"Outback Opal Hunters" Young Gun Returns

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,759 On Outback Opal Hunters... 2 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:05,559 Whoa! Holy ghost! 3 00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:09,639 ..the Bushmen battle unbreakable rock in a rich but deadly mine. 4 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:13,079 One pull on this lever, your whole life changes. 5 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:18,599 Pete Cook suffers a serious injury... 6 00:00:18,680 --> 00:00:20,319 I won't be able to go underground. 7 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:22,439 We're gonna have to change our plans a bit. 8 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:26,759 ..forcing an emergency sale of their prized $50,000 opal. 9 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:30,439 I like the stone. I don't really like the price. 10 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:34,119 This side here could've slipped into the hole if you go too close that way. 11 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:37,559 And the Boulder Boys are forced out of the Badlands pit... 12 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:39,479 Can't go any deeper, Ron. 13 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:42,359 ..onto machine-breaking shallow ground. 14 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:45,399 You're leaking coolant. Oh, that's why can't keep up. 15 00:00:45,480 --> 00:00:47,279 It's been dripping out the mongrel. 16 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:53,039 # Money 17 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:58,279 # And fancy clothes 18 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:06,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 19 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:09,719 Is it up there, too? Yup. 20 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:13,519 Holy . It's not good. 21 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:15,919 There's a hole here in the suction pipe, too. 22 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:19,119 The Bushmen, Rod Manning and Les Walsh 23 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:23,999 are tackling emergency repairs on their 25-year-old blower. 24 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:26,279 Wouldn't be able to opal mine without this stuff. 25 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:29,119 It's the only thing that holds things together. 26 00:01:32,280 --> 00:01:36,199 Les! I can see what's happening there. She's worn. 27 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:41,039 The blower is the only way they can clear waste rock from the mine. 28 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:44,119 A 30-centimetre pipe sucks rock to the surface 29 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:48,359 to a two-ton hopper, emptying into the back of a truck. 30 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:52,159 Powered by a fan spinning at 750 revs per minute, 31 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:56,839 it has enough suction to move two and a half tons of rock an hour. 32 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:59,399 We might have a issue here, Les. Yeah. 33 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:01,839 The top plate of this fan has been worn 34 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:03,959 all the way along that back bleeding edge. 35 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:07,239 Like, back to the centre nearly? It's on every blade. 36 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:12,239 And we can seriously blow this up, like that plate can come off. 37 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:16,599 Well, we'll have two halves. We haven't got anything else. 38 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:19,639 If it goes down, there's no B. That's it. 39 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:25,959 After signing up to a lucrative 50-50 opal deal 40 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:30,239 with mine-owner Martin Hutchison on his Ploughboys claim, 41 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:33,959 the Bushmen have had a disastrous start. 42 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:37,519 That can't be good. Oh, no! 43 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:42,479 The fan has moved on the shaft out. Jesus Christ! 44 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,439 This is 30, 40 grand to fix. 45 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:49,039 Ordinarily, last week's effort at five grand, it'd be OK. 46 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:53,199 But we made five grand and destroyed a blower, 47 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,039 so I guess we're 30 behind now. 48 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:59,759 Last week, yeah, that was a real blow to us. 49 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:04,359 We had to go back to the old one which we know now, she needs repair. 50 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:07,559 All we can do is duct tape the hulls up, 51 00:03:07,640 --> 00:03:10,359 put this plate back up in there. 52 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:15,639 That'll do. Tighten it up, say a prayer, 53 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:17,639 and let's get underground. 54 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:21,839 Ploughboys mine is considered one of the most productive in Grawin 55 00:03:21,920 --> 00:03:24,519 but Ron and Les are going to have to find opal 56 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:27,839 to prove they're worth keeping on as partners. 57 00:03:27,920 --> 00:03:30,399 Looking pretty good, Les. It is? 58 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:33,399 Got ironstone and quartz pebbles right through it, Les. 59 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:37,359 Oh, righto. You'll often find good opal around these. 60 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:39,599 Righto. Time to shift some dirt. 61 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:47,999 Now that's hard ground. 62 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:52,679 I'm mainly just skimming a little earth. 63 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:54,639 hard. 64 00:03:57,360 --> 00:03:59,679 Holy ghost, that's unbelievable. 65 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:01,719 You might have to go a bit higher I think. 66 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:05,239 Just keep an eye on it up there. 67 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:08,879 Whoa! Did you see the sparks fly off that one? Yeah. 68 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,399 You could've started a campfire with that, Les. 69 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:17,479 Holy ghost! 70 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:19,839 We ain't getting through that, Les. No. 71 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:22,559 That's as hard as my first wife's heart. Yeah. 72 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:31,319 Right. Well, take her in, Ron. 73 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:34,799 More. There's a little bit more here. Righto. 74 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:44,159 He wants to get in a position where he can dig this test hole out. 75 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:46,839 You don't want it too steep, cos it's wet down there. 76 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:48,879 We don't want to slip in. 77 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:51,919 In a dangerous 12-metre-deep pit, 78 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,999 the Boulder Boys Aaron Grotjahn and Ron Selig 79 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:57,599 are attempting to clear flood water 80 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:01,639 to reach the level partner Eric thinks contains opal. 81 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:04,599 I'd like to clean that right down. We gotta still be 82 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:07,479 another 23, 24 feet down to a level. 83 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:11,799 It's gotta go forward through there, you can't come back cos it's soft. 84 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:14,919 It's too risky to reverse on the loose ground. 85 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:17,039 Rotating the cab towards the hole 86 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:20,359 could also unbalance the 30-ton excavator. 87 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:22,599 This side here could slip into the hole, 88 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:24,919 you know, it could go that way. 89 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:35,199 The Badlands is two massive claims on opal-rich ground, 90 00:05:35,280 --> 00:05:37,199 worked for over 30 years, 91 00:05:37,280 --> 00:05:40,759 and recently purchased by local miner Eric Hume. 92 00:05:40,840 --> 00:05:43,959 Me and Ron are working for Eric and we're on 15% each. 93 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:46,439 We got 30% between us. 94 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:48,519 Eric borrowed me a little bit of money. 95 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:51,079 I just bought Dad's estate 96 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:53,079 and I'm in the process of cleaning it up, 97 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:55,919 wanna open it up as a bit of a museum. 98 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:58,799 It'd be nice to get a big find and pay that debt off. 99 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:01,999 Aaron owes Eric $80,000. 100 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:04,559 To pay him back, and survive the season 101 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:08,519 they need to find $150,000 from Badlands. 102 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:11,599 Which they can mine with Eric's heavy machinery. 103 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:15,679 Previous owners found a nice pocket. It was just under a million dollars. 104 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:20,519 Dig long, it'll be just a little bit of "trash, trash" and then bang! 105 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:22,399 "Look at that beautiful colour." 106 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:29,759 I just slid over a bit and the back of the excavator's hit the mullock. 107 00:06:29,840 --> 00:06:31,759 Aaron's positioned the excavator 108 00:06:31,840 --> 00:06:34,399 close enough to reach the hole they need to empty. 109 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:37,159 But the pile of waste dirt known as mullock 110 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:40,999 is stopping him from rotating the arm and bucket to dig. 111 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:43,199 You can pick the tracks up and move them over. 112 00:06:43,280 --> 00:06:45,759 Yeah. And spin it back that way then move a bit. 113 00:06:45,840 --> 00:06:48,479 I'm gonna take the bucket up and over, then I can turn. 114 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:50,759 Yeah, no worries. Be careful. 115 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:07,199 I think that'll be all right. 116 00:07:07,280 --> 00:07:10,559 I'm hoping we can get in there, hope it's not gonna keep making water. 117 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:14,119 Flooded ground can bog or overturn the heavy machinery, 118 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:15,879 or collapse the pit. 119 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:19,879 The water has to be removed and dumped where it will evaporate. 120 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:21,919 I'm getting the water out. 121 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:25,079 Getting a lot of water out. 122 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:30,279 Can't go any deeper, Ron. That'll have to do. 123 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:33,319 We reach the bottom, you can see the teeth marks all the way. 124 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:35,439 Yeah, that was full extension on this. 125 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:39,359 Gonna let it sit for a few days, clear up, 126 00:07:39,440 --> 00:07:41,679 and we'll drop the pump back in it. That's it. 127 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:45,879 The excavator arm isn't long enough to reach the remaining water. 128 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:49,799 Their only option is to pump it out once the sediment settles. 129 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:52,519 But that means leaving the part of the claim 130 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:55,439 Eric believes holds the most opal. 131 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:57,639 We'll go and have a look at that shallow bit. 132 00:07:57,720 --> 00:07:59,439 Time's a wasting, let's go. 133 00:08:05,960 --> 00:08:08,239 So what do you reckon, mate? Go out, 134 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:10,839 pull a load, maybe another big gem? 135 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:12,879 Wouldn't it be nice to get another one 136 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:14,599 and the one we've already got? 137 00:08:14,680 --> 00:08:16,559 Just get its bigger brother. 138 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:18,799 Well, I want its granddaddy. 139 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:21,359 What a start to the season that would be. 140 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:24,559 Just days after finding a single piece of opal 141 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:27,799 worth an estimated $50,000 142 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:29,879 Sam Westra and Pete Cooke 143 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:32,399 are heading back down the mine they pulled it from. 144 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:35,799 Wanna have a look at it again? So you know what you're looking for. 145 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:39,839 You carry it around everywhere, don't you? Not everywhere. 146 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:42,399 The way the industry is right now, 147 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:44,759 I'm not getting real good vibes from the buyers, 148 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:46,439 they're all doom and gloom. 149 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:48,199 You got three different patterns, 150 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:50,599 you got Chinese writing, all the colours. 151 00:08:50,680 --> 00:08:54,919 On the other hand, when you show 'em a nice gem like that they still get excited. 152 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,759 Gorgeous looking thing, isn't it? Look at it. Precious. 153 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:03,519 This year, Pete and Sam want to expand into contract washing 154 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:06,079 going from one to five agitators, 155 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:10,799 to allow them to wash other miners' dirt for a cut of any opal found. 156 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:13,199 It's as simple as the more dirt you wash 157 00:09:13,280 --> 00:09:15,279 the more chance you've got of finding opal. 158 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:20,439 The only problem with what we're doing at the moment, 159 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:22,599 we got two faces going at once, 160 00:09:22,680 --> 00:09:26,639 so I don't know which one that stone came from. 161 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:29,719 So we gotta keep doing both. 162 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:33,559 It's anyone's guess of where that opal came from. 163 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:37,959 Got pretty good slips and slides in both ends of our claim. 164 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:39,759 Just gotta keep moving the dirt. 165 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:42,559 We don't know until it comes out the other end of the agi. 166 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:46,999 I'm just marking on the door of the box. 167 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:49,519 I've just crossed off number ten. 168 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:52,959 Good to keep count of how many when it's time to move the truck forward 169 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:56,079 otherwise, you're overflowing the dirt and put it on the ground. 170 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:58,839 That's not where we want it. We want it in the truck. 171 00:10:02,040 --> 00:10:05,599 In just his third season mining... That's in the right spot. 172 00:10:05,680 --> 00:10:11,559 ..rookie Sam Westra has big plans for his share of the opal. 173 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:14,559 I'm currently saving for a house. 174 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:17,959 I've got a camp in town, which is fine, 175 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:20,799 but it's not an in-town house. 176 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:25,359 If my cut got a house deposit down for me and Corinne, 177 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:27,999 that'd be a dream come true for us. 178 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:30,839 So, the next step in our life taken care of. 179 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:42,919 What's going on, mate? What's the problem? 180 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:45,719 I thought it was making a funny noise. Righto. 181 00:10:47,560 --> 00:10:49,959 We're losing a little bit of oil. Yeah. 182 00:10:51,320 --> 00:10:53,319 You can hear it, can't you? 183 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:57,359 Somewhere... I can hear it squirting. 184 00:10:57,440 --> 00:10:59,879 You got a leak. Oh . 185 00:11:04,560 --> 00:11:07,439 Another long day with nothing to show for it. 186 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:10,439 The sun's gone down, mate. 187 00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:13,439 We've been working that long? Yeah. 188 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:18,159 It's dark, mate. I'm gonna take the truck home, see you tomorrow. Righto, mate. 189 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:24,239 Three kilometres from the Bushmen's mine lies Rod's camp, 190 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,759 which is completely off the grid. 191 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:31,359 What are you doing with a torch? I've got no power. 192 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:34,439 None at all. None at all? None at all. 193 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:40,679 Yeah, well... Here, do you want the torch? 194 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:43,879 Well, there's the problem, look. 195 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:46,399 It's these batteries, darl'. 196 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:49,079 They're getting worse. Can't get any worse than this. 197 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:51,799 Um... 198 00:11:51,880 --> 00:11:54,799 How long's the fridge been off, darl'? Oh, the same. 199 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:58,279 We just lost power completely. 200 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:02,919 Oh, mate, what a day. These batteries are completely gone. 201 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:06,279 I assume dinner's not cooked neither or anything. No. 202 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:14,919 We can't keep running this genny 24/7, darl'. 203 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,119 It's gonna end up broker than we already are. Yup. 204 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:20,159 I've gotta do something about the batteries 205 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:24,039 so I might give Ian the ring, find out how much they are. 206 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:28,319 With his diesel generator too expensive to run around the clock, 207 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:31,679 Rod needs to find replacements for his solar batteries 208 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:34,119 which can no longer hold charge. 209 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,359 Without batteries, we really are . 210 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:41,079 The fridges can't run so what do you do? Got to have power. 211 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:43,759 Hello. 212 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:46,679 Ian. Yes. Rod Manning, mate. How are you? 213 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:50,399 Oh, not too bad. That's good, mate. What's the worry? 214 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:55,399 I was just wondering have you got any solar batteries in there? 215 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:57,559 I have quite a few. Yeah? 216 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:00,679 That'll be 280 a battery, will it? Yeah. 217 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:07,479 Get your calculator out, girl. 280 times 18. 218 00:13:07,560 --> 00:13:11,959 5,040. 5,040. I got about a grand. 219 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:16,559 What about opal? Yeah, I haven't got enough opal. 220 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:19,199 So, what if we offer him that? 221 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:22,719 What, as collateral? Yeah. 222 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:24,879 The ring means a lot more than money. 223 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:28,519 I'd made it for her and gave it to her, so you know, 224 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:30,919 it means a lot, and it means a lot to both of us. 225 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,279 I can't think of anything else to do. 226 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:36,119 No, I can't think of anything else to do, too. 227 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:39,399 Yup, all right, do it. There, you take it. 228 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:44,719 It's a huge thing and it's gonna weigh heavily 229 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:47,079 on my shoulders until I 230 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:49,799 you know, dig a bit of money to make it all right. 231 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:55,119 How you doing? How you going, mate? Pretty good. 232 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:59,039 How you going? I'm good, mate. You've got what I'm after, some batteries. 233 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:01,479 These are the batteries all ready to go. 234 00:14:01,560 --> 00:14:04,639 Problem I got, mate, is I've only got $1,000 cash. 235 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:09,439 But I know you like opal, and I've brought in Amanda's good opal ring. 236 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:12,559 I'll have a good look at it. 237 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:16,119 Righto. $7,000 ring, so. 238 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:19,079 If I don't come back at the end of the week, you can keep that. 239 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:23,159 If I do come back, I'll get it back cos that's Amanda's favourite ring. 240 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:27,119 All right. End of the week. End of the week. 241 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:29,519 Thanks, mate, I appreciate it. 242 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,599 With half of any opal going to mine owner, Martin, 243 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:36,479 and the remaining half being split with Les, to cover the batteries 244 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:41,599 Rod needs to find $16,000 of opal in just five days. 245 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:53,199 Let's go and have a look. 246 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:55,239 We're just trying to find a shallow level, 247 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:57,959 something easy to dig, get a bit of cash flow happening. 248 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:02,679 The Boulder Boys are waiting for muddy sediment to settle 249 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:07,279 before they can pump out their promising Badlands pit. 250 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:12,359 They're now searching for virgin opal-bearing ground on the claim. 251 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:16,559 This land just off the creek, creek's our fault. 252 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:20,159 So we're having a look around here, see if we can pick up surface trace. 253 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:22,999 There you go, bit of trace. Bit of trace, Ron? 254 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:26,759 Yeah, purple. Oh, there's another one. 255 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:30,439 Give us that. Few rocks around. That's nearly colour, Ron, eh? 256 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:34,799 It's been sitting in the sun for 100,000 years or more. 257 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:38,159 All right. What do you reckon we start at the creek here? 258 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:41,919 Most creeks usually have a slip or a fault. 259 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:46,079 Yeah, let's do it. Pop it under that lucky tree. 260 00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:48,839 Aaron will use his 30-ton excavator 261 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:53,279 to dig a trench where Ron believes the opal-bearing fault lies. 262 00:15:56,760 --> 00:16:00,999 He'll need to dig through sandstone to an ancient layer of sediment 263 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:05,279 scattered with opal-bearing ironstone rock. 264 00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:08,439 Keep going, Ron? A little bit deeper, yeah. 265 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:11,559 We're looking for ironstone boulders. 266 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:13,839 We'll keep going till we hit them. 267 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:17,799 Sandstone's starting to change. I think so. 268 00:16:17,880 --> 00:16:19,719 Try and go through it now. 269 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:21,999 I'll slow down till we get it level. Yeah. 270 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:27,719 Plenty of rocks. 271 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:33,319 Oh. That's what we're looking for. 272 00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:37,559 Boulder ironstone. That's good rock, that's what we're after. 273 00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:41,519 Aaron and Ron have found small traces of boulder opal. 274 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:43,519 Was that out of the last bucket? Yeah. 275 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:46,519 Have a bit of a look, mate, where to go. 276 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:51,199 Formed when water deposits silica in voids in ironstone rocks, 277 00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:55,159 the most valuable can be worth $20,000 a gram. 278 00:16:55,240 --> 00:16:58,919 Got a nice band here with a bit of purple in it. Boulder's got a bit of colour. 279 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:02,079 Yeah, if we got a chance, might mark here somewhere, a little dip. 280 00:17:03,320 --> 00:17:06,119 At four metres they've found the level, 281 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:08,359 the depth at which the opal is forming. 282 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:10,679 What we might do if you get rid of that dirt, 283 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:12,599 and I'll strip a bit off the top. 284 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:14,639 Yeah. We should face that, eh? 285 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:17,599 The excavator needs to get close to the pit edge 286 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:20,319 to dig into the exposed opal level. 287 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:24,319 Ron brings in the 50-ton loader with a 13-ton bucket 288 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:26,719 to clear the mined dirt. 289 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:30,439 I got Ron to clean up the top, we're gonna start basing this level 290 00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:32,759 so that we don't miss anything. 291 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:53,839 Bit of a problem, the temperature is just bouncing from 90 to 100. 292 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:58,399 Hey, Ronnie. You're leaking coolant. I am? 293 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:05,079 You got a leak. I reckon that pump, 294 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:08,559 it's making a weird noise here, too, I reckon it's low oil. 295 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:11,959 Ah, yeah. We're gonna have to fix that hose, I reckon. 296 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:16,199 19 metres underground, Pete Cooke and Sam Westra's digger 297 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:18,719 is leaking hydraulic fluid. 298 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:21,359 If they don't fix it, their ambitious plans 299 00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:25,479 to fund their mega wash plant with opal will be in ruins. 300 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:28,759 Look at it, it's all sunburnt. 301 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:31,719 Yeah. Decayed. 302 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:35,879 Couple of hoses started leaking. I'd just like to re-do 303 00:18:35,960 --> 00:18:38,439 the fittings on the end of them before they blow 304 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:41,359 and cost us $100 worth of hydraulic oil. 305 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:43,559 It is a physical job. 306 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:47,759 But I reckon what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. 307 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:49,759 Any crap in there? Yeah, heaps. 308 00:18:49,840 --> 00:18:52,959 Last season, Pete had surgery on his left shoulder 309 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:56,319 after tearing the tendons repairing the same digger. 310 00:18:56,400 --> 00:19:00,039 Gotta try and look after the old fella, not let him lift too much. 311 00:19:00,120 --> 00:19:04,999 And wrestle the spanner out of his hand, he just loves it that much. 312 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:06,839 He just doesn't stop. 313 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:10,759 He reckons, if he hasn't grown up by 50, he doesn't have to grow up. 314 00:19:13,960 --> 00:19:16,559 You all right? 315 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:19,679 Hurt your good shoulder? 316 00:19:19,760 --> 00:19:23,399 It's no good. I've done something, you're gonna have to finish that. 317 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:26,759 Oh. Why don't you go see someone about that? 318 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:29,959 Yeah, let's just get this fixed. 319 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:34,399 Sure you're all right? I'll do this, you just stand there. All right. 320 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:36,759 All right, hold that. 321 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:42,399 Right, give me... 322 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:46,199 Oh, done something in there. Torn something. 323 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:48,959 I think I'll go and get it looked at, see what I've done. 324 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:52,439 The real test will be going up the ladder. See how I go there. 325 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:56,879 Yeah. Well, suppose I'll go up first and unload these tools. 326 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,079 You gonna get up all right? Hope so. 327 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:01,279 I'm a bit worried about Pete and his arm. 328 00:20:01,360 --> 00:20:03,759 Could put him out of action for a while. 329 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:06,839 I thinks it's a bit more serious than he's putting on 330 00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:10,759 so might take him to the doctors and see what they say. 331 00:20:10,840 --> 00:20:13,439 All right, I'll see you up there. 332 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:16,839 You shall. Makes it look easy, doesn't he? 333 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:21,239 Righto, ready when you are. 334 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:24,959 Having Pete out of action would throw a massive spanner in the works. 335 00:20:25,040 --> 00:20:29,199 We won't be mining. It's not safe to be underground by yourself. 336 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:35,799 All good down there, mate? Yes. Slow and steady. 337 00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:39,639 So, hopefully, it's not too bad and we can keep on going. 338 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:42,719 Nearly there, mate. 339 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:48,279 Right. 340 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:52,359 You made it. Feeling any worse? 341 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:55,039 Oh, yeah. Look at that coming out. 342 00:20:55,120 --> 00:20:58,999 Oh. You're gonna have to go see someone about that. 343 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:03,119 Yeah, no, that's not good. Not good. 344 00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:06,799 All right, we'll have to get you in to get checked out, I suppose. 345 00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:08,679 I don't like going to hospitals, 346 00:21:08,760 --> 00:21:11,119 I'll avoid them like the plague if I can. 347 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:15,479 But you know, sometimes you got to suck it up and go and see them. 348 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:21,319 It can be a real blow if they say put a sling on and stop work. 349 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:24,879 Well, that's what I'm supposed to do 350 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:27,839 so we'll just have to see what happens, I think. 351 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:45,039 Yeah, unfortunately, this is when reality kicks in, you know. 352 00:21:45,120 --> 00:21:48,519 When you realise that I popped Amanda's ring 353 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:50,679 and I got to find something. 354 00:21:50,760 --> 00:21:54,559 So, we just gotta do what we have to do to get a result. 355 00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:58,639 You ready, old fella? Yeah, mate. Take the top out of this side. 356 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:02,559 Just keep an eye on it. 357 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:06,439 Nothing in the wall there? 358 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:09,599 No, nothing. All right, I'll keep moving across. 359 00:22:12,080 --> 00:22:15,839 Oh, look at that. That's a big blow, that's big blow. 360 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:20,879 A blow's a geological thing that's happened millions of years ago. 361 00:22:20,960 --> 00:22:24,319 And it's like compressed gases and water 362 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:27,039 from deep underground have blown up. 363 00:22:27,120 --> 00:22:32,159 Different type of clay in there that dries like hard concrete. 364 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:36,199 Cos this ground's so hard we're going through the teeth really quickly, 365 00:22:36,280 --> 00:22:39,919 so we're just putting another set of new teeth on it. 366 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:41,959 That's the difference. 367 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:45,399 Other ground, you'll go years without wearing them down that much. 368 00:22:45,480 --> 00:22:47,959 So what do you reckon? That looks pretty good. 369 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:50,279 Yeah. In this country here. Goes down there. 370 00:22:50,360 --> 00:22:53,679 This yellow stuff, this blow, they're all good signs. 371 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:56,239 Only thing we're missing is bloody opal, old fella. 372 00:22:56,320 --> 00:22:58,839 That's it. All right, we'll have a look at this level. 373 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:03,199 Where do you want me to start? Right hand side or left hand side? 374 00:23:03,280 --> 00:23:05,479 I don't give a You gotta pick a side. 375 00:23:05,560 --> 00:23:08,879 That way if I don't find anything it's your fault. 376 00:23:08,960 --> 00:23:10,839 Ah, we might as well go to the left. 377 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:13,879 Now I can't see a thing so you gotta guide me. 378 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:16,439 Yeah, righto. In a bit. 379 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:23,479 Oh, what have you done? 380 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:26,159 Don't tell me I pulled it through to some colour. 381 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:29,119 You went too high. You're my spotter! 382 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:30,919 Only bit of colour we've seen in ages 383 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:33,079 and I put my teeth through the middle of them. 384 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:36,319 Well, put your proper eyes on. 385 00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:40,479 Look. 386 00:23:40,560 --> 00:23:42,999 Oh, that bit's not. 387 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:47,799 We just go straight in like that. 388 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:51,879 Just in this situation here, you know, 389 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:55,279 you can be standing here, behind your digger, absolutely broke, 390 00:23:55,360 --> 00:23:59,759 and in one pull on this lever your whole life changes. 391 00:23:59,840 --> 00:24:03,879 There's nothing else that you can do that in these days. 392 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:06,279 Hallelujah. 393 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:11,559 What was that? Big piece of roof fell out. 394 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:17,479 roof, Les. Just watch yourself, mate. 395 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:23,519 That's a fair lump of rock. That coming down on your head, you'll know about it. 396 00:24:23,600 --> 00:24:27,479 If I didn't have this these would be falling on my head. 397 00:24:27,560 --> 00:24:31,439 Can't put a prop or anything under cos we're under it with the digger. 398 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:37,559 Oh! Oh, that's not good. 399 00:24:37,640 --> 00:24:40,079 Up under there is a big hollow spot. 400 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:42,399 That means your bedding plains have let go. 401 00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:44,359 That's why it's drummy. 402 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:46,839 We'll just have to get stuck into this wall, Les, 403 00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:48,999 get in there as quick as we can, mate. 404 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:52,959 We can only go forward, we can't go back. No. 405 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:55,399 Right, do you wanna hold the tray under? 406 00:24:55,480 --> 00:24:58,159 We need to get it out as big as we can, Les. 407 00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:04,599 Come on, old fella. Dig some colour for us. 408 00:25:04,680 --> 00:25:08,079 It's looking good, Les. 409 00:25:08,160 --> 00:25:10,079 Look at this. Yeah. 410 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:12,559 Nice and big. And goes right through. 411 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:14,879 Better than nothing. 412 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:17,319 About there? Yeah. 413 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:21,479 Whoa. Got any colour in it? 414 00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:24,039 Oh, yeah, that doesn't look too bad. 415 00:25:24,120 --> 00:25:27,679 Tell you what, that's hell of a seam up there, Les. 416 00:25:27,760 --> 00:25:31,799 And this big, thick stuff it could develop into something. 417 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:34,319 It's not worth a fortune but it's worth something. 418 00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:41,119 Don't break it. Looking good, Les. Looking good! 419 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:43,719 This might be it. 420 00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:46,519 It's not brilliant but it's got colour all the way around. 421 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:49,119 Let's get into it! 422 00:25:50,880 --> 00:25:54,159 Damn it, it's looking real good. If it keeps going, 423 00:25:56,000 --> 00:26:00,239 we might get the ring today. 424 00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:03,199 If you didn't want that to come down, it would, you know? 425 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:11,359 Hey, Ronnie, you're leaking coolant. 426 00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:13,799 I've got a loose something. 427 00:26:13,880 --> 00:26:17,079 Leaking radiator fluid on a 30-year-old loader 428 00:26:17,160 --> 00:26:20,359 has stalled Aaron and Ron's efforts to find opal 429 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:22,919 and pay off Aaron's debt to Eric Hume. 430 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:26,119 Where's that coming from? With no loader to clear dirt, 431 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:30,679 they can't get the excavator close enough to the wall to dig for opal. 432 00:26:30,760 --> 00:26:33,239 I think it's out of this top hose here, Ron. 433 00:26:33,320 --> 00:26:35,199 Why don't I tighten this clamp up, mate? 434 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:36,999 You reckon that's all it is? Yeah. 435 00:26:37,080 --> 00:26:40,319 That's why I can't keep up, cos it's been dripping out the mongrel. 436 00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:42,679 I'll get a spanner and tighten it, mate. 437 00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:45,759 Don't want to waste. That is dear, too. Yeah, I know. 438 00:26:45,840 --> 00:26:48,759 We just gotta tighten it up and then top her up again. 439 00:26:48,840 --> 00:26:50,839 This is pretty loose, Ron. Yeah. 440 00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:53,559 Lucky we spotted it. If it runs out of coolant, 441 00:26:53,640 --> 00:26:57,799 we could cook the motor, then we're up for more money. It's still dripping a bit anyway. 442 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:01,839 I'll tighten this other one, too. It's loose, too. What the hell? 443 00:27:01,920 --> 00:27:05,679 What about this one here? Got liquid running out of here. 444 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:08,799 See there? That's where our coolant's been going, Ron. 445 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:12,559 Hmm. Hey, uh, is there any in the radiator? No. 446 00:27:14,280 --> 00:27:17,799 Bucket will do it, eh? Maybe a couple of buckets. 447 00:27:17,880 --> 00:27:20,359 All right, mate, here she comes. 448 00:27:20,440 --> 00:27:22,319 Lime cordial. 449 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:29,679 Little things like that, if you don't catch it, can create big problems. 450 00:27:29,760 --> 00:27:32,199 You always gotta keep an eye out, you know. 451 00:27:32,280 --> 00:27:36,159 See, she's back down to the right temperature. No worries. 452 00:27:48,880 --> 00:27:52,479 Yeah, just gonna clean this front bit out, and we'll start basing that level. 453 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:56,719 All we're doing is we're taking that top layer off 454 00:27:56,800 --> 00:27:58,639 and you can see the sandstone there. 455 00:27:58,720 --> 00:28:02,679 We wanna keep that darker line on the bottom, the basing line on the bottom. 456 00:28:09,640 --> 00:28:13,239 You see that big rock in front of the track there? 457 00:28:13,320 --> 00:28:16,079 You reckon that might be something? 458 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:18,479 We'll have a look, eh? 459 00:28:28,800 --> 00:28:31,279 A lot of voids that could've been filled. 460 00:28:31,360 --> 00:28:33,799 Nice rock. Little bit of green there, too. 461 00:28:33,880 --> 00:28:35,879 Yeah, a bit of green there. 462 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:41,119 Ron. 463 00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:44,039 That's green, blue, Aaron. 464 00:28:47,640 --> 00:28:51,559 Bit of matrix here. It's going into the matrix, too, Aaron. Yeah. 465 00:28:51,640 --> 00:28:54,919 Matrix opal is diffused within the host rock. 466 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:57,399 It's considered of lesser value than opal 467 00:28:57,480 --> 00:29:00,519 that forms in one pocket within the stone. 468 00:29:00,600 --> 00:29:02,719 We'll give her another crunch, eh? Yeah. 469 00:29:09,000 --> 00:29:11,479 Whoa, whoa, whoa! 470 00:29:11,560 --> 00:29:14,239 Right, don't go any further. 471 00:29:15,800 --> 00:29:17,599 Colour. 472 00:29:20,560 --> 00:29:23,519 Wow! Isn't that something? 473 00:29:26,120 --> 00:29:28,519 Oh, yeah, look at that! 474 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:30,759 That's got lines right through it. 475 00:29:30,840 --> 00:29:32,759 Isn't that good? 476 00:29:32,840 --> 00:29:34,679 Got a little bit of red in that one, Ron. 477 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:36,879 There you go, same purple we've been finding 478 00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:38,759 but at least that one's in the line. 479 00:29:38,840 --> 00:29:40,439 Yeah. Look at that. 480 00:29:40,520 --> 00:29:43,399 That one there's got a line running through. 481 00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:45,359 Look at that, right through. 482 00:29:45,440 --> 00:29:48,199 Well, couple grand. 483 00:29:48,280 --> 00:29:50,519 Say 1,500. 484 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:52,319 Would that be a safe bet? Yeah. 485 00:29:52,400 --> 00:29:54,359 All right. You beauty, Ron. 486 00:29:54,440 --> 00:29:57,319 Yeah, mate! Bit of weight. 487 00:29:57,400 --> 00:30:00,359 That's all right, Ron. No worries. Bit more opal in the bucket. 488 00:30:00,440 --> 00:30:04,559 Well, after all the rocks we've been bashing at least we've got some. 489 00:30:04,640 --> 00:30:06,279 All right, mate. 490 00:30:10,480 --> 00:30:12,079 G'day, Sam. Can you hear me? 491 00:30:14,120 --> 00:30:16,919 Not the best, mate. 492 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:20,319 I've re-aggravated an old wound, 493 00:30:20,400 --> 00:30:23,799 and it looks like I'm gonna have to take it easy for a couple of weeks. 494 00:30:27,480 --> 00:30:31,879 No, no. No, I won't be able to go underground. 495 00:30:33,280 --> 00:30:35,839 We're gonna have to change our plans a bit 496 00:30:35,920 --> 00:30:39,999 for the next couple weeks, anyway. Not a good result, really. 497 00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:42,199 Unable to work for two weeks, 498 00:30:42,280 --> 00:30:45,599 Pete and Sam need to find another way to pay the bills, 499 00:30:45,680 --> 00:30:49,079 and fund the next stage of their mega wash plant. 500 00:30:51,200 --> 00:30:54,319 Last week, getting that nice big gem... 501 00:30:54,400 --> 00:30:56,159 50 grand. 50 grand. 502 00:30:56,240 --> 00:30:58,439 ..kicked us off to a pretty good start. 503 00:30:59,880 --> 00:31:02,879 To sell that stone for anywhere near what I'm hoping to get, 504 00:31:02,960 --> 00:31:05,119 that'll be just fantastic. That'll be real good. 505 00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:07,759 We need that kickstart, need a bit of cash behind us. 506 00:31:07,840 --> 00:31:11,399 All right, mate, well, see if we can sell something. Yeah. 507 00:31:11,480 --> 00:31:13,799 Pete has set up a meeting in Lightning Ridge 508 00:31:13,880 --> 00:31:15,639 with buyer Paul Sedawie, 509 00:31:15,720 --> 00:31:18,119 who specialises in high-end stones. 510 00:31:18,200 --> 00:31:19,799 Got the stone there, mate? 511 00:31:19,880 --> 00:31:21,519 I have. Good. 512 00:31:22,960 --> 00:31:26,759 So, what do you reckon we'll go in there asking? 513 00:31:26,840 --> 00:31:29,359 Well, I've revised it a bit. 514 00:31:29,440 --> 00:31:32,399 I reckon it's worth more than $50,000. 515 00:31:32,480 --> 00:31:34,319 It's a beautiful gem. 516 00:31:34,400 --> 00:31:36,639 I reckon we'll go in there with 80K. 517 00:31:36,720 --> 00:31:39,119 80K. 80,000, mate, yeah. 518 00:31:40,560 --> 00:31:44,239 We go in there today, what's the lowest we're gonna take? 519 00:31:44,320 --> 00:31:46,519 Oh, I'm not gonna go below 50. 520 00:31:46,600 --> 00:31:49,559 Right, so 50 is bottom dollar. 521 00:31:55,040 --> 00:31:58,399 Pete and Sam have a high-quality black opal. 522 00:31:58,480 --> 00:32:01,079 Featuring the full spectrum of colours, 523 00:32:01,160 --> 00:32:03,199 it's a partial rub by Pete, 524 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:06,639 and weighs 41 carats or eight grams. 525 00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:09,879 Paul's a buyer. They wanna get it as cheap as they can, 526 00:32:09,960 --> 00:32:12,079 and I wanna get as much, so we just got to 527 00:32:12,160 --> 00:32:14,919 try and find some middle ground that we both agree on. 528 00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:16,759 We'll see how we go. 529 00:32:19,240 --> 00:32:20,839 G'day, guys. How's it going? 530 00:32:20,920 --> 00:32:23,279 How are you, Paul? Good to see you, Peter. You, too. 531 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:25,639 Come in the office. Great, thank you. 532 00:32:25,720 --> 00:32:27,759 I've been dealing with Peter for probably, 533 00:32:27,840 --> 00:32:30,719 15, 20 years, been a long time. 534 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:33,399 I've had him round, sometimes he's had good quality stuff. 535 00:32:33,480 --> 00:32:35,479 He never lets his stuff go cheap though. 536 00:32:35,560 --> 00:32:39,239 You gotta bargain with him and I've got to make sure I don't lose. 537 00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:41,839 Well, so how you been? Good, mate, good. 538 00:32:41,920 --> 00:32:43,719 Hear you've found a nice stone recently. 539 00:32:43,800 --> 00:32:45,879 We've got a little gem to show you. 540 00:32:45,960 --> 00:32:47,959 It's a little one, is it? Just a little one. 541 00:32:48,040 --> 00:32:50,119 All right. What field are you working in? 542 00:32:50,200 --> 00:32:52,039 This is from our Allawah field. 543 00:32:52,120 --> 00:32:54,799 Cool. If you're interested in having a look. I'd love to. 544 00:32:56,640 --> 00:33:00,399 Oh, wow. That's a pretty stunning stone. 545 00:33:00,480 --> 00:33:05,039 Wow. 41.4 carats as it is. 546 00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:10,039 We don't see these every day. 547 00:33:10,120 --> 00:33:14,119 Yeah, it's like it's got a little bit of chips in it in parts, too. 548 00:33:14,200 --> 00:33:16,159 Yeah, I'll just... 549 00:33:16,240 --> 00:33:19,319 Get your big laser light on it. Yeah. 550 00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:23,079 And I'll see how far the needles go into it. 551 00:33:23,160 --> 00:33:26,479 There's one little bit in the middle that looks a bit of a worry. 552 00:33:26,560 --> 00:33:30,119 Mm-hm. Still, it's an attractive stone. 553 00:33:30,200 --> 00:33:31,919 What sort of money do you have on it? 554 00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:34,879 Like I said, there's just over 40 in carats 555 00:33:34,960 --> 00:33:36,799 and I'm looking at two grand a carat. 556 00:33:42,080 --> 00:33:44,559 I like the stone. I don't really like the price. 557 00:33:49,760 --> 00:33:51,919 You see the coming round the front here? 558 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:54,319 Yeah, doesn't look real good at all, no. 559 00:33:54,400 --> 00:33:56,639 You try not to come back here, all right? 560 00:33:56,720 --> 00:33:59,359 Yup. Cos I got this to protect me, you haven't. 561 00:33:59,440 --> 00:34:01,839 Yup. All right. Let's get into here 562 00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:03,559 as quick as we can, mate. 563 00:34:03,640 --> 00:34:05,799 The Bushmen are on to good opal 564 00:34:05,880 --> 00:34:08,679 needed for Rod to get Amanda's ring back. 565 00:34:08,760 --> 00:34:12,119 But they're in danger of being crushed by a crumbling roof. 566 00:34:12,200 --> 00:34:14,479 Regardless of the roof at the moment, 567 00:34:14,560 --> 00:34:16,559 I just gotta keep on going. 568 00:34:18,040 --> 00:34:20,119 There's no option for me at the moment. 569 00:34:20,200 --> 00:34:22,759 I've gotta get that ring back. 570 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:25,639 What's that? Bit of purple. 571 00:34:25,720 --> 00:34:29,599 We're just gonna keep chasing it cos it's looking good. 572 00:34:29,680 --> 00:34:31,879 It's improving all the time. 573 00:34:31,960 --> 00:34:35,519 Oh, it's big and it's cheesy, Les, look! 574 00:34:35,600 --> 00:34:39,159 That's a nice piece there. All the way around it goes. 575 00:34:39,240 --> 00:34:42,079 We're into the dollars again. 576 00:34:42,160 --> 00:34:44,239 That's not looking too bad, Les. 577 00:34:44,320 --> 00:34:46,119 Might even put the glasses on for this. 578 00:34:46,200 --> 00:34:48,399 That's nice, look at that. 579 00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:50,639 There's a heap of it. Geez, if we get... 580 00:34:50,720 --> 00:34:53,359 We get a seam like this of real good stuff, mate. 581 00:34:53,440 --> 00:34:56,559 yeah. We'll be eating that flash chicken, mate. 582 00:34:56,640 --> 00:34:59,439 That's looking good. They're starting to add up, mate. 583 00:34:59,520 --> 00:35:02,279 Oh, yeah. 584 00:35:02,360 --> 00:35:05,319 Just gotta keep going, you can't leave it in the wall. 585 00:35:05,400 --> 00:35:08,879 When you're on colour you just keep on going. 586 00:35:08,960 --> 00:35:12,399 Oh. I just found a... Oh! 587 00:35:12,480 --> 00:35:14,439 Look at that. 588 00:35:14,520 --> 00:35:17,519 That's it! 589 00:35:17,600 --> 00:35:19,599 That'll get the ring out of hock, Les. 590 00:35:19,680 --> 00:35:21,999 That'll save your life, mate. 591 00:35:22,080 --> 00:35:24,679 Jeepers. She's got some good colours there. 592 00:35:24,760 --> 00:35:27,839 Ah, what a relief, mate, I can tell you. 593 00:35:27,920 --> 00:35:30,399 Oh, yeah, that's right. 594 00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:33,399 How good is this, Les? 595 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:35,079 Ah, it's been a good day. 596 00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:38,639 Finally gonna tip a bit of opal out on our table, mate. 597 00:35:38,720 --> 00:35:40,799 The big fella first, Les, look at that. 598 00:35:40,880 --> 00:35:43,759 That's a nice plate, isn't it? Big plate of loveliness. 599 00:35:43,840 --> 00:35:47,079 Good colour. Take the top off that, could be anything under that. 600 00:35:47,160 --> 00:35:49,479 Well, that's right. And then, here, tip them out. 601 00:35:53,440 --> 00:35:55,919 How good's all that, mate? 602 00:35:57,440 --> 00:35:59,879 That one there, that's the kingstone, that fella. 603 00:35:59,960 --> 00:36:01,719 That's a nice stone, that is. 604 00:36:01,800 --> 00:36:06,399 The Bushmen have found seam opal, predominantly blue in colour 605 00:36:06,480 --> 00:36:09,799 with a kingstone featuring highly prized reds. 606 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:13,599 It's in the rough, and there's a massive eight kilograms. 607 00:36:13,680 --> 00:36:15,519 I reckon we'll get eight grand for that. 608 00:36:15,600 --> 00:36:18,479 Yeah. And that kingstone. 609 00:36:18,560 --> 00:36:21,759 And we got all this stuff here. Three, four. 610 00:36:21,840 --> 00:36:24,119 Five on that. I'll get five for that. 611 00:36:24,200 --> 00:36:27,199 We got eight, we got five. 13. 612 00:36:27,280 --> 00:36:30,599 And I reckon this big pile of stuff is 20, 25. 613 00:36:30,680 --> 00:36:33,599 Don't you? Yes, I'd reckon. Yeah. 614 00:36:33,680 --> 00:36:36,399 38,000, mate. Good day's work. 615 00:36:36,480 --> 00:36:38,399 Can't wait to take this home, show Amanda 616 00:36:38,480 --> 00:36:40,399 and say, "Definitely got your ring back." 617 00:36:40,480 --> 00:36:42,879 That's it, yes. The only trouble is she might say, 618 00:36:42,960 --> 00:36:45,559 "You've got the money. What about buying me another one?" 619 00:36:47,560 --> 00:36:50,599 Yeah, 38 grand, you know, it's been a bloody good week. 620 00:36:50,680 --> 00:36:53,879 Got the ring back, picked the spirits up a little bit. 621 00:36:53,960 --> 00:36:56,319 Proved there was some opal down there. 622 00:36:56,400 --> 00:36:59,039 Best week we've had in a long, long time. 623 00:36:59,120 --> 00:37:01,479 The best is to come yet, I think. 624 00:37:01,560 --> 00:37:03,439 The Ploughboys has got it there. 625 00:37:03,520 --> 00:37:05,479 And I reckon it'll be there in big lumps. 626 00:37:05,560 --> 00:37:08,519 Tomorrow... We might be walking around in suits. 627 00:37:08,600 --> 00:37:11,559 Tuxedos. You never know. Tuxedos. 628 00:37:18,040 --> 00:37:20,479 Lucky you spotted that, mate. 1,500. 629 00:37:20,560 --> 00:37:22,719 Would that be a safe bet? Yeah. 630 00:37:22,800 --> 00:37:25,519 With a debt of $80,000 to repay, 631 00:37:25,600 --> 00:37:28,199 Aaron is keen to sell their opal find. 632 00:37:28,280 --> 00:37:30,359 They've set up a meeting with Eric Madsen... 633 00:37:30,440 --> 00:37:32,239 G'day, boys. How are you? 634 00:37:32,320 --> 00:37:36,119 ..who's been in the opal business for over 45 years. 635 00:37:36,200 --> 00:37:38,959 I think they probably respect me reasonably well 636 00:37:39,040 --> 00:37:42,519 because I'm actually another miner. 637 00:37:42,600 --> 00:37:44,519 I'm not just a buyer coming up. 638 00:37:44,600 --> 00:37:47,679 Have you got any opals for me? We found a nice boulder. 639 00:37:47,760 --> 00:37:50,199 Ah, yeah. There's some nice thick lines in here. 640 00:37:50,280 --> 00:37:52,199 Coming through to the other side. 641 00:37:52,280 --> 00:37:54,519 Yeah, you might get some big stones out of it. 642 00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:57,439 Yes. That's the biggest one of the lot, isn't it? 643 00:37:57,520 --> 00:37:59,119 Yep. It is. 644 00:37:59,200 --> 00:38:01,719 And the opal is quite thick in it. So that's good. 645 00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:05,919 Aaron and Ron have mainly boulder opal. 646 00:38:06,000 --> 00:38:09,119 Blue-green with flashes of purple, it's in the rough. 647 00:38:09,200 --> 00:38:11,719 And there's 4.5 kilograms. 648 00:38:11,800 --> 00:38:16,199 They hope to get $1,500. 649 00:38:16,280 --> 00:38:19,919 What sort of money have you got on the parcel? 650 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:22,319 What were you thinking, Ron? 651 00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:25,039 You caught me there. Couple of grand, maybe? 652 00:38:25,120 --> 00:38:28,319 Nah, no, no, no. What do you think it's worth? 653 00:38:28,400 --> 00:38:31,079 Well, it's sort of what we call 654 00:38:31,160 --> 00:38:33,679 big, cheap stones, you know. All right. Yeah. 655 00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:38,799 1,500 will pull it up for me. 1,500? Yeah. 656 00:38:38,880 --> 00:38:41,239 Can we go halfway, 1750? 657 00:38:41,320 --> 00:38:43,359 No. It's a bit, uh... 658 00:38:43,440 --> 00:38:45,199 It's a bit lower, the material. 659 00:38:45,280 --> 00:38:47,519 I like to support you because... Yeah. 660 00:38:47,600 --> 00:38:49,799 ..we want to hopefully buy a lot in the future. 661 00:38:49,880 --> 00:38:52,119 We can throw all the matrix in, too. 662 00:38:52,200 --> 00:38:55,479 Yeah, OK, well... There's a couple of buckets of matrix. 663 00:38:55,560 --> 00:38:57,759 OK. Green, blue, red. 664 00:38:57,840 --> 00:39:00,999 Look, you throw that in, make it 1,700. 665 00:39:01,080 --> 00:39:03,799 All right. Yeah? No worries. Got a deal. 666 00:39:03,880 --> 00:39:06,639 OK. No worries. I'll get a bucket for this. 667 00:39:06,720 --> 00:39:08,319 No worries, mate. 668 00:39:08,400 --> 00:39:11,279 Always happy to buy from them to keep them going. 669 00:39:11,360 --> 00:39:13,599 It's a little drop in the bucket, 670 00:39:13,680 --> 00:39:17,279 but I guess every little bit helps. 671 00:39:17,360 --> 00:39:20,199 It's not big opal but it pays the bills. 672 00:39:20,280 --> 00:39:24,119 Every week we've been finding a bit so that's a good thing. 673 00:39:24,200 --> 00:39:27,279 We just gotta open the ground a bit more, have a good look at it. 674 00:39:35,320 --> 00:39:38,039 The stone's nice. It is, it's a beauty. 675 00:39:38,120 --> 00:39:42,399 I reckon it'll cut a nice 30 carat clean stone. 676 00:39:42,480 --> 00:39:47,119 Yeah, just trying to figure out the 30-carat stone. 677 00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:49,479 Right. OK. 678 00:39:49,560 --> 00:39:52,559 That's my main concern. Mm-hm. 679 00:39:52,640 --> 00:39:55,479 To survive the downtime of an injury to Pete, 680 00:39:55,560 --> 00:39:58,119 and to help fund a mega wash plant, 681 00:39:58,200 --> 00:40:02,679 Pete and Sam are relying on a big sale price for their prized opal. 682 00:40:02,760 --> 00:40:05,359 There's a lot riding on this sale, you know. 683 00:40:05,440 --> 00:40:07,119 It's all good having a pretty rock 684 00:40:07,200 --> 00:40:09,519 but if you can't sell it, it's not worth anything. 685 00:40:09,600 --> 00:40:12,479 So it's probably in the range of a N3 stone. 686 00:40:12,560 --> 00:40:15,079 N3. What'd I think, N4, didn't I? Yeah. 687 00:40:15,160 --> 00:40:17,119 I was actually hoping it'd be a bit blacker. 688 00:40:17,200 --> 00:40:20,399 Opal tone is the gem's neutral or base colour, 689 00:40:20,480 --> 00:40:23,879 measured on a scale of N1 to N9. 690 00:40:23,960 --> 00:40:27,039 Only stones from 1 to 4 are considered black 691 00:40:27,120 --> 00:40:30,919 and are the most sought-after as the colours appear more vibrant. 692 00:40:31,000 --> 00:40:33,639 Even if you got skill, you can't make it better 693 00:40:33,720 --> 00:40:35,399 if that's what nature's given you. 694 00:40:35,480 --> 00:40:38,799 Gotta work with what nature gives. We do have to deal with it. 695 00:40:38,880 --> 00:40:42,599 I've actually been a bit heavy on price, 696 00:40:42,680 --> 00:40:45,319 but I'd probably be close to 48 on it. 697 00:40:45,400 --> 00:40:49,399 48. Yeah. Because I think any more than that 698 00:40:49,480 --> 00:40:53,159 I don't think I'm gonna have much room for much profit on it. 699 00:40:53,240 --> 00:40:55,719 So what do you think about that? 700 00:40:55,800 --> 00:40:57,839 60 would sound better to me. 701 00:40:57,920 --> 00:40:59,959 I could lose money at 60. 702 00:41:00,040 --> 00:41:03,319 There's a possibility I could lose at that money. 703 00:41:03,400 --> 00:41:06,479 So, it's up to you guys. I'm afraid that's probably 704 00:41:06,560 --> 00:41:10,079 the maximum I think I'd be comfortable to go. 705 00:41:10,160 --> 00:41:13,399 You know. All right, OK. 706 00:41:13,480 --> 00:41:17,119 A lot riding on this sale. If I can get some cold, hard cash 707 00:41:17,200 --> 00:41:19,839 I can get a lot more done on my wash plant, 708 00:41:19,920 --> 00:41:22,599 I'm gonna have to have two weeks off with this shoulder. 709 00:41:22,680 --> 00:41:25,719 So, you know, the bills still happen. 710 00:41:25,800 --> 00:41:28,359 Why don't we make it an even 50, Paul? 711 00:41:28,440 --> 00:41:33,119 Actually, I've virtually... I've pushed myself to the limit. 712 00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:35,039 I got a fair idea of the problems. 713 00:41:35,120 --> 00:41:40,079 And you know, I think that might pull me up. 714 00:41:40,160 --> 00:41:42,919 We've been to quite a few opal dealers now, 715 00:41:43,000 --> 00:41:45,359 and a lot of the time you walk out with nothing, 716 00:41:45,440 --> 00:41:47,439 so I'm feeling pretty nervous 717 00:41:47,520 --> 00:41:49,479 but we really need this deal to go through 718 00:41:49,560 --> 00:41:53,079 so we got a bit of cash, and keep things ticking along. 719 00:41:53,160 --> 00:41:55,679 Well, that sort of stuff, I would've thought, 720 00:41:55,760 --> 00:41:58,959 you know, 3.5, 4,000 a carat is what I would've thought. 721 00:41:59,040 --> 00:42:02,079 It would have to be a little bit darker for that. 722 00:42:02,160 --> 00:42:04,119 Yeah, it's a black opal, 723 00:42:04,200 --> 00:42:06,279 but at the bottom end of the spectrum. 724 00:42:06,360 --> 00:42:09,639 If it's a little bit darker, then we put another nought on the figure. 725 00:42:09,720 --> 00:42:13,319 I reckon we could do business with an even 50, I reckon, Paul, 726 00:42:13,400 --> 00:42:16,879 if you could just squeeze that little bit more out of it. 727 00:42:16,960 --> 00:42:20,439 49. 49? Yeah, that'd be me done. 728 00:42:23,000 --> 00:42:25,879 Geez, I'd like to get a sale. 729 00:42:25,960 --> 00:42:29,079 Gee, this is a bit of a thing. 730 00:42:29,160 --> 00:42:32,559 Yeah, I'd like to buy it but I don't want to lose money. 731 00:42:34,040 --> 00:42:36,679 I honestly feel I'm pushed at 49. 732 00:42:36,760 --> 00:42:39,279 50 would turn me off actually. 733 00:42:39,360 --> 00:42:42,559 49 turns you on. Yeah. 734 00:42:44,640 --> 00:42:47,639 Done deal. OK. Good on you, thanks. 735 00:42:47,720 --> 00:42:49,799 And I'll let you know when I cut 30 carats. 736 00:42:52,000 --> 00:42:53,759 Happy with the result. 737 00:42:53,840 --> 00:42:56,599 Of course, you would always like to get more, 738 00:42:56,680 --> 00:42:59,119 and I was hoping for more, but at the end of the day, 739 00:42:59,200 --> 00:43:01,079 I got a pretty good price for that stone. 740 00:43:01,160 --> 00:43:03,999 It had a couple of problems, which is why I didn't cut it. 741 00:43:04,080 --> 00:43:05,879 I wanted someone else to take the risk. 742 00:43:05,960 --> 00:43:07,879 So now it's on Paul's shoulders. 743 00:43:07,960 --> 00:43:09,999 Thanks for offering it to me. Great. 744 00:43:10,080 --> 00:43:12,199 For sure, Paul. It's exciting. 745 00:43:12,280 --> 00:43:15,719 We had a beautiful gem and finally got some cash for it. 746 00:43:15,800 --> 00:43:18,199 So, you don't get to look at it anymore. 747 00:43:18,280 --> 00:43:22,519 Yeah, money means more to us right now than having a beauty gem. 748 00:43:22,600 --> 00:43:25,719 Thanks for the business again. Thank you. 749 00:43:25,800 --> 00:43:27,799 The end of the day, we're stoked. 750 00:43:27,880 --> 00:43:29,639 That means Sam's guaranteed to stay. 751 00:43:29,720 --> 00:43:32,399 He can see that there is money in this opal mining caper. 752 00:43:32,480 --> 00:43:34,599 Whole lot more could happen to our wash plant. 753 00:43:34,680 --> 00:43:36,799 And I can have this couple of weeks off 754 00:43:36,880 --> 00:43:39,319 to rest my shoulder without any worry about the bills. 755 00:43:39,400 --> 00:43:41,519 It's a terrific outcome. 756 00:43:43,000 --> 00:43:44,999 Subtitles by Deluxe 756 00:43:45,305 --> 00:44:45,897 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=-