"Outback Opal Hunters" Scrap Noodler

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,879 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 2 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:06,159 Ron, I'm going to cave it in. Watch out. 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:08,439 ..the Boulder Boys push their machines 4 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:11,479 deeper than ever before... I'll just keep taking it down. 5 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:14,799 Yeah, just keep doing it. ..chasing a 16-metre-deep 6 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:17,479 opal level in a waterlogged mine. 7 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:19,559 I'm sliding off the front. 8 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:23,039 The Cheals expand their operation... Whoa! 9 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:25,799 ..with a second expensive super digger. 10 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:28,759 It will double our costs, but it also doubles our chances 11 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:31,599 of finding opal. But spiralling debts 12 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:33,639 threaten to send them broke. 13 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,799 I need to keep food on the table. I need to keep up with the fuel. 14 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:39,879 Bills to be paid. And on a new claim, 15 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:42,919 the Blacklighters are forced to shut down Opalzilla... 16 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:45,399 We're not going to see anything on this. Shut her down. 17 00:00:45,480 --> 00:00:47,639 ..after the harsh desert conditions cause 18 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:49,759 more machine breakdowns. 19 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:51,879 Ahhh! 20 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:53,959 # ASH GRUNWALD: Money 21 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:56,759 # Money 22 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:02,319 # And fancy clothes # 23 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:10,074 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=- 24 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,919 I'll give this a shunt back and get on with the ramp, man. 25 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:20,959 Righto. 26 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:23,439 NARRATOR: 40 kilometres south of Coober Pedy, 27 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:26,679 the Blacklighters are setting up on a new claim. 28 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,039 We moved Opalzilla into position last week. 29 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:31,599 She's pretty close to spot on, but... 30 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:33,999 we just want to come back a little bit more. 31 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:37,599 You've got you're only far before it's actually going to hit, so don't bang it. 32 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:39,679 Slowly at the start. 33 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:41,919 We just, um, made the pad for the wheels, 34 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:44,759 so hopefully we can get it sitting nice and level 35 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,959 so all the belts run nice and true. 36 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:50,639 That's it. Whoa! Whoa! 37 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:55,439 So, yeah, that's where she lays for the next bit. 38 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:59,319 Last week, they moved their ten-tonne processing plant, 39 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:03,399 Opalzilla, 700 metres from their Jess's Trench claim 40 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:05,919 to their nearby Bedframe claim. 41 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:09,559 So we can chase all these dumps behind us, 42 00:02:09,640 --> 00:02:13,039 test 'em all and see what we can come up with. 43 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:16,279 Bedframe is littered with old miners' diggings 44 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:19,199 excavated over the past half century. 45 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:23,079 Righto, we got our first bucket going in. Pretty excited. 46 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:25,839 We'll, um, do a little bit of noodling 47 00:02:25,920 --> 00:02:27,919 just to keep the money rolling in. 48 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,879 Searching through pre-mined dirt for opal, 49 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:33,479 or noodling, avoids the expenses 50 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:36,039 of heavy-duty mining machinery. 51 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:38,399 We're going through the old tailings 52 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:40,959 from the old timers back in the '60s. 53 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:43,319 Hopefully they have missed a bit. 54 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:46,399 Using technology that didn't exist then, 55 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:50,199 Opalzilla can detect the smallest piece of missed opal. 56 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:53,199 You load it up into the hopper and it goes through a trommel, 57 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,359 shakes all the dust off so you've got no dust 58 00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:59,159 on the opal-bearing rocks when it hits the dark room. 59 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:01,239 The dark room's got ultraviolet lights, 60 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,279 so all the opal will glow on the belt in the dark room. 61 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:06,319 So, very efficient. 62 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:08,799 Once we uncover what's sitting in all the holes, 63 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:11,119 we'll, um, have a good look and see 64 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:13,799 if we can get some more mining done here, too. 65 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:18,239 They closed Mintabie so we've moved on and... 66 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:20,759 and re-established ourselves in Coober Pedy. 67 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:24,359 Last season, the government shut down the Blacklighters' 68 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:26,479 former hometown of Mintabie, 69 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:30,119 forcing their three families, totalling 12 people, 70 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:32,719 to start from scratch in Coober Pedy. 71 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:35,839 We got kids, we've had to pull them out of school 72 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:38,919 and just the cost itself in moving, 73 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:41,199 like, all the machinery and everything 74 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:43,399 came into the tens of thousands of dollars. 75 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:45,959 MARK, PAUL, JOHN: Ah, yes! Yes! 76 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:49,119 In their first week mining, the team struck it lucky... 77 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:51,279 That's just stunning, top opal. 78 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:54,319 ..with a mammoth haul of Coober Pedy crystal. 79 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:59,119 Couple of little pretty bits, but they're tiny. 80 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:01,919 But now that claim has dried up... 81 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:05,319 No point digging dirt that's not giving us any reward. 82 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:07,639 ..forcing them to gamble on a move 83 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:09,759 to their new location. 84 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:17,559 Hey! 85 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:20,279 Our first little bit. First bit. New spot. 86 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:23,759 We can start off now finally get some movement on the belt here. 87 00:04:23,840 --> 00:04:27,079 Hopefully we can pick up a few gems today and we'll be happy. 88 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:30,319 We need to find opal to stay afloat. It's the only source of income. 89 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:33,479 No one can live for free. You can't mess around. 90 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:36,239 It's not something that we take lightly - moving the machine. 91 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:39,279 There's a lot of people relying on us to make the right choices. 92 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,359 Whoopsie! 