"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode #6.3

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,999 . 2 00:00:02,080 --> 00:00:04,019 This is a waste of time. 3 00:00:04,060 --> 00:00:07,339 'Tensions escalate for new team, The Opal Whisperers...' 4 00:00:07,380 --> 00:00:09,319 I'll sort the men from the boys. 5 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:14,019 '..as Isaac and mentor Rod butt heads over where to dig.' 6 00:00:15,340 --> 00:00:19,099 I'm sick of it!Leave him be, let him sulk in the corner. 7 00:00:19,140 --> 00:00:21,319 Ready? Two. 8 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:26,259 'For the Tunnel Rats, back-breaking ground forces Leese to down tools...' 9 00:00:26,300 --> 00:00:28,039 Feels like a broken rib. 10 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:31,159 '..and take a crash course in opal cutting.' 11 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:35,339 You don't want to wake in the night knowing you've stuffed a stone. 12 00:00:35,380 --> 00:00:38,119 We've got a water slide behind us. 13 00:00:38,160 --> 00:00:41,399 'And as rain clouds threaten The Young Guns' new mine...' 14 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:44,199 Don't know what I've done. Doesn't look good. 15 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:48,419 '..their only machine that can divert looming flood waters goes down.' 16 00:00:48,460 --> 00:00:51,139 We've got some water coming in. 17 00:00:55,180 --> 00:00:56,459 # Money 18 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:02,439 # And fancy clothes # 19 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:10,074 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from www.OpenSubtitles.org 20 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:16,179 OK, now you're going to head towards Chris. This way now. 21 00:01:16,220 --> 00:01:21,019 Today, it's a new location. We're going to do some prospecting 22 00:01:21,060 --> 00:01:23,339 with the 9" drill rig. 23 00:01:23,380 --> 00:01:27,219 All going well, we're going to mine a new area. 24 00:01:27,260 --> 00:01:32,119 I'm making sure my sister gets through this tight gap safely. 25 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:37,059 There's a big tree, I don't want her to tip to the side or something. 26 00:01:37,100 --> 00:01:40,159 They're learning fast and furiously. 27 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:43,059 Oi, oi, oi, oi! 28 00:01:43,100 --> 00:01:46,319 You need to be in lower gear to push. 29 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:50,419 'The Opal Whisperers - expert cutter, Isaac Andreou...' 30 00:01:50,460 --> 00:01:53,159 You're all good. Do I keep going? 31 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:56,059 '..his opal-dealer sister, Sofia...' 32 00:01:56,100 --> 00:01:57,419 Isaac's freaking out. 33 00:01:57,460 --> 00:02:00,299 '..and her partner, Chris Daff...' 34 00:02:00,340 --> 00:02:03,279 Oi! Oh, no, no, no, no, no. 35 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:08,119 '..are getting some machine-operating lessons from an old-school mentor.' 36 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:10,399 That's all I need - a back hoe over the edge. 37 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:16,319 'Veteran miner Rod Griffin is sharing 60 years of opal-hunting knowledge 38 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:20,359 with the new team as they look to expand into mining. 39 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:24,259 He gets their labour, they get his expertise.' 40 00:02:24,300 --> 00:02:28,199 Put it over now, will you, and we'll drill a hole here. 41 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:33,459 'Any opal found on his 16-hectare Elusive claim 42 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:37,199 is split 70/30 in Rod's favour.' 43 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:40,279 This area hasn't been worked maybe for 100 years. 44 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:43,399 We can see the boulders sticking out of the wall. 45 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:48,139 'Rod's lease is home to a unique type of boulder opal 46 00:02:48,180 --> 00:02:51,039 known as the Koroit nut. 47 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:53,379 Second only to black opal in value, 48 00:02:53,420 --> 00:02:57,339 distinctive veins of colour create exquisite patterns 49 00:02:57,380 --> 00:02:59,239 with ironstone boulders.' 50 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:02,339 We're going to be pulling out nuts, I can see them, 51 00:03:02,380 --> 00:03:05,319 but what's in them, nobody knows. 52 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:10,279 'Isaac and his sister Sofia are from an opal-mining family.' 53 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:13,199 Although we're opal people our entire lives, 54 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:16,039 we really want to learn from a good mentor. 55 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:19,359 'They grew up on the Western Queensland opal fields, 56 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:23,099 but chose to specialise in cutting and retailing.' 57 00:03:23,140 --> 00:03:26,039 I'm starting to think about future plans, 58 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:28,079 and one of them is to buy my own mine. 59 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:30,399 I guess that's now our united goal, 60 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:33,259 to go to the opal mines, source the opal, 61 00:03:33,300 --> 00:03:37,219 be one on one with the miners, be one on one with the land, 62 00:03:37,260 --> 00:03:42,039 and to bring that out, produce it, and give it to our customers. 63 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:44,479 It's not cheap to get the machinery that we need, 64 00:03:45,020 --> 00:03:48,339 whether we hire it or, ultimately, buy it. 65 00:03:48,380 --> 00:03:51,239 At the start of the season, I set us a goal. 66 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:54,299 That was for $50,000 for The Opal Whisperers. 67 00:03:54,340 --> 00:03:56,219 At the end of last week, 68 00:03:56,260 --> 00:03:59,299 we got just over $17,000 for ourselves. 69 00:03:59,340 --> 00:04:02,279 We need a lot more than that, and quickly. 70 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:08,419 My main drive is definitely my little girl, Zaliana. 71 00:04:08,460 --> 00:04:13,119 I want Zaliana to see her father succeed. 72 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:19,299 'Rod's drill rig can explore the ground to a depth of 27 metres.' 73 00:04:19,340 --> 00:04:24,039 This will hopefully give us an idea of what's in this area. 74 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:27,139 Oh, whoa, whoa. Rod, Rod! 75 00:04:27,180 --> 00:04:29,399 We're getting good colour. Oh, my God! 76 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:33,199 I was getting frustrated because there was no colour, 77 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:37,339 then I put down a sieve, Sofia added water and picked that out. 78 00:04:37,380 --> 00:04:40,299 This is already about US$500 or maybe more. 79 00:04:40,340 --> 00:04:45,339 It's electric-green/blue, there's red and pink in it, and pattern. 80 00:04:45,380 --> 00:04:48,379 It's exactly what we're looking for. Nice. 81 00:04:48,420 --> 00:04:50,159 Woo! 82 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:57,459 It looks like we might have a storm front coming in. 83 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:00,259 I'm worried. If we get water down there, 84 00:05:00,300 --> 00:05:03,079 it's going to fill up where we're working, 85 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:06,119 we're going to have a few foot of water down there. 