"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode #6.1

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:02,999 . 2 00:00:06,720 --> 00:00:10,799 ROD MANNING: I use this winch to pull blowpipes 3 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:13,199 and machinery that's broken down up from the hole. 4 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:17,039 But today, it'll be pulling the old up. 5 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:21,199 I hurt my back - and oh, gee! I've got a job to move, 6 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:22,599 it's that sore. 7 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:25,839 We all injure ourselves from time to time. 8 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:27,359 It's just part of the game. 9 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:30,759 But you always like to be able to climb out, you know? 10 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:34,279 If Les is saying he can't do it, he's in a bit of bother. 11 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:37,479 Oh, I don't know whether I can climb that ladder. 12 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,159 It's all right, mate. He's OK. He's OK. 13 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:44,919 I think old Titch, Les's dog, and they're inseparable... 14 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,439 ..and I think he might know something's going on. 15 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:49,359 Coming down, mate! Oh, yeah. 16 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:52,119 Nothing worse than doing your back underground. 17 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:55,799 Trying to get back up out of these ladders hurts. 18 00:00:57,800 --> 00:00:59,359 Yeah, I've got it, got it. 19 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:03,959 Opal. 20 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:08,599 Its rainbow of colours has captivated humans for millennia. 21 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:13,079 Mined in Eastern Australia for 140 years. 22 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:19,839 In the last five years, global demand has sent prices sky-high. 23 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:22,479 Agh! Jesus! 24 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:24,039 Whoo! 25 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,639 Those compelled to hunt this coveted gem... 26 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:28,119 That's it, baby! 27 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:31,719 ...must face the brutal Australian outback. 28 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:34,599 The risks... 29 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:37,079 ..and the rewards... 30 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:39,559 ..are theirs for the taking. Yes! Yeah! 31 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:41,119 Any opal in that pour? Ohhh! 32 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:43,839 But for one team this season... 33 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:46,559 Check that out! No way! That's nice! 34 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:49,119 ..the prize will be... Whoo-hoo! 35 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,479 ..a ground-breaking... 36 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:55,039 ..million-dollar find. 37 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:58,079 We're going to run into some serious money, I reckon! 38 00:01:58,160 --> 00:02:00,039 # ASH GRUNWALD: Money 39 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:01,999 # Money 40 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:08,199 # And fancy clothes # 41 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:17,079 You tell me when to take the weight, mate. 42 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:18,679 Take the weight. 43 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:21,399 This is a good example, you always use a couple of blokes. 44 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:23,759 OK, gently. Say I'm down there on my own, 45 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:25,439 and I do my back, I'm buggered. 46 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:27,679 I'm down there until someone misses me. 47 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,479 And that might take a while, you know? 48 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:33,639 You all right? Yeah. 49 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:36,559 Take it easy, old fella. We're nearly there. 50 00:02:38,640 --> 00:02:39,839 Right. 51 00:02:39,920 --> 00:02:41,919 It's not my day today. 52 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:44,279 It's all right. He's OK. 53 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,799 The season up to this point has been a real , I reckon! 54 00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:51,239 At the halfway mark of their opal-mining season, 55 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:53,639 Rod Manning and Les Walsh's partnership 56 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:57,319 with mine-owner Martin Hutchison is unravelling. 57 00:02:57,400 --> 00:02:59,439 This mine we're in, Ploughboys, 58 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:01,759 it was supposed to be the making of us, 59 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:03,519 but we're not doing good. 60 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:07,559 We found a hundred grand or thereabouts, 61 00:03:07,640 --> 00:03:10,559 but you've got to split that, you know? So, it's a long way 62 00:03:10,640 --> 00:03:12,719 short of where we need to be. 63 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:15,479 Right-oh, old fella. 64 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:18,079 It's never a good time to lose your partner. 65 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:19,439 Take it easy. 66 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:21,079 It's like losing half of you. 67 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:24,399 I don't know how I'm gonna get by. 68 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:26,639 I really don't know how I'm gonna get by. 69 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:30,159 All right? Yeah. 70 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,199 I'll come and see you tomorrow or something, all right? 71 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:34,679 Yeah, right-oh, mate. 72 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:37,479 If you need anything... 73 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:38,839 I'll yell out. 74 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:41,239 All right. Take care. Yeah, mate. 75 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:43,799 Yeah, he's not good. Backs are like that. 76 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:45,679 Couldn't have been at a worse time. 77 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,039 I've got Martin coming this afternoon. 78 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:54,079 Martin Hutchison has multiple claims around Grawin, 79 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:57,679 but one right next door to the Bushmen's Ploughboys claim 80 00:03:57,760 --> 00:03:59,279 is giving him problems. 81 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:03,759 We tried to ah get a three-foot shaft down. Yep. 82 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:06,479 And we hit just a really hard cap of silcrete. 83 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:08,719 Just sort of wondering if you've got any ideas 84 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:10,559 to try to help us get through this. 85 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:12,679 I know what this ground is like over here, 86 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:14,719 so I'll have a crack at it, mate. 87 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:16,359 Yeah, that'd be awesome. 88 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:20,559 Martin is counting on Rod's 40 years' experience mining 89 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:23,279 to help him break through the hard layer quickly 90 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:26,439 before Rod can get back to digging at Ploughboys. 91 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:29,679 This stuff here, that's what you can't get through. 92 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:32,199 It's full of all these little quartz pebbles, 93 00:04:32,280 --> 00:04:34,839 just glued together, and it's hard as . 94 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:39,799 There's not much more you can do other than explosives. 95 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:41,039 Rocks! 96 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:44,319 I know a bloke that's a powder monkey. 97 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:47,519 I think I might have to give him a ring. 98 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:51,679 Hey, Brad. How you going? 99 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:54,039 Good, mate. Yourself? Yeah, all right. 100 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:56,719 I've worked in the mines for 16 years. 101 00:04:56,800 --> 00:05:00,719 A powder monkey is usually the bloke in charge of explosives. 