it's in. 565 00:35:19,400 --> 00:35:23,119 I'd rather see it come down... Now. ..now. 566 00:35:23,200 --> 00:35:27,759 On the surface, injured Pete is relying on just one working arm 567 00:35:27,840 --> 00:35:32,039 and his 30-year-old crane to make the tricky descent. 568 00:35:34,200 --> 00:35:36,239 Righty-o. 569 00:35:36,320 --> 00:35:38,319 Go down a bit there. 570 00:35:40,200 --> 00:35:42,839 Yes, them wheels are just touching the edge. 571 00:35:42,920 --> 00:35:45,119 That'll help guide it. 572 00:35:50,640 --> 00:35:53,279 Oh, it's gonna go close. 573 00:35:53,360 --> 00:35:55,679 Righty-o. Righto. 574 00:35:59,640 --> 00:36:01,639 There's always something, isn't there? 575 00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:07,719 The truck's radiator has sprung a leak, stopping the crane. 576 00:36:07,800 --> 00:36:09,879 Hey! Yo! 577 00:36:09,960 --> 00:36:12,119 Lower it down a bit more. 578 00:36:12,200 --> 00:36:14,879 I've just stopped the truck to put some water in. 579 00:36:14,960 --> 00:36:18,079 That's our water. That's it? 580 00:36:18,160 --> 00:36:21,159 The 500kg digger arm still needs to be lowered, 581 00:36:21,240 --> 00:36:24,639 but if the truck runs out of water, the engine will overheat 582 00:36:24,720 --> 00:36:27,119 and destroy itself within minutes. 583 00:36:27,200 --> 00:36:31,119 Righto, rocks coming down and the digger arm is coming down! 584 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:35,599 Righty-o! 585 00:36:37,160 --> 00:36:39,639 That? Yeah. All right. 586 00:36:39,720 --> 00:36:43,319 Down. Gentle. Down, gently. 587 00:36:45,680 --> 00:36:48,599 Righto. Keep going. Down a bit? Yeah. 588 00:36:54,920 --> 00:36:58,879 It's gotta be in two pieces and then one piece has to be suspended 589 00:36:58,960 --> 00:37:01,439 and reassembled at the bottom of the hole. 590 00:37:01,520 --> 00:37:05,759 You need millimetre control over the crane to do that successfully. 591 00:37:05,840 --> 00:37:08,399 How's that? A little bit more. 592 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:11,919 You all right? Too much... Too much on me. 593 00:37:12,000 --> 00:37:15,479 Hold on. How is that? Oh, slow, slow. We're getting close. 594 00:37:15,560 --> 00:37:19,319 I don't want the pin that close. Just put them in? Yeah. 595 00:37:19,400 --> 00:37:22,319 That twists. That's it. Going OK. That's it. 596 00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:26,279 That's how you want it to go in, mate, so it falls in itself. 597 00:37:26,360 --> 00:37:28,959 That's good. All good. 598 00:37:29,040 --> 00:37:31,559 The tools copped a bit of a battering. 599 00:37:31,640 --> 00:37:34,679 Lucky it wasn't one of our legs or something. 600 00:37:35,960 --> 00:37:38,679 So, that's the digger down, all ready to go. 601 00:37:38,760 --> 00:37:41,759 Unfortunately, with Pete's shoulder, he won't be coming down, 602 00:37:41,840 --> 00:37:44,039 but we can finally get digging. 603 00:37:44,120 --> 00:37:46,959 It will be my first time operating it, but we'll see how we go. 604 00:37:47,040 --> 00:37:49,039 Hopefully, we dig some gems out. 605 00:37:49,120 --> 00:37:53,239 This ought to be another first for me, running things on my own. 606 00:37:55,840 --> 00:38:00,559 With his first major test over, Sam's future is looking up. 607 00:38:00,640 --> 00:38:03,399 Oh, good on you, Sam. Thanks. You did well. No worries. 608 00:38:03,480 --> 00:38:05,479 All right, guys. Let's go home. 609 00:38:05,560 --> 00:38:07,799 Beer o'clock? I think it's getting damn close. 