86 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:12,039 We've spent weeks and weeks and weeks just setting stuff up. 87 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:16,139 Finally to have it all down here and actually be using this digger 88 00:05:16,180 --> 00:05:18,379 on the face, it's just brilliant. 89 00:05:18,420 --> 00:05:22,399 'After three frustrating months of paperwork delays, 90 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:26,299 machinery breakdown, and little opal, 91 00:05:26,340 --> 00:05:30,079 The Young Guns are finally breaking rock in their new claim 92 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:34,159 they've ambitiously called the Paydirt mine.' 93 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:39,179 We've spent so much time setting this place up 94 00:05:39,220 --> 00:05:41,039 that if we don't find opal, 95 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:44,299 it's going to be pretty bloody devastating. 96 00:05:44,340 --> 00:05:47,379 This is the mine we think we'll make our millions in. 97 00:05:47,420 --> 00:05:50,079 We're so keen to be in this mine - 98 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:52,479 so many good signs, so much good trace. 99 00:05:53,020 --> 00:05:55,259 It's been a long trek to get to this point. 100 00:05:55,300 --> 00:05:58,439 We've wasted a lot of our season just setting up this mine. 101 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:00,479 Our season target is $100,000. 102 00:06:01,020 --> 00:06:02,259 We're at $35,000. 103 00:06:02,300 --> 00:06:05,019 We've still got a ways to go. 104 00:06:05,060 --> 00:06:07,219 We want millions, we want the big strike. 105 00:06:07,260 --> 00:06:11,379 We need to get digging, and we need to pull some opal out. 106 00:06:11,420 --> 00:06:14,459 I'm a bit worried, we've got all that gear under there. 107 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,399 I've seen mines with 6' of water at the bottom. 108 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:22,219 Me and JC have crawled through a flooded mine before, it's not fun. 109 00:06:23,220 --> 00:06:27,159 'To give themselves the best chance of hitting opal, 110 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:30,199 the team have specialised in their roles. 111 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:33,039 JC works the digger.' 112 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:35,299 Where's the money? 113 00:06:35,340 --> 00:06:38,339 'Jaymin and Noah search the face for opal...' 114 00:06:38,380 --> 00:06:40,119 Nothing there, bro. 115 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:43,439 '..and take turns on the loader, clearing away waste dirt.' 116 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:46,399 Opal mining is a struggle, we're always digging. 117 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:49,479 We haven't found opal in a while, no money coming in. 118 00:06:50,020 --> 00:06:52,079 JC! Yeah? 119 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:54,359 We've got some water coming in. 120 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:57,139 It's only just trickling down now, 121 00:06:57,180 --> 00:07:01,359 but if it picks up more, we'll need to build a barrier or something. 122 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:05,259 Basically, we've got a waterslide directly behind us. 123 00:07:05,300 --> 00:07:11,059 'If the rain gets heavier, The Young Guns will need to build a dirt wall 124 00:07:11,100 --> 00:07:14,319 to divert water away from their mine entrance.' 125 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:18,419 This Kanga is probably the most important part of the operation 126 00:07:18,460 --> 00:07:20,199 in the entire mine. 127 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:25,279 She's for shifting dirt, and this is the business of shifting dirt. 128 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:31,299 Yes, it's extremely vital. 129 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:37,059 Urgh! 130 00:07:40,300 --> 00:07:42,199 Oi! 131 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:45,479 What's up?Have a look at this. I don't know what I've done. 132 00:07:46,020 --> 00:07:48,399 What? I just turned a corner. 133 00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:52,179 The tyre's come off the rim. Doesn't look good, Noz. 134 00:07:52,220 --> 00:07:54,479 How does the rim look? 135 00:07:59,220 --> 00:08:03,319 That looks pretty bad. Have we popped it or slashed it? 136 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:05,219 That's not good, eh. 137 00:08:05,260 --> 00:08:08,139 It's the only way to move dirt out of the mine. 138 00:08:08,180 --> 00:08:10,399 We have to fix this pronto. 139 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:16,039 If that rain comes back in, we've got no way to build a barrier. 140 00:08:28,420 --> 00:08:34,239 Your shoulders burn when you hold the jackhammer up all the time, 141 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:36,139 just burn! 142 00:08:36,180 --> 00:08:40,339 'Also struggling underground, in New South Wales, 143 00:08:40,380 --> 00:08:45,079 Bayden Pearse and fiancee Leese Grobe are losing the war 144 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:49,139 against the cementlike rock walls in their new mine.' 145 00:08:49,180 --> 00:08:53,279 It's hard work. It's pretty tough on the body, that's for sure. 146 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:57,139 'They're working a mine called Thunderbox. 147 00:08:57,180 --> 00:09:01,279 The owner of the claim gave up on it because the ground was too high. 148 00:09:01,320 --> 00:09:05,279 Their share is 70% of any opal found.' 149 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:09,239 Jackhammers in hard ground, it's just hard going. 150 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:12,999 We really need this bogger, we really need this digger. 151 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:18,239 'Their dream this season is the lease to start cutting their own opal 152 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:20,159 and to find and sell enough 153 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:23,299 to upgrade their hand tools to a hydraulic digger 154 00:09:23,340 --> 00:09:26,379 and a motorised cart, or bogger.' 155 00:09:26,420 --> 00:09:29,399 Our season total, we're gunning for $40,000. 156 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:33,239 We really want to get that digger and bogger. 157 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:37,259 The more dirt you can shift, the more opal you can find. 158 00:09:37,300 --> 00:09:42,059 If you're not shifting the dirt, you're not finding as much opal. 159 00:09:42,100 --> 00:09:46,179 The quicker we can get machinery to help us, the better we'll be. 160 00:09:46,220 --> 00:09:49,459 Get closer? Yeah, I'm just coming - 161 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,479 The green and purple is there, I'm just following that around. 162 00:09:54,020 --> 00:09:57,239 See just in there? It pockets a purple blob there. 163 00:09:57,280 --> 00:10:00,179 I haven't got to it yet, I'm being careful. 164 00:10:00,220 --> 00:10:03,139 Hard ground means good opal. 165 00:10:03,180 --> 00:10:07,419 We could be one foot away from a stone that could pay for everything. 