102 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:02,879 I like blowing things up! 103 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,439 Brad's a good bloke, you know? He's had a little bit of bad luck. 104 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:07,839 He got cancer in the face, 105 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:10,519 and they had to cut half his face away and his eye. 106 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,519 Most people would reckon he'd blown his head off. 107 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:15,279 I'm pretty sure about that one! 108 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:18,119 This is prill, they call it. 109 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:20,479 So, it's ammonium nitrate that's been roughed up. 110 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:22,679 You've got to be pretty careful with this? 111 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:25,319 Very careful. Yeah, you don't want to hit it with a hammer. 112 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:27,399 I might have a head like a half mango, 113 00:05:27,480 --> 00:05:30,119 but I wanna keep the good side, you know? 114 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:38,719 AARON GROTJAHN: We better tidy up a bit, mate. 115 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,519 RON SELIG: Yeah, I know. Just in case. 116 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:43,359 They're your glasses there, Ron. 117 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:47,119 Luckily, in a reasonable condition when we leave, if we leave. 118 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:48,679 Give me a hand with that. 119 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:51,639 The Boulder Boys, Aaron Grotjahn and Ron Selig, 120 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:55,479 have two months into a contract to mine the Badlands claim 121 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:58,159 for owners Eric and Kris Hume. 122 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:00,079 Using heavy mining equipment, 123 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:03,679 they've already burnt through $10,000 worth of diesel 124 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,679 with virtually nothing to show. 125 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:09,719 We've come here to find opal and we haven't really achieved so far. 126 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:11,279 What do you reckon? Over here? 127 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:15,279 With the Humes due to arrive any day to assess their finds, 128 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:18,239 Aaron and Ron are preparing for a worst-case scenario - 129 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:21,039 the termination of their partnership. 130 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:22,479 I think we can make it work. 131 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:25,959 But if no opal comes out, you can't keep throwing money in. 132 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:29,319 Badlands is two massive claims 133 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:32,919 on opal-rich ground worked for over 30 years. 134 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:37,079 We picked it up off a couple of blokes about five years ago. 135 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,159 They were getting good money out of it. 136 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:41,079 I think the original parcel, 137 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:43,079 they sold it just short of a million. 138 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:46,759 Then the cutter cut maybe nine or ten times that out of it! 139 00:06:46,840 --> 00:06:49,999 They have found some... big opal here, 140 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,239 just up from the big pit. 141 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:53,679 I think they did quite well. 142 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:56,239 It was supposed to be spectacular stuff, yeah. 143 00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:58,399 Experienced miner Aaron 144 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:02,439 is working for the Humes to pay off an $80,000 loan, 145 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:06,319 but he's fallen far short of all expectations. 146 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:08,999 We tested everything. There's no level here at all. 147 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:11,639 So, it was a bit of a disaster, this job. 148 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:13,479 We're not even paying for food. 149 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:16,239 We panned about $3,000 worth of opal. 150 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:18,639 At that rate, I'll be paying Eric off for 20 years. 151 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:21,359 I'll end up on the mantlepiece. 152 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:23,719 Here the boys come now. RON: Yeah, all right. 153 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:27,239 You got that trace ready? Mm. 154 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:30,319 How are youse? KRIS: Yeah, boys, hey. 155 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:32,799 How you going, Eric? Long time, no see, mate? 156 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:37,279 ERIC: How are the Boulder Boys? Where are we at now? Hey? 157 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:39,519 We've got a little bit of trace. All right. 158 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:42,319 The big hole didn't end up... Anyway, I told you on the phone. 159 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:44,559 Wasn't even a level there, mate. 160 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:46,199 RON: Well, what are you thinking? 161 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:49,839 Well, the wire, we're cutting the wire a bit thin at the moment 162 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:51,559 sort of thing. Yeah. 163 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:53,879 Things are gonna have to improve a bit. 164 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,279 Otherwise, she's all over, boys. Yeah. 165 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:59,079 What are we? 8,000 litres of diesel in? 166 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:00,799 RON: Yeah. Probably a bit more. 167 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:03,199 I've got, I've got a little rock to show you. 168 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:05,599 It might change your mind. Have you? All right. 169 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:07,359 We found a really nice slip. 170 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:09,599 Oh, righty-ho. All right? Yeah. 171 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:11,679 And that's the colour it's producing there. 172 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:13,519 Oh, it's rock, eh? That's nice rock. 173 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:15,639 AARON: Lovely rock. ERIC: Oh, yeah, yeah. 174 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:17,399 What location's this at? 175 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:19,799 Just on the other side of the creek. 176 00:08:19,880 --> 00:08:22,439 When the main pit proved to be a dud, 177 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:24,559 Aaron and Ron explored further 178 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:28,799 and found the opal trace in the north-east corner of Badlands 179 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:30,359 We were facing the shallow level 180 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:32,599 and we hit a slip, so we opened it up. 181 00:08:32,680 --> 00:08:33,759 All right, yeah. 182 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:37,039 Why don't we go and have a look and see what you think? 183 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:40,199 I reckon it's worth a go. We've gone this far. 184 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:42,839 Nice rock, eh? AARON AND RON: Yeah, yeah. 185 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:45,879 But them blokes don't buy much nice rock. 186 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:48,279 They want the nice-coloured ones. 187 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:51,599 But anyway, we'll have a look, and then we'll make a decision. 188 00:08:51,680 --> 00:08:53,399 All right, fair enough. 189 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:04,839 Wow! Just can't believe how dry this place was to what it is now. 190 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:06,919 ELISA GROBE: Yeah. Nearly like a swamp. 191 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:11,439 Check out that part. That's like right underwater. 192 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:16,639 I can only imagine what it's going to look like out there, eh? 193 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:18,039 The Tunnel Rats, 194 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:20,999 Bayden Pearce and fiancee Leese Grobe, 195 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:24,359 are heading for a new life in the rich black opal fields 196 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:26,519 of Grawin, New South Wales. 