610 00:38:13,760 --> 00:38:15,759 Hey! Hey-hey! 611 00:38:17,120 --> 00:38:20,879 Finally, you're ready to start digging, start lifting dirt. 612 00:38:22,320 --> 00:38:25,239 In White Cliffs, The Poms are one step closer 613 00:38:25,320 --> 00:38:27,759 to finding opal in their new mine. 614 00:38:27,840 --> 00:38:29,879 I think you'd better get started, mate. 615 00:38:29,960 --> 00:38:32,959 With their 50-year-old tipper up and running, 616 00:38:33,040 --> 00:38:36,079 Carl can finally fulfil a lifelong dream. 617 00:38:36,160 --> 00:38:38,999 Ever since being a little kid, I've wanted to find treasure. 618 00:38:39,080 --> 00:38:42,199 It started out with wanting to be a pirate. That wasn't an option. 619 00:38:42,280 --> 00:38:44,479 But certainly finding opal is an option. 620 00:38:44,560 --> 00:38:49,239 So, to find that in the ground and be the first person to see it would definitely be a dream come true. 621 00:38:49,320 --> 00:38:52,759 Guys, I'm gonna pull the cord. Righty-o, we're watching. 622 00:38:52,840 --> 00:38:55,799 There she goes. Now I'm gonna get right out of the way, 623 00:38:55,880 --> 00:38:59,079 because if anything goes wrong and this thing comes down, 624 00:38:59,160 --> 00:39:01,759 you can imagine the weight in there. 625 00:39:04,760 --> 00:39:06,799 It's going way down there. 626 00:39:08,080 --> 00:39:10,199 There it goes! 627 00:39:10,280 --> 00:39:14,839 Perfect. It was a perfect tip. 628 00:39:14,920 --> 00:39:16,959 A perfect tip. We've had a perfect tip. 629 00:39:17,040 --> 00:39:19,559 Let the morning begin. 630 00:39:23,400 --> 00:39:25,599 This is where our dream meets reality. 631 00:39:26,960 --> 00:39:29,279 So, the task at hand, at the moment, 632 00:39:29,360 --> 00:39:31,919 is to dig down another two or three feet, 633 00:39:32,000 --> 00:39:34,559 before I can start to make any progress forwards, 634 00:39:34,640 --> 00:39:37,239 towards the face, to really chase the opal. 635 00:39:37,320 --> 00:39:39,319 So, there's a lot of work to be done 636 00:39:39,400 --> 00:39:41,719 before I can actually even hunt for opal. 637 00:39:43,200 --> 00:39:47,239 So, yeah, the next step on the process is to find some opal 638 00:39:47,320 --> 00:39:49,319 and make some jewellery with it. 639 00:39:54,000 --> 00:39:57,079 We need to get going, we need to crack on and find some opal now. 640 00:40:08,680 --> 00:40:10,919 Yesterday, we drilled up all this material. 641 00:40:11,000 --> 00:40:14,319 I'd say, about 150 ounces of opal. 642 00:40:14,400 --> 00:40:18,439 Desperate for all the opal they can find before eviction, 643 00:40:18,520 --> 00:40:22,199 the Tunnel Rats have dug up Rodney's buried treasure. 644 00:40:22,280 --> 00:40:24,279 Pays the bills, mate. 645 00:40:24,360 --> 00:40:28,239 They're counting on Elisa to maximise its value on the cutting wheel. 646 00:40:28,320 --> 00:40:32,079 We managed to sort through a little bit last night 647 00:40:32,160 --> 00:40:36,919 and plucked out, as you can see, quite a few big chunks. 648 00:40:37,000 --> 00:40:38,999 Gonna give this one a rub, in particular, 649 00:40:39,080 --> 00:40:41,079 cos it's really quite bright. 650 00:40:47,080 --> 00:40:49,999 In the past, when they have found opal, 651 00:40:50,080 --> 00:40:53,359 they've just, you know, separated it, maybe into certain grades 652 00:40:53,440 --> 00:40:56,199 and then just sold it as rough. 