93 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:45,079 The noodling's awesome, but we want to find something really big. 94 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:48,479 So, the ultimate goal is to hit a big pocket. 95 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:50,879 Yeah, we need to build the bank up a little bit, 96 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:53,319 cos, yeah, we want to get the big machines in here soon, 97 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:56,719 and, yeah, take it down and see what she holds underneath. 98 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:59,159 As well as putting food on the table, 99 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,359 the Blacklighters are counting on the opal from noodling 100 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:04,439 to pay for some big machinery 101 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:06,519 to start mining underground. 102 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,439 If we can get 50 grand in the next few weeks, 103 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:12,079 it'll go a long way to what we need to do. 104 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:15,839 We got so many places to explore. 105 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:18,519 So, um, I don't know which one to start with, eh. 106 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,439 Couple of chunks just come through. 107 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:28,239 What could there be? 108 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:37,439 Ah, the generator just cut out. Coon's going to go have a look. 109 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:39,599 I reckon by the sound of that earlier, 110 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:41,839 it might have spat the fan belt off, but, yeah, 111 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:43,919 we'll have a quick look, eh? 112 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,919 As you can see, it's the fan belt. 113 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,439 Chewed it to pieces, so, yeah. 114 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:53,839 The 14-kilowatt generator 115 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:56,479 is Opalzilla's only power source. 116 00:05:56,560 --> 00:06:00,599 We've got some belts. I don't know if we've got a new one, though. Me either. 117 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:03,359 She blow it? Yep. You know where the spare one is? 118 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:06,159 No. The spare one's sitting in a box 119 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:08,359 in the shed at home. 120 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:11,999 Yeah, what good's the belt at home? 121 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:16,439 It's no good at home, eh? No. No. 122 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:20,919 That's a long way away. It's miles away. 123 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:23,079 It's going to be an 80K round trip. 124 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:28,399 Shut her down. Ahhhh! 125 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:30,479 Ahhh! 126 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:38,919 See these two bolts here? Mm-hm. 127 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,519 Those two. Can you just reach under and pull the nuts 128 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:44,439 off the bolts and pull the bolts out, please? Righto. Those two? 129 00:06:44,520 --> 00:06:47,119 Yeah. This is my big digger. 130 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:50,359 It had some repairs. I haven't used it for a couple of years. 131 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:52,759 It's not making any money sitting here in the shed, 132 00:06:52,840 --> 00:06:54,919 so we might as well put it to work. 133 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:56,999 In Lightning Ridge, 134 00:06:57,080 --> 00:06:59,799 Chris Cheal and sons Rory and Oscar 135 00:06:59,880 --> 00:07:03,839 are dusting off Chris' newly-repaired second digger. 136 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:08,479 It's what they call a super digger. It's basically the biggest one that's been built. 137 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:10,639 It is probably about two-and-a-half tonne. 138 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:12,759 It's got 30-tonne of breakout pressure. 139 00:07:12,840 --> 00:07:16,079 It's a beautiful machine as far as diggers go. 140 00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:18,759 To increase their opal production, 141 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:20,919 Chris wants to use the super digger 142 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:23,359 alongside his other smaller digger, 143 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:26,439 45 kilometres away at his mine. 144 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:28,719 Just makes sense to me to get 145 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:30,799 both sets of gear going. 146 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:33,879 It will double our costs, but it also doubles our chances 147 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:36,159 of finding opal and that's what we need. 148 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:43,359 So, how do you reckon we're going to go getting it down? 149 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:46,199 Putting a digger down, you're either going to have a real good day 150 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:48,519 or a real day. Yeah. 151 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:52,119 Jeez, you know, just burning a heap of diesel 152 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:54,999 and if we don't see nothing, well it's going to be disappointed. 153 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:58,399 With little opal to show two months into the season, 154 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:01,719 the Cheals are trying to avert a cash flow crisis 155 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:05,679 on their giant lease covering 22 separate claims. 156 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:08,119 All the money that we've got over the last few weeks 157 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:11,279 have gone straight back into fuel money. Pressure's definitely on Dad. 158 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:14,639 A few hundred bucks last week, it's, you know, not enough to pay the bills. 159 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:17,919 Relentless running costs, modest opal finds 160 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:21,439 and a 30% cut going to partner Scott McMillan 161 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:24,879 have left Chris questioning if he can keep mining. 162 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,279 You're sort of up around the $200 a day in fuel 163 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:29,439 and that all adds up fairly quickly. 164 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:31,519 It's paramount we get something this week. 165 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:35,079 If we don't, look, I might have to go away for a little bit and do some work. 166 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:38,399 You know, try and get some fuel money together so we can keep going. 167 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:41,559 Adding to the pressure, Chris' sons sacrificed 168 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:44,919 their university studies to chase opal with him. 169 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:47,599 Rory and I have both come home from university. 170 00:08:47,680 --> 00:08:50,439 It's been a couple of months since I've left Sydney. 171 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:52,959 Juggling online study in the evenings 172 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:55,039 with days spent opal mining, 173 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:58,199 they hope to make enough to pay for their tuition. 174 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:00,839 It does get tough when we're, you know, working really hard, 175 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:03,199 putting in big hours and not getting paid. 176 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:05,919 We need that hit to just put us in a good spot to keep digging. 177 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,399 If not, Dad's probably going to have to go away working 178 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:10,959 and then that leaves Rory and I out of work. 179 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:20,799 Are you right for fuel and oil and everything? Yeah. 180 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:22,919 Yeah, I'll crank her up, then, eh? 181 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,399 Righto, we've got to drop this digger down. 182 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:31,039 It's-it's a heavy bit of gear and if something happens, 183 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:34,239 you can get crushed pretty easily, so we'll just take our time, 184 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:37,039 do it right and keep our communication up. Yep. 185 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:40,919 And I don't know whether it's going to fit with the hoist ladders in. 186 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:44,519 If it doesn't, it's going to turn into, like, a two or three-day job. 187 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:48,759 Whoa! 188 00:09:48,840 --> 00:09:51,799 The hoist ladders are still in the hole. I think we can get it down. 189 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:54,599 I've never done it with the ladders in the hole before. 190 00:09:54,680 --> 00:09:57,119 May not work. I-I don't know. And if it doesn't work, 191 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:00,679 it means that there's going to be an extra day-and-a-half added 192 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:04,079 to get it down there. So, yeah, I'm trying to take a shortcut. 193 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,879 Mate, are you out of the way? Can we, um, line up 194 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:10,959 and send this thing down? Yep, all good to come down. 195 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:15,199 The mine shaft's 44 inches in diameter. The digger's 42. 196 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:18,519 So it's going to be a real tight squeeze to get it in there. 197 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:21,679 That's as good as you're going to get it. 198 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:36,919 No good? 199 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:38,999 There's just not enough room. 200 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:42,919 We're going to have to take the rings and ladders out. 201 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:54,159 While I'm at Opalton, I might go and have a look 202 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:56,759 what I've got to go and do up at the Dragonfly. 203 00:10:56,840 --> 00:11:00,079 Aaron Grotjahn is heading for the Badlands claim 204 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:03,759 after a 200-kilometre supply run into town. 205 00:11:03,840 --> 00:11:06,279 While I'm here, I'll go and have a look around here. 206 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:08,359 I've missed this place. 207 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:10,759 But on the way back, he's stopping to check on 208 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,079 his own claim, Dragonfly, 209 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:16,279 which is also where his parents were laid to rest. 210 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:19,879 This is Mum and Dad's memorial. 211 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:21,959 The ashes are here. 212 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:24,479 Whenever I've got time, I come and say hello. 213 00:11:24,560 --> 00:11:28,639 This is on the Dragonfly lease. This is where Dad and Mum wanted to be buried so... 214 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:30,999 we put them up here. 215 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:33,119 I would never sell this claim. 216 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:35,199 This is a family sort of lease. 217 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:38,519 Dad was one of the first back out here 218 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:40,959 after the old timers left. 219 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,599 Aaron's father and mentor Arno 220 00:11:43,680 --> 00:11:46,959 was one of Queensland's pioneering opal miners. 221 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:50,999 Dad - when he found opal, he named it boulder opal. 222 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:54,239 So everyone started calling it boulder opal after that. 223 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:57,079 He spent, like, 45 years out here. 224 00:11:57,160 --> 00:11:59,799 He's told me a few places where I've got to go and have a look at, 225 00:11:59,880 --> 00:12:02,999 so one day I'll get there. At the moment, I'm happy to... 226 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:05,759 pay me bills back and one day 227 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:07,839 we'll get back here. 228 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:15,799 To keep hold of Dragonfly 229 00:12:15,880 --> 00:12:17,959 and buy his father's house, 230 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:20,639 Aaron borrowed $80,000 231 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:23,079 from fellow miner Eric Hume. 232 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:26,199 Come to an agreement. I'm giving Eric a hand. 233 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:28,679 We're working for a percentage. I get a bit money 234 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:30,719 to pay my loan back. 235 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:32,879 Aaron is now working for Eric 236 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:35,919 for 15% of any opal found 237 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:37,999 100 kilometres south 238 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:40,319 on the Badlands claim. 239 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,359 There's been a lot of money found out there years ago. 240 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:45,839 The people before us found opal. 241 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:47,959 $900,000 worth of opal there. 242 00:12:50,640 --> 00:12:52,639 But so far this season, 243 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:54,719 Aaron and his mining partner Ron 244 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:57,679 have found barely enough to cover their food. 245 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:00,559 How did it go? No worries, all good. Got everything. 246 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,679 Well, Aaron's finally got back. It's good. And, er, 247 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:06,359 brought a bit of supplies, 248 00:13:06,440 --> 00:13:09,159 so we'll be right for a month or so, I reckon now. 249 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:16,839 Key to their operation is a recently repaired 50-tonne loader... 250 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:19,879 Up until now, it's just been two-wheel drive. 251 00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:23,119 The mechanic came out and we've just put it in - 252 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:25,199 four-wheel drive again. 253 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:28,239 ..and a 100-tonne excavator. 254 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:31,959 Both machines are working a deep pit 255 00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:35,359 close to where almost one million dollars' worth of opal 256 00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:37,879 was found 20 years ago. 257 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:41,639 Previous, people that were here, they predrilled 258 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:43,999 and they hit rock at 53-foot. 259 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:48,479 So, a bit of luck maybe from here to there, we've got a chance of getting some opal. 260 00:13:48,560 --> 00:13:50,559 Boulder opal is formed 261 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:52,799 when liquid silica drains into the voids 262 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:55,239 of a host rock like ironstone. 263 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:58,959 Without hard rock, boulder opal can't form. 264 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:01,279 Eric was told that they drilled ahead 265 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:03,479 and they were hitting rock. 266 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:06,799 Previous exploration holes indicated 267 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:10,599 a hard ironstone opal level at 16 metres. 268 00:14:10,680 --> 00:14:14,719 Claim owner Eric wants Aaron and Ron to find it. 269 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:18,639 I'll just keep taking it down. Yeah. Yeah, just keep doing it. 270 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:23,519 Here's hoping that, er, we can hit the level. 271 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:26,759 In the past, we've heard a lot, too, 272 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:29,199 that are not always what people say. 273 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:32,519 Getting down this deep has already used up 274 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:35,119 over 5,000 litres of diesel, 275 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:37,199 and weeks of their time 276 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:39,479 with no sign of an opal level. 277 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,319 We got a few sandy boulders starting... 278 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:46,799 ..but they're just too soft. 279 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:49,639 I want to hear a big crunch, Ron. 280 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:51,719 Crunch. 281 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:56,439 Ah. No, you can tell no good straight away. 282 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:59,039 Oh, look at , Ron. 283 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:01,119 Mmm. 284 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:04,999 We can still go down a few more foot. That's it. 285 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,239 Two, three-foot. Yeah. 286 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,519 If, er, this hole's no good, we might be able to come over a bit 287 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:13,799 and go right in the corner and put just one bucket wide in and have a look. 288 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:16,239 I'd just keep going. See what it does. 289 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:19,079 Well, that's what you'd do. Yeah. 290 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:21,399 Let it sit here for a few days and just keep going? 291 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:24,359 It wouldn't be a few days, would it? If there's no level there, 292 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:26,799 there's no level there. 293 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:29,959 Well, we keep going, we're going to put it to bed. 294 00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:32,199 Steady as she goes, Aaron. 295 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:34,839 I'll just keep going down. We got no choice. 296 00:15:34,920 --> 00:15:37,439 Eric wants to find out what's going on here. 297 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:47,359 Can't go any deeper, Ron. 298 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:49,439 All right. Yeah. 299 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:52,359 That's as deep as we can go, mate. 300 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:01,799 Yeah, just got back from town. We got the new belt. 301 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:03,999 The Blacklighters have lost 302 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:06,479 a valuable hour in the cool of the day 303 00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:09,719 on an 80-kilometre round trip to Coober Pedy 304 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:11,919 in search of a fan belt crucial 305 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,399 to Opalzilla's generator. 306 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:16,719 Oh, hang on. We've got to find some money. 307 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:20,439 We've got a little bit in the bank, but that's pretty well going fast. 308 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:23,559 A lack of opal at their previous claim forced them 309 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:27,239 to make a difficult 700-metre trek to this claim. 310 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:30,599 Now they need the move to start paying off. 311 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:33,199 It's myself, Rachel. We've got four kids, 312 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:36,319 and the boys, their families, you know? 313 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:40,519 We can't just find a chip here, a chip there. We've got to keep finding plenty. 314 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:44,719 We don't want to see that. 315 00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:47,239 That was arcing out cos the battery. 316 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:49,839 We got to pay our bills and look after our family, 317 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:51,999 but we want to put a bit back into mining. 318 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:54,399 The ultimate goal is to find a big pocket. 319 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:58,439 The Blacklighters want to progress from noodling using Opalzilla 320 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:00,559 to digging into virgin ground - 321 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:03,719 a potentially lucrative but expensive plan. 322 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:07,599 You need at least 50 grand to buy the sort of machinery we need 323 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:10,079 to do the job properly, so... 324 00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:12,279 yeah, that's not easy to come up with. 325 00:17:12,360 --> 00:17:14,359 Righto. I think we're done now. 326 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,279 We can go back and start finding some opal. 327 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:24,719 All good things keep ringing in my ears 328 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:27,679 that my dad used to tell me about the opal business. 329 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:31,799 Mark's father introduced him to opal mining 40 years ago 330 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:33,919 during family holidays. 331 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:36,439 We used to come up here when I was seven years old. 332 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:38,519 We'd get here and we'd sleep in a tent 333 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:40,719 and I absolutely loved it. 334 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:44,719 Now I just want to get some opal, make him proud, 335 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:49,239 ..and same with my family, really. 336 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:51,439 Just pay the bills and make everyone proud - 337 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:54,119 it's all my... all my ambitions are, actually. 338 00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:00,479 Hey. We're not going to see anything on this. 339 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:03,559 No. Muddy. Yeah. Huh. 340 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:05,639 It is mud. 341 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:07,839 Some of the stuff was coming through coated, 342 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:09,919 so it was a little bit hard to see. 343 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,679 Yeah, get a copy out there, Mark. Yeah, mate. 344 00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:16,359 What's going on? Ah, we were just thinking maybe shutting down 345 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:19,399 for 10-15 minutes just to have a bit of a look 346 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:22,039 where you're digging. Yeah, no worries, mate. 347 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:26,559 What you got there? Anything? Nah. 348 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:29,439 There could've been something in it, but it'd be hard to see, eh, 349 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:33,239 cos it was actual you pick the rock up and you could smear the mud off. 350 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:37,759 Opalzilla only works if dirt is dry. 351 00:18:37,840 --> 00:18:40,039 If rocks are coated in mud, 352 00:18:40,120 --> 00:18:42,119 the opal won't fluoresce 353 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:44,239 under the UV light. 354 00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:49,919 They're going "This dirt's too wet, this dirt's got too big a rocks." 355 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,439 It's like, you know, they want the porridge just right, 356 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:54,919 so I'm trying everything. 357 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:58,079 I do feel the pressure. It's something you can't get away from 358 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:00,399 because you're striving so hard, 359 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:03,239 you're pushing the people around you to get the best, as well, 360 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:06,119 so, yeah... yeah, you do feel the pressure. 361 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:16,999 Stuck, is it? 362 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,199 On what? I don't know. 363 00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:26,399 It's hitting those... those rings. 364 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:29,399 See these rings here? 365 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:32,879 The rings that go around, um, to hold the ladders in place? 366 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:35,559 The, um, digger won't fit through them. 367 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:39,439 The Cheals are losing precious mining time, 368 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:42,719 struggling to lower their two-and-a-half-tonne super digger 369 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:44,799 into their mine shaft. 370 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:47,399 Essentially, it's too, too big. 371 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:50,439 We're going to have to pull the rings and the ladders out. 372 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:53,279 It's turned a two or three-hour job, er... 373 00:19:53,360 --> 00:19:56,159 you know, into a few days so. 374 00:19:57,360 --> 00:19:59,679 With barely enough cash to cover 375 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:02,359 their $200 a day running costs, 376 00:20:02,440 --> 00:20:04,679 if they don't find opal this week, 377 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:07,679 Chris will be forced to return to his old job 378 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:09,759 as a truck driver. 379 00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:11,839 Oscar. 380 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:15,999 I wonder whether we leave the ladders on 381 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:18,079 and try taking the rings out, 382 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:20,919 we might just have enough room so it's... 383 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,519 it's not as bad as having to do everything but... 384 00:20:27,680 --> 00:20:30,479 So, what I'm going to do is I'm going to take those rings off 385 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:32,879 and then we'll try and lower it down again. 386 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:36,679 The rings attach to the ladders, 387 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:39,359 basically to hold your ladders firm against the wall. 388 00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:41,919 They don't take up much room, but it's enough room 389 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,119 to stop the digger getting down there. 390 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,439 Rory, we're going to try again, mate. 391 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:51,599 Yep. All good to come down. 392 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,199 So far, so good. 393 00:21:10,120 --> 00:21:12,759 Yes. Yeah, we got it down. 394 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,919 We're stoked. Hey, Rory. Hey, mate. 395 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:18,519 I got the big girl down here. Probably saved ourselves 396 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:21,239 a day's work by not having to rip them ladders out. 397 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:27,159 With the digging arm attached, 398 00:21:27,240 --> 00:21:30,159 they now have two diggers in working order. 399 00:21:31,120 --> 00:21:33,119 We'll quickly, um, swap the hoses 400 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:36,359 and we'll drive this around the corner. Just move it out of the way. 401 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:39,399 But they can't afford to run both machines yet. 402 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:43,159 With the two sets of gear, we've doubled our chances of finding opal. 403 00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:45,239 The downside is our fuel costs. 404 00:21:45,320 --> 00:21:48,239 They're going to double so we need to find some opal, really. 405 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:52,079 Using both diggers relies on finding good quality opal 406 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:54,159 they can sell quickly. 407 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:56,679 Put it back up the drive there and, um... 408 00:21:56,760 --> 00:21:59,919 hopefully in a week or so, we should be able to set up and... 409 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:02,199 and get it digging some dirt. 410 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:04,279 All right, let's keep going. 411 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:08,319 Until they have the funds to run both machines, 412 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:12,119 Chris will rely on his smaller, cheaper to run digger. 413 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:15,439 This smaller digger of mine, it's ploughing the dirt out really good 414 00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:19,439 and there's a couple of hard bands there, but a lot of it's soft. 415 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:22,999 We need to get paid this time around to be able to keep digging, so... 416 00:22:23,080 --> 00:22:26,159 yeah, fair bit of pressure there at the moment. 417 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:30,519 If I don't find opal this week, 418 00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:33,839 then I'm going to have to go away and do some work and... 419 00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:36,199 and try and get a bit more fuel money together 420 00:22:36,280 --> 00:22:38,879 so we can keep digging. The Cheals are mining 421 00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:43,199 for black opal - worth up to $43,000 a gram. 422 00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:47,119 It forms in small hard to see nodules known as nobbies... 423 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:51,439 ..and also in seams 424 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:53,519 visible in the rock face. 425 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:56,479 Hey, Oscar! Yo! Have a look at this. 426 00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:58,839 Colour here. Colour? 427 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:01,599 Yeah. Good? Yeah, it's nice colour. 428 00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:03,839 Look. 429 00:23:03,920 --> 00:23:05,959 , that's good. 430 00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:12,319 We'd be most probably from the original dirt, 431 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:15,079 about 75 feet down. 432 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:17,439 They reckon they hit rock 433 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:19,599 with the drill at 53, 434 00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:21,679 so we're already passed that 435 00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:23,879 and we haven't had a level yet. 436 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:26,839 In search of a deep boulder opal level 437 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:29,159 rumoured to be 16 metres down, 438 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:33,119 the Boulder Boys have found nothing but soft sandstone. 439 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:36,479 What do you reckon? Well, I'd-I'd like to see 440 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:39,759 if I can open them ones where the drill holes were 441 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:42,999 just to put my mind to rest, you know? Yep. 442 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:46,959 Exploratory drilling done from the surface near the pit wall 443 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:50,199 indicated the unusually deep opal level. 444 00:23:50,280 --> 00:23:52,399 Aaron and Ron now want to dig 445 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:55,319 to the bottom of those drill holes. 446 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:58,839 You can flatten that out with the loader for me and I can come in there. 447 00:23:58,920 --> 00:24:00,919 All right, I'll go get the loader. 448 00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:03,559 To get the excavator to the pit wall, 449 00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:06,759 Ron needs to flatten a five-metre-wide strip 450 00:24:06,840 --> 00:24:10,399 between the freshly-dug test hole and a drainage pond 451 00:24:10,480 --> 00:24:12,679 favoured by Aaron's dog, Neddy. 452 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:16,039 Ohhh, funny dog! 453 00:24:16,120 --> 00:24:18,239 Neddy's safe with his swimming hole. 454 00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:20,479 He spends all day in there, eh? 455 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:28,039 Oi! 456 00:24:28,120 --> 00:24:30,119 I'm going to have to be very careful. 457 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:33,359 It wouldn't be a very good sight, the loader down the hole. 458 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:37,479 It's a bit slippery, Aaron. 459 00:24:39,360 --> 00:24:41,359 All right, mate. 460 00:24:41,440 --> 00:24:43,959 Too much water there, there's too much moisture. 461 00:24:44,040 --> 00:24:46,719 What Aaron's doing is taking all the wet 462 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:50,039 and high stuff away so I can drive out. 463 00:25:07,800 --> 00:25:09,879 That's all right. Big seam. 464 00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:11,959 Jeez, nice green, eh? Got band, too. 465 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:14,919 With running costs threatening to send them broke, 466 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:18,559 the Cheals have uncovered a narrow seam of opal, 467 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:21,639 but it's low-grade, known as trace. 468 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:24,519 Oh, oh, we just got some nice trace. 469 00:25:24,600 --> 00:25:26,799 Yeah, there's green and blue in there. 470 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:28,879 Knock it out. 471 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:32,359 Trace opal has little value, 472 00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:36,199 but it's often found near precious gem grade opal. 473 00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:38,719 Hey, check this out. Anything decent? 474 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:40,879 Yes, sir. 475 00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:44,879 Just come across a bit of trace. Really nice bright colour. 476 00:25:44,960 --> 00:25:48,239 And, yeah, it's got Rory and I both a bit excited. 477 00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:51,719 Good stuff, mate. Yeah, mate. 478 00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:55,399 I'm laughing cos I think they've got the opal fever. 479 00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:58,119 Righto. See what else comes out here. 480 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:02,559 We've got all the signs. It's, um... 481 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:05,319 Yeah, it's really hard not to get too excited. 482 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,319 It's still stressful, though, because bills to be paid. 483 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:13,319 The truth is, I need to keep food on the table, 484 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:15,639 I need to keep up with the fuel 485 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:19,239 and I need to get the second set of gear going so we need pay. 486 00:26:20,920 --> 00:26:22,919 It's good-looking ground. 487 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:25,599 I'm not seeing much, but it's so soft, you know? 488 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:28,999 I don't think you'd really see it because it's soft. 489 00:26:29,080 --> 00:26:32,519 The soft ground means the digger can move more earth 490 00:26:32,600 --> 00:26:34,599 than normal with every scoop. 491 00:26:34,680 --> 00:26:37,359 It also means any opal is likely 492 00:26:37,440 --> 00:26:39,719 to be deeply encased in dirt. 493 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:43,439 The only way to see trace is if we break it in in the wall, 494 00:26:43,520 --> 00:26:46,239 and with this dirt, it's basically impossible to break 495 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:48,599 cos it's so soft. It just comes out too easy. 496 00:26:48,680 --> 00:26:51,599 So, you know, we can't tell if there's, you know, 497 00:26:51,680 --> 00:26:54,519 any opal in there or not until we wash it. 498 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:57,999 All of the dirt they dig is hoisted to the surface 499 00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:00,079 600 kilograms at a time. 500 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:03,839 Let's go and get it into the agitator. 501 00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:08,639 Transported 45 kilometres into Lightning Ridge... 502 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:13,119 ..and washed overnight in their agitator washplant... 503 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:16,199 ..leaving only clean rocks 504 00:27:16,280 --> 00:27:18,879 which are checked for opal in the tailout. 505 00:27:20,360 --> 00:27:22,719 If we don't get anything in this tailout... 506 00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:25,079 Rory and I have come out from Sydney, you know, 507 00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:27,799 and Dad's forking out all the money to keep us going, 508 00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:30,039 and realistically if we don't find something, 509 00:27:30,120 --> 00:27:33,319 then he could go back to working and it'd leave Rory and I, 510 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:36,159 you know, hung out to dry because we've got no work 511 00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:38,639 and we've already committed to that online uni. 512 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:40,719 So, yeah, it's really important 513 00:27:40,800 --> 00:27:44,439 and we're all praying that there's going to be something in there. 514 00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:01,399 What? Nothing now? 515 00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:05,239 Righto. 516 00:28:06,560 --> 00:28:09,679 Well, that's not a good sign. Can't find a bloody thing in there. 517 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:11,879 Day one at their new claim 518 00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:14,759 and Mark I'Anson is under increased pressure 519 00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:16,839 to find opal-bearing dirt 520 00:28:16,920 --> 00:28:19,439 amongst the waste dumps of old diggings. 521 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:22,279 We've got to keep going hard. 522 00:28:22,360 --> 00:28:24,639 We've got a little bit in the bank from the other week, 523 00:28:24,720 --> 00:28:26,759 but it's quickly, er, dissolving. 524 00:28:26,840 --> 00:28:28,879 Moving the ten-tonne Opalzilla 525 00:28:28,960 --> 00:28:31,439 to this location took days of work, 526 00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:34,639 but they've barely seen any opal for their effort. 527 00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:37,959 It's just like any other job. You need to keep getting paid. 528 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:41,759 If you don't, you feel like you're just working for nothing, you know? 529 00:28:41,840 --> 00:28:43,879 The Blacklighters' long term goal 530 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:45,959 is to mine virgin ground, 531 00:28:46,040 --> 00:28:48,039 but that requires even more money. 532 00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:50,159 If we want to go deep, we're probably looking at 533 00:28:50,240 --> 00:28:52,399 getting ourselves a bit of a tunnelling machine. 534 00:28:52,480 --> 00:28:54,679 They're tens of thousands of dollars. 535 00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:08,639 It's just not producing at the moment. 536 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:11,919 I'll keep going wider and wider and look and look and look. 537 00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:18,119 Johnny kept hassling me to put through this... 538 00:29:18,200 --> 00:29:20,559 little dump back here by the car and... 539 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:22,719 and I just didn't want to. 540 00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:25,359 There's been a noodling machine through here years ago. 541 00:29:25,440 --> 00:29:27,639 They would have got the cream of what's here. 542 00:29:27,720 --> 00:29:30,119 This pile contains cleaned stones, 543 00:29:30,200 --> 00:29:33,399 which means they've already been processed by a machine 544 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:35,479 similar to Opalzilla. 545 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:38,519 In the old days, it was all about just powering as fast as they could. 546 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:42,719 They'd have it heaped up on the belt and that and they were missing it. 547 00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:44,839 A lot of money has been found 548 00:29:44,920 --> 00:29:47,839 putting through noodling machines the second time. 549 00:29:49,160 --> 00:29:51,639 Oh, chunky. Chunky. 550 00:29:51,720 --> 00:29:53,759 Nice, nice little chunk. 551 00:29:53,840 --> 00:29:56,639 How'd those tailings go? Yous guys get anything? 552 00:29:57,680 --> 00:30:00,639 Yeah, actually doing all right, mate. I don't know if I've got time 553 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:04,599 to talk on the radio. Oh, that busy, hey! Ho-ho! 554 00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:09,599 We've hit a sweet spot with the old tailings. 555 00:30:09,680 --> 00:30:11,719 It looks like the machine they were using 556 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:14,799 was just basically useless cos they've missed so much. 557 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:17,279 We've found a few nice chunks already, so... 558 00:30:17,360 --> 00:30:21,119 hopefully we can sneak a few more nice bits in before the weigh in. 559 00:30:21,200 --> 00:30:23,999 Nice chunkies. Could be the winner winner, chicken dinner. 560 00:30:24,080 --> 00:30:26,479 Hopefully that's the winner. Ha-ha! 561 00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:32,599 Yeah, we're getting some crackers coming through, but we don't know if they're colour yet. Righto. 562 00:30:32,680 --> 00:30:35,879 Under the UV light, any opal will glow 563 00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:38,079 from colourless, worthless potch 564 00:30:38,160 --> 00:30:40,679 to the most valuable reds. 565 00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:43,199 Last bucket for the day going in. 566 00:30:47,120 --> 00:30:49,999 How'd we go? It's too much to look through, eh? 567 00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:52,519 Very productive day, mate. Coated, though. Yeah. 568 00:30:52,600 --> 00:30:55,839 You can't really see much. Coated. Coated, yeah. 569 00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:58,439 Johnny twisted my arm, put through this little dump. 570 00:30:58,520 --> 00:31:01,159 Of course, there's stuff in it, so now he's proved me wrong, 571 00:31:01,240 --> 00:31:03,919 which is, um, he's pretty happy about, so... 572 00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:07,359 yeah, it's been a fun day. Let's go back and tumble this, eh? 573 00:31:07,440 --> 00:31:09,759 Flies are ten out of ten today. Yeah, I know. 574 00:31:09,840 --> 00:31:12,799 It'd be a beautiful evening if it wasn't for the flies. 575 00:31:22,480 --> 00:31:24,519 I'm still slipping, mate. 576 00:31:25,560 --> 00:31:27,559 I'm sliding off the run. 577 00:31:30,360 --> 00:31:32,999 I was starting to slide into the hole. Yeah. 578 00:31:34,040 --> 00:31:37,479 Ron Selig's 50-tonne loader is just inches 579 00:31:37,560 --> 00:31:40,839 from tumbling into an eight-metre-deep pit. 580 00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:42,999 It's a bit too steep at the back there. 581 00:31:43,080 --> 00:31:46,159 Every time we're spinning, we're going more towards the big hole, 582 00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:49,519 so we're gonna get the excavator and pull it out with a chain. 583 00:31:49,600 --> 00:31:51,879 It's yet another costly delay 584 00:31:51,960 --> 00:31:54,559 as they search for a rumoured opal level. 585 00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:57,359 That's been about five or 6,000 litres of diesel 586 00:31:57,440 --> 00:32:00,079 we've used to get the ramp in and clean that hole out 587 00:32:00,160 --> 00:32:02,559 and we haven't seen any sign of opal. 588 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:12,279 All right, mate. 589 00:32:12,360 --> 00:32:16,479 Joining the 100-tonne excavator to the 50-tonne loader, 590 00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:20,359 a single chain rated to just 30 tonnes. 591 00:32:20,440 --> 00:32:22,479 You're all right, you're all right. 592 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:29,439 How she's looking? I'm bloody close. 593 00:32:33,440 --> 00:32:36,039 That's it, Ron. You should be right now. 594 00:32:36,120 --> 00:32:38,519 Well, wasn't that a drama, eh?! 595 00:32:47,840 --> 00:32:52,039 The Badlands claim belongs to fellow miner Eric Hume. 596 00:32:52,120 --> 00:32:54,119 Aaron and Ron are working it 597 00:32:54,200 --> 00:32:57,039 for a 30% cut of any opal they find, 598 00:32:57,120 --> 00:33:00,639 but for the last three weeks they haven't earned a cent. 599 00:33:01,520 --> 00:33:04,519 Eric loaned me a bit of money last year to my dad's house. 600 00:33:04,600 --> 00:33:07,759 I'm trusted to find opal to try and pay it off as quick as I can. 601 00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:10,919 Aaron doesn't do well with debt, 602 00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:14,959 and so for him it's an urgent thing to get it paid off. 603 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:19,839 After finding nothing but soft sandstone so far, 604 00:33:19,920 --> 00:33:22,479 they're searching for the exploration drill holes 605 00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:25,319 that are rumoured to have hit the type of hard rock 606 00:33:25,400 --> 00:33:27,759 perfect for forming boulder opal. 607 00:33:28,920 --> 00:33:31,639 I just want to see one of them drill holes. 608 00:33:31,720 --> 00:33:35,519 And that one we're going to follow down until we hit whatever they hit. 609 00:33:35,600 --> 00:33:39,039 All we need to do is just get to the level and follow the level, 610 00:33:39,120 --> 00:33:41,679 and if she makes a pocket with the material in, 611 00:33:41,760 --> 00:33:43,759 it'll produce good quality opal. 612 00:33:45,160 --> 00:33:47,159 Can't see a drill hole. 613 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:54,279 Drill hole! 614 00:33:54,360 --> 00:33:55,959 Drill hole there, Ron. 615 00:34:00,680 --> 00:34:03,479 Looks good. I like your confidence. 616 00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:08,679 To cover running costs and avoid shutting down their mine, 617 00:34:08,760 --> 00:34:11,439 the Cheals and business partner, Scott, 618 00:34:11,520 --> 00:34:14,199 must find opal in this tailout. 619 00:34:14,280 --> 00:34:17,399 If we tailout nothing, well, we've just worked, you know, 620 00:34:17,480 --> 00:34:20,399 for the last seven days for nothing and, um... 621 00:34:20,480 --> 00:34:22,879 burnt a fair bit of diesel, so... 622 00:34:22,960 --> 00:34:25,239 yeah, this is either pay day or nay day. 623 00:34:26,280 --> 00:34:28,319 If we don't find opal this week, 624 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:31,119 Dad's probably going to have to go away and find work elsewhere. 625 00:34:31,200 --> 00:34:34,439 And, so, if he goes, then we're out of work, as well. 626 00:34:36,040 --> 00:34:38,399 That's a good-looking little crystal. Yeah, wow. 627 00:34:38,480 --> 00:34:41,319 Mmm, nice green orange, innit? Tiny, though. 628 00:34:41,400 --> 00:34:44,039 We just need that big stone, big bloater. 629 00:34:44,120 --> 00:34:47,079 We're just getting a lot of crystal stuff with some nice colour. 630 00:34:47,160 --> 00:34:49,559 We just need it to form more nobbies, I think. 631 00:34:49,640 --> 00:34:53,039 Nobbies are larger nodules of opal. 632 00:34:53,120 --> 00:34:55,119 Good pattern. 633 00:34:56,000 --> 00:34:58,159 Just too small. 634 00:34:58,240 --> 00:35:00,799 There's a bit of money there, but it's not enough. 635 00:35:00,880 --> 00:35:02,919 Not yet anyway. 636 00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:04,999 Look. 637 00:35:05,080 --> 00:35:07,879 Bloody hell. Nice. Just colour. Close, eh? 638 00:35:07,960 --> 00:35:10,799 Oh, it's beautiful gem colour... 639 00:35:10,880 --> 00:35:14,559 ..but it's too small and it's not sitting on black potch. 640 00:35:14,640 --> 00:35:17,399 Colourless opal is known as potch, 641 00:35:17,480 --> 00:35:20,639 but a coloured opal layer with a black potch base 642 00:35:20,720 --> 00:35:22,719 produces black opal - 643 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:25,319 the most valuable opal in the world. 644 00:35:25,400 --> 00:35:28,959 You want black potch under that, then you've got some money. 645 00:35:29,040 --> 00:35:31,119 At the moment we got colour like that, 646 00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:33,439 and nobbies that big with no colour in them. 647 00:35:33,520 --> 00:35:35,919 So, it's close but not quite there. Yeah. 648 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:39,439 Ooh. 649 00:35:39,520 --> 00:35:41,559 Ohhh, jeez, look at that one! 650 00:35:41,640 --> 00:35:43,839 Ooh-hoo-hoo! Hey, that's a bit better. 651 00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:47,279 Mmm, that's nice. 652 00:35:47,360 --> 00:35:50,279 All we need is a few more of them. Check out this pearler. 653 00:35:51,200 --> 00:35:53,479 Jeez, that's nice, eh? Yeah. 654 00:35:53,560 --> 00:35:55,679 Starting to add up there, aren't they? 655 00:35:55,760 --> 00:35:57,959 Another nice little pea nobby. Oh, wow. 656 00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:02,439 We'll put it out on the table and have a look at it 657 00:36:02,520 --> 00:36:04,559 and put a value on it. 658 00:36:09,600 --> 00:36:11,999 Pick a few out that are going to rub. 659 00:36:13,960 --> 00:36:16,999 What do you reckon, Scott? Three grand in them three, at least. 660 00:36:17,080 --> 00:36:19,959 Yeah, for sure. We've got to have three grand there. 661 00:36:20,040 --> 00:36:22,719 That's six. At a minimum, yeah. At a minimum. 662 00:36:24,400 --> 00:36:27,359 And you'd have a thousand buckets worth of potch and colour there, 663 00:36:27,440 --> 00:36:29,439 as you know. 664 00:36:29,520 --> 00:36:31,519 You'd have to ask probably... 665 00:36:34,720 --> 00:36:37,359 ..9,000 for it. Yeah. Yeah, that's awesome, mate. 666 00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:39,599 Bloody good, mate. Stoked. 667 00:36:39,680 --> 00:36:42,479 The Cheals have found crystal opal. 668 00:36:42,560 --> 00:36:44,559 It's in the rough. 669 00:36:44,640 --> 00:36:46,999 There is a mixture of greens, blues, 670 00:36:47,080 --> 00:36:49,079 purples and oranges. 671 00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:51,159 Several high quality stones 672 00:36:51,240 --> 00:36:54,359 amongst a larger amount of lower value material 673 00:36:54,440 --> 00:36:57,879 brings its value to $9,000. 674 00:36:57,960 --> 00:37:00,359 We're going to run into some serious money, I reckon, 675 00:37:00,440 --> 00:37:03,039 but I'm really happy with what we're seeing here. 676 00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:05,959 This is awesome. Mmm. Well, at least for the time being... 677 00:37:06,040 --> 00:37:08,399 you don't have to go away. Yeah, we've got you here. 678 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:10,479 We can keep going. Yeah. That's true. 679 00:37:10,560 --> 00:37:12,959 Keep doing what you love, mate. Absolutely. 680 00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:15,759 I don't have to go away working for fuel, which is great. 681 00:37:15,840 --> 00:37:17,879 The boys don't want me to go anywhere 682 00:37:17,960 --> 00:37:21,399 and I don't want to go anywhere, so that sets us up for the next dig. 683 00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:23,919 I feel like we've got a lot more work to do down there 684 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:26,799 and I think we'll be down there for the most part of this season. 685 00:37:26,880 --> 00:37:29,119 Yeah, you're probably right. Every sign is there 686 00:37:29,200 --> 00:37:32,719 for a really, really bit hit and I don't think it's far away. 687 00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:36,879 I reckon it's pretty awesome. Mate, stoked with it. Unreal, mate. I'll drink to that. Carving. 688 00:37:36,960 --> 00:37:38,959 Cheers, boys. Cheers. 689 00:37:45,400 --> 00:37:47,639 There's their drill hole, mate. We're on it. 690 00:37:47,720 --> 00:37:50,159 So, we follow that until we hit the rock. 691 00:37:56,680 --> 00:37:58,959 After eight weeks of work, 692 00:37:59,040 --> 00:38:02,719 the Boulder Boys have finally discovered the exploration hole 693 00:38:02,800 --> 00:38:06,359 that indicated an opal-rich ironstone rock level. 694 00:38:06,440 --> 00:38:08,439 If the level exists, 695 00:38:08,520 --> 00:38:11,559 it could help pay off an $80,000 debt 696 00:38:11,640 --> 00:38:13,639 hanging over Aaron. 697 00:38:13,720 --> 00:38:16,159 Aaron's ever more desperate. 698 00:38:16,240 --> 00:38:18,879 It does make it hard to try and keep a clear head. 699 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:23,719 We've been working here for probably about two months cleaning it up, 700 00:38:23,800 --> 00:38:25,919 putting some test holes in. 701 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:28,399 If we don't hit level now, it'll be another job 702 00:38:28,480 --> 00:38:30,479 we've done for nothing, really. 703 00:38:30,560 --> 00:38:33,479 Very interesting to see when we get to the bottom of the drill hole 704 00:38:33,560 --> 00:38:35,639 if it is what we were told. 705 00:38:35,720 --> 00:38:39,039 At least we will be able to see what sort of a rock it is, 706 00:38:39,120 --> 00:38:41,679 and thirdly, does it have colour? 707 00:38:45,200 --> 00:38:47,439 Not very exciting, Ron, is it? 708 00:38:47,520 --> 00:38:49,759 No. It's not. 709 00:38:49,840 --> 00:38:53,439 I can see where that drill hole, it fizzled out and hit that sandy. 710 00:38:53,520 --> 00:38:55,519 So, yes, that was what they hit - 711 00:38:55,600 --> 00:38:59,159 a sandy that really wasn't even that hard, was it? No. 712 00:39:00,440 --> 00:39:02,799 Ron, I'm going to cave it in. Watch out. 713 00:39:06,320 --> 00:39:08,679 Well, we know for sure now, at least, 714 00:39:08,760 --> 00:39:10,799 there's no level here, 715 00:39:10,880 --> 00:39:14,199 and what they hit was just a soft sandy boulder. 716 00:39:14,280 --> 00:39:16,479 Normally a drill would go through that, 717 00:39:16,560 --> 00:39:18,879 so that drill can't have much power to... 718 00:39:18,960 --> 00:39:21,239 not go through a sandy boulder like that. 719 00:39:25,600 --> 00:39:28,159 Well, E-Eric will be happy that, at least, 720 00:39:28,240 --> 00:39:31,039 he knows what it is, but it's not good for us, is it? 721 00:39:31,120 --> 00:39:34,719 No. Looks like Neddy got a win. He's still got a swimming hole. 722 00:39:34,800 --> 00:39:36,959 Well, he's the only winner here 723 00:39:37,040 --> 00:39:39,039 with his swimming pool. 724 00:39:39,120 --> 00:39:43,159 I think it's about three-and-a-half grand or three-eight, whatever, we've got so far. 725 00:39:43,240 --> 00:39:45,479 We're a little bit short of the total. 726 00:39:45,560 --> 00:39:48,119 That'll make Aaron a little bit more jumpy. 727 00:39:48,200 --> 00:39:50,719 Well, we might as well go have a bit of smoko. 728 00:39:50,800 --> 00:39:54,639 Go and, er, we'll sit around the table and discuss the future. 729 00:39:55,480 --> 00:39:59,399 This, er, hole is finished. We're-we're out of here. 730 00:39:59,480 --> 00:40:01,559 It's done and dusted. I've got to ring Eric 731 00:40:01,640 --> 00:40:04,639 and tell him we-we tested that hole. There's no level. 732 00:40:04,720 --> 00:40:06,919 Me and Ron would like some opal coming out, you know? 733 00:40:07,000 --> 00:40:10,199 You need money going back in. But, er, this is the start 734 00:40:10,280 --> 00:40:13,079 of the season. If you get, like, a downfall, 735 00:40:13,160 --> 00:40:15,199 you've got to pick yourself up. 736 00:40:16,320 --> 00:40:18,559 Got some nice rib bones. Yeah, and I've got 737 00:40:18,640 --> 00:40:20,759 some nice drum sticks. 738 00:40:20,840 --> 00:40:23,719 Between the two of us. Yeah, a bit of a 'tato, whatever. 739 00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:27,399 We can do a teppanyaki tonight out on the plains. 740 00:40:27,480 --> 00:40:29,479 What's a teppanaki? 741 00:40:29,560 --> 00:40:31,599 That's where you cook food and eat it 742 00:40:31,680 --> 00:40:33,839 straight off the hot plate. 743 00:40:33,920 --> 00:40:37,239 We can now concentrate on another area... 744 00:40:37,320 --> 00:40:39,279 that can produce. 745 00:40:39,360 --> 00:40:41,639 There's areas here that we want to try out, 746 00:40:41,720 --> 00:40:45,639 but we've been concentrating on doing this one project. 747 00:40:45,720 --> 00:40:49,039 Teppanaki, eh? Teppan-yaki. 748 00:40:50,000 --> 00:40:52,759 Tep-in-yaki. 749 00:40:53,640 --> 00:40:57,239 I'd say all the obvious stuff's gone here, but there's gotta be opal here. 750 00:40:57,320 --> 00:41:00,839 We're not beaten, just, er, a little bit battle wounded. 751 00:41:00,920 --> 00:41:04,399 No, we're good. That's a bit of teppanyaki-style, see? 752 00:41:04,480 --> 00:41:06,919 Good? Oh, beautiful, mate. 753 00:41:07,000 --> 00:41:09,039 Cheers, Ron. Cheers. 754 00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:12,639 What do you call it, Ron? Teppanyaki. 755 00:41:12,720 --> 00:41:14,719 Tamaya... Tamin... 756 00:41:14,800 --> 00:41:17,319 Teppanyaki. Yeah, right. 757 00:41:23,400 --> 00:41:25,519 Tumble time. 758 00:41:25,600 --> 00:41:29,079 It's an annoying sound, but it's bloody good. It is. 759 00:41:29,160 --> 00:41:31,399 After a long day cleaning 760 00:41:31,480 --> 00:41:33,679 their haul in their homemade tumbler, 761 00:41:33,760 --> 00:41:36,999 it's valuation time for the Blacklighters. 762 00:41:37,080 --> 00:41:39,519 Yeah, maybe tip it up that end, . 763 00:41:41,400 --> 00:41:44,639 That's just... Ho-ho-ho! Ho-ho-ho-ho. Wow. 764 00:41:44,720 --> 00:41:47,759 Oh, that's brilliant colour. You sure it wasn't my idea 765 00:41:47,840 --> 00:41:51,359 to go through these tailouts? No, I'm pretty sure it was mine. Ohhh. 766 00:41:51,440 --> 00:41:54,479 What'd your guess be, mate? I'd say ten grand. 767 00:41:54,560 --> 00:41:58,039 Man, I-I'd be leaning more towards 15 myself, eh? 768 00:41:58,120 --> 00:42:00,279 Well, instead of us putting a figure on it, 769 00:42:00,360 --> 00:42:03,319 how about go and get Rach out? Yeah. Let's see what she's got to say. 770 00:42:03,400 --> 00:42:05,719 Well, she's selling it so... Yeah. ..she'll know. 771 00:42:05,800 --> 00:42:08,999 Mark's wife Rachel has been marketing and selling opal 772 00:42:09,080 --> 00:42:12,559 for ten years, and is responsible for the team's sales. 773 00:42:12,640 --> 00:42:14,759 Hey. This is what we got for the week, 774 00:42:14,840 --> 00:42:18,599 so we're just wondering if you could give us a bit of a value if you can. 775 00:42:19,960 --> 00:42:22,319 Hm. Look. Oh, wow. 776 00:42:22,400 --> 00:42:24,399 I know! 777 00:42:24,480 --> 00:42:27,839 This grade's got plenty in it, you know? Wow, there's heaps here. 778 00:42:27,920 --> 00:42:29,959 Mmm, not bad, guys. 779 00:42:30,040 --> 00:42:33,359 Good haul for the week. There's some really good colour in here. 780 00:42:33,440 --> 00:42:35,959 Ooh, that looks nice. Nice crystal, yeah. Yeah. 781 00:42:36,040 --> 00:42:38,719 They have found crystal opal. 782 00:42:38,800 --> 00:42:40,799 It's in the rough. 783 00:42:40,880 --> 00:42:44,359 There is a mix of blues, greens and oranges, 784 00:42:44,440 --> 00:42:47,239 and it weighs ten kilograms. 785 00:42:47,320 --> 00:42:50,039 I'm impressed with your efforts this week, boys. 786 00:42:51,120 --> 00:42:53,119 I reckon... 787 00:42:53,200 --> 00:42:55,399 you're up around... 788 00:42:55,480 --> 00:42:57,559 20-22,000 dollar mark. 789 00:42:57,640 --> 00:43:00,439 Whoo-hoo! Yes! Yes. That's good, man. 790 00:43:00,520 --> 00:43:03,599 It's a race. Thanks, Rach. Yes. 791 00:43:03,680 --> 00:43:05,839 22 grand for the team this week 792 00:43:05,920 --> 00:43:09,079 puts money in everyone's pocket and a bit more in the kitty 793 00:43:09,160 --> 00:43:11,439 for these machines we're desperately needing. 794 00:43:11,520 --> 00:43:14,399 Thanks to the opal we've got this week, we'll get all our bills 795 00:43:14,480 --> 00:43:17,799 and fuel and everything up to date and do a bit of drilling. 796 00:43:17,880 --> 00:43:21,079 It's time to start. We're going to try and get some holes drilled 797 00:43:21,160 --> 00:43:23,199 and see what sort of levels are left. 798 00:43:23,280 --> 00:43:25,399 Hope to be maybe underground. 799 00:43:25,480 --> 00:43:27,839 I don't mind going underground. It's pretty good. 800 00:43:27,920 --> 00:43:30,239 There's no flies, which is the biggest bonus. 801 00:43:30,320 --> 00:43:32,679 We won't give up. We'll find a pocket. We will. 802 00:43:32,760 --> 00:43:35,279 We're just going till we do. 803 00:43:55,640 --> 00:43:57,719 Subtitles by Deluxe 804 00:43:57,800 --> 00:43:59,799 # Money 805 00:44:02,920 --> 00:44:04,919 # Money # 805 00:44:05,305 --> 00:45:05,768 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from www.OpenSubtitles.org