197 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:29,319 We're going to go suss this new turf out. 198 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,079 Yeah, we'll go and suss it out. It's going to be hard. Yeah. 199 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:33,879 I know my body isn't going to like it. 200 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:35,799 My shoulders are going to just hate it. 201 00:09:35,880 --> 00:09:37,759 My back's going to kill. 202 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:40,639 The couple haven't mined for seven months, 203 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:44,439 spending precious time and money relocating here 204 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,359 after authorities shut down their former home, 205 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:50,439 the opal-mining town of Mintabie. 206 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:53,599 We could no longer work in Mintabie or live in Mintabie. 207 00:09:53,680 --> 00:09:55,879 But you know what? We're here in Grawin. 208 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:58,919 We made it. We're back here to have another crack. Fab! 209 00:10:02,040 --> 00:10:04,999 Their new home is a modified horse trailer, 210 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:09,519 parked next to the shack of old mining friend Murray "Muz" Cantwell. 211 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:12,359 Muz, I met him a long time ago in the goldfields. 212 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:15,479 He reached out to me and said, "Oh bugger it, come up here. 213 00:10:15,560 --> 00:10:17,479 I'll show you what real opal's all about!" 214 00:10:17,560 --> 00:10:19,039 Heya! Hey, guys. 215 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:20,879 Oh, g'day! How are you? 216 00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:23,199 Good. Lovely weather. Cool. 217 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:26,039 Someone's burying the head! Hello! 218 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:28,119 Over the past five months, 219 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:31,199 this area has been repeatedly hit by floods, 220 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:34,839 Muz rescuing one casualty from floodwaters. 221 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:37,279 How was the drive? Everything's green! 222 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:39,599 I was surprised we didn't get bogged on the way in. 223 00:10:39,680 --> 00:10:41,279 I was hoping we weren't gonna. Yeah. 224 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:43,199 We've had a 400 mil. 225 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:46,199 A lot of the areas out there now are flooded, 226 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:47,919 and a lot of people have lost gear. 227 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,639 Our mine, we'll have a look later, I'll show you. 228 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:53,399 But there's a lot of water. Yeah, welcome back! 229 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:57,879 It's just the latest in a series of setbacks for Bayden and Leese. 230 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:01,399 Whoo! That is what I call Mintabie Opal! 231 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:04,359 Yes! Last year, we did well and we did find some opal. 232 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:07,439 And then things kinda just fell apart in the end. And... 233 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:09,119 it was a bit of a disaster zone. 234 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:12,079 In addition to the forced closure of their Mintabie claim, 235 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:16,239 Bayden fell out with his father and mining partner Rodney. 236 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:17,759 I started when I was 13, 237 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:19,919 so I developed that relationship with him. 238 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:23,199 And pulling out my first piece of opal with Dad 239 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:26,319 and to finding one of my biggest finds with Dad. 240 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:28,519 And just to have that torn away, 241 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:32,279 I can't describe how that really makes me feel on the inside. 242 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:35,519 Bayden mentally and physically kind of dropped a fair bit 243 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:37,559 and sunk into a bit of a deep depression. 244 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:39,799 I struggled to get him out of bed. 245 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:42,719 It was a pretty, pretty harsh year. 246 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:46,559 Now Bayden and Leese are looking to restart their lives 247 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:50,359 and mining careers in Muz's underground mine... 248 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:53,639 But I don't know how deep that is. 249 00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:56,599 ..2,000 kilometres from the opal fields they know. 250 00:11:56,680 --> 00:11:59,679 I can just see the reflection. There you go. 251 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:04,959 Um... Oh that's bad. 252 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:14,159 Some things you worry about down the hole. 253 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:17,559 If one of these big rocks fell down and crossed this det cord... 254 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:20,519 They might find your earplugs, that'd be about it. Yeah. 255 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:24,399 Bushman Rod Manning and explosives expert Brad O'Brien 256 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:27,959 are attempting to blast through an impenetrable layer of rock, 257 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:30,839 as a favour to claim owner Martin Hutchison. 258 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:32,599 This is the mat off the drill. 259 00:12:32,680 --> 00:12:34,559 I reckon it'll do as a blast mat. 260 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:36,439 To stop flying debris, 261 00:12:36,520 --> 00:12:41,239 the 300 kg rubber mat must be carefully positioned over the hole, 262 00:12:41,320 --> 00:12:44,959 whilst still allowing the detonation cord to be ignited. 263 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:48,399 So, we've got the blast mat on now. We've got all the explosives set. 264 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:50,199 I think we're good to go, mate. 265 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:55,719 Fire in the hole! 266 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:00,799 Here we go. This is the good bit. 267 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:03,719 Three... 268 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,279 two... 269 00:13:06,360 --> 00:13:07,959 one. 270 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:12,639 It's not going off. 271 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:17,039 Whoa! Jesus Christ! 272 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:21,239 She not going off, mate? That go off enough for you? 273 00:13:23,560 --> 00:13:25,639 Whee-ee! 274 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:28,839 I've got a funny feeling we might have opened up that hole. 275 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:32,199 Well done! More than welcome, mate. 276 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:33,759 Well done! More than welcome. 277 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:36,239 Yeah, I reckon that might nearly do. That's done it! 278 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:40,039 This is what you want. Just all blown to rubble. 279 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:42,159 Thanks for doing that, Brad. You're welcome. 280 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:43,399 No worries. Enjoyed it. 281 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:46,559 That's good, because I've got another problem, mate. 282 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:50,199 You've always got bloody problems! I know! Old Les hurt his back, 283 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:52,159 and I can't mine on my own. 284 00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:55,959 So, if you're not doing anything, you wanna have a crack? 285 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:57,999 I was going shooting goat for the freezer. 286 00:13:58,080 --> 00:13:59,719 To be honest with you! 287 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,759 Erm, on the subject of old goats, if Les has hurt himself... 288 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:06,439 Yeah. ...yeah, it, I'll stick around. Why not? 289 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:08,679 Excellent, mate. Involve blowing anything up? 290 00:14:08,760 --> 00:14:11,359 No, you're not blowing anything up! Break something? 291 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:13,999 I'm pretty good at that, I can tell ya... 292 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:17,519 Brad brings 16 years' experience working coal and goldmines. 293 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:21,719 I know Rod's in a bit of strife, losing one hand down, 294 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:23,839 so I don't mind helping out either. 295 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:26,439 It's something new. I've never been opal mining before. 