"Outback Opal Hunters" Disaster Strikes

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:02,999 . 2 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:10,959 Oh . There's a shaft there. 3 00:00:11,040 --> 00:00:14,199 The water's going in here. Very dangerous. 4 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:18,359 Look at this one filling up here. Bloody hell, look at that. 5 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:22,679 Starting to get a little bit concerned because 6 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:26,159 all of this is dug out all under the camp. 7 00:00:26,240 --> 00:00:28,599 I've got water running underground everywhere 8 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:31,199 and the ground here don't take water, it collapses. 9 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,799 Now, the water that's going down I could have a major collapse 10 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:39,359 where the whole thing goes "whoosh". 11 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:42,879 This, mate, here, this has never happened before, ever. 12 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,959 Yeah, I'm gonna have to go back and get my things at the camp. 13 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:50,479 I'm just not... not 100% sure where the road is. 14 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:52,479 I don't want to drive into a shaft. 15 00:00:54,000 --> 00:01:00,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 16 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:08,279 What's going on over there? Chook! 17 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:22,039 You all right. 18 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:23,919 Poor ol' chook was getting swept away 19 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:26,319 and he would've went straight into that shaft. 20 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:34,679 I'd hate to be down there. 21 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:39,199 This is the worst drought in recorded history. 22 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:42,359 No rain all summer, 50 degrees. And then this. 23 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:46,479 Everything's flooding. All my mineshafts are filling in. 24 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:52,279 Drought one minute, floods the next. Welcome to the Outback. 25 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:58,599 NARRATOR: Australia, a country of extremes, 26 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:02,559 home to some of the harshest weather on earth. 27 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:11,399 For millions of years, it's carved its story into the land. 28 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:19,079 Jesus! 29 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:24,879 For those brave enough to delve beneath the surface, 30 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:26,879 a stunning prize awaits. 31 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:28,919 Oh! 32 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:35,119 Opal. Worth up to 500 times more than gold, 33 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:39,599 almost all of it found here in the brutal Australian Outback. 34 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:43,719 Time for it! We've got it! 35 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:45,799 Goes from side to side. 36 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:49,199 It's a rush. You find some opal, there's no better feeling. 37 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:51,359 But you can't get enough of it. 38 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:53,439 Yes! 39 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,319 The quest... Is that really one? Holy . 40 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:00,959 ..finding the queen of all gems. 41 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:07,239 # Money 42 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:12,439 # And fancy clothes 43 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:20,319 # Telling you what to do The right way to live 44 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:23,119 # Where to go. # 45 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:36,079 We've never had rain like this before. 46 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,639 It's never, ever done this. I mean, this is just a sea. 47 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:47,439 You can hear it roaring down there, it's filling up. 48 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:49,479 There's no doubt this is gonna collapse. 49 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:53,879 I don't know what I'll do with camp. There's too much water in it. 50 00:03:56,920 --> 00:04:00,119 Opal miner Rod Manning and wife Amanda 51 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:03,279 live in a remote, off-the-grid camp. 52 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:06,439 Built on low ground, it's directly in the path 53 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:10,319 of the worst storm the region has seen in 20 years. 54 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:12,759 The bloody gutter's overflowing 55 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:15,759 but there's just too much water for it to handle. 56 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:18,639 It's just going in there, just running straight inside. 57 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:21,839 I'll go inside, see how bad it is. 58 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:25,319 Ah, Jesus. Power's just gone off. 59 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:27,919 Something electrical's tripped upstate. 60 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:31,279 Ah . 61 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:34,839 It's like a swamp in here, look at this. 62 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:38,559 Till it stops, I can't do anything about the electricity. 63 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:40,599 I'll end up getting zapped. 64 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:42,799 It'll be no power for a while. 65 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:50,759 We wanna go over and check Bondi. 66 00:04:50,840 --> 00:04:53,159 If water's gone down the hole, that's a major, 67 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:55,479 cos I got the digger and everything down there. 68 00:04:56,760 --> 00:04:59,839 Bondi is Rod's most profitable claim, 69 00:04:59,920 --> 00:05:04,239 making him close to $50,000 last season. 70 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:08,439 I hope the mine's all right. I'm a bit worried about it now. 71 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:10,639 This is a river, it's not a road. 72 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:24,279 Geez, it's full to the roof. 73 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:34,119 Bondi is . I can't dig any more there. 74 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:38,599 All them mines are full of water now. 75 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:40,919 When that water goes, 76 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:45,519 and it starts to shrink and crack and crumble and fall, 77 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:47,639 it's not now that we'll have collapses, 78 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:49,959 it's in a week's time the trouble will come. 79 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:01,359 If we keep getting storms 80 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,879 this water's all gonna end up in the lake. It's gonna cut us off. 81 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:07,759 We're not gonna be able to get the truck back across. Yeah. 82 00:06:07,840 --> 00:06:10,759 Seventy kilometres away in Lightning Ridge, 83 00:06:10,840 --> 00:06:13,519 the record-breaking rain also threatens 84 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,839 Chris Cheal and Farren Lamb's new mining season. 85 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:19,959 Pressure's on to find opal. There's a lot of water coming down 86 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:22,719 and there's one road across that lake 87 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:26,799 that we need to bring our dirt across, get to the wash plant. 88 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:30,319 And if that cuts, then, basically, we're out of action. 89 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,759 We can't dig, we can't process the dirt, 90 00:06:32,840 --> 00:06:35,079 so you're not gonna make any money. 91 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:39,799 On the other side of the lake lies their wash plant, 92 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:43,199 a converted cement mixer essential for cleaning dirt 93 00:06:43,280 --> 00:06:45,519 from the mined opal-bearing rock. 94 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:50,959 I saw this morning there's another cyclone forming up, up the top end, 95 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:55,159 and if we get more rain from that, it's definitely gonna cut us off. 96 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:57,759 It's just another thing to stress about, I guess. 97 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:08,439 Plan for the day is come straight here and take a strip off here. 98 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:12,199 This is the closest ground we've got 99 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:14,479 to where money come from, so, obviously, 100 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,879 that's the ground we've gotta take to give ourselves the best chance. 101 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,719 We'll just take this strip and see if it produces. 102 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:23,399 If it doesn't, I don't know what we're gonna do. 103 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:27,799 If that lake floods and we can't get across, well, we can't work 104 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:30,039 and we can't get paid, really. 105 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:31,799 So, every day counts. 106 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:38,239 How's it going, mate? Oi! 107 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:42,199 What's going on? Yeah, good, bro. 108 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:46,679 What's happening? 109 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:49,719 No way. 110 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:56,559 No way. 111 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:58,999 I got a submersible pump and that there, 112 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:01,279 but I thought it was only a one man job, but... 113 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:03,199 Yeah, we'll just give you a hand, mate. 114 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:08,679 Scott owns this claim. He's the guy I've done a deal with to work it. 115 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:13,439 We've had a heap of rain, so his claim's flooded in there. 116 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:15,679 These two claims are joined up now. 117 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:19,959 If we had a real downpour, it might fill them both up. 118 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:26,759 Last season, with his livelihood on the line, 119 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:31,199 father of three, Chris Cheal returned to opal mining to survive. 120 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:34,479 We had a truck, carted grain with it. 121 00:08:34,560 --> 00:08:37,279 There was no money getting made, we had to give that away, 122 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:40,039 and, at the time, you know, with the kids at school 123 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:42,159 and, you know, bills gotta be paid, so, 124 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:46,679 it was just do whatever I could do to keep the money coming in. 125 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:50,839 Chris teamed up with son Oscar and close family friend, Farren, 126 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:55,359 to work a new claim for mate and mining partner, Scott McMillan. 127 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:59,079 You get 30, we get 70, hopefully we can make us some money. 128 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:09,559 We got onto some opal down deep, we started seeing beautiful colour 129 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:11,759 and I liked what I saw, and I thought, 130 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:14,799 "Well, you know, there's as good a chance here than anywhere." 131 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:18,839 Encouraged by last year's find at their two existing claims, 132 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:20,919 Chris and Scott have gone big, 133 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:25,279 ambitiously buying up 20 more claims on unworked land. 134 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:28,839 The mega claim cost $5,000 to register. 135 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:33,279 It takes a lot of time to dig claims and it's a lot of money 136 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:36,119 which, really, we don't have a great deal of. 137 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:38,279 We've pegged extra claims to... 138 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:40,959 ..basically, if there's a spread on the opal 139 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:43,679 and it runs out further in that deeper level, 140 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,079 then, obviously, we want that country, too. 141 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:49,279 Everyone wants to make money, especially, when you're opal mining, 142 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:51,759 you wanna find big money. 143 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:54,319 Anxious to get the operation started, 144 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:58,799 Chris has called on 19-year-old Farren who grew up with his sons. 145 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:01,039 I look up to Chris. I just love the bloke. 146 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:04,479 He really needs a hand right now and try to get a bit of opal out here. 147 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:09,999 If I can get 75,000 this season, 148 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:13,999 that'll give me what I need as a bit of a buffer to maybe ramp it up 149 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:17,599 and prove the area up, but also be able to help the kids out 150 00:10:17,680 --> 00:10:20,599 and help the people that I care about, you know, 151 00:10:20,680 --> 00:10:22,799 and if you're not bringing in another income, 152 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:25,039 and you don't find opal, you starve. 153 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:32,599 But if flood water from Scott's adjoining mine 154 00:10:32,680 --> 00:10:37,159 gets into Chris' claim, it could wipe out his entire season. 155 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:41,359 Oh . 156 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:44,599 Oh . 157 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:53,359 I'm gonna turn it on now. Yeah. Right, are you ready? Yeah. 158 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:58,399 Trommel. Yeah. 159 00:10:59,560 --> 00:11:02,479 Hopper. Yeah. 160 00:11:02,560 --> 00:11:05,199 All good! All together. 161 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:06,919 She's all operational. 162 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:09,879 Wait for some dirt to come through. 163 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:11,999 Hopefully, we get something out of it. 164 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:20,399 Paul Coon, Mark I'Anson and John Nassar, 165 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:23,559 veteran miners looking for a new life 166 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:27,479 in the opal capital of Australia, Coober Pedy. 167 00:11:27,560 --> 00:11:30,799 MARK: We've never mined here much and it's all really new to us, 168 00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:33,079 so it's a little bit intimidating. 169 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:36,999 Plus, the family. Our family survives on opal, 170 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:38,759 so, yeah, tough times. 171 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,639 For ten years, Paul, John and Mark 172 00:11:43,720 --> 00:11:46,639 lived and mined in the town of Mintabie. 173 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:50,879 But in 2019, authorities shut the town down, 174 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:54,079 handing the land back to its traditional owners. 175 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:57,439 Since the town closed and we can't stay there, we've moved on 176 00:11:57,520 --> 00:11:59,999 and re-established ourselves in Coober Pedy 177 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:02,239 but we haven't mined here before, 178 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:05,239 so we've got to learn. And there's a lot of learning to do. 179 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:12,279 RACHEL: It's been a pretty long and expensive process. 180 00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:17,359 Handling the team's finances and opal deals is Mark's wife, Rachel. 181 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:22,079 We've got four kids, all teenagers. We've had to pull them out of school 182 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:24,639 and just the cost itself in moving, 183 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:26,999 like, all the machinery and everything, 184 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:29,519 came into the tens of thousands of dollars. 185 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:31,799 Then we've had to purchase a dug out, 186 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:34,559 which needed to be big enough to be able to house us all. 187 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:37,319 So that doesn't come cheaply either. 188 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:39,799 We've used all our life savings. 189 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,319 We've got a fair few steps to walk down. We're pretty deep. 190 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:47,399 It's already getting a little bit cooler 191 00:12:47,480 --> 00:12:50,039 and I'd say we'd be at least 30 foot down at the moment. 192 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:54,199 This was all dug by hand, like, years and years and years ago. 193 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:56,759 It's a good little place to escape from the weather 194 00:12:56,840 --> 00:13:00,239 when it's too harsh outside, which is quite often in the desert. 195 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:02,999 This is Dad and Rachel's room. 196 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:05,359 There was a bit of argument about who got this room 197 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:07,559 because it was, like, a room. 198 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:11,759 But they won, so us kids got this area. 199 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:13,639 We all sleep in here and we all share. 200 00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:15,519 It's kind of small. There's no windows 201 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,159 but sometimes you just want a bit of natural lighting. 202 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:23,759 This is Lyla, six months old. 203 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:26,639 Also living in the same underground home, 204 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:30,319 mining partner Paul and his family of four. 205 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:31,999 When we find no money, 206 00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:34,279 everything gets put on the line, really, 207 00:13:34,360 --> 00:13:36,839 cos the bills don't stop at home. 208 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:40,679 Financially, it just makes it hard, especially with two kids. 209 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:42,959 To find any opal, I think it takes a little bit 210 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:45,279 of the weight of the shoulders of everyone 211 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:48,359 for another week until, yeah, until something else happens. 212 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:53,199 Three families, 12 people, 213 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:55,959 all needing opal to survive. 214 00:13:57,520 --> 00:13:59,239 MARK: Opal-zilla we call this. 215 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:01,799 She can feast and put through a lot of dirt. 216 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:05,559 At the heart of their operation, Opal-zilla, 217 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:07,759 a ten-ton processing plant 218 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,959 capable of sifting through mountains of pre-mined earth 219 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:13,599 for the smallest trace of opal. 220 00:14:13,680 --> 00:14:16,079 We need Opal-zilla to find our way for us. 221 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:19,079 I wouldn't be taking on Coober Pedy like we are without it. 222 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:22,799 First thing we do, we fill the hopper up with dirt, 223 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:26,519 then it runs out the conveyer. You got the conveyor belt running out of the hopper 224 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:29,199 which goes into the trommel. The trommel's turning, 225 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:32,599 and that's basically your sieve taking all the dust off. 226 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:37,119 The final stage is Opal-zilla's secret weapon. 227 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:40,559 The opal-bearing rocks just rattle their way through into the dark room 228 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:42,959 and the pickers sit there picking it off the belt 229 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:45,599 cos in the dark room, we've got ultraviolet lights, 230 00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:49,079 and it makes the opal really glow and stand out so you can't miss it, 231 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:51,759 but if we don't get the dust off it properly, 232 00:14:51,840 --> 00:14:53,959 it's coated and you won't see it. 233 00:14:55,160 --> 00:14:57,119 When you get the real big, like, 234 00:14:57,200 --> 00:14:59,639 almost cigarette-packet-size pieces come through, 235 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:03,159 it's like, "Oh, is it potch?" 236 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:05,799 Until we open the door and have a look in the light, 237 00:15:05,880 --> 00:15:09,359 it pretty well could be anything you want it to be in the bucket. 238 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:12,919 When hit by the ultraviolet rays of the black light, 239 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:16,559 water electrons inside the opal become excited, 240 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,279 releasing energy and fluorescing. 241 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:22,119 Worthless, uncoloured opal known as potch 242 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:26,319 through to rare, valuable red opal all glow. 243 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:28,439 I don't know about today, eh. 244 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:30,599 What do you mean? Could be potch city. 245 00:15:30,680 --> 00:15:32,959 Not much to look at. 246 00:15:33,040 --> 00:15:35,879 Bad start. That's the last thing we need, man. 247 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:38,399 It's a slow day, it's just... 248 00:15:50,880 --> 00:15:55,079 That's a shaft there. Full of water to the surface. 249 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:57,839 The heaviest rainfall in 20 years 250 00:15:57,920 --> 00:16:01,159 has just devastated Rod Manning's opal mines, 251 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:03,799 leaving him with no source of income. 252 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:07,199 Bondi's buggered. I can't dig any more there. 253 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:10,039 I don't know what's happening with Les, you know. 254 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,879 Les might be back, he might not be back. 255 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:19,479 Last season, Rod's 74-year-old mining partner, Les Walsh 256 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:23,999 suffered life-threatening injuries from an exploding petrol cannister. 257 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:27,359 You gotta stop doing these stupid things, Les. 258 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:29,159 I know. 259 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:31,959 What happened to poor old Les was not good. 260 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:35,759 Those scenes of all that skin peeling off his arm 261 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:38,079 will stay with me for a while. 262 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:40,919 He's got two daughters. They weren't real keen on him 263 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:44,159 coming back up here after he got released from hospital. 264 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:48,879 And they've taken him back to one of their places to look after him. 265 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,199 For the first time in ten years, 266 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:55,679 Rod has no partner and no mine to work. 267 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,639 I've not wanted to make sort of plans without Les. 268 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:02,959 But that's something I gotta consider, you know. 269 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:06,559 He's 74 years old, just had a pretty major injury. 270 00:17:06,640 --> 00:17:08,759 He may not come back. 271 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:14,519 One of the bigger miners, they've just had a falling out 272 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:16,919 with their partners that they've had over there, 273 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:19,599 and he's given me a call and wants to see me. 274 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:24,439 I dunno what Les is doing, dunno whether he'll be back. 275 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:27,119 So, I guess I should go and have a listen 276 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:29,359 to what he's got to say, at least. 277 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,399 Five hundred meters from Bondi mine and sitting on higher ground, 278 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,319 saving it from the flooding, is Ploughboys, 279 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:40,159 owned by opal miner, Martin Hutchison. 280 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:43,879 I noticed you got a little bit of new gear up here, mate. 281 00:17:43,960 --> 00:17:47,119 Yeah, we've got a bit of new gear. We're quite busy at the moment. 282 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,999 And a little bit understaffed, 283 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:53,919 so, just, yeah, wanna know if you'd be interested 284 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:56,959 in looking at share farming this claim for us 285 00:17:58,080 --> 00:18:00,399 and working a bit of a deal here. 286 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:05,799 I'd... Yeah, it'd certainly be worth talking, yeah. 287 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,199 I think they've asked me because Martin's father, Alan, 288 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:12,439 I get along very well with him. 289 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:18,759 I think I've probably proven to Alan that I know what I'm talking about. 290 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:21,519 He thinks I'm an honest sort of a bloke. 291 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:25,999 There is quite a bit of colour and trace wherever you look down here. 292 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:28,199 There's colour there, look. That's right. Yeah. 293 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:30,679 There's some beautiful green. 294 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:32,479 Millions of years ago, 295 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:35,919 an ancient sea drained into cracks and fissures, 296 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:40,599 trapping silica-rich water between impervious layers of rock. 297 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:45,719 Over time, the water hardened and the silica inside formed opal. 298 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:49,239 Look at that colour coming up near the black. It's there, Rod. 299 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:51,799 I've got that twitch, Martin. I've got that twitch. 300 00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:54,279 I get it every time I come down here. 301 00:18:54,360 --> 00:18:57,479 You know, if this doesn't win you over, I can sort of show you 302 00:18:57,560 --> 00:19:02,439 a bit of a parcel on a few pieces... Oh, yeah? ..we found. 303 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:04,999 Polished in free form. 304 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:07,439 That's gotta be a $60,000 stone there. 305 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:11,439 Yeah, that's... Look at that. You're pretty much on the money with that. 306 00:19:11,520 --> 00:19:14,319 That's got all... every colour under the sun in it. 307 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:21,319 This is Lightning Ridge black opal, the most sought after in the world. 308 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:24,599 Worth up to $43,000 a gram. 309 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:26,599 We reckon we could have half a 310 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:29,199 million to a million still left in this. Yeah? So... 311 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:33,559 ..just need to put the digger into action and get it out of the wall. 312 00:19:33,640 --> 00:19:38,079 Would you, sort of, be happy with a 50-50 deal? 313 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:45,759 Don't let me get out of the mine, mate. 314 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:50,999 Yeah, mate, I'm really happy with that deal. That's fantastic. 315 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:53,999 That's a really good deal, and I appreciate it. 316 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:59,399 Next question is, when do you think you might be able to start this? 317 00:19:59,480 --> 00:20:01,759 Tomorrow morning. All right, that'll be awesome. 318 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:04,199 I'll be here at 7:30 tomorrow morning. 319 00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:06,399 All right, terrific. 320 00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:19,479 Geez, you're lucky it didn't come up any more. 321 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:21,959 It's going take a while to pump out. Yeah, I know. 322 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:24,079 The recent storms have flooded 323 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:26,599 Scott McMillan and daughter Hannah's mine. 324 00:20:26,680 --> 00:20:30,159 He's called in partner Chris Cheal to help pump it out. 325 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:32,119 You don't want water in your mine 326 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:34,679 because, if we keep getting big downpours, 327 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:37,519 next thing it's up to here, next thing it's up to here, 328 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:41,079 and your whole mine's flooded, starts to give way, gets unstable. 329 00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:43,079 You know, then you've got major problems. 330 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:45,639 So, main thing is we get this out as quick as we can 331 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:48,839 so we can keep Scott's mine dry and mine as well. 332 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:50,799 Coming down. 333 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:54,119 So, Scott's got a submersible pump. 334 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:56,519 We'll have to cart it out in there and set it up. 335 00:20:57,640 --> 00:20:59,999 On flat ground, the electric pump 336 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:03,319 can remove 300 litres of water per minute. 337 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:06,439 But pushing the water vertically up ten metres 338 00:21:06,520 --> 00:21:09,399 will reduce that flow by over 60%. 339 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:11,599 There's a bit of a natural causeway 340 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:13,879 so, once we start pumping it out, we just go. 341 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:16,959 It's cold. 342 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:18,959 The pump needs to be positioned 343 00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:22,799 at the deepest point in the ten degree Celsius water. 344 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:28,399 Jesus. 345 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:31,359 Coming down, Scott? 346 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:06,399 We've got a 90-degree bend there, halfway, just before the hole 347 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:09,119 and it's letting go. There's a bit of restriction there. 348 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:12,879 It's placing a bit of pressure on the joint and it's breaking there, 349 00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:15,519 so Scott's gone to see if he can find a straight one. 350 00:22:17,920 --> 00:22:20,159 Bit hard when you're out on the field, you know. 351 00:22:20,240 --> 00:22:23,479 You don't want to be running back to town every five minutes. 352 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:25,599 If you have a problem, it's always best 353 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:28,719 to try and utilize what you got to fix it. 354 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:31,879 That joint's gotta be good enough for the pressure pushing it up. 355 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:34,039 It's gotta go up, what, ten metres? 356 00:22:34,120 --> 00:22:36,439 Ready? Go ahead, mate. 357 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:56,639 I think we might have fixed it. 358 00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:59,519 Main thing is the pump's going. We gotta get back digging 359 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:02,079 so he's all right now. He can handle the rest of it, 360 00:23:02,160 --> 00:23:03,759 and we'll get back to work. 361 00:23:03,840 --> 00:23:06,239 All right. Cheers. Good luck. Thanks, Farr. 362 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:08,399 All right. 363 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:20,759 This is basically where most of the opal was found and dumped on. 364 00:23:20,840 --> 00:23:24,239 So if we empty all that out, we've only gone to eight feet. 365 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:26,439 Sounds like a plan. 366 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:30,079 Recently evicted from the closed mining town of Mintabie 367 00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:32,239 and with three families to feed, 368 00:23:32,320 --> 00:23:37,079 the Blacklighters are searching for opal in dirt mined 50 years ago. 369 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:40,519 Back in the day, they found a lot. That's cos there was a lot to find. 370 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:43,319 They didn't really mind if they missed a bit, I don't think. 371 00:23:43,400 --> 00:23:46,839 That's why we're here. So, we're picking up what they left for us. 372 00:23:46,920 --> 00:23:52,239 The team have pegged four large 100 by 200 metre claims 373 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:56,639 covered in dumps of pre-mined dirt, hunting crystal opal, 374 00:23:56,720 --> 00:23:59,879 worth up to $25,000 a gram. 375 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:06,079 The plan is we're gonna test as much dirt as we can 376 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:08,759 and try and really isolate where there's a nice patch, 377 00:24:08,840 --> 00:24:11,559 and, uh, start getting some dollars in, you know. 378 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:14,959 Cos we got family and that, we can't afford to mess up. 379 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:19,199 Using technology that didn't exist when the ground was first mined, 380 00:24:19,280 --> 00:24:22,399 Opal-zilla's black light fluoresces opal 381 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:26,239 hidden in the 50 tons of dirt it processes an hour. 382 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:28,919 Righto, we ain't got much coming through at the moment. 383 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:32,439 I started digging where you told me to and then I moved. 384 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:35,759 Yeah, well, stay where I said, mate, and we'll get the gems. 385 00:24:37,320 --> 00:24:40,999 Reading the ground in Coober Pedy is a lot different from Mintabie 386 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:44,919 because Mintabie, you'd see the seam running down in the white rock, 387 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:46,879 and it was easy to follow. 388 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:48,999 But the dirt up here is soft. 389 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:52,759 I'm pretty sure that stuff just pops up anywhere out here. 390 00:24:57,320 --> 00:25:00,279 It's costing thousands to be here each week. 391 00:25:00,360 --> 00:25:02,199 If you wanna run a lot of dirt through, 392 00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:04,959 you really gotta be prepared to spend the money to do it. 393 00:25:05,040 --> 00:25:07,999 Fixing a bit of machinery, buying a heap of fuel. 394 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:11,239 Anything coming through? Uh, just really patchy. 395 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:15,519 I hope it starts turning soon cos, erm, 396 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:17,879 yeah, starting to get a bit scary. 397 00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:21,199 The pressure's definitely building on me, like, 398 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:23,599 yeah, I'm feeling it a lot. 399 00:25:26,560 --> 00:25:28,599 It is hard to try and keep your cool 400 00:25:28,680 --> 00:25:31,679 when you're out there in the middle of nowhere, finding nothing. 401 00:25:33,840 --> 00:25:37,359 Getting dust in the eyes all day, flies. 402 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:40,119 Yeah, morale's down. 403 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:43,719 Hopefully, some nice colour and not all potch. 404 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:50,559 Guys, let's have a bit of a look. 405 00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:57,959 It's not good. Looks like just potch and rubbish, really. 406 00:25:58,040 --> 00:25:59,639 This isn't good enough, eh? 407 00:25:59,720 --> 00:26:02,119 We're gonna have to do something. I know it's hard. 408 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:04,479 It doesn't look like a day's work in there to me. 409 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:06,879 Nah, it doesn't, does it? Nope. 410 00:26:06,960 --> 00:26:09,799 Not looking forward to going home, that's for sure, eh? 411 00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:13,599 It's heartbreaking cos you're out there to find opal 412 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:15,799 and you're coming home with an empty bucket. 413 00:26:15,880 --> 00:26:19,879 It's pretty disappointing cos it costs everyone money to be out here. 414 00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:24,919 You're coming home broken, pretty much. 415 00:26:29,920 --> 00:26:32,919 Hey, gorgeous. Hey, how'd you go? Did you have a good day? 416 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:37,039 Erm, no, not really. No. 417 00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:41,239 We need the opal. Yeah, I know. That's what we need. 418 00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:44,679 I know. I understand the situation. That converts to dollars... 419 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:46,999 I know. I know. ..and that pays the bills. 420 00:26:47,080 --> 00:26:50,439 I know, I know. I'll try my guts out, all right? 421 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:53,159 All right. I'm gonna have a shower. OK. 422 00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:05,399 I haven't seen a great deal in the face, which worries me a bit. 423 00:27:05,480 --> 00:27:07,999 There'll be other pockets through here, I'm hoping. 424 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:10,919 Just gotta do the work, and I'm new to this area, 425 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:14,319 so I'm still trying to figure out what's going on here, really. 426 00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:18,959 Chris and Farren are behind schedule uncovering a new run of opal 427 00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:22,199 after being forced to drain dangerous flood waters. 428 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:27,319 I gotta live, bills to pay, things to keep up on money-wise. 429 00:27:27,400 --> 00:27:30,079 So, it's important that we get some money this week. 430 00:27:31,400 --> 00:27:35,199 This will be our tenth run, so we're halfway to where we wanna be. 431 00:27:37,000 --> 00:27:40,399 We're digging close to where some nice opal came from. 432 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:42,879 Just hoping we see a bit of a trace in this. 433 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:44,799 I'll be disappointed if we don't, mate. 434 00:27:44,880 --> 00:27:47,199 If you're not seeing 'em you're not breaking 'em, 435 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:48,879 so you gotta sort of hope. 436 00:27:48,960 --> 00:27:52,079 You fellows are different to me. I like to see a bit of something. 437 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:57,399 I want to see some colour before we finish today. 438 00:27:57,480 --> 00:27:59,679 Seeing nothing. It's stressing me out. 439 00:28:09,560 --> 00:28:11,799 Mother Nature's gonna give us what she wants. 440 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:16,639 With partner Scott's mine still drying out, 441 00:28:16,720 --> 00:28:19,599 Chris is free to use his nearby wash plant, 442 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:24,039 a giant rotating drum of water that washes dirt off mined rock, 443 00:28:24,120 --> 00:28:26,039 revealing any opal. 444 00:28:26,120 --> 00:28:29,199 I'm not doing any other work so I've got no form of income. 445 00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:32,319 So even a few thousand is gonna help us along. 446 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:34,399 Anything's gonna help us along. 447 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:38,239 Yeah, we are getting close. Pretty keen, actually. 448 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:40,599 Just hope it pays off. 449 00:28:40,680 --> 00:28:43,199 The target is to find nobbies, 450 00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:46,359 solid pebbles of opal unique to Lightning Ridge, 451 00:28:46,440 --> 00:28:49,799 the most valuable showing flashes of orange and green. 452 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:56,359 Look at that. Nice colour, isn't it? 453 00:28:56,440 --> 00:28:58,199 Oh, yeah. Look at that one. 454 00:28:58,280 --> 00:29:01,959 Oh, yeah. I like the size of it. 455 00:29:02,040 --> 00:29:05,319 Well, it's looking good, you know, there's nobbies there, 456 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:08,519 which I didn't think we had. Didn't see any while we were digging. 457 00:29:08,600 --> 00:29:10,599 I think we're on the right track, you know. 458 00:29:10,680 --> 00:29:12,879 That is a nice little crystal. 459 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:15,479 That'll turn out nice. 460 00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:17,759 Nice coloured seam, only a little bit broken 461 00:29:17,840 --> 00:29:19,959 but it's got a lot of orange and green in it. 462 00:29:20,040 --> 00:29:23,479 Just a trickle of red, so they're the colours you gotta look for. 463 00:29:23,560 --> 00:29:26,239 And we're getting a few nobbies out, which is even better 464 00:29:26,320 --> 00:29:28,999 cos that's what we're chasing. Guys, nice colour. 465 00:29:30,280 --> 00:29:32,959 Nice colour, eh? Very happy with this. 466 00:29:33,040 --> 00:29:35,679 I think it's looking pretty good, really. 467 00:29:35,760 --> 00:29:38,039 Can't really ask for more than that. 468 00:29:38,120 --> 00:29:40,839 So, yeah, over all really happy. Yeah, it's good. 469 00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:52,839 After yesterday, I don't really wanna have another day like that 470 00:29:52,920 --> 00:29:55,159 so I sort of couldn't sleep last night, 471 00:29:55,240 --> 00:29:57,999 and I thought and I spoke to one of my mates this morning. 472 00:29:58,080 --> 00:30:01,239 He's up the hill, and he's gonna show me exactly the colour dirt 473 00:30:01,320 --> 00:30:04,799 that all the miners up the hill are finding, materially. 474 00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:07,879 Yup. So then I can come back here, hopefully, 475 00:30:07,960 --> 00:30:11,799 and chase that exact colour, try and find a band of it. 476 00:30:11,880 --> 00:30:13,679 Yep. And then concentrate on that. 477 00:30:13,760 --> 00:30:16,159 Let's get the day rolling. Let's do it. 478 00:30:16,240 --> 00:30:18,839 There's a massive amount of pressure, yeah. 479 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:21,639 We used to be able to establish knowing where we're going 480 00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:23,519 so now we just gotta start again. 481 00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:26,559 We need to get a few more bucks under our belt, that'd be good. 482 00:30:26,640 --> 00:30:29,519 Get the family all happy and you wanna find a nice patch 483 00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:31,599 so you can just go, "I'll have a breather, 484 00:30:31,680 --> 00:30:33,279 everything's gonna be all right." 485 00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:37,199 James! Yo! 486 00:30:37,280 --> 00:30:40,799 Hey, look what we've caught on the winch. 487 00:30:40,880 --> 00:30:44,519 Things you find down a hole. Oh, no! 488 00:30:44,600 --> 00:30:47,199 We've been finding back where we are. 489 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:50,439 So, I was wondering if you'd be able to show us a bit of 490 00:30:50,520 --> 00:30:52,799 what to look for when I'm digging with the loader. 491 00:30:52,880 --> 00:30:55,839 Just the colour dirt that it's coming in so I can target that. 492 00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:59,399 We'll go down to the 66-foot level now, this is 66 feet down. 493 00:30:59,480 --> 00:31:03,319 Yup. And we'll go down, have a look, I'll show you where it's all hidden. 494 00:31:08,280 --> 00:31:11,679 Welcome to the office. 495 00:31:11,760 --> 00:31:13,759 This mine's massive, by the way. 496 00:31:13,840 --> 00:31:15,719 This is just a very small section of it. 497 00:31:15,800 --> 00:31:18,439 Yeah, wow. Goes for miles. 498 00:31:18,520 --> 00:31:21,879 How lost can you get down here if you don't know your way? 499 00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:26,639 We're at 60 feet here. This will take us up to the 30-odd foot level. 500 00:31:26,720 --> 00:31:29,879 And if you come this way, there's a level. 501 00:31:29,960 --> 00:31:32,479 So that's just a level of sediment, basically. Yeah. 502 00:31:32,560 --> 00:31:36,879 You can see how this is quite firm. Get up into that, and it's... 503 00:31:36,960 --> 00:31:39,359 Quite soft. ..it's crumbly. Yeah. 504 00:31:39,440 --> 00:31:41,599 And that's your level. It's where the opal is. 505 00:31:41,680 --> 00:31:44,479 Turn the light out for a second. 506 00:31:44,560 --> 00:31:47,919 Opal fluorescing in the wall, and it's nice sick stuff. 507 00:31:49,880 --> 00:31:52,319 And this is roughly the level that you're at, Mark. 508 00:31:52,400 --> 00:31:54,439 Plain as day, isn't it? Yeah, mate. 509 00:31:54,520 --> 00:31:57,479 When I'm noodling, I wanna hit the pile, got a bit of rusted 510 00:31:57,560 --> 00:32:01,119 and bit of brown sort of stainy... Brown, stainy-looking stuff... 511 00:32:01,200 --> 00:32:03,599 ..at your level. So, now, I'll concentrate on that. 512 00:32:03,680 --> 00:32:05,719 Definitely. Your best bet. 513 00:32:12,960 --> 00:32:17,679 I'm real excited. They're estimating there's a million dollars down here. 514 00:32:17,760 --> 00:32:19,839 With his Bondi mine flooded 515 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:22,599 and injured partner Les in recovery, 516 00:32:22,680 --> 00:32:25,239 Rod has agreed on a 50-50 deal 517 00:32:25,320 --> 00:32:28,559 to dig on Martin Hutchison's neighbouring claims. 518 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:34,559 I've had a missed call from old Les about 20 minutes ago. 519 00:32:43,360 --> 00:32:45,519 Oh. 520 00:32:46,680 --> 00:32:48,879 Oh, that's gonna make things interesting. 521 00:32:48,960 --> 00:32:52,439 I've just shaken hands with Martin about that deal over there. 522 00:32:53,960 --> 00:32:56,799 Oh, geez, Les, good on you. 523 00:32:56,880 --> 00:33:00,199 I wasn't really expecting Les at all. 524 00:33:00,280 --> 00:33:05,559 The problem is that I made a 50-50 deal, which is really, really good. 525 00:33:05,640 --> 00:33:09,559 Erm, but Martin's not gonna give me a percentage for Les. 526 00:33:10,920 --> 00:33:13,559 If Les comes back and he's ready to go, 527 00:33:13,640 --> 00:33:15,759 I don't know what I'm gonna do. 528 00:33:21,840 --> 00:33:23,839 You're home, mate! 529 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:27,679 Ah, yeah, got home last night late. Yeah. Huh. 530 00:33:27,760 --> 00:33:30,799 Yeah, good to be home, too. How you going? I'm good. 531 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:32,999 Yourself? Yeah, real good, mate. 532 00:33:33,080 --> 00:33:35,519 Everything's all good, that's the main thing. Yeah? 533 00:33:35,600 --> 00:33:38,879 How fit are you? Yeah, I'm fit enough. Yeah. 534 00:33:38,960 --> 00:33:41,359 Geez, they've done a good job on you, look at that. 535 00:33:41,440 --> 00:33:43,559 That's not too bad. 536 00:33:43,640 --> 00:33:47,359 I didn't think you'd heal as good as that. Bit sore down there, 537 00:33:47,440 --> 00:33:49,519 but yeah, just cover that for a while. 538 00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:53,479 When I've started off the deal with Martin 539 00:33:53,560 --> 00:33:56,159 I got no partners. Now, I got two of 'em. 540 00:33:57,880 --> 00:34:00,719 I don't think I can sort of leave Les behind, 541 00:34:00,800 --> 00:34:03,599 I don't think I can give this real good deal up. 542 00:34:03,680 --> 00:34:05,279 You know, what do I do? 543 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:11,119 Ah, Les, we'll soon see whether you're ready or not, mate. 544 00:34:11,200 --> 00:34:15,279 Sure, we're not that far away from Bondi. 545 00:34:15,360 --> 00:34:17,759 Here's Bondi, mate. Yeah. 546 00:34:17,840 --> 00:34:20,079 Get down there and do a bit of work. Yeah. 547 00:34:20,160 --> 00:34:21,759 And there goes Bondi. 548 00:34:21,840 --> 00:34:24,039 Where are we going now? Aren't we working here? 549 00:34:24,120 --> 00:34:26,679 I'm going to show you something. OK. 550 00:34:30,680 --> 00:34:34,439 Some flash gear there, Les. Yeah. 551 00:34:34,520 --> 00:34:37,719 Brand new blower. And guess what. 552 00:34:39,240 --> 00:34:41,239 What's going on now? It's ours. 553 00:34:42,520 --> 00:34:44,559 Where'd you get the money from? 554 00:34:45,840 --> 00:34:47,839 Course I can't leave Les behind, you know. 555 00:34:47,920 --> 00:34:50,439 We've been together through thick and thin. 556 00:34:50,520 --> 00:34:52,319 Don't look too bad, eh? 557 00:34:52,400 --> 00:34:57,759 I no longer get 50%. I'm gonna get 25% and Les will get 25%. 558 00:34:57,840 --> 00:35:00,679 There's a brand new super digger downstairs. 559 00:35:00,760 --> 00:35:04,199 It all sounds all right. The gear looks good, it's all new. 560 00:35:04,280 --> 00:35:06,159 Should all work real fine. 561 00:35:06,240 --> 00:35:08,839 We gotta find some colour cos you know what they're like 562 00:35:08,920 --> 00:35:10,519 with these partnerships. 563 00:35:10,600 --> 00:35:13,919 They're only as good as the colour that we find. 564 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:16,399 That's right. That's the main part. 565 00:35:16,480 --> 00:35:18,119 And we should have a future. 566 00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:21,919 The Bushmen are back. 567 00:35:25,800 --> 00:35:28,799 We need to generate some money. I'm not gonna sell it cheap. 568 00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:31,839 I can't give it away, you know, we gotta be realistic. 569 00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:36,359 Anxious for a return on his daring 22-claim mining lease, 570 00:35:36,440 --> 00:35:40,239 Chris and Farren have travelled 700 kilometres to Sydney 571 00:35:40,320 --> 00:35:44,839 to try and sell their newly found opal to buyer Elaine Rains. 572 00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:47,119 There's no buyers in the Ridge, 573 00:35:47,200 --> 00:35:50,039 so I gave her a call and she said she'd meet me here in Sydney. 574 00:35:50,120 --> 00:35:54,199 Chris is also using the journey to pick up his 18-year-old son 575 00:35:54,280 --> 00:35:57,519 and mining partner, Oscar, from university. 576 00:35:57,600 --> 00:35:59,479 Good day. Hey, big fella. How you going? 577 00:35:59,560 --> 00:36:02,919 Good, how you going? Good to see you. You too, brother. 578 00:36:03,000 --> 00:36:05,519 You know, I moved down to Sydney to start uni. 579 00:36:05,600 --> 00:36:08,239 I need money coming in as well 580 00:36:08,320 --> 00:36:11,919 to, you know, keep me here and ticking along in Sydney. 581 00:36:12,000 --> 00:36:15,599 So, I'll be out there giving him a hand and hopefully find some opal. 582 00:36:15,680 --> 00:36:18,559 Chris is selling black and crystal opal 583 00:36:18,640 --> 00:36:23,999 with large medium-value blue pieces and small high-quality reds, 584 00:36:24,080 --> 00:36:28,319 a mix of rough opal and stones he semi-polished, known as rubs. 585 00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:31,439 It totalled 600 grams. 586 00:36:31,520 --> 00:36:35,599 I'd be really happy if we, you know, if we got eight grand. 587 00:36:36,920 --> 00:36:39,719 Righto. So, got some potch and colour there. 588 00:36:39,800 --> 00:36:42,719 I'll look at the rubs first if that's all right. Yeah. 589 00:36:42,800 --> 00:36:46,079 Elaine, she's a fair buyer, and she'll tell you straight. 590 00:36:47,600 --> 00:36:49,679 Certainly not what I was expecting. 591 00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:52,879 To be honest, if you put all that together, there's not a lot there. 592 00:36:52,960 --> 00:36:56,439 They're small. It really affects the value as well. 593 00:36:56,520 --> 00:36:59,159 Lots of red. Hmm. 594 00:36:59,240 --> 00:37:00,999 Now that's what we're looking for. 595 00:37:02,320 --> 00:37:05,079 But they're very small, Chris. Yeah, they are. 596 00:37:06,520 --> 00:37:10,279 We were hoping to get twelve for the lot. So, how much? 597 00:37:15,280 --> 00:37:17,079 Eight. 598 00:37:21,040 --> 00:37:24,959 Thanks so much. Very good. Thank you. 599 00:37:25,040 --> 00:37:26,999 Eight grand, great start for the season. 600 00:37:27,080 --> 00:37:30,639 I wanted to make that bit extra, but it's a good result in the end. 601 00:37:30,720 --> 00:37:33,599 Keeps us fed, and it's early on in the year 602 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:35,679 so, when you get a decent profit, you know, 603 00:37:35,760 --> 00:37:38,479 it can be life changing and that's why we're all doing it. 604 00:37:38,560 --> 00:37:41,279 We're really happy with the result, happy I came down 605 00:37:41,360 --> 00:37:44,919 to watch these two, like. Just loving every minute of it. 606 00:37:45,000 --> 00:37:47,279 Happy days, eh? I'm stoked. 607 00:37:58,720 --> 00:38:01,639 I need some money just to pay for the cost of coming out here, 608 00:38:01,720 --> 00:38:03,879 you know, living costs, diesel costs. 609 00:38:03,960 --> 00:38:08,359 No point going home empty handed cos that's pretty disappointing. 610 00:38:08,440 --> 00:38:11,639 Makes you always think, you know, "Is it worth coming back?" 611 00:38:11,720 --> 00:38:15,639 Coober Pedy newcomers, the Blacklighters are getting desperate. 612 00:38:15,720 --> 00:38:19,519 They have 12 mouths to feed and have found no opal. 613 00:38:19,600 --> 00:38:22,719 If you don't know what you're looking for, it all looks the same. 614 00:38:22,800 --> 00:38:24,519 They're hoping local knowledge 615 00:38:24,600 --> 00:38:28,439 gleaned from veteran miner James Cumes will help. 616 00:38:28,520 --> 00:38:31,679 When I was digging with the loader, I was targeting 617 00:38:31,760 --> 00:38:34,519 the sort of level dirt that he showed me, and I think 618 00:38:34,600 --> 00:38:37,919 just those little tips he gave me just helped me isolate 619 00:38:38,000 --> 00:38:40,519 where the actual opal's coming from out of the dump. 620 00:38:44,480 --> 00:38:48,519 Well, hit the glower. Lots of glower, nice and fresh. 621 00:38:48,600 --> 00:38:51,679 The rock-bearing belt moves at one meter a second, 622 00:38:51,760 --> 00:38:54,119 requiring fast hands to grab the opal 623 00:38:54,200 --> 00:38:56,199 before it's dumped off the conveyor. 624 00:38:57,880 --> 00:38:59,799 So, what's coming through? Much? 625 00:38:59,880 --> 00:39:04,159 Actually, we had a good spell there where we couldn't keep up. 626 00:39:04,240 --> 00:39:06,839 Awesome. Yeah, in that muddier stuff, that wet mud. 627 00:39:06,920 --> 00:39:09,199 That's it, I'm just starting to get to that. 628 00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:12,919 Keep bringing that through. I reckon we're... The buckets are filling. 629 00:39:13,000 --> 00:39:14,759 Awesome. 630 00:39:20,920 --> 00:39:24,039 At this stage in here, Jesus, it could be, you know, 631 00:39:24,120 --> 00:39:26,639 a lot of money in that bucket right there. 632 00:39:26,720 --> 00:39:28,879 But we just don't know until later. 633 00:39:28,960 --> 00:39:31,599 It's too hard to see what anything is in here. Yeah. 634 00:39:34,320 --> 00:39:35,999 Righto. 635 00:39:37,600 --> 00:39:39,839 Another big day, eh? Bit better than yesterday. 636 00:39:39,920 --> 00:39:41,999 Was it? Oh, yeah. Yeah? 637 00:39:42,080 --> 00:39:43,879 Have a look in the sun, eh? 638 00:39:43,960 --> 00:39:46,039 Slowly picking up a little bit. 639 00:39:46,120 --> 00:39:50,199 Look at that! 640 00:39:51,600 --> 00:39:54,999 That is blinging. 641 00:39:55,080 --> 00:39:57,879 Oh, wow. We need some more of that. 642 00:39:57,960 --> 00:40:00,119 Wow! I'm a bit happy with that. 643 00:40:00,200 --> 00:40:03,719 I'm actually really happy with that. That's magnificent. 644 00:40:03,800 --> 00:40:06,239 Let's head for home and see what we got. Yup. 645 00:40:08,280 --> 00:40:12,439 The Blacklighters have uncovered six kilograms of rough opal. 646 00:40:12,520 --> 00:40:14,919 Even though they're experienced miners, 647 00:40:15,000 --> 00:40:17,479 this is the first they've found in Coober Pedy 648 00:40:17,560 --> 00:40:19,679 and have no idea of its value. 649 00:40:19,760 --> 00:40:22,799 Seems like most of it's got most colours in it. 650 00:40:22,880 --> 00:40:27,119 It's different to Mintabie but it's still so beautiful. 651 00:40:27,200 --> 00:40:31,159 I'm gonna ring my mate James cos he's sold some parcels from 652 00:40:31,240 --> 00:40:33,479 pretty close to where we're working anyway. 653 00:40:33,560 --> 00:40:36,439 So, he might have a bit more of an idea on what we're gonna 654 00:40:36,520 --> 00:40:38,999 get for this material so we don't make a mistake. 655 00:40:39,080 --> 00:40:41,359 Let me put some glasses on. 656 00:40:41,440 --> 00:40:44,119 I've classed and sold lot of their stuff. So... 657 00:40:44,200 --> 00:40:45,799 That'll help, eh? 658 00:40:47,240 --> 00:40:49,959 Got some nice kicky stuff there. 659 00:40:50,040 --> 00:40:52,319 That'll add up into something. 660 00:40:52,400 --> 00:40:54,919 Let's pick out all the top ones. Yeah, there. 661 00:40:56,000 --> 00:40:58,159 Look at that. Yeah! 662 00:40:58,240 --> 00:41:00,759 That's what it's about, baby. 663 00:41:00,840 --> 00:41:03,999 You been here a week and you found one of these? 664 00:41:04,080 --> 00:41:05,839 You're not doing bad, are you? 665 00:41:05,920 --> 00:41:08,319 Nice red, eh? Yeah. 666 00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:11,119 Some people dig for 20 years and don't find this much. 667 00:41:12,720 --> 00:41:15,279 Oh, look at that. My goodness. 668 00:41:15,360 --> 00:41:19,239 The Blacklighters have high quality white and crystal opal. 669 00:41:19,320 --> 00:41:21,959 It features the full spectrum of colours, 670 00:41:22,040 --> 00:41:26,159 including the most desirable and valuable red. 671 00:41:26,240 --> 00:41:30,079 We'll weigh this stuff up and see what it comes to. 672 00:41:33,760 --> 00:41:37,559 That's 1,162 carats. 673 00:41:37,640 --> 00:41:40,359 Holy. Ooh. Holy! 674 00:41:40,440 --> 00:41:43,959 Yes! 675 00:41:44,040 --> 00:41:45,959 You wouldn't take less than... 676 00:41:47,640 --> 00:41:50,559 $100 a carat, minimum. 677 00:41:50,640 --> 00:41:53,319 Holy moly. Holy moly! Eh? 678 00:41:53,400 --> 00:41:56,239 Look at this stuff. Now we're talking, guys! Oh, my God! 679 00:41:56,320 --> 00:42:00,519 That's what we wanna hear. 680 00:42:00,600 --> 00:42:02,519 That big bugger, the king stone, 681 00:42:02,600 --> 00:42:05,559 that's a couple of thousand dollars a carat. No! Yeah, I know. 682 00:42:05,640 --> 00:42:07,319 In dollar value... 683 00:42:09,280 --> 00:42:12,919 that's about $116,200. 684 00:42:13,000 --> 00:42:15,919 In rough. 685 00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:18,879 Oh, yes! Yes! 686 00:42:20,760 --> 00:42:23,199 That's just stunning top opal. 687 00:42:23,280 --> 00:42:26,079 That's absolutely stunning. Thank you. Oh! 688 00:42:26,160 --> 00:42:28,599 Opal can change lives, huh? Oh, man! 689 00:42:28,680 --> 00:42:30,759 I don't believe this. 690 00:42:30,840 --> 00:42:32,879 Yeah, you just gotta cut it. 691 00:42:32,960 --> 00:42:35,599 Yes! Well done, boys, eh! 692 00:42:36,760 --> 00:42:42,079 1,162 carats or 232 grams, 693 00:42:42,160 --> 00:42:46,359 worth an estimated $116,000. 694 00:42:46,440 --> 00:42:50,639 You beauty! 695 00:42:50,720 --> 00:42:53,239 The boss has lost it. 696 00:42:53,320 --> 00:42:56,479 Awesome work, guys! Wicked. 697 00:42:56,560 --> 00:43:01,159 And that's, just saying, it's just a start. Just a start. Ha-ha! 698 00:43:02,240 --> 00:43:06,519 It was awesome. The last thing you're expecting. 699 00:43:06,600 --> 00:43:10,519 We can afford to set the kids up with everything they need up here 700 00:43:10,600 --> 00:43:14,079 and get them nice and comfortable and we've got the best ground pegged 701 00:43:14,160 --> 00:43:18,279 in the area, I reckon. And we're not gonna walk away from it, no way. 702 00:43:18,360 --> 00:43:20,079 Oh, it was a massive relief. 703 00:43:20,160 --> 00:43:22,319 The amount we got was just phenomenal. 704 00:43:22,400 --> 00:43:25,159 Pretty well just an all-round amazing day for me. 705 00:43:25,240 --> 00:43:29,599 Yeah, I can break down. I don't... I don't know what to say. 706 00:43:29,680 --> 00:43:32,319 It's been a bloody good week 707 00:43:32,400 --> 00:43:34,559 and we can hope we can keep doing 'em. 708 00:43:37,120 --> 00:43:39,119 Subtitles by Deluxe 708 00:43:40,305 --> 00:44:40,515 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=-