653 00:40:56,280 --> 00:40:58,519 The dollar difference between the rough parcel 654 00:40:58,600 --> 00:41:02,399 and the finished product is on levels like this. 655 00:41:02,480 --> 00:41:04,479 You're essentially selling yourself out 656 00:41:04,560 --> 00:41:06,879 by selling it in the rough form. 657 00:41:06,960 --> 00:41:10,479 But Elisa has only one month of cutting experience. 658 00:41:10,560 --> 00:41:13,479 Can you have a little squint at this one? 659 00:41:13,560 --> 00:41:16,479 So, that was that orangey one. Yeah. 660 00:41:16,560 --> 00:41:18,959 I've got maybe half a mm of play there. 661 00:41:19,040 --> 00:41:21,079 So, should I go down lower or not? 662 00:41:21,160 --> 00:41:23,399 I'd probably just leave it. 663 00:41:23,480 --> 00:41:27,159 If I rub stuff, I can bring that to him and then we can critique it 664 00:41:27,240 --> 00:41:29,519 and then we can finish them off together, 665 00:41:29,600 --> 00:41:32,359 just learn the processes from start to finish. 666 00:41:32,440 --> 00:41:34,999 This is all just in this morning's cuttings. 667 00:41:35,080 --> 00:41:38,399 That's what we got out of the hole. There's plenty more to go through. 668 00:41:38,480 --> 00:41:41,639 That's just fantastic. You can't get much better than that, really, 669 00:41:41,720 --> 00:41:44,119 just digging it out of a bloody drill hole. 670 00:41:44,200 --> 00:41:47,839 But will Elisa's handiwork impress veteran miner Rodney? 671 00:41:49,040 --> 00:41:51,199 You get a bit of gear? Yeah, I got a bit. 672 00:41:51,280 --> 00:41:54,039 I can't wait to see it. This is what we've been doing. 673 00:41:54,120 --> 00:41:56,399 A little bit. 674 00:41:56,480 --> 00:41:59,679 Do you wanna show Dad the little goodies? 675 00:41:59,760 --> 00:42:03,759 I made a little goody bag to show you. Oh, wow! 676 00:42:03,840 --> 00:42:07,479 They're lovely. Now, that was worth digging up, wasn't it? 677 00:42:07,560 --> 00:42:11,359 Well done, boys and girls. Top job. Pulled out the treasure chest. 678 00:42:11,440 --> 00:42:14,759 In my own opinion, what I think it's worth, 679 00:42:14,840 --> 00:42:17,759 nothing less than ten grand. Ten grand is what it is. 680 00:42:17,840 --> 00:42:19,839 At least. 681 00:42:19,920 --> 00:42:23,839 Rodney's treasure trove is made up of Mintabie opal, 682 00:42:23,920 --> 00:42:26,519 milky white with blues and greens. 683 00:42:26,600 --> 00:42:30,479 They have 12 grams, worth an estimated $10,000, 684 00:42:30,560 --> 00:42:32,359 bringing them even closer 685 00:42:32,440 --> 00:42:34,239 to the amount they need 686 00:42:34,320 --> 00:42:36,319 to secure a new future. 687 00:42:38,280 --> 00:42:40,279 Ten grand is pretty good for a day's work. 688 00:42:40,360 --> 00:42:42,359 I don't think anyone would complain. 689 00:42:42,440 --> 00:42:45,239 Fantastic to see that colour again. 690 00:42:46,440 --> 00:42:49,519 Can you just step back and think, 691 00:42:49,600 --> 00:42:53,199 is there any other hole that you might have dumped opal in? 692 00:42:53,280 --> 00:42:56,799 No. You're sure? I'm sure. No, that's it. 693 00:42:56,880 --> 00:42:59,559 If you're happy with that... Yeah. ..I'm happy with that. 694 00:42:59,640 --> 00:43:02,919 There might be opal miners out there that just do it for a job, 695 00:43:03,000 --> 00:43:06,599 but, for us, it's the passion to be able to hold your own opal and go, 696 00:43:06,680 --> 00:43:08,679 'You know what? I found it.' 697 00:43:11,200 --> 00:43:13,199 subtitles by Deluxe 697 00:43:14,305 --> 00:44:14,945 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=-