296 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:28,839 So, it'll be a good experience, I reckon. 297 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:32,639 Right-oh, mate. Just come down when I get to the bottom. Right-oh. 298 00:14:32,720 --> 00:14:34,679 I can't expect him to do it for nothing, 299 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:36,239 so I've got to slip him 10%... 300 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:38,959 which puts a lot more pressure on me and Les, 301 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:42,959 cos that 10% comes out of mine and Les's share, not the other side. 302 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:46,879 So, it's a bit more incentive to dig a bit harder, I guess. 303 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:49,519 You all good? Right-oh. 304 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:51,879 With Ploughboys, you know, the money's come out 305 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:53,359 and in a dead line. 306 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:55,839 It's right up against the face where I want to go into. 307 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:57,079 Well, this is it. 308 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:59,599 This is where we're gonna make our fortune. Awesome. 309 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:01,159 Just with this here, mate, 310 00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:02,999 I've got faulting in the roof here. 311 00:15:03,080 --> 00:15:04,799 You can see the separation. 312 00:15:04,880 --> 00:15:08,479 Your best opal is nearly always found in real dangerous ground, 313 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:10,319 because the faulting brings the opal. 314 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:13,519 I don't think it will come down, but sections like that, 315 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:15,559 you might just get a rock come loose. 316 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:18,559 That's why I've got so many props just in this little section. 317 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:21,319 Oh, fair enough. It looks pretty hectic, doesn't it? 318 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:23,919 That's where the opal is. That's where I've gotta go. 319 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:25,639 I've got a couple of matches, 320 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:27,919 I'm thinking of just putting them up in here. 321 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,719 If it does start to separate, we're going to see it. 322 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:33,959 If I can get that just in the crack 323 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:37,039 so that the match is only just sitting there, right? 324 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:38,679 It's only just there. 325 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,639 Now, if that starts to open, the matches will fall out. 326 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:44,079 I like that. Yeah, that's good. 327 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:47,279 It's saved me more than once, I can tell you. 328 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:50,439 I've just gotta find another... Yeah, that's a good spot there. 329 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:53,239 Right-oh. Now, they're only just sitting there, right? 330 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:55,119 Keep glancing at them now and again. 331 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:57,959 If they fall, let me know. 332 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:00,439 Yeah, right-oh. 333 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:04,759 Awesome. Right-oh, here we go! 334 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:07,959 I was preparing my best girlie scream, too! 335 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:15,359 What do you reckon? 336 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:18,999 I think it'll be all right. Just stay over there. Yeah, mate. 337 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:23,359 We've got 40 foot of sandstone, dirt and rocks above us. 338 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:24,599 It's a lot of weight. 339 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:28,199 And we're taking a big area out where it's faulting. 340 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:29,679 It's a gamble. 341 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,479 But I reckon I've got an 80% chance of pulling it off. 342 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:39,519 20% of killing myself, 80% make some money. 343 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:42,159 If something does go wrong... 344 00:16:44,760 --> 00:16:45,959 ..dig me out. 345 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:52,319 RON SELIG: It's very promising. 346 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:54,119 KRIS HUME: Not far from the big hole. 347 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:56,439 Now, see, from here, you can already see it. 348 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:59,679 Well, that's definitely a slip. That's a slip, isn't it? 349 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:04,119 After two months of work and $10,000 spent in diesel, 350 00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:06,719 Aaron and Ron's jobs are on the line. 351 00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:09,959 To continue mining on this claim, 352 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:12,399 they need to convince owners the Humes 353 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:16,279 that a new shallow pit can deliver high-quality opal. 354 00:17:16,360 --> 00:17:18,159 We've got rock already in here. 355 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,039 We're getting really, really good potch. 356 00:17:21,120 --> 00:17:23,999 So it's got everything to make perfect opal. 357 00:17:24,080 --> 00:17:28,839 A slip is an earth movement that creates a void between rock. 358 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:31,919 In some voids, silica-rich water drains in, 359 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:35,559 hardening over millions of years to form opal. 360 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,119 That's exactly everything that you need 361 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:40,599 to have gem-quality opal. 362 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:43,759 All we've gotta do is dig it. What do you reckon, Kris? 363 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:47,119 How much fuel you say you've got? 364 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:49,999 We've got 3,000 litres, approximately. 365 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:52,159 3,000? Yep. 366 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:53,799 Maybe a bit more. Yep. 367 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:56,359 Well, you've got that much to find us some opal. 368 00:17:56,440 --> 00:17:58,759 I'll gladly take that offer. Good. 369 00:17:58,840 --> 00:18:01,719 We'll give youse a go. Thanks, mate. 370 00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:04,719 Much appreciated. All right. Let's go, then. 371 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:07,679 Look, if anybody's gonna find it, it'll be Aaron and Ron. 372 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:10,199 Ron can find the smallest spec of colour 373 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:13,279 and he will chase it from here to the other side of the valley. 374 00:18:13,360 --> 00:18:17,239 And Aaron will work from dawn to dusk helping to get it done. 375 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:18,839 You can't ask for more than that. 376 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:22,279 All right. We'll see how we go. 377 00:18:23,800 --> 00:18:25,799 We need a bit of luck at the moment. 378 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:28,519 I think it's a good level. I think it'll produce. 379 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:32,679 Fuel-wise, we've only got enough to keep going five or six days. 380 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:36,399 I'd say that our diesel will run out before our season runs out. 381 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:39,639 At the end of the day, if we don't find opal here, 382 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:41,679 it's been a whole year wasted. 383 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:43,639 We're going on a wing and a prayer. 384 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:47,999 Well, right-oh, mate. I'll clean up and we'll hone in here. All right. 385 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:49,799 We've gotta find something, Ron. 386 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:56,759 We've got rocks just here, see? The rock's just here. 387 00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:00,119 Did I get it? It's all right, I'll get them out if I can, eh? 388 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:03,039 Right-oh. Watch that bucket, mate. Is it stable, innit? 389 00:19:03,120 --> 00:19:04,559 Getting a bit unsafe. 