166 00:10:07,460 --> 00:10:09,199 High five! 167 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:12,379 'The Tunnel Rats are trying to rebuild their lives 168 00:10:12,420 --> 00:10:14,439 after a tumultuous 12 months.' 169 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:16,319 It was a harsh year. 170 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:20,119 'It started with authorities closing down Mintabie, 171 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:23,099 the opal-mining town where they lived and worked 172 00:10:23,140 --> 00:10:25,119 with Bayden's father, Rodney.' 173 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:27,459 My life is up there in that camp. 174 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:32,039 Everything that I've owned is in that . 175 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:35,459 'It ended with a father and son torn apart.' 176 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:39,219 He said, "Get out of my home, get out of my home." 177 00:10:39,260 --> 00:10:43,099 I said, "Don't forget it's my home too, old boy." 178 00:10:44,100 --> 00:10:46,339 The stakes are high for us at the moment. 179 00:10:46,380 --> 00:10:49,999 I've invested in a truck, I've invested in a trailer. 180 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:54,279 Leese has invested a lot of money into this business. 181 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:59,399 I've got to pay back Leesey $40,000, it's making things pretty tough. 182 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:01,439 It's a lot riding on my shoulders. 183 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:04,459 Again, yeah. Ready? Two. 184 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:09,059 Yeah. 185 00:11:09,100 --> 00:11:12,099 My concerns with Leesey is her hips, her back. 186 00:11:12,140 --> 00:11:14,099 She's a chronic pain sufferer. 187 00:11:14,140 --> 00:11:17,119 She's got to deal with it, and I've got to as well, 188 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:20,059 because I need her. 189 00:11:20,100 --> 00:11:24,259 I'm trying not to think about it. Just not feeling too flash. 190 00:11:24,300 --> 00:11:28,059 I'm stuffed. I feel dead. 191 00:11:28,100 --> 00:11:30,279 Let's get out of here. 192 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:37,079 It just feels like I've got a broken rib. 193 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:40,099 No more work for you, then, for the day. 194 00:11:44,540 --> 00:11:47,739 We're here to find opal, not just to dig a hole. 195 00:11:47,780 --> 00:11:53,559 It doesn't matter how long it takes, we go slow and methodical. 196 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:54,959 Pay attention. 197 00:11:55,500 --> 00:11:58,959 'Under the strict guidance of mining mentor, Rod, 198 00:11:59,500 --> 00:12:01,939 The Opal Whisperers are digging at the site 199 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:06,699 where an exploratory drill hole revealed a 5m-deep opal level.' 200 00:12:06,740 --> 00:12:08,739 Oi! Who, me? 201 00:12:08,780 --> 00:12:13,879 Yeah. When you've finished cracking them and there's nothing in them, 202 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:18,879 put them behind you so you're not cracking cracked stuff.Thanks. 203 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:20,699 'At Rod's orders, 204 00:12:20,740 --> 00:12:26,539 they're searching the surface for rare and unique Koroit nuts 205 00:12:26,580 --> 00:12:30,639 despite the drill hole indicating the opal level lays deeper.' 206 00:12:30,680 --> 00:12:34,619 See if you can see colour. Watch your legs. 207 00:12:34,660 --> 00:12:37,679 Here at the shallow level where we're digging, 208 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:40,919 there's really nothing, we proved that yesterday. 209 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:45,519 When Rod was drilling with the 9" and bringing up a sample, 210 00:12:45,560 --> 00:12:48,719 we found a beautiful little piece around 12' to 20'. 211 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:50,679 That's where I want to get to. 212 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:53,839 This is a waste of time, as far as as I'm concerned. 213 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:57,659 I want to get on, we need a good tally. I need 50 grand. 214 00:12:57,700 --> 00:13:00,899 Everything's riding on it, from my little girl's education 215 00:13:00,940 --> 00:13:05,839 through to us being able to continue on and mine our own opal. 216 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:07,759 If I was to hit one of these 217 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:11,699 and have the centre completely loaded with opal, 218 00:13:11,740 --> 00:13:13,919 it could be worth anything up to $10,000, 219 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:16,499 but frustration is kicking in - 220 00:13:16,540 --> 00:13:19,879 it's a couple of days without finding anything decent. 221 00:13:19,920 --> 00:13:24,919 If we were brick-laying, we'd already have made $1,000 today. 222 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:26,959 Today is tricky, it's tiring. 223 00:13:27,500 --> 00:13:29,599 We haven't found any colour 224 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:34,559 that can give us energy to keep going, not one bit of colour. 225 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:39,659 It's like we're building a swimming pool.I'm trying to spot nuts, 226 00:13:39,700 --> 00:13:40,959 passing them to him. 227 00:13:41,500 --> 00:13:44,959 He's opening one after another and finding nothing. 228 00:13:45,500 --> 00:13:46,859 It's pretty . 229 00:13:46,900 --> 00:13:49,679 We should deal in ironstone instead of opal. 230 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:52,859 Is that the singing pick? 231 00:13:54,680 --> 00:13:57,579 Mate, that's the singing pick! I'm sick of it. 232 00:13:57,620 --> 00:14:00,599 I'm not here to make music, I'm here to crack rocks. 233 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:02,679 I like that pick. Too bad, it's gone. 234 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,639 Just leave him. Whatever! 235 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:10,619 He keeps bringing this bloody pick down 236 00:14:10,660 --> 00:14:13,939 that's supposed to be used for chipping the welds off welding. 237 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:16,559 Not my problem. 238 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:19,699 If he likes to be like that, well, he can be like that. 239 00:14:19,740 --> 00:14:24,759 When you're mining opal, you're on edge every second. 240 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:28,919 When the hours pass by and the dust increases and the sweat increases, 241 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:30,739 it gets frustrating. 242 00:14:30,780 --> 00:14:34,919 Leave him be, let him sulk in the corner, not my problem. 243 00:14:42,780 --> 00:14:45,659 Hey, it's filling back up! 244 00:14:45,700 --> 00:14:47,879 Now we've got to get it back on there. 245 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:50,699 This is going to be fun 246 00:14:50,740 --> 00:14:53,659 'For The Young Guns, their damaged loader tyre 247 00:14:53,700 --> 00:14:56,659 has been easily fixed with little more than a pump. 248 00:14:56,700 --> 00:14:58,739 Now it's inflated, the challenge is 249 00:14:58,780 --> 00:15:01,719 to position it back under the caterpillar track.' 250 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:04,659 Pull the tracks back, and if you want to kick it. 251 00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:06,839 Got it. Line it up and get it on. 252 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:09,499 You ready? Yeah. 1, 2, 3. 253 00:15:09,540 --> 00:15:13,639 It's not budging. Push, JC! 254 00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:16,719 I'm bloody pushing, mate! Push harder! 255 00:15:16,760 --> 00:15:19,919 Are we close? No, we're not. 256 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:24,519 The loader is integral to our operation, it's how we move dirt. 257 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:27,579 If we don't have that, we're on buckets and shovels. 258 00:15:27,620 --> 00:15:31,619 We need to stretch the tracks. We'll see what we can make. 259 00:15:31,660 --> 00:15:33,879 I'll meet youse over there. 260 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:37,579 'Unseasonal rain has put The Young Guns on alert. 261 00:15:37,620 --> 00:15:39,919 To keep flood water out of their mine, 262 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:44,559 they need to be able to build dirt walls, but for that, 263 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:46,539 they need their loader fixed.' 264 00:15:46,580 --> 00:15:50,699 Jay's got a device in his head that he's going to rig up, 265 00:15:50,740 --> 00:15:52,559 using this jack. 266 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:56,659 If we have this sitting in between both tyres, 267 00:15:56,700 --> 00:15:59,719 one wheel this side, one pressing up against here, 268 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:02,699 as we undo it, it'll stretch it back out. 269 00:16:02,740 --> 00:16:05,699 We'll need something off the side here. 270 00:16:05,740 --> 00:16:08,939 'With the bottom of the jack propped against one wheel 271 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:12,839 and the top of the jack modified to grab onto the other wheel, 272 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:15,779 they hope to be able to jack the wheels apart 273 00:16:15,820 --> 00:16:17,799 to tension the rubber track.' 274 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:19,879 Sick, well done. Turn that off. 275 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:28,759 Here we go. Please bloody hold! 276 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,619 Is it going? 277 00:16:31,660 --> 00:16:33,879 It's going, it's working! Look at this. 278 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:37,659 Oh! That's the first bit. 279 00:16:37,700 --> 00:16:39,819 Push, boys. Yeah. 280 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:42,959 How far off is it? 281 00:16:43,500 --> 00:16:46,679 We're so close, so close. 282 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:49,659 That's it. OK, move the thing. 283 00:16:49,700 --> 00:16:53,639 You've got to move it forward a little bit. 284 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:57,599 Move it up a little bit more. Pull that. 285 00:16:57,640 --> 00:16:59,899 A little bit more forward. 286 00:16:59,940 --> 00:17:01,939 Push, JC. 287 00:17:06,660 --> 00:17:08,539 Yeah, wow, baby! 288 00:17:08,580 --> 00:17:12,539 We've had a sharp learning curve, learning how to fix machinery. 289 00:17:12,580 --> 00:17:13,819 You have to do it, 290 00:17:13,860 --> 00:17:18,599 you have to get stuff fixed or you're not making any money. 291 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:22,899 'By sunrise, the threatening clouds have all but cleared.' 292 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:26,859 Hey, man. Morning. 293 00:17:26,900 --> 00:17:29,859 What's wrong? I don't know what's going on, 294 00:17:29,900 --> 00:17:31,879 but I can't really stand on it. Oh! 295 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:33,919 It looks swollen. 296 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:36,839 Go to the hospital, meet the nurse. All right. 297 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:41,619 'The difficult repair job has taken a toll on JC.' 298 00:17:41,660 --> 00:17:44,879 It was kind of a deep cut on the side of my foot. 299 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:47,839 I left it, didn't think anything of it. 300 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:49,879 That's a bad sign. 301 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:02,919 I really do miss the Bobcat, I'll tell ya. 302 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:06,699 Now it's not so easy. It's, get down on your knees 303 00:18:06,740 --> 00:18:09,899 and shovel into a wheelbarrow. 304 00:18:09,940 --> 00:18:12,919 It only takes one big find, and all of a sudden, 305 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:16,559 we've got the bogger, the digger, everything. 306 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:18,659 One find, that's all we need. 307 00:18:18,700 --> 00:18:23,479 'Battling rock-hard ground without adequate machinery, 308 00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:25,819 the Tunnel Rats are a miner down. 309 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:31,499 A recurring back injury has left Leese unable to dig. 310 00:18:31,540 --> 00:18:33,639 She's making the most of the down-time 311 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:36,959 by driving to Lightning Ridge, 70km away, 312 00:18:37,500 --> 00:18:40,539 to hone her skills as an opal cutter.' 313 00:18:40,580 --> 00:18:44,739 I'm off to see Kelly Tischler, the Opal Queen. 314 00:18:44,780 --> 00:18:46,759 She's renowned in the area. 315 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:50,919 If anyone's going to help me, it's probably going to be her. 316 00:18:50,960 --> 00:18:52,839 Nice to meet you. 317 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:56,779 I'm keen for her to look over my current cutting skills. 318 00:18:56,820 --> 00:19:00,619 I've brought stones for her to give me an assessment of. 319 00:19:00,660 --> 00:19:03,599 Righto. OK, show us your style. 320 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:05,659 Let's give this one a crack. 321 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:09,899 You need to hone your craft 322 00:19:09,940 --> 00:19:13,799 because when the big boys go, "Why did you cut it like that," 323 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:17,799 you've got to have the confidence to say, "That is what the stone was, 324 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:21,559 I've just made her prettier. I've taken away as much as I can, 325 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:24,899 but I won't screw with the integrity of the stone." 326 00:19:24,940 --> 00:19:28,479 You'll get, "That's not a saleable shape." 327 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:30,519 Then you just be a lovely lady, 328 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:33,499 and go, "Thank you very much, off." 329 00:19:33,540 --> 00:19:38,519 Sorry, but they're not the ones risking their life doing it.Yeah. 330 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:41,659 I have been in Lightning Ridge on and off all my life. 331 00:19:41,700 --> 00:19:44,919 My grandfather taught me how to cut when I was about eight. 332 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:47,699 I've been doing it for a long time. 333 00:19:47,740 --> 00:19:50,839 Take it completely out of the sandstone. 334 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:54,719 You hear that starting to grab there?Yeah. 335 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:58,539 Just starting to get a little bit of edge. 336 00:19:58,580 --> 00:20:00,619 Grind hard, till you hear it scream. 337 00:20:00,660 --> 00:20:04,879 I wouldn't be going from the top yet, take it all the way into there. 338 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:10,519 It's good to hear her critique of bits that I've done 339 00:20:10,560 --> 00:20:12,479 because I'm a novice. 340 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:16,819 That's got to come out. All that, that's all got to go. 341 00:20:16,860 --> 00:20:20,919 I feel that, with Kelly's feedback, I'm on the right track. 342 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,839 OK, so go to your next bit. 343 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:27,819 Leese went really well, yeah, absolutely, you know? 344 00:20:27,860 --> 00:20:31,719 She's got the passion for it, that's the most important thing. 345 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:35,819 The more that Leese knows her own opal, 346 00:20:35,860 --> 00:20:37,939 the better she's going to get. 347 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:39,879 Nice job. 348 00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:47,759 There's opal here, but we're breaking our bodies to get it, 349 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:49,579 that's the problem. 350 00:20:49,620 --> 00:20:51,959 Little jackhammers like this are toothpicks. 351 00:20:52,500 --> 00:20:57,619 I might just go to this other spot, a spot that Craig recommended, 352 00:20:57,660 --> 00:20:59,759 and try and mine that area. 353 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:01,819 They said there's opal there. 354 00:21:01,860 --> 00:21:04,739 Time is wasting, and I haven't got time to waste. 355 00:21:04,780 --> 00:21:07,559 'Two weeks ago, claim owner Craig Mann 356 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:11,779 showed Bayden several places where he might find opal, 357 00:21:11,820 --> 00:21:14,899 one at the very entrance to the mine.' 358 00:21:14,940 --> 00:21:17,779 I may as well start to drop down the roof. 359 00:21:17,820 --> 00:21:20,859 Who knows? Tomorrow, we may expose some opal. 360 00:21:20,900 --> 00:21:23,879 We'll hook into this and drill some holes. 361 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:26,479 Rock-hammer drill. 362 00:21:30,820 --> 00:21:34,719 This rock-breaking stuff makes a massive difference. 363 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:39,619 'With his explosives licence unrecognised in New South Wales, 364 00:21:39,660 --> 00:21:44,699 Bayden has found an alternative for breaking hard rock face.' 365 00:21:44,740 --> 00:21:48,539 I've got to hurry up and put this stuff in. 366 00:21:48,580 --> 00:21:53,659 'Largely consisting of calcium oxide, water makes it expand 367 00:21:53,700 --> 00:21:56,819 with the force of 20,000lbs/square inch, 368 00:21:56,860 --> 00:22:01,719 cracking the hardest stone in eight to ten hours.' 369 00:22:01,760 --> 00:22:03,899 That's hard, hard, hard ground. 370 00:22:03,940 --> 00:22:07,499 My jackhammer would bounce off a lot of this stuff. 371 00:22:07,540 --> 00:22:09,619 This is saving me days of work. 372 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:19,779 'Next morning, it's time to see 373 00:22:19,820 --> 00:22:23,519 if the rock-breaking agent has done its job.' 374 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:29,599 Fingers crossed. If it hasn't, it's actually going to be a setback, 375 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:31,799 could set me back three days. 376 00:22:35,480 --> 00:22:36,859 Oh, bloody hell. 377 00:22:36,900 --> 00:22:41,739 It's cracked all the way from up there and all the way down here. 378 00:22:41,780 --> 00:22:45,499 I wish it would have dropped. 379 00:22:45,540 --> 00:22:49,899 I might have to jimmy it down or even jackhammer it. 380 00:22:49,940 --> 00:22:51,939 That's really, really good. 381 00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:56,799 Very pleased that that's done that. That will save me so much time. 382 00:22:56,840 --> 00:23:01,659 What I need to do now is give it a helping hand, bring it down. 383 00:23:28,900 --> 00:23:31,879 Waaa! Pretty happy with that. 384 00:23:36,140 --> 00:23:38,159 Opal miners never give up. 385 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:41,959 If he wants to be an opal miner, nothing can frustrate you. 386 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:47,259 He's putting his heart, his soul, his time, his energy, his money, 387 00:23:47,300 --> 00:23:51,259 and he can't see Zaliana, his daughter, at the moment. 388 00:23:51,300 --> 00:23:54,079 That's constantly in the back of his mind. 389 00:23:54,120 --> 00:23:56,379 I'm going to sort the men from the boys, 390 00:23:56,420 --> 00:24:00,999 and make sure they can control themselves in situations like this. 391 00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:03,979 Isaac, how are you doing? Yeah, good. 392 00:24:04,020 --> 00:24:08,279 I don't know why we're mining there, there's nothing there. 393 00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:11,319 We're not digging swimming pools. 394 00:24:11,360 --> 00:24:15,079 I'm going to go deeper there now and see what's down there. 395 00:24:15,120 --> 00:24:18,059 A little bit of tension. It's probably good - 396 00:24:18,100 --> 00:24:20,099 keep everyone on their toes. 397 00:24:22,120 --> 00:24:24,059 Yeah, I'll get your pick. 398 00:24:24,100 --> 00:24:26,399 You're going to keep the pick from now on? 399 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:32,099 You're meant to have some team spirit and be soft on me 400 00:24:32,140 --> 00:24:35,039 cos of my daughter that I miss, that's the problem. 401 00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:38,359 You don't care, do you? Old bastard. Righto 402 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:50,199 'Well into their second day of checking surface rocks, 403 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:56,319 and no opal, mentor Rod has decided to dig into an exploratory drill hole 404 00:24:56,360 --> 00:25:00,339 which indicated a 5m-deep opal level.' 405 00:25:00,380 --> 00:25:04,419 We've got a problem - we've run into water. 406 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:09,299 A little water is OK, but if it gets deep, if it's thick down there, 407 00:25:09,340 --> 00:25:12,339 we can't dig any more, it gets to absolute sludge. 408 00:25:12,380 --> 00:25:16,359 It's most probably come in from another workings. 409 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:18,319 Look at that, it's slush. 410 00:25:18,360 --> 00:25:22,399 The spot we thought there might be opal, all we got was water. 411 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:27,199 We've got a swimming pool.Don't talk to me about that, please. 412 00:25:27,240 --> 00:25:33,419 'Two days of digging, and The Whisperers' morale is at a low. 413 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:39,059 It's now three months since Isaac saw his four-year-old daughter.' 414 00:25:39,100 --> 00:25:42,179 Hi, beautiful. How are you? 415 00:25:42,220 --> 00:25:45,139 Fine.Do you want to see Dad when I come home? 416 00:25:45,180 --> 00:25:47,099 Yeah! 417 00:25:47,140 --> 00:25:50,339 I love you, Zaliana. I'd better go now.I love you. 418 00:25:52,140 --> 00:25:54,959 Bye, baby. 419 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:58,199 I got to speak to my little girl. 420 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:00,239 Can't wait to get back. 421 00:26:05,340 --> 00:26:09,039 'After the previous day's disappointment, 422 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:13,079 the team have moved on to a neighbouring, shallow level.' 423 00:26:13,120 --> 00:26:17,059 I've got a dealer, Paul, coming tomorrow to buy some stones. 424 00:26:17,100 --> 00:26:20,199 We haven't discussed what I'm showing him, 425 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:22,999 so let's hope we get something today. 426 00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:26,999 We've got to find the material, then I've got to make the sale. 427 00:26:27,040 --> 00:26:29,339 It's a long road, and I don't have much time. 428 00:26:29,380 --> 00:26:33,199 Hey, hold on, hold on! What have you got? 429 00:26:33,240 --> 00:26:37,279 Check this out! Shut the front door! Check this out, quick! 430 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:41,039 That's awesome. Did you just smash that open now? 431 00:26:41,080 --> 00:26:43,059 Yeah. Look at the green! 432 00:26:43,100 --> 00:26:45,979 Oh, wow! That's electric, and it's a seam. 433 00:26:46,020 --> 00:26:50,039 Mate, that's exactly what we're looking for. Well done, good stuff. 434 00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:52,159 Let's see if we can find some more. 435 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:55,339 I've taken a chip out of it, as it cracked open, 436 00:26:55,380 --> 00:26:58,159 this beautiful colour. I can't explain it. 437 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:01,959 My hands are shaking. This is what we come here for. 438 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:05,159 Oh, kissing again! 439 00:27:14,220 --> 00:27:17,439 JC has been the main operator of the digger. 440 00:27:17,980 --> 00:27:20,079 He knows how to use it the best. 441 00:27:20,120 --> 00:27:22,979 It's really hard for us to lose him. 442 00:27:23,020 --> 00:27:28,219 The digger's in place, everything ready to go, then this happens. 443 00:27:28,260 --> 00:27:33,979 'The Young Guns are waiting for the verdict on JC's infected foot.' 444 00:27:34,020 --> 00:27:36,319 There he is. What's that on his leg? 445 00:27:36,360 --> 00:27:41,419 What is that? What's wrong, man, what the heck's going on? 446 00:27:41,960 --> 00:27:43,979 It's not good. What's wrong? 447 00:27:44,020 --> 00:27:47,219 It's infected. They don't want me on it at all. 448 00:27:47,260 --> 00:27:49,999 They don't want me doing any work. 449 00:27:50,040 --> 00:27:52,359 That sucks. 450 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:54,999 Yeah, I know. Well, rest up. 451 00:27:55,040 --> 00:27:58,299 It's not good. He's got a compression bandage up his leg. 452 00:27:58,340 --> 00:28:01,219 They've given him a heap of antibiotics. 453 00:28:01,260 --> 00:28:04,279 I don't know what we're going to do, honestly. 454 00:28:04,320 --> 00:28:09,159 'JC's injury means The Young Guns are without their digger operator.' 455 00:28:09,200 --> 00:28:12,099 Just bloody stupid. 456 00:28:12,140 --> 00:28:15,139 Up we get. Thanks, boys. 457 00:28:15,180 --> 00:28:18,359 'To stand any chance of finding opal, 458 00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:22,159 Noah and Jaymin will have to learn on the job.' 459 00:28:22,200 --> 00:28:25,959 I'm pretty new. I've done a couple of things here and there, 460 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:28,119 but not really had a proper go. 461 00:28:28,160 --> 00:28:32,139 So this...moves that back. 462 00:28:32,180 --> 00:28:37,139 Jesus, Noz, stop! Take your hands off the controls when it moves. 463 00:28:37,180 --> 00:28:41,099 A little bit scary. It unpinned for a second there. 464 00:28:41,140 --> 00:28:43,979 I'm very, very focused. 465 00:28:44,020 --> 00:28:47,319 The digger is a massive machine, it has a lot of weight behind it. 466 00:28:47,360 --> 00:28:51,019 It can kick back at you if it's not pinned up properly, 467 00:28:51,060 --> 00:28:53,979 it can tip over and fall on someone around you. 468 00:28:54,020 --> 00:28:57,359 If that does fall on someone, then game over for them. 469 00:28:57,400 --> 00:29:00,379 We're seeing trace and potch that's thickening up. 470 00:29:00,420 --> 00:29:04,399 This is a lot slower than JC, JC can do it a lot quicker. 471 00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:06,999 We're being really careful. 472 00:29:07,040 --> 00:29:11,219 We spent so long setting up this mine, we're playing catch-up, 473 00:29:11,260 --> 00:29:14,299 and going slow isn't the greatest thing at this point. 474 00:29:14,340 --> 00:29:17,019 Stop, stop, stop, stop! 475 00:29:17,060 --> 00:29:19,419 What's going on? Pull the bucket back. 476 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:22,979 We've got something. 477 00:29:23,020 --> 00:29:25,439 Something? Any good, or just the glassy stuff? 478 00:29:25,980 --> 00:29:28,159 Glassy stuff, but around here, look. 479 00:29:28,200 --> 00:29:32,399 Oh, wow. Holy crap!It's got a green band running through it. 480 00:29:32,440 --> 00:29:35,979 It's getting thicker and turning to colour. 481 00:29:36,020 --> 00:29:39,419 If that turns to solid colour, we're in for a real chance. 482 00:29:42,980 --> 00:29:46,179 How do you feel, bro? I feel amazing. 483 00:29:46,220 --> 00:29:50,059 That is what I've been waiting for, right there.Woo-hoo-hoo! 484 00:29:51,100 --> 00:29:52,379 'Finally on opal, 485 00:29:52,420 --> 00:29:56,439 the mood of The Whisperers has gone from despair to delight, 486 00:29:56,980 --> 00:30:00,419 and under Rod's firm tutelage, they're onto more colour.' 487 00:30:00,960 --> 00:30:02,439 Beautiful blue-green colour. 488 00:30:02,980 --> 00:30:05,419 My favourite colour in the opal game is blue-green. 489 00:30:05,960 --> 00:30:08,339 Even though red is more valuable, it's rarer, 490 00:30:08,380 --> 00:30:11,419 blue-green is more saleable. Beautiful. 491 00:30:11,960 --> 00:30:14,259 There's colour here, let's keep hitting it. 492 00:30:14,300 --> 00:30:16,039 # I'm in heaven # 493 00:30:16,080 --> 00:30:20,199 I thought I saw a few bits of ironstone, let's scrape through it. 494 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:25,239 I want to fill the bucket up with colour, that's what we need to do. 495 00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:29,339 Whew! OK, guys, watch this bucket, please. 496 00:30:29,380 --> 00:30:32,999 It's called "spotting". Wait, stop! 497 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:35,259 Whoa! CHRIS: What have you got? 498 00:30:37,340 --> 00:30:40,039 Woo! Check that out. 499 00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:41,979 What is it? Check that out. 500 00:30:42,020 --> 00:30:45,219 Boulder, seam. No way. Whoa! 501 00:30:45,260 --> 00:30:47,359 It's awesome! 502 00:30:47,400 --> 00:30:51,979 We're actually producing awesome stuff, well done. 503 00:30:52,020 --> 00:30:53,259 Yeah, we did. 504 00:31:04,120 --> 00:31:06,119 What the is that? 505 00:31:12,120 --> 00:31:14,039 WOO! Hey! 506 00:31:14,080 --> 00:31:16,419 ROD: That sounds good. Yahoo! 507 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:19,399 Where the hell did that come from? 508 00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:22,319 We're not going to leave this behind. 509 00:31:22,360 --> 00:31:27,259 Out of the corner of my eye, a bit of green just stung me in the eye. 510 00:31:27,300 --> 00:31:30,119 Dude, look at the green. 511 00:31:30,160 --> 00:31:32,059 Woo! Check that out. 512 00:31:32,100 --> 00:31:34,279 I'm stoked, it's awesome. 513 00:31:34,320 --> 00:31:37,379 It's electric-green, it's massive. On the face. 514 00:31:37,420 --> 00:31:41,099 Electric green running all the way under that skin. 515 00:31:41,140 --> 00:31:44,279 There's blue under there, there's gold, there's red. 516 00:31:44,320 --> 00:31:47,019 We might have just hit our budget. 517 00:31:47,060 --> 00:31:50,199 That could be 20, 30 grand right there. 518 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:56,219 We found the Holy Grail. This is a massive Koroit nut full of colour. 519 00:31:56,260 --> 00:32:00,079 I know a guy, he's here tomorrow, he's a dealer, 520 00:32:00,120 --> 00:32:04,039 and I reckon this is exactly what he's looking for. 521 00:32:09,040 --> 00:32:12,259 Straight through there, we've got that glassy stuff. 522 00:32:12,300 --> 00:32:14,299 Just there, look. Look at that! 523 00:32:14,340 --> 00:32:17,399 A stone in the wall. Where's the broken bit? 524 00:32:17,440 --> 00:32:22,099 Look at this. Oh, jeez! That's good. 525 00:32:22,140 --> 00:32:25,239 'With their digger operator, JC, injured 526 00:32:25,280 --> 00:32:27,419 and Noah at the helm for the first time, 527 00:32:27,960 --> 00:32:30,079 The Young Guns have struck opal.' 528 00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:31,359 If we didn't break it, 529 00:32:31,400 --> 00:32:35,299 we wouldn't have seen it, so I guess that's a positive. 530 00:32:35,340 --> 00:32:39,999 If we use the digger to get it out, we'll need finer controls. 531 00:32:40,040 --> 00:32:45,159 'We found some opal, it's a spot JC's been digging. 532 00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:48,059 We could definitely use his help, 533 00:32:48,100 --> 00:32:52,239 with more finesse of the controls, to dig without breaking it.' 534 00:32:52,280 --> 00:32:55,359 Check it out, JC! What's this? 535 00:32:55,400 --> 00:32:58,079 Bit of opal. Woo-hoo! 536 00:32:58,120 --> 00:33:00,259 There's some in the wall. I'll dig it. 537 00:33:00,300 --> 00:33:05,299 We need to find a way to get you down there.I still can't walk, 538 00:33:05,340 --> 00:33:07,339 but I'm keen to come down. 539 00:33:07,380 --> 00:33:10,019 The wheelbarrow, we can put you in that. 540 00:33:10,060 --> 00:33:12,039 Yeah, put me in a wheelbarrow. 541 00:33:12,080 --> 00:33:14,979 How's it going, you good? 542 00:33:18,060 --> 00:33:20,059 Woo! Woo! 543 00:33:24,160 --> 00:33:28,119 My leg is really sore right now, but this is unreal. 544 00:33:28,160 --> 00:33:32,159 The boys have chomped into some opal, and I'm about to dig it out, 545 00:33:32,200 --> 00:33:33,439 so my spirits are back up. 546 00:33:33,980 --> 00:33:37,159 You might be down in the dumps, but it just takes colour 547 00:33:37,200 --> 00:33:40,139 to bring you back up, make you feel 100% again. 548 00:33:40,180 --> 00:33:41,959 The power of opal. 549 00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:44,119 We've got good opal in the middle. 550 00:33:44,160 --> 00:33:47,959 If you come to the top and press diagonally there. 551 00:33:48,000 --> 00:33:50,039 I'll go as much as I can. 552 00:33:54,160 --> 00:33:57,279 Oh, here we go! Yeah, good. 553 00:33:57,320 --> 00:33:59,319 Ooh-ooh-ooh! 554 00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:02,159 Look at this, Noz! Good stuff in there? 555 00:34:02,200 --> 00:34:04,199 Yeah, opal - look at that. 556 00:34:04,240 --> 00:34:07,339 Dammit, I can't come over there! What's it look like? 557 00:34:07,380 --> 00:34:10,019 Have a look at this, man. Yeah? 558 00:34:10,060 --> 00:34:13,219 Look at that. Holy crap, dude! 559 00:34:13,260 --> 00:34:15,439 Pretty potchy, but there's colour. 560 00:34:15,980 --> 00:34:21,219 It's got some good colour. That's probably the king of the lot. 561 00:34:21,260 --> 00:34:25,179 Holy ! Got some opal here, boys. 562 00:34:25,220 --> 00:34:27,139 That's some colour, eh? 563 00:34:27,180 --> 00:34:30,199 That's worth getting out of bed for. 564 00:34:30,240 --> 00:34:33,439 Look at that! Thanks for bringing me down, boys. 565 00:34:33,980 --> 00:34:36,239 It's Christmas! Let's go. 566 00:34:36,280 --> 00:34:39,439 Boys, nice work. You good, you right? 567 00:34:39,980 --> 00:34:43,999 Thanks, brother. Let's head back out of the mine. 568 00:34:44,040 --> 00:34:45,339 Woo! 569 00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:51,059 She's looking clean and crispy. 570 00:34:51,100 --> 00:34:54,359 You've definitely got some colour in there. 571 00:34:54,400 --> 00:34:58,039 That's gem-quality greens, blues. 572 00:34:58,080 --> 00:35:01,079 I reckon at least six grand for this handful, 573 00:35:01,120 --> 00:35:04,219 just this, probably another four for what's in there. 574 00:35:04,260 --> 00:35:07,399 I reckon we've got ten grand all up. Ten Gs, you reckon? 575 00:35:07,440 --> 00:35:11,359 That's unreal.This is at the beginning of the digging, 576 00:35:11,400 --> 00:35:13,999 this is the start. Tip of the iceberg. 577 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:16,259 That's a million-dollar mine, I reckon. 578 00:35:16,300 --> 00:35:19,339 Well done, boys! 579 00:35:19,380 --> 00:35:24,979 'The Young Guns' parcel of blue-green crystal opal is in the rough, 580 00:35:25,020 --> 00:35:27,139 weighs 500g, 581 00:35:27,180 --> 00:35:29,379 and has an estimated value 582 00:35:29,420 --> 00:35:31,219 of $10,000.' 583 00:35:31,260 --> 00:35:34,159 A turning point for The Young Guns. 584 00:35:34,200 --> 00:35:37,039 We've spent a lot of time getting to this stage. 585 00:35:37,080 --> 00:35:39,279 Now we're here, we can properly hunt opal. 586 00:35:39,320 --> 00:35:43,119 Now we know it's turning into colour in one spot, 587 00:35:43,160 --> 00:35:46,399 who knows, we could have colour everywhere. 588 00:35:46,440 --> 00:35:51,259 We have all the new machines, we're superyoung, we're superkeen. 589 00:35:51,300 --> 00:35:53,199 We're so happy to give it a crack. 590 00:35:53,240 --> 00:35:56,039 Let's go get a burger. Need a hand? 591 00:35:56,080 --> 00:35:58,039 Come on, mate. Bloody hopeless! 592 00:35:58,080 --> 00:36:00,359 Get your burger. Have the rest of the day off, 593 00:36:00,400 --> 00:36:04,299 and you'll be back on your feet tomorrow, I reckon. 594 00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:11,619 I've started jackhammering those big slabs up. 595 00:36:11,660 --> 00:36:15,499 My main concern is, these slabs could have opal in them. 596 00:36:15,540 --> 00:36:19,479 'With little success this season in the rock-hard ground, 597 00:36:19,520 --> 00:36:22,539 the Tunnel Rats have finally had a breakthrough.' 598 00:36:22,580 --> 00:36:26,779 Massive boulders dropped down. This is the stuff we've broken. 599 00:36:26,820 --> 00:36:31,459 We need to go through these and hopefully find some opal. 600 00:36:31,500 --> 00:36:35,599 Potentially, these big slabs could have a blob in them. 601 00:36:35,640 --> 00:36:36,899 A little skin on it. 602 00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:42,439 It could be a $20,000, $30,000, $40,000 blob, we just don't know. 603 00:36:43,520 --> 00:36:45,659 Just breaking it up as we go. 604 00:36:45,700 --> 00:36:47,759 I've been seeing bits of trace, 605 00:36:47,800 --> 00:36:51,699 thin bits of potch going through the hard rock. 606 00:36:51,740 --> 00:36:54,859 You don't necessarily have to find a massive amount, 607 00:36:54,900 --> 00:36:58,839 if you can consistently find little bits, it all adds up. 608 00:36:58,880 --> 00:37:02,599 I've got a few chunks of potch and a little bit of purple. 609 00:37:02,640 --> 00:37:04,639 Oh, babe, look at that! 610 00:37:04,680 --> 00:37:06,519 Oh, nice! 611 00:37:06,560 --> 00:37:08,859 Look at that, that's worth something. 612 00:37:08,900 --> 00:37:11,539 There! There, there. Where? 613 00:37:11,580 --> 00:37:13,619 Oh, that's nice! 614 00:37:13,660 --> 00:37:16,579 That one's related. Really, really nice. 615 00:37:16,620 --> 00:37:19,819 It's skinny on there but it's bright.That's lovely. 616 00:37:19,860 --> 00:37:21,859 Ooh! Ooh, there. 617 00:37:23,620 --> 00:37:26,479 Where's the rest of that? Look at that green. 618 00:37:26,520 --> 00:37:29,519 See the orange and the green? I see yellow from here. 619 00:37:29,560 --> 00:37:31,599 That's black. That's nice. 620 00:37:31,640 --> 00:37:34,439 That is lovely, huh? 621 00:37:34,480 --> 00:37:38,479 I reckon, let's head off, and let's give these a cut. 622 00:37:38,520 --> 00:37:41,619 Sounds good to me. High five, honey, good job. 623 00:37:44,440 --> 00:37:48,439 Do you think it's going to cut a nice stone?I hope so. 624 00:37:48,480 --> 00:37:50,519 Once we clean up the material, 625 00:37:50,560 --> 00:37:53,479 we've got more of an idea of what we've got 626 00:37:53,520 --> 00:37:55,579 so you can investigate fully. 627 00:37:55,620 --> 00:38:00,819 'Leese has invited her new cutting mentor, Lightning Ridge Opal Queen, 628 00:38:00,860 --> 00:38:03,759 Kelly Tischler, to value their haul.' 629 00:38:03,800 --> 00:38:07,759 Hello! How're you going? G'day. 630 00:38:07,800 --> 00:38:09,639 Can I have a look-see? 631 00:38:09,680 --> 00:38:12,559 Have a jump in here and have a squiz. 632 00:38:12,600 --> 00:38:16,759 These are what we found this morning. I've tidied up the clay. 633 00:38:16,800 --> 00:38:21,619 That green one, I'm going, mm, if it wants to play the game. 634 00:38:21,660 --> 00:38:23,719 That intrigues me, that stone. 635 00:38:23,760 --> 00:38:26,679 I think that, that stone, if it cuts, 636 00:38:26,720 --> 00:38:29,679 you've got 1,000 bucks in it. Beautiful. 637 00:38:29,720 --> 00:38:31,919 And these ones here, look, 638 00:38:32,460 --> 00:38:36,879 you've got $100 in that piece there and that one there. 639 00:38:36,920 --> 00:38:39,639 Let's say, all up, $1,500. Beauty. 640 00:38:39,680 --> 00:38:41,879 BOTH: Got to be happy with that. 641 00:38:41,920 --> 00:38:46,839 'The Tunnel Rats' parcel of lightly rubbed blue-green crystal opal 642 00:38:46,880 --> 00:38:49,559 weighs approximately 200g 643 00:38:49,600 --> 00:38:53,519 and has an estimated value of $1,500. 644 00:38:53,560 --> 00:39:00,559 At a 70% share, this week's total is $1,500.' 645 00:39:00,600 --> 00:39:02,859 That's not a lot, we're aiming for $40,000. 646 00:39:02,900 --> 00:39:06,799 This isn't a lot for the average miner, 647 00:39:06,840 --> 00:39:08,799 not a lot to me either. 648 00:39:08,840 --> 00:39:13,759 But we could be so close to $50,000, close to a million dollars. 649 00:39:13,800 --> 00:39:17,739 You could be just inches off, and you don't know. 650 00:39:17,780 --> 00:39:22,639 We've only got 36-and-a-half grand to go, honey. 651 00:39:22,680 --> 00:39:24,479 We'll get there. 652 00:39:24,520 --> 00:39:28,859 Thank you for everything you do for me, I couldn't do it without you. 653 00:39:28,900 --> 00:39:31,659 Thanks, babe. You're welcome. 654 00:39:33,660 --> 00:39:38,659 Let's find some more opal, baby. Thank you, I love you.Love you too. 655 00:39:50,700 --> 00:39:52,819 Paul's here. 656 00:39:54,780 --> 00:39:56,759 'A buyer for 30 years, 657 00:39:56,800 --> 00:40:01,559 Paul Sedawie has just driven 500km from Lightning Ridge 658 00:40:01,600 --> 00:40:04,659 to take a look at The Opal Whisperers' parcel.' 659 00:40:04,700 --> 00:40:06,739 Show us what you've got. Come in. 660 00:40:06,780 --> 00:40:13,459 'They have Koroit nuts for sale, blue-green and purple in colour. 661 00:40:13,500 --> 00:40:18,919 All of it is in the rough, and it weighs a massive 7kg.' 662 00:40:19,460 --> 00:40:23,679 I thought you'd rubbed it back. It needs a rub to show the colour. 663 00:40:23,720 --> 00:40:27,639 You've got the colour through here on the back there. 664 00:40:27,680 --> 00:40:30,819 It's fresh out of the ground this morning, Paul. 665 00:40:30,860 --> 00:40:33,679 What sort of money have you got on these? 666 00:40:33,720 --> 00:40:39,459 This one here, I figure the full potential of it is, like, $30,000. 667 00:40:39,500 --> 00:40:41,759 The price scares me because it is a gamble. 668 00:40:41,800 --> 00:40:44,639 There may be a nice piece in there - 669 00:40:44,680 --> 00:40:47,919 a few nuts inside and it's nice colour there, 670 00:40:48,460 --> 00:40:49,859 but it's still a gamble. 671 00:40:49,900 --> 00:40:54,439 If you take as is, I would accept $16,000. I was asking $20,000. 672 00:40:54,480 --> 00:40:57,739 Well, my top would be $12,500. Really? 673 00:40:57,780 --> 00:40:59,799 Would you go to $15,000 on that? No. 674 00:40:59,840 --> 00:41:03,559 While you're looking at those and assessing them, 675 00:41:03,600 --> 00:41:05,839 do you mind if I step outside with Sofia? 676 00:41:05,880 --> 00:41:10,679 Go for it, no worries. Just wanted to have a quick chat. 677 00:41:10,720 --> 00:41:13,599 What's your feeling if he says no, 678 00:41:13,640 --> 00:41:16,879 knowing that we do need to meet this budget, 679 00:41:16,920 --> 00:41:21,559 what are you thinking?There's no way I'd take under $15,000 for it. 680 00:41:21,600 --> 00:41:25,559 I know that you've got this. Thanks, mate, cheers. 681 00:41:25,600 --> 00:41:29,639 All right, let's make some money - business face.All right. 682 00:41:29,680 --> 00:41:32,739 What did you think, Paul, of these pieces? 683 00:41:32,780 --> 00:41:34,839 I've just got to pay what I see, 684 00:41:34,880 --> 00:41:39,479 and I can't really see... It's a gamble, it's a risk.It is. 685 00:41:39,520 --> 00:41:42,559 To be honest, I'd be looking at $12,500. 686 00:41:42,600 --> 00:41:44,799 Let's kick off some business, and say yes. 687 00:41:44,840 --> 00:41:47,899 Yes to $12,500 on that one. OK, $12,500, yeah. 688 00:41:51,760 --> 00:41:55,499 Isaac, without really talking to me about it, 689 00:41:55,540 --> 00:42:00,439 went with his gut feeling and said, "OK, I'll take $12,500 for that." 690 00:42:00,480 --> 00:42:02,899 I wasn't cool with that, not at all. 691 00:42:03,440 --> 00:42:07,499 What was our total there, Sofia? We're looking at this large piece, 692 00:42:07,540 --> 00:42:09,859 natural piece, at $12,500. Yeah. 693 00:42:09,900 --> 00:42:15,839 You decided you were happy with a package of $2,700 for those two, 694 00:42:15,880 --> 00:42:19,619 and the package of nuts that we found the other day 695 00:42:19,660 --> 00:42:21,479 are going to be $5,000. 696 00:42:21,520 --> 00:42:22,879 OK, so $20,000. 697 00:42:22,920 --> 00:42:25,739 We'll accept that - round figure. 698 00:42:25,780 --> 00:42:30,619 '70% of the sale will go to claim owner, Rod. 699 00:42:30,660 --> 00:42:34,739 And even though Isaac took less than he agreed to with Sofia, 700 00:42:34,780 --> 00:42:37,539 The Whisperers still get $6,000 701 00:42:37,580 --> 00:42:39,779 towards their season target.' 702 00:42:39,820 --> 00:42:42,479 I'd have said, "We'll take it." 703 00:42:42,520 --> 00:42:44,479 I was trying to get a parcel going, 704 00:42:44,520 --> 00:42:48,639 and even with $12,500, we weren't going to get to our budget. 705 00:42:48,680 --> 00:42:51,599 I made a decision, I went with it, 706 00:42:51,640 --> 00:42:54,659 and we made the money, it had to be done. 707 00:42:54,700 --> 00:42:57,579 Really frustrated, but mostly devastated. 708 00:42:57,620 --> 00:42:59,739 I know it's worth so much more. 709 00:42:59,780 --> 00:43:02,519 We'll be in contact. Thank you very much. 710 00:43:02,560 --> 00:43:05,579 We have a long way to go, that didn't get us to our mark, 711 00:43:05,620 --> 00:43:09,679 but we're learning every day, and every lesson is gold. 712 00:43:09,720 --> 00:43:14,499 That three-and-a-half grand that we've just thrown away there, 713 00:43:14,540 --> 00:43:18,479 now we literally have to go and find that again. 714 00:43:36,900 --> 00:43:38,899 subtitles by Deluxe 714 00:43:39,305 --> 00:44:39,403 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm