"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode #4.11

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:02,319 . 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:03,839 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 3 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:08,519 Maybe there's good opals just there if we can get the excavator through. 4 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:13,679 Col Duff reunites with partner Greg and pilot Stoney, 5 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:18,959 in one last push to find opal before summer heat ends the season. 6 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:21,039 It looks like she's running hot. 7 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:23,799 Maybe the motor's getting sick. I don't know. 8 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:25,799 I think that bucket's stuck. 9 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:28,399 Cos it's so hot, it's not got the cooling power 10 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:30,719 to get it over the top once it heats up. 11 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:34,079 The Cheals struggle with the extremes of the Outback... 12 00:00:34,160 --> 00:00:37,239 Our steering itself smashed. Very frustrating. 13 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:39,479 ..threatening the final days of their season. 14 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:41,359 We just didn't need this today, you know? 15 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:44,479 If they've left their tools here, they're coming back here. 16 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:48,559 After weeks of poachers threatening his livelihood... 17 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,159 A pick handle ain't much good against a shotgun. 18 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:54,959 ..bushman Rod Manning battles to drive out thieves from his mine. 19 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:58,119 Hey, you thieving ! You better run! 20 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:02,879 # Money 21 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:08,399 # And fancy clothes 22 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:16,074 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from www.OpenSubtitles.org 23 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:22,919 This year's been, er... Doing a lot of solo missions. 24 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:25,199 Prospecting, looking at new country. 25 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:29,319 You just gotta be extra careful when you're by yourself. 26 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:32,159 If you hurt yourself, erm, you got no one to help you. 27 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:34,239 There's no room for error. 28 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:39,399 It's the final sweltering weeks of the opal season 29 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:41,759 in Australia's hottest year on record. 30 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:47,359 Unworkable temperatures of 47 degrees Celsius are about to hit. 31 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:52,479 The clock's ticking. There's places to go and I'm not there yet. 32 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:54,199 I've still got to dig a bit of ground. 33 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:58,439 I definitely need a payday. This car's having a bit of trouble. 34 00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:01,519 It'd be good to find five grand, get a set of teeth 35 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:03,679 so I got a smile again and can eat steak. 36 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:06,799 It's good when you got a good crew, you know. 37 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:09,319 It's a hard job to do by yourself. 38 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:12,119 In some ways, it's nearly impossible. 39 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:18,399 Hey, how are you? Fine. Good, man, how you going? 40 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:21,639 Good to see you today. How are ya? Good to see you. 41 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:24,999 After downing mining tools for most of the season, 42 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:28,319 opal hunter Greg Geran, and his sister Margie, 43 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:31,359 are back to join forces with Col. 44 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:33,439 I had a bit of a late start to the year 45 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:35,559 cos I had a pretty hard run last year. 46 00:02:35,640 --> 00:02:38,479 Had about five months off, cut a heap of opal, 47 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:39,999 now it's time to go digging. 48 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:43,799 Oh, look at that. 49 00:02:44,920 --> 00:02:47,559 Queensland boulder Opal, mate. Not bad, eh? 50 00:02:47,640 --> 00:02:51,199 Last season saw the end of a successful mining run 51 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:53,839 with former partner, Aaron Grotjahn. 52 00:02:53,920 --> 00:02:57,279 I don't know. You don't know much, do you? 53 00:02:57,640 --> 00:02:59,639 People change when opal comes. 54 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:01,719 There was a bit of a disagreement, 55 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:04,159 and he told me to get off his lease, 56 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:05,919 and that's exactly what I've done. 57 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,719 Can you see that line there? This is from the seismic data. Yeah. 58 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:15,359 Greg and Col have teamed up to dig on a huge 59 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:19,799 ten square kilometre exploration permit, The Knob. 60 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:23,319 We have an exploration permit here of four sub blocks. 61 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:26,599 And by the end of the year, we need to drop two off, 62 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:29,079 so, we're gonna go to a few places and dig 'em 63 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:31,439 to see if it's viable to put leases down. 64 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:34,719 It's worth having a try here, 65 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:36,959 because we know opal has come out in this area 66 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:39,359 by a few different parties that have dug it. 67 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:44,239 They have less than a week before summer temperatures end their season, 68 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:46,319 and they're forced to abandon their mission 69 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:49,599 to discover signs of new opal ground. 70 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:52,039 Might be a few hard lumps in amongst there. 71 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:54,639 You got a big excavator, we can only give it a try. 72 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:57,399 While Greg has the big machinery to dig, 73 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:01,279 he's relying on Col's expertise to pin-point opal. 74 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:03,639 It's been a while since I worked with Col. 75 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:05,719 He is a professor of opal. 76 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:08,279 He's been studying mapping and imagery 77 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:10,839 for the last 25 years that I know of. 78 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:14,119 And he's getting close to hitting the nail right on the head. 79 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:17,919 Greg's sister, opal dealer, Margie, 80 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,559 will sell whatever boulder opal they find, 81 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:22,999 worth up to $20,000 a gram. 82 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:25,079 When you've got bills to pay and everything else, 83 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:26,919 that's the sort of stuff you wanna have. 84 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:30,519 But got a bit of ground to get through before we get there. 85 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:35,479 Critical to giving the team a competitive edge 86 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:38,039 is an eye in the sky. 87 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:40,999 Completing the team, helicopter cattle musterer 88 00:04:41,080 --> 00:04:43,319 and opal miner, Stoney Cain. 89 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:47,399 Cobber. You getting in? Seatbelt on. 90 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,359 I've been mustering cattle in a helicopter 91 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:52,119 for 19 years now or something. 92 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:54,279 But I'm sort of bloody over it, eh. 93 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:57,559 It's dangerous, and not only that, but I got a little boy now. 94 00:04:57,640 --> 00:04:59,279 He's about two. 95 00:04:59,920 --> 00:05:03,119 They're asleep in the morning when you go to work and when you get home 96 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:05,999 All right, Dad's gotta go to work. No. No? 97 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:10,039 And they gotta grow up without you. You don't get much of a family life. 98 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:12,119 Have a good day. 99 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:15,639 He'll be back. 100 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:19,199 I wouldn't mind kicking back a bit on the flying, doing a bit less, 101 00:05:19,280 --> 00:05:21,279 and doing a bit more opal mining. 102 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:26,599 I've been mining with Greg for six or seven years. 103 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:28,759 And over the years, I've taught myself 104 00:05:28,840 --> 00:05:30,959 to read the ground from the helicopter. 105 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:32,999 You need the faults 106 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:35,239 and changes in the ground for the opal to form. 107 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:37,959 That sort of gives you an idea to go have a look. 108 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:41,679 When you break that rock and it's full of colour, 109 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:43,959 it's an amazing rush, it's hard to explain. 110 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:48,159 This mark here is a big fault that's marked on the seismic survey. 111 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:51,479 And that's why the opal's there. It's the underlying feeder. 112 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:54,559 I reckon it looks good ground. Let's go and get some opal, mate. 113 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,839 Stoney's first task is to help Col locate fault lines, 114 00:05:59,920 --> 00:06:03,479 where millions of years ago, ground water deposited silica 115 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:06,119 in ironstone rock, forming opal. 116 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:27,439 Yeah. That looks good, buddy. 117 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:41,199 ROS: Cos of the drought, we've been getting bloody terrible dust storms. 118 00:06:41,280 --> 00:06:44,119 We got a real bad one last night about 12 o'clock. 119 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:47,879 Everything's covered in dust today. 120 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:50,799 Makes a mess, you can hardly breathe. 121 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:55,959 Bushman Rod Manning is racing to reach his season target 122 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:59,079 in the final scorching days of the mining season. 123 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:04,079 It's the heat, because yesterday was nearly 50. 124 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:07,639 When you get that layer of dust, it traps the heat in. 125 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:11,919 So, it just makes it real humid and real bloody hot. 126 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:13,999 And it just everything up. 127 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:17,959 Even tougher, Rod is without mining partner, Les. 128 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:19,519 What's that? 129 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:21,079 Les is away getting us a bogger. 130 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,599 A bogger's like a little front end loader 131 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:25,719 that we use underground to move dirt. 132 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:27,959 A mate of ours has got one for sale. 133 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:31,239 It needs a little bit of work. So, he'll do that down there, 134 00:07:31,320 --> 00:07:33,359 if he decides to buy it. 135 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:37,399 How are you? Hey, doll. How was your trip? 136 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:39,199 Good. Yeah? Yeah. 137 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:44,319 So, yeah, I got the mail from the Mines Department. 138 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:46,719 Dodgy's is up for renewal. Oh, yeah? 139 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,959 How much is it? $350. Ooh. 140 00:07:50,040 --> 00:07:53,199 With the claims, you gotta renew them every year. 141 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:56,159 So, every year, they're gonna cost you 350 bucks. 142 00:07:56,800 --> 00:08:00,519 I kept the claim because we got real good money out of there. 143 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:03,919 We had a break from it, then when we went to go back to it, 144 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:06,319 that's when we discovered the ratters. 145 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,399 When the ratters went in there, they made it unsafe. 146 00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:11,719 Ratters are opal thieves 147 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:14,679 that illegally mine on claims they don't own. 148 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:16,759 Where the ratters got in, it's not safe. 149 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:18,839 We can't work down there, 150 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:22,199 but there's a bit of solid ground we might be able to work in. 151 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:25,919 OK. I'll go and have a look, and see what's happening, all right? 152 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,279 OK. Night. 153 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:31,959 You can't just keep paying renewal year after year after year. 154 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:35,359 So, I've gotta make up my mind, and if we're gonna work it, 155 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:39,319 we'll go and work it, and if we're not gonna go and work it, then I'll hand it in. 156 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:44,639 Choosing which mine to keep is a gamble with serious consequences. 157 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:46,399 Let the wrong one go, 158 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:49,279 and Rod could be forfeiting a fortune in opals. 159 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:50,839 Stay there, Nige. 160 00:08:52,560 --> 00:08:54,559 Well, hello. 161 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,039 This is not us. 162 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:02,839 We didn't do this. This is ratters. This is all ratters here. 163 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:05,279 Jesus! They're unbelievable. Look at that. 164 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:07,679 Little pile of potch they've left there. 165 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:09,839 They could've left me some bloody colour. 166 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:12,239 If they've left their tools here, they're fairly certain 167 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:15,959 that I'm not coming back here and they are. 168 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:19,559 So, we might have to do something about that. 169 00:09:29,720 --> 00:09:32,159 We're just gonna dig out in there. 170 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,359 We got opal in the floor. That's why we're taking the floor. 171 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:41,559 In Lightning Ridge, Chris Cheal and 18-year-old son, Oscar, 172 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:45,719 are also pushing hard before the mining season is shut down 173 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:50,239 by unworkable 47-degree summer temperatures. 174 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:53,519 Hoping that we can get a full load before it gets too hot. 175 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:55,599 We've moved into our last week here. 176 00:09:55,680 --> 00:09:58,479 I guess the main objective for this week is 177 00:09:58,560 --> 00:10:00,679 prove this claim is worthy of digging 178 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:02,839 and if it's still carrying a lot of opal, 179 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:05,359 we're gonna come in here, and rip it all out. 180 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:09,879 That's the bogger. Scoop it again. 181 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:13,599 You dig on a digger, obviously, there's a lot of dirt lying around. 182 00:10:13,680 --> 00:10:15,959 So, it comes in, scoops it all up. 183 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:18,719 Chucks it in here and then you back her into the bucket, 184 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:21,119 pull it off and she goes straight up into truck. 185 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:30,599 We've been loading the bucket up. It hadn't come back down. 186 00:10:30,680 --> 00:10:34,079 Looked up and it was stuck, so... We don't know why. 187 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:36,639 With a busted hoist, there's no way 188 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:39,319 of getting opal-rich dirt out of the mine. 189 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:48,639 Chris has returned to opal mining at the end of the season, 190 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:52,959 after a crippling three-year drought destroyed his trucking business. 191 00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:57,239 I don't know if there's many other industries that you can go into 192 00:10:57,320 --> 00:11:01,079 and go to work one morning and come home that afternoon 193 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:04,439 and be set up for the rest of your life. 194 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:09,479 Leasing a claim and taking a 70% cut of any opal found, 195 00:11:09,560 --> 00:11:11,959 the Cheals made a dream start... 196 00:11:12,040 --> 00:11:15,679 Oh, that's beautiful. 197 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:20,039 ..finding $20,000 worth of black opal. 198 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,359 Just given me a little bit extra that I can put back into gear too, 199 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:24,839 which is good. 200 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:26,919 We've only got a week left here, 201 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:29,959 so we just decided we'd set the bogger and the super hoist up, 202 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:32,719 and not mess around, just get into it. 203 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:35,039 My main priority next year 204 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:37,839 is being able to put myself through uni and college. 205 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:40,679 That's why I'm out here opal mining. 206 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:42,759 This definitely could be life-changing. 207 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:45,479 One day, you could have nothing, next day you could be a millionaire. 208 00:11:45,560 --> 00:11:48,599 Joining the team is long-time family friend, 209 00:11:48,680 --> 00:11:51,199 19-year-old Farren Lamb. 210 00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:53,439 Farren, I treat him like a son, 211 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:56,639 he's been part of our family for a lot of years now. 212 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:59,159 Years ago, he got suspended from school, 213 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:01,239 so, he just mined with me for the week, 214 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:04,079 and I actually was really impressed with the way he worked. 215 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:06,399 So, it would be good to have him here for the week. 216 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:09,679 And it'll take the pressure off Oscar himself a bit. 217 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:14,319 My mum lives in Goodooga, like, 70Ks away from here. 218 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,559 There's not much work out there for me, 219 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:18,799 so, Chris is trying to help me a bit for work. 220 00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:22,239 He's like another brother or friend, pretty much a dad. 221 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:24,519 If we were to hit a really good pocket 222 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:26,719 or a really good run of opal this week, 223 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:28,879 with the boys working with me, 224 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:32,039 it'll take the pressure off us that bit more, 225 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:33,679 and that'd be a dream come true. 226 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:38,199 But with struggling equipment, exposed to the scorching sun... 227 00:12:38,280 --> 00:12:40,279 Bucket's stuck, he's up there checking it out now. 228 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:42,359 Hopefully, he can work it out, we can keep digging. 229 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:44,519 ..their season could be over. 230 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:48,039 That's a hydraulic reservoir. Cos it's so hot, 231 00:12:48,120 --> 00:12:50,959 the oil's heating up. It's not got the cooling power 232 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:53,639 to get it over the top once it heats up. 233 00:12:53,720 --> 00:12:56,559 If the pump gives out, it's game over. 234 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:05,679 GREG: I got the map Col put on me iPad, 235 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:08,719 and we can see where the coordinates are to go to. 236 00:13:10,040 --> 00:13:13,479 Yeah, there is hard ground here, but I think we'll handle it. 237 00:13:13,560 --> 00:13:15,839 We'll be able to rip that hard stuff with the machines, 238 00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:17,919 we just gotta dig in the right place. 239 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:22,439 Greg's excavator has crawled three kilometres in two hours 240 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:26,759 to the site identified by mining partners Stoney and Col. 241 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:28,839 This is really interesting looking ground. 242 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:31,239 You can see the different layers. 243 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:34,439 This sort of stuff here on the top is fairly hard, 244 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:37,759 and suddenly there's a bit of a level there of clay, 245 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:38,999 and there's some rocks. 246 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:41,279 Those rocks had a bit of opal in them. 247 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:44,679 Clock's ticking, if it's a good place, we put a lease on it. 248 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:46,359 That's what we want. 249 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:51,199 The team have less than a week to secure a claim on the permit 250 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:53,999 before they lose access to the land. 251 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:58,359 But it's only worth it if they can find a rich pocket of opal. 252 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:01,599 All the signs are there, you'd be mad not to have a go here. 253 00:14:01,680 --> 00:14:06,439 Greg's excavator is able to move one tonne of dirt in a single bucket, 254 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:10,519 vital in the search for the ironstone rocks that hold the opal. 255 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:12,959 While you've got a good chunk of that level, 256 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:15,039 we'll just see if there's any rocks. 257 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:17,999 This is what we're looking for. They're opal tracks. 258 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:21,839 Basically, these rocks are hidden in that level. 259 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:24,719 So, we're gonna be real careful and check it really well. 260 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:36,999 I'm gonna have to check the oil, I think. 261 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:39,479 I'm down on oil pressure and temperature's up, Stoney. 262 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:43,519 In the 40-plus degree heat, 263 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:47,519 Greg's 40-year-old excavator is beginning to feel the strain. 264 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:51,079 It looks like she's running a bit hot, I better turn her off. 265 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:55,199 Eh. 266 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:56,719 Might not be a good thing at all. 267 00:14:56,800 --> 00:14:59,559 Bloody hell. I can't see any oil dripping. 268 00:15:00,760 --> 00:15:03,959 Hey, she got nothing on the stick. Oh. 269 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:06,319 Maybe the motor's getting sick, I don't know. 270 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:08,279 You got any oil? 271 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:10,319 I don't think I've got any at the camp. 272 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:13,399 I'll go and see what I can find, boys. 273 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:18,799 STONEY: We bloody hit a bit of drama, we're out of oil. 274 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:22,719 We are in the bloody middle of nowhere here. 275 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:25,279 The nearest town is 130 kilometres away. 276 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:29,279 It's two-and-a-half, three-hour trip at least to go to town, and get some oil. 277 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:32,759 I'll just jump on the two-way, give a couple of local farmers a call. 278 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:40,119 A veteran of 20 years mustering cattle, 279 00:15:40,200 --> 00:15:42,999 Stoney has worked many of the farms in the region. 280 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:46,919 We only got a few days to dig. Hopefully, somebody's got 281 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,599 a spare 20 litres of oil that we can borrow. 282 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:05,399 ROD: We've invested thousands of dollars 283 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:07,839 and a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it. 284 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:10,759 Then come down, and in one night, 285 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:13,959 take what you've been working for months for. 286 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:19,439 Battling ratter thieves, and without partner Les to watch his back, 287 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:24,239 Rod Manning's deciding whether to renew his dangerous Dodgy's claim. 288 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,679 Dodgy's was a good mine, a lot of money's come out of there. 289 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:34,039 There's still money in there, but where, 290 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:37,039 potentially, there's good money I can't get into. 291 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:40,999 Ratters have taken too much column out and I've got too wide a space. 292 00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:43,639 Even if I tried to work here, I'd have to put 20 or 30 293 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:47,439 bloody props in the hole, strong possibility of collapse. 294 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,359 So, I think I might get the bloody hell out of here, 295 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:53,799 and go up where they were scratching around up there 296 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:56,199 in the safer stuff, cos this is way unsafe. 297 00:16:56,880 --> 00:16:59,279 I do not like even being down here. 298 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:03,519 This is where the ratters have been scratching around. 299 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:07,879 They've been scratching around here, so I guess I'll have a look here 300 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:09,399 and just see. 301 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:12,239 Potch absolutely everywhere. 302 00:17:12,320 --> 00:17:14,519 This here... 303 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:16,079 That's all opal. 304 00:17:16,840 --> 00:17:19,119 Not coloured, of course. 305 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:23,439 If this is all full of colour, every stone that falls down there 306 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:28,039 is probably worth between $3,000 and $20,000. 307 00:17:28,120 --> 00:17:31,319 So, in 30 seconds, I can have... 308 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:35,079 ..a couple of hundred thousand dollars in me hand. 309 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:43,639 Good potch. Where's the colour? 310 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:46,199 You're not gonna have ratters unless you've got colour. 311 00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:49,959 I think what I'll do is come back down with a jackhammer. 312 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:53,599 And I'll have a bit of a dig here, and just see what it looks like. 313 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:56,079 They've showed me the way there, haven't they? 314 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:05,679 I think it might be the oil. 315 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:09,119 It was definitely the oil wasn't letting it come up in the first place. 316 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:14,159 45-degree heat has caused the Cheals' bucket hoist to fail, 317 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:19,199 the only way of getting opal dirt out of their 13-metre deep mine. 318 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:21,839 The oil's too hot, we started too late in the day. 319 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:24,959 We gotta be starting earlier, getting out here earlier. 320 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:28,559 Getting the load over and done with, no messing around. 321 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:30,639 I'm just gonna try to cool 'em down. 322 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:32,799 We might be able to get the last two buckets on. 323 00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:35,239 The heat has thinned the hydraulic oil, 324 00:18:35,320 --> 00:18:38,159 reducing pressure in the hoist's pump. 325 00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:41,439 A quick fix is ice-cold water on a rag, 326 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:44,879 to cool the oil and increase its thickness. 327 00:18:44,960 --> 00:18:47,639 When I start this, hoist up again. 328 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:50,799 And I want you to hit the up button and see if she'll get over. 329 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:53,679 Righto. Righto, give it a go! 330 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:09,559 While it's back in action, the hoist could fail at any moment, 331 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:14,359 leaving Chris with no way to find opal to pay off business debts. 332 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:24,879 We've been getting our opal down deep, 333 00:19:24,960 --> 00:19:27,479 so, we'll take a bit more floor out and have a look. 334 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:37,119 Not too happy with the amount of dust coming out of the face. 335 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:39,919 Just bad for your lungs. 336 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:43,479 Dirt's real hard in the corner here. And it's too dusty. 337 00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:46,279 I can't extract the dust out, cos I haven't had a chance 338 00:19:46,360 --> 00:19:48,279 to put a ventilation shaft down. 339 00:19:48,360 --> 00:19:51,959 So, if I keep digging here, it's gonna fill my lungs with dust, 340 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:54,599 and that's no good cos you end up with silicosis. 341 00:19:55,360 --> 00:20:00,599 Silicosis is chronic lung disease caused by inhaling silica particles, 342 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:03,319 a primary mineral in opal creation. 343 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:07,839 I'm just gonna pull up on this, and we're gonna go straight in there 344 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:10,519 where it's softer and it's not as dusty. 345 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:13,879 When we got that really good find, we were just two or three feet from this wall. 346 00:20:13,960 --> 00:20:16,439 We were seeing gems everywhere. 347 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:19,839 Decided to head this way. See if it's carrying on that level. 348 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:22,119 We put props up to reinforce the roof, 349 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:24,199 so make sure it doesn't fall down. 350 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:26,479 If you go straight in there and start digging it out, 351 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:29,879 eventually it'll fall down, so you put them up to avoid cave-ins, 352 00:20:29,960 --> 00:20:33,559 bits of rocks falling down and hitting you, cos it's too dangerous. 353 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:35,559 Chainsaw. 354 00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:37,599 And lead. 355 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,479 240 volt lead, please. Where's the leads? 356 00:20:40,560 --> 00:20:42,559 Come on, boys. You gotta get with it. 357 00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:54,679 We need that one out of the way. 358 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:59,759 Can you put that cap in? All right. Just grab that little hammer. 359 00:20:59,840 --> 00:21:01,839 It'll be on the chair, Oscar. 360 00:21:08,040 --> 00:21:10,959 Doesn't take long to put a couple of props in and make it safe. 361 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:15,759 You gotta support the roof, cos if it comes in, you're not getting out. 362 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:19,999 We should be able to load this truck pretty quick. 363 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:22,279 If the hoist stops, that's the end of our dig, 364 00:21:22,360 --> 00:21:26,159 so we just wanna concentrate on getting this load out before it gets too hot. 365 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:32,839 In this really tight space, I've gotta be careful of the wires. 366 00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:36,039 Last thing we want, being so cramped for room... 367 00:21:36,120 --> 00:21:38,799 Last thing we want is me reversing over the wires, ripping it all up. 368 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:40,879 Yeah, that'd put us back for days. 369 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:52,439 Hopefully, there's a few gems in there, and, you know... 370 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:54,719 Hopefully, it covers the cost, 371 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:57,159 but then, obviously, 372 00:21:57,240 --> 00:22:00,519 you want a good pot of money out of that, but we'll just see. 373 00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:04,959 I think there'll be money there, I just don't know how much. 374 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:09,079 Bucket's starting to play up again, 375 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:11,439 and I think now it's starting to heat up. 376 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:15,999 Midday, and the mercury's hitting 47 degrees. 377 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:20,239 Too hot to mine. Couple of beers, we'll tail out. 378 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:22,199 And I'll see we got at the end of the day. 379 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:26,719 They still need to transport the mine dirt 40 kilometres 380 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:30,399 to their agitator, to be washed, and examined for opal. 381 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:34,999 Pull up, boys, I think it's a tie rod. 382 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:47,479 So, we dropped a tie rod end 383 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:50,159 on our beautiful roads that we got here at the moment. 384 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:53,679 We just didn't need this today, you know? 385 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:56,639 We've decreased our chances of actually finding opal 386 00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:59,399 by the end of the week. I'm frustrated. 387 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:17,559 Travelling at 180 kilometres per hour, 388 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:21,999 Stoney's desperately hunting for engine oil on Weona cattle station. 389 00:23:23,320 --> 00:23:25,519 It is a bit of a wiry machine, 390 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:28,199 it did get a bit hot, and oil pressure was dropping. 391 00:23:28,280 --> 00:23:31,679 This machine does use oil, it's not a new machine. 392 00:23:31,760 --> 00:23:34,639 The team urgently need oil for their excavator, 393 00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:37,039 to continue digging for signs of opal 394 00:23:37,120 --> 00:23:40,159 on land they will lose access to in a week's time. 395 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:42,599 Got the clock ticking, we've only got so long 396 00:23:42,680 --> 00:23:45,479 and then it's someone else's go. 397 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:49,959 Nothing worse than dripping oil, blow a hose or get a pinhole in it. 398 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:52,839 You're always putting oil in it, it all costs money. 399 00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:25,399 Bloody bit of local knowledge, luckily. Bloody... 400 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:29,559 Frank and Paula Weona helped us out. I do a bit of work for 'em. 401 00:24:29,640 --> 00:24:32,679 I thought he might have a bit of oil sitting around, so it's good. 402 00:24:32,760 --> 00:24:36,839 The 20 litres of oil will give the team another day of digging. 403 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:41,359 But soon, extreme summer temperatures will shut down all work. 404 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:46,479 Sounds like he's coming, Col. Bit of luck he's got the oil. Yeah. 405 00:24:50,840 --> 00:24:52,839 No worries. No worries, mate. 406 00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:55,719 OK. 407 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:02,959 She's right, Col, we can make a start. 408 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:04,519 Cool. 409 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:09,639 They're searching for good opal colour, 410 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:13,839 from blues and greens to the rarest and most valuable, red. 411 00:25:15,760 --> 00:25:18,719 We've just run into a little family here of rocks. 412 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:22,039 This one here come off the end of this one here. Have a look at this. 413 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:28,599 See if we can sneak a tooth behind here, pop that whole trunk out. 414 00:25:28,680 --> 00:25:31,719 Hopefully, it'll come out and that will be sitting on top of it. 415 00:25:35,800 --> 00:25:38,279 There we go. Beautiful. 416 00:25:39,360 --> 00:25:41,599 This is sandstone and this is clay. 417 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:44,879 And the rocks are stuck up against the sandstone. 418 00:25:44,960 --> 00:25:47,519 So, we've gotta try and separate without hurting them. 419 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:03,879 Gone a bit bloody boring here, mate. 420 00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:05,799 We haven't seen any colour for a bit. 421 00:26:07,040 --> 00:26:10,439 And it's getting a bit hot. Hammer's getting heavy. 422 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:18,279 Decent colour. Look at that one. 423 00:26:18,360 --> 00:26:20,879 That's nice and bright. Bloody hell. 424 00:26:20,960 --> 00:26:24,399 Yeah. Nice bit of blue-green, nice and thick, too. 425 00:26:24,480 --> 00:26:27,719 So, maybe, there'll be more stuff as we go in, I reckon. 426 00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:31,519 Off we go. They're all here. Right along there. Look at that. 427 00:26:31,600 --> 00:26:33,599 Quite a big nest, eh? Yeah, yeah. 428 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:36,439 Oh, here we go. 429 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:41,039 I'm getting excited. 430 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:47,799 Wow, check that out, boys. 431 00:26:47,880 --> 00:26:51,359 Whoa-ho! Look at this nice colour. 432 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:53,079 There's some little stones there. 433 00:26:55,080 --> 00:26:58,199 Oi, look at this, fellas. Oh. 434 00:26:58,280 --> 00:27:01,039 Bloody hell. Oh, it's red. 435 00:27:01,120 --> 00:27:03,919 Red! Yeah! Red, mate, look at that. 436 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:07,399 There you go, that's how it happens. Oh, flashes to green one way. 437 00:27:07,480 --> 00:27:09,479 One way green, one way red. 438 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:11,879 That's a kingstone, mate. That is a kingstone. 439 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:13,959 That's bloody beautiful. That's a gem. 440 00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:20,359 Oh, looks pretty! It is red. 441 00:27:26,280 --> 00:27:28,919 That is very good colour. That is beautiful. 442 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:30,999 That shows what this place is capable of. 443 00:27:38,520 --> 00:27:41,359 Yesterday, I found a few little bits of trace. 444 00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:44,239 I'm just gonna drop some cables down there now, 445 00:27:44,320 --> 00:27:47,039 get a jackhammer and some lights down there. 446 00:27:47,120 --> 00:27:49,439 Have a bit of a dig and just see what it looks like. 447 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:55,279 At Dodgy's, Rod faces a $350 lease renewal fee. 448 00:27:55,360 --> 00:27:59,839 Still short of his season target, he needs to prove it's worth keeping. 449 00:27:59,920 --> 00:28:02,759 Now, you stay. Stay. 450 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:05,919 When you're doing it tough, that's hard money to come up with. 451 00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:09,879 I've gotta sort of figure out if it's worth hanging on to. 452 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:16,039 Complicating matters, ratters have been stealing opal from the mine. 453 00:28:16,120 --> 00:28:19,239 This is where they left that little bit of potch for me, so... 454 00:28:19,320 --> 00:28:21,759 Hook in, I guess. 455 00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:33,839 Where's the colour? 456 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:38,399 Some bloody junky ratter got it, I guess. 457 00:28:40,560 --> 00:28:44,719 Look at that. They missed a bit. That's nice colour. 458 00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:48,159 And that's obviously why they've been digging here. 459 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:51,079 That's enough to get the old heart beating quicker, I reckon. 460 00:28:51,160 --> 00:28:55,039 It's a nice colour, I think we're gonna keep it. 461 00:28:55,960 --> 00:28:57,959 That's enough to get me excited. 462 00:28:58,040 --> 00:29:00,679 I think we'll keep it, we'll renew the lease. 463 00:29:00,760 --> 00:29:03,559 You can always guarantee if you got ratters in a mine, 464 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:05,639 you've got colour in the mine. 465 00:29:11,520 --> 00:29:13,519 These weren't here yesterday. 466 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:18,839 These definitely weren't here yesterday, and neither was this. 467 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:24,279 See, that's fresh. 468 00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:28,479 Someone's been down here last night cos that wasn't there yesterday. 469 00:29:28,560 --> 00:29:30,799 Cos we were in here, I would have saw it. 470 00:29:30,880 --> 00:29:33,239 Last night, they were here. The only way to stop them 471 00:29:33,320 --> 00:29:36,759 is to be here when they are here, so I'm coming back tonight, stuff 'em. 472 00:29:41,160 --> 00:29:43,639 Well, the ratters are active. They're about. 473 00:29:43,720 --> 00:29:47,479 All I can do is go out to the claim and find myself a box tree 474 00:29:47,560 --> 00:29:50,439 to sit underneath and wait, and see if they turn up or not. 475 00:29:53,840 --> 00:29:55,359 Let's do this. 476 00:29:55,440 --> 00:29:59,799 With partner Les still away, Rod's staking out the claim alone. 477 00:29:59,880 --> 00:30:02,279 The way I gotta do it is get out there, 478 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:04,759 hide this away in the scrub a little bit, 479 00:30:04,840 --> 00:30:08,479 just find a tree and sit underneath the tree and wait. 480 00:30:08,560 --> 00:30:11,319 Can't have any lights or anything on. 481 00:30:11,400 --> 00:30:13,919 I gotta be a bit smart, a bit careful. 482 00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:16,839 A pick handle ain't much good against a shotgun. 483 00:30:19,080 --> 00:30:21,519 They won't see us from here, I don't think. 484 00:30:27,080 --> 00:30:29,479 You don't know whether they're going to turn up. 485 00:30:29,560 --> 00:30:32,239 You don't know whether it's one bloke or four blokes. 486 00:30:32,320 --> 00:30:34,319 You don't know whether they've got guns. 487 00:30:35,800 --> 00:30:37,799 You just have to wait and see what happens. 488 00:30:38,480 --> 00:30:40,559 I'd sooner cop a flogging 489 00:30:40,640 --> 00:30:43,959 than let someone steal off me. 490 00:30:44,040 --> 00:30:48,599 I've copped floggings before. You heal, you'll get over em. 491 00:30:48,680 --> 00:30:51,999 But you don't heal or get over being a dog, 492 00:30:52,080 --> 00:30:54,519 and laying down and letting people walk all over you. 493 00:31:04,560 --> 00:31:06,559 Hello, here we go. 494 00:31:07,560 --> 00:31:09,559 They're there. Look. 495 00:31:13,360 --> 00:31:16,759 Nah! I think that's just one of the boys going home from the pub. 496 00:31:16,840 --> 00:31:19,559 I think we might put that one down to a false alarm. 497 00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:31,039 Ooh, that sounds like a car. 498 00:31:34,720 --> 00:31:36,719 Yeah, this is it. Righto. 499 00:31:36,800 --> 00:31:38,999 This is it, fellas. This is it. 500 00:31:47,720 --> 00:31:50,559 Hey, you thieving ! Better run! 501 00:31:52,400 --> 00:31:54,399 You, mate! Oi, oi, squitter! 502 00:31:55,680 --> 00:31:57,679 I saw ya! 503 00:31:59,080 --> 00:32:02,479 Don't rush, cos I know who you are. 504 00:32:02,560 --> 00:32:04,559 He's just a little grub. 505 00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:07,439 I can pay him a visit. 506 00:32:08,440 --> 00:32:10,439 That's the end of our ratter problem. 507 00:32:16,600 --> 00:32:20,719 To secure Dodgy's claim, Rod needs to sell the opal he found 508 00:32:20,800 --> 00:32:23,999 to help pay for the $350 renewal fee. 509 00:32:24,840 --> 00:32:27,439 Whenever I get some reasonable stones 510 00:32:27,520 --> 00:32:30,079 that are only little and don't cost much money, 511 00:32:30,160 --> 00:32:33,159 I run 'em down to Sandra. She's very easy to deal with. 512 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:36,599 You home, Sandra? Come on in. 513 00:32:36,680 --> 00:32:38,999 I've got something for ya. Oh, beauty. 514 00:32:39,080 --> 00:32:41,239 I've been waiting, I need a little bit of extra. 515 00:32:41,320 --> 00:32:45,679 They're not spectacular, but I think you might be able to do something with them. 516 00:32:45,760 --> 00:32:47,479 Yep. There's a couple of them. 517 00:32:47,560 --> 00:32:52,239 There's a couple of little ones you can do something with. Yeah, that one I can. Definitely. 518 00:32:52,320 --> 00:32:55,399 You'll get a couple of rings out 'em and maybe a pendant. 519 00:32:55,480 --> 00:32:57,279 That's a nice one. 520 00:32:58,120 --> 00:33:00,479 That should come up actually quite nice. Yeah. 521 00:33:01,040 --> 00:33:02,999 What are you looking at for the whole lot? 522 00:33:03,080 --> 00:33:06,559 Oh, I don't know, Sandra. I reckon, to you, $300. 523 00:33:06,640 --> 00:33:08,639 A bit of work in that one. 524 00:33:09,760 --> 00:33:11,439 Hm, $300? 525 00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:14,439 What do you wanna give me? 526 00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:17,279 I reckon about $250. $250? 527 00:33:17,360 --> 00:33:19,199 Well, I say it's fair, $250. 528 00:33:20,360 --> 00:33:22,359 That will do me. I'm happy with that. 529 00:33:22,440 --> 00:33:25,079 $250 is done. Good on ya, Sandra. Thank you very much. 530 00:33:25,160 --> 00:33:27,239 Yeah, I'll even chuck a tin in. 531 00:33:30,280 --> 00:33:32,999 With $250 from the sale, 532 00:33:33,080 --> 00:33:36,079 Rod has enough money to renew the lease on the mine. 533 00:33:37,160 --> 00:33:39,159 I'm pretty happy, to tell you the truth. 534 00:33:39,240 --> 00:33:42,039 Old Les is away, so he's missed out 535 00:33:42,120 --> 00:33:44,879 on a bit of bloody excitement and a bit of fun. 536 00:33:44,960 --> 00:33:48,079 But with us renewing the lease and going back there to work... 537 00:33:48,160 --> 00:33:51,959 To get that bit of colour, I didn't do very much digging at all. 538 00:33:52,040 --> 00:33:53,959 So another good sign. 539 00:33:54,040 --> 00:33:57,119 Hold on! Where are we going? 540 00:34:00,360 --> 00:34:02,359 How flash is that, eh? 541 00:34:02,440 --> 00:34:04,519 Wow! I know how to treat a girl. 542 00:34:04,600 --> 00:34:07,359 This looks good. That's beautiful. 543 00:34:08,560 --> 00:34:10,799 Love you. Love you, too. 544 00:34:10,880 --> 00:34:12,599 Best wife I've ever had. 545 00:34:25,640 --> 00:34:28,199 It's smashed. I'll have to try him later. 546 00:34:28,920 --> 00:34:30,239 Very frustrating. 547 00:34:31,360 --> 00:34:33,879 On the penultimate day of their mining season, 548 00:34:33,960 --> 00:34:35,679 the Cheals' truck, 549 00:34:35,760 --> 00:34:38,959 full of potentially opal-bearing dirt, is busted. 550 00:34:43,720 --> 00:34:45,519 She snapped off. 551 00:34:46,520 --> 00:34:48,879 The nearest town for a new tie rod end 552 00:34:48,960 --> 00:34:51,119 is Walgett, 80 kilometres away. 553 00:34:51,200 --> 00:34:54,439 But first, Chris has to get the broken one off. 554 00:34:57,280 --> 00:35:01,039 That's not coming out. That's not gonna in a hurry. 555 00:35:01,120 --> 00:35:03,679 So me brother's trying to track one down in Walgett. 556 00:35:03,760 --> 00:35:08,479 He said he will come up, give us a hand to get it out. 557 00:35:08,560 --> 00:35:10,559 This is what he does, you know. 558 00:35:10,640 --> 00:35:13,359 He fixes trucks and tractors and whatever else. 559 00:35:13,440 --> 00:35:15,239 He's a pretty handy mechanic. 560 00:35:15,320 --> 00:35:18,639 How are you going, brother? Good. Thanks for coming up. 561 00:35:18,720 --> 00:35:20,719 Uncle Jeffo just arrived. 562 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:22,839 He's got a new tie bar, crowbar, everything. 563 00:35:22,920 --> 00:35:25,639 We'll try to get the old one off. We had a bit of trouble earlier. 564 00:35:25,720 --> 00:35:28,639 But he's the expert, so he can hopefully sort something out. 565 00:35:28,720 --> 00:35:31,559 And then we'll get the new one on and hopefully get going. 566 00:35:37,720 --> 00:35:41,319 It's off now. We drop this one out and snap the other one. 567 00:35:41,400 --> 00:35:45,799 Getting this out here, so we'll take this back to the workshop, 568 00:35:45,880 --> 00:35:48,119 undo 'em down there, and fix it all up. 569 00:35:48,200 --> 00:35:50,799 Frustrating, but we'll just try and get back tonight 570 00:35:50,880 --> 00:35:52,879 and get it finished off. 571 00:35:59,720 --> 00:36:01,719 The Cheals return from Walgett 572 00:36:01,800 --> 00:36:04,519 with the parts they need to fix the truck. 573 00:36:04,600 --> 00:36:07,999 I'll need one of you on one side to hold it up. 574 00:36:08,080 --> 00:36:10,799 Keep it out of the dirt. We'll start the truck. 575 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:12,999 I'll get someone in on the steering wheel. 576 00:36:17,920 --> 00:36:20,799 Just go right hand down. Just slow. Turn. 577 00:36:22,200 --> 00:36:23,359 Turn. 578 00:36:24,760 --> 00:36:26,359 Whoa! Whoa! 579 00:36:29,480 --> 00:36:31,479 Good days. 580 00:36:31,560 --> 00:36:34,159 We got it on. Only took a few minutes. Still got light. 581 00:36:37,120 --> 00:36:39,319 Righto. Pack that up. 582 00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:41,839 Yeah, I am happy. Let's just hope... 583 00:36:41,920 --> 00:36:44,319 we have a good, smooth day tomorrow, you know? 584 00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:54,479 With the truck fixed, the Cheals can finally deliver the 15 tonnes of dirt 585 00:36:54,560 --> 00:36:58,919 and with it, the hope of Chris being able to pay off crippling debt. 586 00:36:59,520 --> 00:37:03,599 We're here, just about to start our last tail out of the season. 587 00:37:03,680 --> 00:37:07,399 We had that breakdown yesterday which wrecked the whole day for us. 588 00:37:07,480 --> 00:37:09,039 We were all very disappointed. 589 00:37:09,120 --> 00:37:11,039 Hopefully, we can finish the season on a high. 590 00:37:11,120 --> 00:37:15,279 The agitator, a giant, water-filled rotating drum, 591 00:37:15,360 --> 00:37:19,159 strips dirt from the sandstone, revealing any opal. 592 00:37:19,240 --> 00:37:22,079 For us three to find opal together would be pretty special 593 00:37:22,160 --> 00:37:24,159 so hopefully that's the case. 594 00:37:30,320 --> 00:37:33,439 Geez, look at that colour. Ah. 595 00:37:33,520 --> 00:37:35,839 I got him. That is bright. 596 00:37:37,080 --> 00:37:40,319 Holy... Look at the colour in that. 597 00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:41,959 That's nice, eh? 598 00:37:42,880 --> 00:37:46,479 Yeah, just started picking up really, really nice colour, 599 00:37:46,560 --> 00:37:49,959 so, yeah, it's looking good, it's a good start. 600 00:37:50,040 --> 00:37:52,399 Blue-purple stone. 601 00:37:52,480 --> 00:37:54,479 Check that one out. Oh. 602 00:37:54,560 --> 00:37:56,079 Nice colour on black, too. 603 00:37:57,000 --> 00:37:59,919 That's a nice colour. Oh! 604 00:38:00,000 --> 00:38:03,479 Look at that. They're OK. See that one? 605 00:38:03,560 --> 00:38:05,999 Got one, Oscar, look at that one. 606 00:38:06,080 --> 00:38:07,639 Yeah, that's bright. 607 00:38:08,640 --> 00:38:11,199 Could cut a decent stone out of that, it's flashy. 608 00:38:11,840 --> 00:38:14,119 I think we got another little payday there. 609 00:38:14,200 --> 00:38:15,479 Fella. 610 00:38:16,600 --> 00:38:17,759 Guys. 611 00:38:18,480 --> 00:38:19,839 My man. 612 00:38:20,560 --> 00:38:22,999 The Cheals have found black opal, 613 00:38:23,080 --> 00:38:27,399 predominantly blue-green, with flashes of red and yellow. 614 00:38:27,480 --> 00:38:30,839 It's in the rough, and there's an estimated 200 grams. 615 00:38:32,360 --> 00:38:34,359 Fair bit of material. 616 00:38:34,440 --> 00:38:36,239 What do you reckon, how much? 617 00:38:36,320 --> 00:38:39,159 There's definitely five grand in the rough there. 618 00:38:39,240 --> 00:38:43,799 And if a few of these rub up, we'll get ten grand. 619 00:38:43,880 --> 00:38:45,799 We'll get ten grand for it. Yeah, I reckon. 620 00:38:46,640 --> 00:38:48,639 After a basic polish, 621 00:38:48,720 --> 00:38:52,599 the Cheals have an estimated $10,000 worth of opal. 622 00:38:52,680 --> 00:38:56,079 Their 70% share brings their season total 623 00:38:56,160 --> 00:38:58,399 to $29,400. 624 00:38:58,880 --> 00:39:01,759 The prospects are a lot better going into next year 625 00:39:01,840 --> 00:39:04,279 than what they were at the start of it for me, that's for sure. 626 00:39:04,360 --> 00:39:07,999 When we got that bit of opal, I felt the weight of the world lifting off me, 627 00:39:08,080 --> 00:39:11,439 because I knew it allowed me to just breathe a bit easier. 628 00:39:11,520 --> 00:39:14,919 I had cost going out. Pressure came off me in that instant, really. 629 00:39:16,440 --> 00:39:18,879 I feel proud. Dad never really asked, though. 630 00:39:18,960 --> 00:39:21,919 He asked me to come up here and give him a hand 631 00:39:22,000 --> 00:39:23,399 and got it done. 632 00:39:23,480 --> 00:39:24,999 We're happy as can be now. 633 00:39:26,160 --> 00:39:30,079 Finding over 20 grand, it definitely helps me next year, 634 00:39:30,160 --> 00:39:34,559 there's a lot of expenses with uni and college, and just living in Sydney and stuff next year. 635 00:39:34,640 --> 00:39:37,759 In all the breaks we get, I'll be out here giving him a hand, 636 00:39:37,840 --> 00:39:40,919 cos I love it, he loves it, it's good to do it together. 637 00:39:41,920 --> 00:39:44,319 I'm really happy. It was a good end of the season, 638 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:47,439 knowing I've got country that's worthwhile digging in front of me. 639 00:39:47,520 --> 00:39:49,519 We'll be back next year. 640 00:39:57,880 --> 00:39:59,919 If I can't see any colour, I'll throw it there. 641 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:02,919 If I see some colour, I throw it here. Right. Yeah. 642 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:05,839 Col, Greg and Stoney are about to lose 643 00:40:05,920 --> 00:40:09,079 access to land on their exploration permit. 644 00:40:09,160 --> 00:40:11,759 They want to be convinced the site has potential 645 00:40:11,840 --> 00:40:13,679 for high-end boulder opal. 646 00:40:14,600 --> 00:40:16,839 Ah, yeah. This is a six-inch trim saw. 647 00:40:16,920 --> 00:40:19,559 Very thin blade. Very good for cutting opal. 648 00:40:20,200 --> 00:40:24,079 What do you reckon, this one, eh? Yeah, get into them, I reckon. 649 00:40:24,160 --> 00:40:26,559 What they find in these ironstone rocks 650 00:40:26,640 --> 00:40:28,639 will decide if they stake a claim 651 00:40:28,720 --> 00:40:31,599 and start a bigger operation next season, 652 00:40:31,680 --> 00:40:35,759 or abandon it, wasting four days' mining and thousands of dollars. 653 00:40:36,360 --> 00:40:38,359 Let the saw answer your questions. 654 00:40:38,440 --> 00:40:40,439 And some do and some don't. 655 00:40:40,520 --> 00:40:41,959 I'll do this one. 656 00:40:45,680 --> 00:40:48,839 Greg's had 40 years cutting experience. 657 00:40:48,920 --> 00:40:52,239 But one slip of the saw could destroy the opal. 658 00:40:56,360 --> 00:40:59,359 Oh, there we go. 659 00:41:00,520 --> 00:41:02,759 That's a weight. That's what we're looking for, boys. 660 00:41:02,840 --> 00:41:04,839 Ooh, look at that. 661 00:41:04,920 --> 00:41:06,959 Yeah, big chunks. Nice colour. 662 00:41:07,040 --> 00:41:09,239 Bloody nice. Good stuff. 663 00:41:11,880 --> 00:41:13,999 See how this one looks, Greg. Yeah. 664 00:41:14,080 --> 00:41:18,039 This one's kingstone. It's the best quality opal. 665 00:41:18,120 --> 00:41:21,039 Hopefully, it runs in here, and it'll be good. 666 00:41:21,120 --> 00:41:24,399 I hope we pick it up on the first cut. 667 00:41:24,480 --> 00:41:28,479 The kingstone shows rare red opal on the face. 668 00:41:28,560 --> 00:41:33,159 If it continues inside, it could be worth tens of thousands of dollars. 669 00:41:35,160 --> 00:41:36,999 Let's see if there's something there. 670 00:41:38,320 --> 00:41:40,319 No, it didn't run there. Ah! 671 00:41:41,440 --> 00:41:45,559 When I sawed it, the first saw cut didn't show any more opal. 672 00:41:46,680 --> 00:41:51,279 Greg tries a second cut straight through the middle of the stone. 673 00:41:51,360 --> 00:41:53,359 We're getting close. 674 00:41:54,520 --> 00:41:55,959 Won't be long. 675 00:41:57,120 --> 00:41:59,519 Here we go. Here we go. 676 00:42:02,440 --> 00:42:05,319 That's runnin'. Runnin'! 677 00:42:05,400 --> 00:42:08,479 Runnin'! Goes from side to side. 678 00:42:08,560 --> 00:42:12,439 The most beautiful colour inside. I can see it now, yeah. 679 00:42:12,520 --> 00:42:15,119 That's definitely one chunky stone. 680 00:42:16,760 --> 00:42:20,279 That's what it's all about, eh? Yeah. Meant to be, Stoney. 681 00:42:20,360 --> 00:42:22,599 She's worth a few bucks. Don't worry about that. 682 00:42:22,680 --> 00:42:26,039 Definitely. That gives hope. We must keep digging. 683 00:42:27,200 --> 00:42:29,799 They have high quality boulder opal, 684 00:42:29,880 --> 00:42:34,639 ranging from prized red through to mid-value blues and greens. 685 00:42:34,720 --> 00:42:37,919 It's been sawn, and there's five kilograms. 686 00:42:38,000 --> 00:42:41,359 Potentially, between those two bits, there could be, like, ten grand. 687 00:42:41,440 --> 00:42:43,959 Yeah. And then the other stuff that's with it, 688 00:42:44,040 --> 00:42:46,039 I'm thinking around 15 plus. 689 00:42:46,120 --> 00:42:49,359 We definitely didn't dig a dud. There's more to dig. 690 00:42:49,440 --> 00:42:53,359 With an estimated value of over $15,000, 691 00:42:53,440 --> 00:42:56,359 this opal find is the proof the team need 692 00:42:56,440 --> 00:42:59,399 to stake a claim, and together, set up a mine. 693 00:43:00,440 --> 00:43:02,959 MARGIE: It's great to know that area's producing that material. 694 00:43:03,040 --> 00:43:06,959 Good commercial stuff as well. A lot more gems to come yet. 695 00:43:07,040 --> 00:43:10,479 Good on you, Greggy. It was a pleasure. I enjoyed it. 696 00:43:10,560 --> 00:43:12,719 Off to a good start. Good on ya. Good on ya. 697 00:43:14,480 --> 00:43:16,479 STONEY: Yeah, no, it looks good, eh? 698 00:43:16,560 --> 00:43:18,559 You can't not be happy with that. 699 00:43:18,640 --> 00:43:22,199 That ground is doing all the things that it should do to produce Opal. 700 00:43:23,120 --> 00:43:25,319 It's been great working with the team. 701 00:43:25,400 --> 00:43:27,399 I've got a good feeling about this one. 702 00:43:27,480 --> 00:43:29,479 Things are coming together for a reason. 703 00:43:29,560 --> 00:43:32,519 And that's so we can find some opal, and be successful. 704 00:43:33,600 --> 00:43:36,519 It's already paid off. I think, in time, 705 00:43:36,600 --> 00:43:39,159 we'll find a lot more of that type of material. 706 00:43:39,240 --> 00:43:42,879 We are off to a very good start. Opal will flow. 707 00:43:43,320 --> 00:43:45,319 subtitles by Deluxe 707 00:43:46,305 --> 00:44:46,827