390 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:07,359 I think we're gonna have to strip the top off, mate. 391 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:08,919 All right, we'll do that. 392 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:14,319 I'm gonna use the 100-tonner to strip the dirt off the top, 393 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:17,799 do the facing a lot easier. Makes it a lot safer as well. 394 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:21,359 To dig away the waste dirt and expose the opal level, 395 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:24,519 Aaron's using the 100-tonne excavator. 396 00:19:24,600 --> 00:19:27,719 That's it. You're about a foot above it. 397 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:30,879 RADIO: 'That's good.' 'Right-oh mate.' 398 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:32,999 I'll keep an eye up here for rocks. 399 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:35,359 One of them big ironstone boulders, 400 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:39,159 if they're loaded could be one to two million dollars or more! 401 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:41,119 Oi! There's rock here! 402 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:43,919 'I'll sprinkle them out Ron, eh?' 403 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:46,639 'I'll just stop.' 404 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:54,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 405 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:57,159 Bit dry, Ron? 406 00:19:57,240 --> 00:19:59,559 Yeah. That's no good. 407 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:05,799 Here you go. 408 00:20:07,960 --> 00:20:10,679 Um...mate, I don't know... 409 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:13,799 If it's up above the roof level, there's at least 20 foot of water. 410 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:15,599 OK. That's through the whole field. 411 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:19,159 Through all of here, everywhere. They're all joined up. 412 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:21,959 Looking to make a fresh start in Grawin, 413 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:23,879 the Tunnel Rats have just discovered 414 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:27,359 the mine they were going to dig for the season is flooded. 415 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:30,039 Unfortunately, we're in a lower area, 416 00:20:30,120 --> 00:20:32,439 so all the rain sort of just washed in. 417 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:34,879 And it just filled up our mine, 418 00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:37,079 so there's no going down there at all. 419 00:20:37,160 --> 00:20:38,639 Had big plans on going down there 420 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:40,439 and hoping to get some money together 421 00:20:40,520 --> 00:20:43,359 to buy a digger and all that, and... 422 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:45,279 not gonna happen now. 423 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:49,479 Disappointing, yes. But what can you do about it? 424 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:50,879 Nothing, nothing. 425 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:54,359 So, I think we've got to have a bit of a talk 426 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:57,599 and come up with some ideas and some extra plans 427 00:20:57,680 --> 00:21:00,079 and, you know, keep pushing forward. 428 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:04,599 Oh, well! 429 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:08,719 The other option we've got is Craig. 430 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:10,799 Oh, yeah? 431 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:12,559 I haven't really spoken about it much 432 00:21:12,640 --> 00:21:16,559 because it's ground where we need tools. 433 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:18,439 We need heavy equipment. 434 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:21,439 We'll just see what it's about. We've got no other options. 435 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:27,199 Three kilometres away, long-time local miner Craig Mann... 436 00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:29,279 How you goin'? ..has an available mine, 437 00:21:29,360 --> 00:21:31,239 spared from the recent floods. How are y? 438 00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:34,079 Good, mate. How are you? Let's go down and have a look, eh? 439 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:35,359 Very good. OK. 440 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:38,519 Well, this mine was actually just a little bit of a backburner idea, 441 00:21:38,600 --> 00:21:40,839 mostly because it's hard ground 442 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:43,239 and we would need a super digger and a bogger, 443 00:21:43,320 --> 00:21:44,919 which we can't afford right now. 444 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,359 I've had my digging machine down in here, 445 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:50,079 and as you can see, it's terribly hard. 446 00:21:50,160 --> 00:21:53,239 Yeah. But beautiful opal is found in hard ground. 447 00:21:53,320 --> 00:21:56,759 You don't need much at all to make a few dollars, so... Yeah. 448 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:58,439 ...I hope you'll find it. 449 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:01,279 Craig's offer provides a proven claim 450 00:22:01,360 --> 00:22:04,759 and 70% of any opal they find. 451 00:22:04,840 --> 00:22:08,399 At the end of the day, regardless on how hard the place is, 452 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:10,479 I'm willing to give it a go anyway. 453 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:12,559 I wanna move dirt. I wanna find opal. Yeah. 454 00:22:12,640 --> 00:22:15,319 I wanna jackhammer it out, I wanna lick it, I want wanna... 455 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:16,959 I wanna do all those things. 456 00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:18,799 So, what do you reckon? Sounds good. 457 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:21,759 We've gotta get going, shift some dirt, 458 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:24,999 hopefully find something, and just keep the ball rolling. 459 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:27,519 We can't stop. We've just gotta keep going. 460 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:32,119 OK! 461 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:36,079 All right? 462 00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:39,679 So you can see how hard it is. See almost... 463 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:41,639 Looks very solid. ..how it's scraping. 464 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:43,319 It looks really solid. 465 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:46,599 What I'm looking for is any kind of change in the ground, 466 00:22:46,680 --> 00:22:48,119 like any kind of diving. 467 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:50,279 And that's usually a really good sign 468 00:22:50,360 --> 00:22:52,319 of any kind of opal-bearing area. 469 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:56,719 You can see this roof is starting to drop off again. Yeah. 470 00:22:56,800 --> 00:22:59,959 The different changes, colours in the roof. 471 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:03,519 And they've got some trace that's coming in along the side. 472 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:06,119 It's even purply there. Purply blue up there. 473 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:08,799 Yeah, it's just like a purply tinge. 474 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:12,239 Yeah, so that's got a bit of purple in it, green in it too. 475 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:14,319 Got trace over there. It's all coming down. 476 00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:18,559 So I reckon, in here, you've got it all coming along here. Oh, yeah. 477 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:21,199 Would you hope like the two of them meet like that? 478 00:23:21,280 --> 00:23:24,279 That's usually how it makes. So, take this out. 479 00:23:24,360 --> 00:23:26,159 It looks hard. 480 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:29,199 Yeah, you can see big scratch lines running down everything, 481 00:23:29,280 --> 00:23:32,399 and we're coming in with a toothpick, essentially. 482 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:50,359 Unnerving to see it as bare rock. This'll take some getting used to. 483 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:52,919 With Les recovering from a back injury, 484 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:56,199 Rod Manning and first-time opal miner Brad O'Brien 485 00:23:56,280 --> 00:23:58,919 are following the opal run... How's she looking, Brad? 486 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:00,879 Your matchsticks are still there, mate. 487 00:24:00,960 --> 00:24:04,399 ..under the most unstable section of roof in Ploughboys. 488 00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:06,999 With the old fella being off with a crook back, 489 00:24:07,080 --> 00:24:10,719 it'd be nice to show him a handful of good colour. 490 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:13,439 It'd help his back heal a lot, I reckon. 491 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:20,799 Kind of drizzling rocks with a chance of boulders, isn't it? 492 00:24:20,880 --> 00:24:22,519 It's a bit like that. 493 00:24:24,320 --> 00:24:25,959 Oh, no, just be a little bit wary. 494 00:24:42,920 --> 00:24:45,519 One of my matches has fallen out, 495 00:24:45,600 --> 00:24:47,999 so there is a little bit of movement there. 496 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:50,719 What do you reckon? Well... 497 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:54,359 ..I'm not particularly liking what I'm seeing. 498 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:56,799 Ohhh! 499 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:01,559 Nah. No, that's drummy as. 500 00:25:02,040 --> 00:25:04,319 Um...what can we do, Brad? 501 00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:06,599 I'll back, back and drop it, mate. 502 00:25:06,680 --> 00:25:08,559 That could be the best idea. 503 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:10,879 That's really drummy. 504 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:12,599 That's ready to let go. 505 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:16,559 When it's nice and solid, it doesn't make a sound. 506 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:19,879 But when you get a little bit of a gap between the rock plates... 507 00:25:19,960 --> 00:25:21,919 it sounds like a drum - hollow. 508 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:25,559 All that rock there is just sitting there ready to come down. 509 00:25:26,320 --> 00:25:28,759 So, he'll pull back and give it a bit of a tickle, 510 00:25:28,840 --> 00:25:31,719 and hopefully it er... releases back to hard rock. 511 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:36,199 It might just come down in little pieces, 512 00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:38,919 or we may have a, a big fall, so... 513 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:41,599 ..we'll just see what happens, I guess. 514 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:43,839 Copy that. My hat's upstairs you can have that. 515 00:25:43,920 --> 00:25:47,799 If not, I'll meet you at the pub at four o'clock. All right, mate. 516 00:25:57,640 --> 00:25:59,799 Gotta move forward to get the worst of it. 517 00:25:59,880 --> 00:26:02,399 It's looking ready to go. If you can get it up in here, 518 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:04,719 that might peel the whole lot out for you. 519 00:26:04,800 --> 00:26:06,959 Yes, see I can't quite reach it. 520 00:26:07,040 --> 00:26:10,079 The digger arm only has a reach of three metres 521 00:26:10,160 --> 00:26:12,879 and needs to be constantly repositioned. 522 00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:16,479 I'm going to move forward a little bit, right into the danger zone. 523 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:21,919 Right-oh, here we go. 524 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:24,399 I think I might've just eaten my underwear. 525 00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:29,079 Oh! 526 00:26:35,480 --> 00:26:38,639 They're a bit dry at the moment, but they can change. 527 00:26:38,720 --> 00:26:41,439 You've gotta break every rock. You never know what's inside. 528 00:26:41,520 --> 00:26:44,399 What do you reckon? They're all stuffed! 529 00:26:44,480 --> 00:26:46,519 Yeah. Not sitting quite right. 530 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:50,439 We've got to have a look, Ron. Could be a fortune inside one. 531 00:26:51,360 --> 00:26:54,519 Aaron and Ron have just a week's worth of diesel 532 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:58,119 to find high-quality opal for claim owners the Humes, 533 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:00,559 or their contracts will be terminated. 534 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:03,559 Well, you can see the edge of the slip. 535 00:27:04,160 --> 00:27:06,399 Well, that'll do. Well, I better go down then. 536 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:07,879 Right-oh. 537 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:10,279 Their hopes rest on an opal level 538 00:27:10,360 --> 00:27:13,919 sitting along a faultline or slip, five metres deep 539 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:17,799 that Aaron has opened up with the 100-tonne excavator. 540 00:27:17,880 --> 00:27:20,479 If we can produce some opal, we'll probably keep a job. 541 00:27:20,560 --> 00:27:22,599 Otherwise, who knows what'll happen? 542 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:24,319 Right! 543 00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:25,919 All right. Let's do it. 544 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:29,079 The smaller 30-tonne excavator 545 00:27:29,160 --> 00:27:32,919 will allow them to follow the opal level with greater precision. 546 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:40,319 The ground's becoming a lot moister. 547 00:27:40,400 --> 00:27:43,159 We're getting more rocks, too, starting. 548 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:45,639 As long as we got rock, we got a chance, mate. 549 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:49,679 She's starting to go colour, starting to produce the... 550 00:27:49,760 --> 00:27:50,919 juice. The colour. 551 00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:53,679 So, right-oh, I'll rip a bit off the top. 552 00:27:53,760 --> 00:27:56,039 Yeah, well I'll just go through a bit more. 553 00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:00,799 I've never moved that much dirt and not found opal. 554 00:28:01,960 --> 00:28:05,079 Bit of a reputation we've got to live up to. 555 00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:07,959 We go to a site to find opal and we don't find opal, 556 00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:09,879 it doesn't look real good. 557 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:17,119 Oh! Hey! We've got colour! 558 00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:18,839 Colour! 559 00:28:18,920 --> 00:28:21,079 Come on, baby! Speak to me! 560 00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:22,759 Whoa-ho! Look at that! 561 00:28:22,840 --> 00:28:25,359 Oh, God! I had to do that. Look at that! 562 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:26,559 Gimme a look at it! 563 00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:31,999 Look at that! Look at that! 564 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:34,959 How many lines there? 565 00:28:35,040 --> 00:28:37,079 My God! That's colour! 566 00:28:37,160 --> 00:28:39,039 How nice is... 567 00:28:39,120 --> 00:28:41,159 Oh, look at that colour! 568 00:28:41,240 --> 00:28:43,519 Gold, green. That is nice opal, mate! 569 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:46,159 She's all right. 570 00:28:46,240 --> 00:28:49,119 Hey, Ron, that might change a few minds. 571 00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:51,799 If that doesn't change it, then we don't need to dig. 572 00:28:51,880 --> 00:28:54,439 Good on you, Ronnie! Good. Good one. 573 00:28:54,520 --> 00:28:55,919 We done all right. 574 00:28:56,000 --> 00:28:57,839 That might keep us in a job, Ron! 575 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:02,839 Keen to see if they've found enough to keep mining, 576 00:29:02,920 --> 00:29:07,399 it's a 100-kilometre drive to the Humes' headquarters in Opalton. 577 00:29:08,400 --> 00:29:10,359 How are you, mate? Hey, boys, how you goin'? 578 00:29:10,440 --> 00:29:12,399 Found a little bit. A little bit? 579 00:29:12,480 --> 00:29:14,159 Well, I'll give you a look at it, eh? 580 00:29:14,240 --> 00:29:15,999 Oh, well, yeah, let's go. All right. 581 00:29:16,080 --> 00:29:17,959 Gotta be very gentle with this one. 582 00:29:18,040 --> 00:29:21,279 It's very precious - I think. But we'll see what you think. 583 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:23,399 Well, it's getting better. 584 00:29:23,480 --> 00:29:26,639 But we've gotta try and work out how to make it pay. 585 00:29:26,720 --> 00:29:29,839 All right. Well, that is definitely getting better. 586 00:29:29,920 --> 00:29:31,999 Isn't it? That's the sort of stuff we want. 587 00:29:32,080 --> 00:29:34,879 Yeah. Well, we've just got to saw around it gently and - 588 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:37,559 Green, gold, blue. Yeah. There's his brother. 589 00:29:37,640 --> 00:29:39,559 I sense you're building up to something. 590 00:29:39,640 --> 00:29:42,039 Me? I wouldn't do that 591 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:44,639 That's the worst bit. 592 00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:51,759 Oh, look at that. 593 00:29:52,400 --> 00:29:55,119 Nice lines, eh? Well, boys, we're gonna have to open that up 594 00:29:55,200 --> 00:29:58,119 and see what we've really got before we make any decisions. 595 00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:01,679 Yeah. Let's cut up what we can. And then we'll see what's happening. 596 00:30:01,760 --> 00:30:02,959 Yeah. 597 00:30:07,280 --> 00:30:09,119 BAYDEN PEARSE: It's a bit intimidating. 598 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:11,559 Being in a new field and all that kind of stuff 599 00:30:11,640 --> 00:30:13,519 and not really sort of knowing the ground. 600 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:16,319 But fingers crossed and we'll have a go. 601 00:30:16,400 --> 00:30:18,759 All right, well, let's get stuck into it. 602 00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:21,879 After a 2,000 kilometre move 603 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:24,239 from the closed opal fields of Mintabie, 604 00:30:24,320 --> 00:30:26,799 the Tunnel Rats are looking to rebuild their lives 605 00:30:26,880 --> 00:30:30,879 on new ground with little more than hard work and hand tools. 606 00:30:30,960 --> 00:30:34,159 The ground is hard. It's very compact. 607 00:30:34,240 --> 00:30:37,039 You think you're going to break off a big massive chunk, 608 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:39,319 but it sort of just crumbles. 609 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:42,159 Yeah, it's hard ground, that's for sure. 610 00:30:44,600 --> 00:30:46,159 It's very, very difficult. 611 00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:48,799 You know, when you're so used to having explosives 612 00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:50,759 and having a Bobcat and all that stuff 613 00:30:50,840 --> 00:30:52,519 to move your ground, 614 00:30:52,600 --> 00:30:54,639 it's just going back to basics, really. 615 00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:01,879 I need a break. I'm stuffed. 616 00:31:04,440 --> 00:31:06,359 This new claim, it's... 617 00:31:06,440 --> 00:31:07,999 Never seen stuff like that before. 618 00:31:08,080 --> 00:31:10,279 I've never seen ground that hard. 619 00:31:10,360 --> 00:31:12,399 Like, yes, we've had hard in Mintabie, 620 00:31:12,480 --> 00:31:14,319 but I think this is the next step up. 621 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:17,959 You know, I don't know how people do it, but... 622 00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:19,879 ..I take my hat off to them when they - 623 00:31:19,960 --> 00:31:22,439 Starting to hurt to breathe. What's that, your back? 624 00:31:22,520 --> 00:31:25,039 Yeah. Yeah. It is pretty bad. 625 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:28,319 The biggest challenge for me is I'm used to using explosives. 626 00:31:28,400 --> 00:31:31,679 And Grawin has different regulations. 627 00:31:31,760 --> 00:31:34,879 Fully-qualified using explosives to clear mines 628 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:36,759 in Mintabie, South Australia... 629 00:31:38,640 --> 00:31:41,559 Whoa! Firing complete! 630 00:31:42,440 --> 00:31:44,239 ..here in New South Wales, 631 00:31:44,320 --> 00:31:47,039 Bayden's blasting permit isn't recognised. 632 00:31:47,120 --> 00:31:49,439 Time to go. To go? Yeah. 633 00:31:49,520 --> 00:31:50,639 Now. 634 00:31:51,440 --> 00:31:53,359 It's disappointing. 635 00:31:53,440 --> 00:31:54,839 I'd love to use it here, 636 00:31:54,920 --> 00:31:57,399 but I need to find another means to moving ground. 637 00:32:00,920 --> 00:32:02,879 Yeah, I'm stuffed after yesterday. 638 00:32:02,960 --> 00:32:05,039 And Leese's back is absolutely killing. 639 00:32:05,120 --> 00:32:07,599 And everything of mine's killing as well. 640 00:32:07,680 --> 00:32:10,199 But I think I've found a solution. 641 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:12,879 I think I've found this stuff. What sort of stuff? 642 00:32:13,720 --> 00:32:15,679 It's stuff that you just pour it in a hole. 643 00:32:15,760 --> 00:32:17,519 So, you can to drill the holes. 644 00:32:17,600 --> 00:32:19,559 You pour it. It's just like a cement 645 00:32:19,640 --> 00:32:22,239 that pretty much hardens in the hole. 646 00:32:22,320 --> 00:32:26,199 Sort of expands to, like, 20,000 PSI, 647 00:32:26,280 --> 00:32:29,519 which is pretty much rock-breaking stuff. OK. 648 00:32:29,600 --> 00:32:32,119 If this works, we might be onto something. 649 00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:34,039 Anything that'll make life a bit easier. 650 00:32:34,120 --> 00:32:36,079 I can't see why it wouldn't work. 651 00:32:36,920 --> 00:32:39,239 In Mintabie, everyone's, you know, old-school, 652 00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:40,879 and blasting is the only way. 653 00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:43,519 And I'm always up for new options. 654 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:47,519 And I have seen it done online, 655 00:32:47,600 --> 00:32:52,039 so, hopefully, it's as good as what they say it is. 656 00:32:54,040 --> 00:32:56,759 The aim is to drill some holes. 657 00:32:57,600 --> 00:32:59,759 I'm gonna mix it up with water. 658 00:32:59,840 --> 00:33:01,479 Mix this as fast as possible. 659 00:33:03,560 --> 00:33:05,439 Put this stuff in and let it do its thing, 660 00:33:05,520 --> 00:33:07,399 and hopefully, it's gonna break the rock, 661 00:33:07,480 --> 00:33:11,239 and it's gonna save a lot of time and effort and jackhammering hours 662 00:33:11,320 --> 00:33:13,559 to get that dirt away. 663 00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:16,199 Just enough. 664 00:33:16,800 --> 00:33:18,759 Just enough. 665 00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:24,959 Bayden has added water to a powder largely consisting of calcium oxide, 666 00:33:25,040 --> 00:33:29,239 commonly known as quicklime and used widely in industry. 667 00:33:29,320 --> 00:33:32,119 A chemical reaction should now be occurring, 668 00:33:32,200 --> 00:33:36,079 producing heat, steam and calcium hydroxide, 669 00:33:36,160 --> 00:33:39,319 which swells to four times its original volume. 670 00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:41,559 This stuff's gotta work. 671 00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:43,359 It's gotta work, because if it not, 672 00:33:43,440 --> 00:33:44,799 I don't know what else to do. 673 00:33:52,440 --> 00:33:54,919 I've gotta keep moving forward. 674 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:57,439 Rod and temporary mining partner Brad 675 00:33:57,520 --> 00:34:01,559 are struggling to bring down tonnes of unstable rock. 676 00:34:01,640 --> 00:34:05,759 With ten metres of rock above them, a collapse would likely kill them. 677 00:34:06,720 --> 00:34:09,279 This next move, that's when she'll come down. 678 00:34:21,080 --> 00:34:22,639 Ooh... 679 00:34:27,600 --> 00:34:28,879 Bloody hell, mate! 680 00:34:28,960 --> 00:34:32,239 That would've give you a headache. I reckon that might. Absolutely. 681 00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:34,999 I'd much rather see it on the floor than coming at me. 682 00:34:35,080 --> 00:34:36,279 That would've come on us. 683 00:34:36,360 --> 00:34:39,079 You get a tonne and a half on top of your helmet... 684 00:34:39,160 --> 00:34:41,239 it ain't gonna hold up. Ain't going to work. 685 00:34:42,240 --> 00:34:44,679 That's starting to look good up there. 686 00:34:45,720 --> 00:34:47,519 That is starting to look all right. 687 00:34:47,600 --> 00:34:50,519 Whoa! Hang on! I reckon you've got a bit of rainbow in there! 688 00:34:50,600 --> 00:34:52,319 A bit of colour there on the ground. 689 00:34:52,400 --> 00:34:55,119 Hang on, and I'll lift my arm out of the way. Got her. 690 00:34:55,200 --> 00:34:56,999 You just knocked some rainbow out. 691 00:34:57,080 --> 00:34:58,359 Hoo-hoo! 692 00:34:58,440 --> 00:34:59,559 Oh! 693 00:35:01,360 --> 00:35:04,039 Look at that, mate! Oh, that is brilliant. 694 00:35:04,120 --> 00:35:05,879 All the way around. 695 00:35:05,960 --> 00:35:08,359 Holy! It's everywhere! 696 00:35:09,960 --> 00:35:12,119 That's awesome! Oh! 697 00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:14,479 I like that! Look at the purple running through it. 698 00:35:14,560 --> 00:35:16,359 Look at the red! Look at the red! 699 00:35:16,440 --> 00:35:19,279 Ah! Ho-ho, mate! 700 00:35:19,360 --> 00:35:20,879 That is lightning in the rock. 701 00:35:20,960 --> 00:35:22,719 I'm going to call you Lightning Rod now. 702 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:24,799 You're finding the colour! Look at that! 703 00:35:24,880 --> 00:35:27,719 Ooh! The seam on that, beautiful seam. 704 00:35:29,000 --> 00:35:31,399 All outta one tooth, one bite. 705 00:35:31,480 --> 00:35:33,119 Oh-ho! 706 00:35:33,200 --> 00:35:36,719 Jesus! Can't wait to show old Les this. 707 00:35:36,800 --> 00:35:38,799 Absolutely gorgeous. There's some more. 708 00:35:40,240 --> 00:35:41,719 We've got a lot of money there. 709 00:35:41,800 --> 00:35:44,559 Looking in that bucket, it makes it all worthwhile. 710 00:35:44,640 --> 00:35:46,959 You're not wrong. That's phenomenal. 711 00:35:47,040 --> 00:35:48,119 Let's go and show Les. 712 00:35:48,200 --> 00:35:50,919 This is gonna straighten his back up! 713 00:35:51,000 --> 00:35:53,999 Rod and Brad have found seam opal, 714 00:35:54,080 --> 00:35:56,959 featuring the full spectrum of colours. 715 00:35:57,600 --> 00:36:01,039 It's in the rough, and there's 200 grammes. 716 00:36:06,280 --> 00:36:09,479 What are you doing, you old ? You're supposed to be injured. 717 00:36:09,560 --> 00:36:11,839 No, I don't feel too bad. That's good. 718 00:36:11,920 --> 00:36:14,239 And the sun's good on the bones. Yeah? 719 00:36:14,320 --> 00:36:16,559 Yeah. I've got something to show you, mate. 720 00:36:16,640 --> 00:36:17,799 Oh, OK. 721 00:36:17,880 --> 00:36:19,079 Look at that. 722 00:36:21,840 --> 00:36:24,079 Yeah, doesn't look too bad, mate. 723 00:36:25,640 --> 00:36:27,399 I reckon. 724 00:36:27,480 --> 00:36:29,799 That's a very nice piece of stone. 725 00:36:29,880 --> 00:36:31,519 There's gotta be 15 there. 726 00:36:31,600 --> 00:36:33,119 At least. Yeah. 727 00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:36,119 And there's gotta be 20 there. 728 00:36:36,200 --> 00:36:40,719 Mm. So, we'll ask for 50 and settle for 45. 729 00:36:40,800 --> 00:36:42,959 Would you be happy with that? Yeah, sounds good. 730 00:36:43,040 --> 00:36:44,999 Brad? You're in it too, mate. 731 00:36:45,080 --> 00:36:46,199 Spot on! 732 00:36:46,640 --> 00:36:48,479 At $45,000, 733 00:36:48,560 --> 00:36:51,519 they'll have to give up 50% to their mine owners 734 00:36:51,600 --> 00:36:53,759 and a further 10% to Brad, 735 00:36:53,840 --> 00:36:59,079 leaving the Bushmen with $18,000 towards their season target. 736 00:36:59,160 --> 00:37:00,639 Thank you for stepping up, Brad. 737 00:37:00,720 --> 00:37:02,719 More than welcome, mate. Thanks, mate. 738 00:37:02,800 --> 00:37:04,559 Always find time to give you a hand. 739 00:37:04,640 --> 00:37:08,079 Especially if you're gonna keep coming up with the goods! 740 00:37:08,160 --> 00:37:11,479 Old Rainbow Rod at it again! 741 00:37:23,160 --> 00:37:25,639 Let's go and check out this stuff, eh? Yep. 742 00:37:25,720 --> 00:37:27,279 Let's hope it's worked. 743 00:37:27,360 --> 00:37:30,479 In a desperate bid to break concrete-hard ground 744 00:37:30,560 --> 00:37:31,759 in their new mine, 745 00:37:31,840 --> 00:37:33,999 the Tunnel Rats' rock-breaking chemical 746 00:37:34,080 --> 00:37:36,399 has been left to act overnight 747 00:37:39,640 --> 00:37:41,319 Look at that! Oh! Yeah. 748 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:42,799 How awesome's that! 749 00:37:42,880 --> 00:37:45,639 Wow! This has just really done the job. 750 00:37:45,720 --> 00:37:48,039 This has actually saved me, would have to be... 751 00:37:48,120 --> 00:37:50,119 three days jackhammering. 752 00:37:50,200 --> 00:37:52,919 You ready? Go. One, two, three. 753 00:37:54,360 --> 00:37:56,959 Well, that's a slab and a half! 754 00:37:58,200 --> 00:37:59,839 Look at that. Look. Oh, yeah. 755 00:37:59,920 --> 00:38:02,319 Look at the green! Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can see it. 756 00:38:02,400 --> 00:38:03,919 It's beautiful. It's lovely. 757 00:38:04,000 --> 00:38:05,159 Whoa! OK. 758 00:38:05,240 --> 00:38:10,319 Even looking at the slab, I can see where there's potch lines. 759 00:38:10,400 --> 00:38:11,799 All right. 760 00:38:11,880 --> 00:38:15,999 Real rich purple line there, and then it goes into green-blue. 761 00:38:16,080 --> 00:38:17,359 Yo! 762 00:38:17,440 --> 00:38:19,759 That's opal. That's money. Oh, that's beautiful. 763 00:38:19,840 --> 00:38:22,279 Isn't that? 764 00:38:22,360 --> 00:38:24,599 That's pretty. That's cuttable. 765 00:38:24,680 --> 00:38:25,919 Yep. Cuttable stuff. 766 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:28,799 Let's get some more out. That's, that's very, very, very... 767 00:38:28,880 --> 00:38:30,679 I like that. Let's get some more out! 768 00:38:30,760 --> 00:38:33,879 I like it! Oh, it's making a little noise! 769 00:38:33,960 --> 00:38:36,039 Oh, lovely! Yeah, that's nice. 770 00:38:36,680 --> 00:38:38,839 Whoo-hoo! 771 00:38:38,920 --> 00:38:40,239 Yeah! 772 00:38:41,080 --> 00:38:42,759 We're on opal! 773 00:38:42,840 --> 00:38:44,959 Pretty bloody excitin'! 774 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:49,559 Oh! Check that out! 775 00:38:49,640 --> 00:38:51,719 Yeah, that's nice purple. That's a big stone. 776 00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:54,999 That's a big stone. $1,000, $2,000 stone, at least. 777 00:38:55,080 --> 00:38:57,119 Beautiful. Double-sided. Just crystal. 778 00:38:57,200 --> 00:38:59,679 I can't believe that. It's got big red flakes in it. 779 00:38:59,760 --> 00:39:02,399 High five! Yeah! 780 00:39:02,480 --> 00:39:05,039 It's a start. It's a start for anything, isn't it? 781 00:39:05,120 --> 00:39:06,479 It is. 782 00:39:06,560 --> 00:39:09,679 The Tunnel Rats have found seam opal, 783 00:39:09,760 --> 00:39:12,359 blue-green with purple highlights. 784 00:39:12,440 --> 00:39:16,639 It's in the rough, and there's 40 grammes. 785 00:39:18,040 --> 00:39:20,679 Got something to show ya. You got a bucket? 786 00:39:20,760 --> 00:39:22,959 What have you got? 787 00:39:23,040 --> 00:39:25,319 Come and have a look. Chuck it on the table. 788 00:39:25,400 --> 00:39:26,919 That piece. 789 00:39:29,080 --> 00:39:30,519 That piece. 790 00:39:31,400 --> 00:39:32,639 That bit. 791 00:39:32,720 --> 00:39:34,559 Lots of blue. Yeah. 792 00:39:34,640 --> 00:39:36,039 There's a fair bit of blue in it. 793 00:39:36,120 --> 00:39:38,559 They're the main nice bits. That's a bit of green bar. 794 00:39:38,640 --> 00:39:40,719 Yeah. That's a nice solid piece there. 795 00:39:40,800 --> 00:39:41,919 Yeah, yeah. 796 00:39:42,000 --> 00:39:43,719 If that's solid all the way through, 797 00:39:43,800 --> 00:39:45,999 and if that bar is running on that same stuff, 798 00:39:46,080 --> 00:39:49,159 you don't know. Be nice. Hard to tell now it's rough. Yeah. 799 00:39:49,240 --> 00:39:51,959 As it is, knowing where it comes from, 800 00:39:52,040 --> 00:39:54,239 it's worth a few thousand dollars as rough. 801 00:39:54,320 --> 00:39:57,159 Right-oh. If you can get those coloured bars in there 802 00:39:57,240 --> 00:39:59,959 coming through on that black, then you're in the real money. 803 00:40:00,040 --> 00:40:01,639 Yeah. 804 00:40:01,720 --> 00:40:03,599 Good stuff. Thank you very much, mate. 805 00:40:03,680 --> 00:40:06,439 A good four grand as it is in the rough, 806 00:40:06,520 --> 00:40:08,439 and if we were to cut the good stuff, 807 00:40:08,520 --> 00:40:10,479 double it or plus more again. 808 00:40:10,560 --> 00:40:12,159 So, that's fantastic, really. 809 00:40:13,760 --> 00:40:16,639 With 30% going to mine owner Craig, 810 00:40:16,720 --> 00:40:19,999 the Tunnel Rats keep $2,800 811 00:40:20,960 --> 00:40:22,199 We've got a new start. 812 00:40:22,280 --> 00:40:24,359 Mm. A new start, a new opal field. 813 00:40:24,440 --> 00:40:26,279 Yeah. We're not getting pushed out. 814 00:40:26,360 --> 00:40:28,119 This place is alive. 815 00:40:28,200 --> 00:40:30,879 It's alive with people, it's alive with opal. 816 00:40:30,960 --> 00:40:33,119 We can do it. Of course! 817 00:40:43,480 --> 00:40:45,399 We're trying to take the ends off 818 00:40:45,480 --> 00:40:47,799 so that we can see how well the opal splits. 819 00:40:48,680 --> 00:40:51,959 After failing to find opal for two months 820 00:40:52,040 --> 00:40:56,119 for mine owners the Humes, Aaron and Ron's livelihoods rest 821 00:40:56,200 --> 00:40:59,279 on what's inside this ironstone boulder. 822 00:40:59,360 --> 00:41:02,199 We're getting there. That one's starting to come out. 823 00:41:02,280 --> 00:41:05,319 Yeah. See? I think we'll put it on the grinder now. 824 00:41:05,400 --> 00:41:07,079 I reckon, mate. 825 00:41:08,600 --> 00:41:11,519 This machine will grind away the excess stone. 826 00:41:11,600 --> 00:41:13,119 Where do you want it, in the sun? 827 00:41:13,200 --> 00:41:16,199 What we want is opal all the way around, 828 00:41:16,280 --> 00:41:18,439 and then we can split it. 829 00:41:18,520 --> 00:41:20,799 This stone's looking very promising. 830 00:41:23,120 --> 00:41:25,079 Nearly two inches thick by nearly an inch. 831 00:41:25,160 --> 00:41:26,559 All right. Twelve by eight. 832 00:41:27,840 --> 00:41:29,599 Splitting the stone correctly 833 00:41:29,680 --> 00:41:32,519 can double its value for making jewellery, 834 00:41:32,600 --> 00:41:35,119 as two matching faces will be exposed. 835 00:41:35,200 --> 00:41:37,839 Take our time with it, Ron. We've gotta get it right. 836 00:41:37,920 --> 00:41:39,759 Wanna try and impress Kris. 837 00:41:40,760 --> 00:41:42,279 Split it wrong... Turn it off. 838 00:41:42,360 --> 00:41:44,719 ..and both faces could be destroyed. 839 00:41:45,520 --> 00:41:48,199 You wanna split some? I will. 840 00:41:48,280 --> 00:41:50,239 Yeah. I could put a little nick in 'em. 841 00:41:50,320 --> 00:41:51,919 Yep. Good idea, mate. 842 00:42:01,520 --> 00:42:04,479 Ta-da! Look at that! 843 00:42:04,920 --> 00:42:09,039 What's up, boys? How did it go? Not too bad, Kris. We split him. 844 00:42:10,600 --> 00:42:12,839 Well, isn't that pretty? Yeah. 845 00:42:12,920 --> 00:42:15,879 Now we've got two stones, and they're lovely. Yep. 846 00:42:15,960 --> 00:42:17,639 There's two nice stones there. 847 00:42:17,720 --> 00:42:20,319 They seem to be splitting all right, eh? Yeah. 848 00:42:20,400 --> 00:42:22,559 Still getting good meat on each side. 849 00:42:22,640 --> 00:42:23,839 Nice! 850 00:42:23,920 --> 00:42:27,119 Hey, look at that red line above here. See that one? 851 00:42:27,200 --> 00:42:31,039 Aaron and Ron have high-quality boulder opal, 852 00:42:31,120 --> 00:42:34,359 featuring multiple faces of blue and green, 853 00:42:34,440 --> 00:42:37,039 with flashes of rare red. 854 00:42:37,120 --> 00:42:41,199 It's been cut, and there's 280 grammes. 855 00:42:42,720 --> 00:42:44,199 It's a beauty, isn't it? 856 00:42:44,280 --> 00:42:45,999 This is opal. 857 00:42:46,080 --> 00:42:47,999 This is opal. This is proving the ground. 858 00:42:48,080 --> 00:42:50,319 So, this is good, boys. 859 00:42:51,880 --> 00:42:54,919 If I can't get 40 for that rock, well, I'm not gonna sell it. 860 00:42:55,000 --> 00:42:56,679 No. 861 00:42:56,760 --> 00:42:59,079 So, we'll keep going. You've gotta see what's next. 862 00:42:59,160 --> 00:43:02,039 Thanks, mate. Well, we've gotta find the other half of this. 863 00:43:02,120 --> 00:43:04,199 Mm. You're right, we do! 864 00:43:04,280 --> 00:43:06,319 It could be more, could be bigger. Yeah. 865 00:43:06,400 --> 00:43:08,959 Could be double. Yeah. You can't walk away from that. 866 00:43:09,040 --> 00:43:10,879 No. No. No! 867 00:43:12,800 --> 00:43:15,439 Before you're gonna commit to buying more fuel, 868 00:43:15,520 --> 00:43:18,479 buying all the other things that go into opal mining, 869 00:43:18,560 --> 00:43:22,679 you wanna be confident that you've got a bit of money coming back in. 870 00:43:22,760 --> 00:43:25,719 Wow! Look at that. Geez, that's poppin'! 871 00:43:25,800 --> 00:43:28,559 If it keeps on running like it looks like it's going to, 872 00:43:28,640 --> 00:43:30,919 then I'm confident the boys will get there. 873 00:43:31,000 --> 00:43:34,879 And I'd owe them a beer or two on top of their share. 874 00:43:34,960 --> 00:43:36,759 We've gotta start trenching, mate. 875 00:43:36,840 --> 00:43:38,119 Anyway... Cheers. 876 00:43:38,200 --> 00:43:40,559 Cheers, mate. For a good year, mate. Yeah. 877 00:43:40,640 --> 00:43:42,679 They might call it The Badlands, 878 00:43:42,760 --> 00:43:45,919 but it could turn into the Excellent Land! Yeah. 879 00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:47,999 Subtitles by Deluxe 879 00:43:48,305 --> 00:44:48,464 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm