Outback Opal Hunters

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,879 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,519 Keep going. Keep going. You are in that soft spot. 3 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:08,879 As the season end approaches in Coober Pedy, 4 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:11,719 the Blacklighters move their entire operation... 5 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:13,399 Yeah! 6 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:15,239 ..calling on favours from the family... 7 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:17,159 XAVIER: No. Oh. I keep missing them. 8 00:00:17,240 --> 00:00:19,319 ..in an urgent push for opal. 9 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:22,919 Straight up!ALL: Whoa! 10 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:27,639 In Lightning Ridge, the Cheals risk destroying an agitator... 11 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:29,919 We're going to bust the top of that cage, mate. 12 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:31,599 ..relocating it to their mine 13 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:35,119 to get opal production back to full capacity. 14 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:38,439 Other than this, I've got no idea what we're going to do. 15 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:40,799 And in nearby black opal country... 16 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:43,799 If we don't find what we need, it's, er, all over. 17 00:00:43,880 --> 00:00:46,639 ..the Tunnel Rats gamble the last of their savings, 18 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:48,999 opening up a new mine. 19 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:52,199 ELISA: There's colour here. Yes! 20 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:56,879 # Money 21 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:02,999 # And fancy clothes # 22 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:10,074 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=- 23 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:14,999 PAUL: Oi, just keep it all there. 24 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:16,959 As you can see, once you pull it out, 25 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:20,479 it's going to drag it. So, this side should be clear. 26 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:22,439 It's that time again. 27 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:24,879 Lot of digging to get this thing out of the way. 28 00:01:24,960 --> 00:01:28,719 It's been a frustrating week of no opal for the Blacklighters, 29 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:31,639 Mark, Paul, and John. 30 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:34,479 They're now making a labour-intensive move 31 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:38,039 to what they hope will be more productive ground. 32 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:41,079 This place is crap, so it's probably better off 33 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:42,919 we're getting out of here. 34 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,879 MARK: We've had to bring in a fourth person. Xavier's come. 35 00:01:45,960 --> 00:01:48,039 He'll give us a hand and get stuck into it. 36 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:50,159 He wants to learn about everything anyway. 37 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:52,039 He'll be into it in the future. 38 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,199 To help with the mammoth task 39 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,639 of moving their 10-tonne processing plant, Opalzilla, 40 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:01,879 they've enlisted Mark's 14-year-old stepson, Xavier. 41 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:04,199 We've pretty much got that whole 42 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:06,999 other side cleared. We've just got to clear out this side. 43 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:09,159 As you can see, the tyres are buried. 44 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,719 There's a little bit showing right here. 45 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:14,319 But other than that, you can't see any of it. 46 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:18,999 You've got to get all this dirt out. Not too easy. 47 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:23,279 MARK: Have a look at this, eh? MAN: Oohhee!Oh, there we go. 48 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:25,399 That's beautiful stuff. 49 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:28,399 For the past three months, the Blacklighters 50 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:32,159 have been working their Bedframe and Dragon's Lair claims. 51 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:34,919 That's a win, mate. That's the excavator.JOHN: Excavator. 52 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:37,239 Just from this week's work, eh? Well done, guys. 53 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:39,839 Earning just enough to achieve their long-held dream 54 00:02:39,920 --> 00:02:42,559 of buying a second-hand excavator. 55 00:02:42,640 --> 00:02:44,719 I will give you the machine for 12,000. 56 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:46,919 Done. Done. Thank you very much. 57 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,479 We're, like, stoked to get an excavator. 58 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:51,799 We can noodle all our lives and do all right. 59 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:54,279 But this'll give us a chance to take the next step. 60 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:56,679 We want to find a real big pocket. 61 00:02:56,760 --> 00:03:00,639 But with scorching heat and the end of the season approaching, 62 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:03,919 the Blacklighters are still well short of their target. 63 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:08,199 And now the opal on two of their four claims has dried up. 64 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:12,079 Dragon's Lair sort of helped us out near the end there, 65 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:13,959 when we, erm, got a few bits and pieces. 66 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:15,639 But that sort of teetered off. 67 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:18,599 We went off to the Bedframe. That was just a dud altogether, 68 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:21,639 so, yeah, I'm glad to be out of there, personally. 69 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:23,759 We're going to move over to Jess's Trench. 70 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:27,079 We've got a bit of dirt there we can reach now we've got the excavator. 71 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:33,279 But standing in their way, 700 metres of treacherous sandy track. 72 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:35,799 Righto, men. I reckon we're ready to rock and roll. 73 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:37,639 Let's see if she moves. Righto. 74 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:40,079 It's just a slight incline at the back here. 75 00:03:40,160 --> 00:03:42,799 So when you move, keep going. 76 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:47,239 Opalzilla weighs ten tonnes, is five-metres-wide, 77 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:50,359 13-metres-long, and top heavy, 78 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:53,039 joining it to Mark's six-tonne loader, 79 00:03:53,120 --> 00:03:56,679 a homemade hitch of bolts and shackles. 80 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:58,759 The pin setup we've got is a bit dodgy, 81 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:00,799 so Paul's going to keep an eye on that 82 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:03,679 and if it starts moving or coming loose, I'm going to stop. 83 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:12,559 Yeah! 84 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:15,719 Whoo!Keep going, keep going. You are in that soft spot. 85 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:21,079 Plenty of room. Righto, hold it there. 86 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:23,639 Yeah, well, it moved, which is a good, good sign. 87 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:27,079 Just the bloody pin on the back of the loader spun around. 88 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:30,679 The bolt in the tow hitch has turned upside down. 89 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:34,759 If it falls out, Opalzilla could roll out of control. 90 00:04:34,840 --> 00:04:36,719 We can't undo the shackles at the moment 91 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:39,159 because there's too much pressure on the pin. 92 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:41,319 So, we're just going to have to run with it. 93 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:43,919 Righto, man, take her away. 94 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:49,999 She's right, mate. Keep... Keep it going. 95 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:54,159 Just keep talking to me. Keep going straight down there now 96 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,559 and she'll ride up right behind you. 97 00:04:56,640 --> 00:04:58,759 There's a lot of dangers moving Opalzilla 98 00:04:58,840 --> 00:05:00,639 cos it's not the stable-ist machine. 99 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:06,599 I've got to watch out that I go wide on the corners 100 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:09,039 and not come off the edges into a little open-cut. 101 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:12,039 Yeah, mate, that's it. Sweet. You are around the corner. 102 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:13,959 Just go to your left a bit. 103 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:16,439 Yeah, keep her straight there. 104 00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:21,319 Righto, you've cleared that mound, mate.All good. 105 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:26,679 Now just got to pretty well be sensible and we should make it. 106 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:30,239 Yeah, you're good. Cleared that pile. 107 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:41,439 Well done, man.Well done, man. That is well done. 108 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:44,999 Yes! Whoo! That's the best move we've ever had. 109 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:46,679 Get it all done in a day. 110 00:05:46,760 --> 00:05:49,359 Next, we're gonna be pumping both machines. We're gonna 111 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:51,399 have the excavator mining and we're gonna 112 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,079 have Opalzilla going flat out. 113 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:55,439 We'll be moving a lot of dirt, that's for sure. 114 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:59,079 Good first day on the job, that. Five for that. Well done, buddy. 115 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:12,639 So, how do you feel? Feel good. 116 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:17,879 Yeah?Yeah, feel good. Things are progressing. 117 00:06:17,960 --> 00:06:22,119 And the best part about it is, er, you know, it's their claim. 118 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:24,879 With only days left in their season, 119 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:27,479 Bayden Pearse and fiancee Elisa Grobe 120 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:31,239 are making a last-minute bid to resurrect their fortunes. 121 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:37,079 So, we're back from Lightning Ridge. We're back at Elisa's now claim. 122 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,879 So, what we're going to do is, erm, put the new tags on. 123 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:42,839 Want to make sure that this is in nice and tight. 124 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:46,679 I've got some little metal tags, which means it's all ours. 125 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:50,719 On the advice of their friend and fellow miner Craig Mann, 126 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:53,599 they've just spent $1,200, 127 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:56,479 most of their remaining cash to register 128 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:59,879 a new claim they're calling Last Ditch. 129 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:03,759 So, this is a back-filled hole, right? 130 00:07:03,840 --> 00:07:06,959 So, the shaft is already here, so they've mined this claim before. 131 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:10,159 I know for a fact that opal come out of this mine. 132 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:12,879 Yeah. Craig just comes out of the blue and says 133 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:16,079 he's found some ground for us to peg for ourselves. 134 00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:18,119 It's going to be our claim. 135 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,719 It'd be our ground. 100% goes straight 136 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:22,719 to us. Yeah, there's no shares involved. 137 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:26,839 So, 180 to your other peg, that's in line.Uh-huh. 138 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:29,319 Go and find the other peg straight over here. 139 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:31,039 I know a little bit about this mine. 140 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:34,479 I know it's a lot softer level, for a start, which is gonna be a big help. 141 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:38,679 Because they're struggling over there on the shallow level which is... We knew was hard. 142 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:43,119 This season, the Tunnel Rats have been working 143 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:46,559 for Craig on percentage, underequipped, with only 144 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:50,039 jack hammers and shovels in a flint-hard mine. 145 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:51,999 It's very hard to keep on going 146 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:54,879 in ground like that. It takes its big toll on the body. 147 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,079 I want a bogger. I want a digger. 148 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,519 You know, I'm jealous of all the other miners that've got 'em. 149 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:05,199 With a digger to break hard rock and a bogger to cart it, 150 00:08:05,280 --> 00:08:09,399 they'd have more chance of finding the opal they need to make a living. 151 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:13,639 Last week, we only found about $400 worth. 152 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:17,639 Between two of us, that's not a lot. That's not enough. 153 00:08:17,720 --> 00:08:21,679 The couple have been battling to survive in the opal industry 154 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:26,159 after authorities closed Bayden's hometown of Mintabie. 155 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:28,919 We could no longer work in Mintabie or live in Mintabie. 156 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:34,679 Elisa sunk her life savings into a mobile home, and together, 157 00:08:34,760 --> 00:08:40,559 they've risked a 2,000km move to Grawin Opal Fields, New South Wales. 158 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:43,519 We're here in Grawin. Yeah, made it.Five. 159 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:48,399 Home of the black opal, the most precious opal in the world. 160 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:51,679 I've put a lot of money in. We need to find this opal 161 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:53,719 to put it back in the bank. 162 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:55,559 But after months of struggle, 163 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:58,639 they have little to show for their efforts. 164 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:00,679 We're just not really finding anything. 165 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:02,599 It's just... You're getting to that stage 166 00:09:02,680 --> 00:09:04,679 where you wonder whether it's all worth it. 167 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:07,679 We're at the end of the season. If we don't find what we need, 168 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:09,559 it's, er, all over. 169 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:11,759 Pop that on. So, this is the last one, honey. 170 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:14,119 Yeah, last tag. Then guess what? 171 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:18,199 It's officially ours.Yeah. Let's make our mark. 172 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:20,719 It's time to try and pick up the pace a little bit. 173 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:23,479 And the best way to do that is in more manageable ground. 174 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:28,199 So, we're just pushing over a couple of, erm, little hills 175 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:30,079 that are on top of our drill holes, 176 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:32,959 and expose the drill hole that needs to be drilled out. 177 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:34,959 Well, there it is. Here you can see 178 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,079 exactly where the hole is, right here. 179 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:39,119 You've got the tin going straight around. 180 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:42,559 Yeah.So, that means X marks the spot. 181 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:48,599 The plan is to use a drill rig to re-open the 15-metre-deep mine 182 00:09:48,680 --> 00:09:50,439 filled in ten years ago. 183 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:53,279 But first, they need some vital equipment 184 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:56,719 from their original mine two kilometres away. 185 00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:59,559 I need to take the ladders from here, so I want to try 186 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:02,639 and take these ladders and take them to the other claim. 187 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:07,359 This mine, we had to essentially abandon, erm, for safety reasons. 188 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:10,479 It completely filled up with water after a decent rain. 189 00:10:13,520 --> 00:10:16,279 So, what I wanna do is, I want to try and get underground 190 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:19,119 and try and undo the pins. 191 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:23,519 Got one pin here.Yeah. So, that pin needs to be undone. 192 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:26,799 Bayden needs to release the ladder 193 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:29,599 from five pins anchoring it to the wall. 194 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:34,799 Whoa.Whoa. I've got one pin out.Yeah. 195 00:10:34,880 --> 00:10:38,079 That's all right. I'm going to have a bit of a challenge 196 00:10:38,160 --> 00:10:41,119 trying to get 'em up because I've never really done it before. 197 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:45,199 Got that pin out. 198 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:50,759 Dammit. 199 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:53,839 I think there's a pin another two feet down in the water there. 200 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:04,639 Now, it comes out, take out. Just do your best. 201 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:08,159 Going to have to take a bit of the floor out, so we can fit underneath it. 202 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:10,839 Just take a little bit every time we come back out. 203 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:13,759 40km west of Lightning Ridge, 204 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:19,359 Chris Cheal and sons Rory and Oscar are pushing into new ground, 205 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:23,399 desperate for opal in the final weeks of their season. 206 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:26,439 We've just done a drive out into solid country. 207 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:30,039 It didn't really produce any money coming through here. 208 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:33,159 Er, the floor was coming up and, erm, 209 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:35,639 the level pinched out a little bit, 210 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:38,279 but, erm, as we get up here, the roof's... 211 00:11:38,360 --> 00:11:40,919 The roof's driving away and I like the look of that. 212 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:45,359 So, it's dropping away fairly sharply and, erm, yeah, 213 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:48,519 we'll have to take a bit of floor each time we come in and get down. 214 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:50,959 And we're just going to follow it down. Hopefully, 215 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:53,159 where it levels out, it might make some opal. 216 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:56,519 Look at that, boys. 217 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:58,879 Just weeks ago, the Cheals found 218 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:04,079 their best single stone to date worth $15,000, 219 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:06,719 money they've poured back into their business, 220 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:10,039 enabling them to double their ability to dig. 221 00:12:10,120 --> 00:12:12,079 All season, we've worked towards 222 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:15,079 the goal of having two fully-operating sets of gear. 223 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:18,279 There's more costs, but you increase your chances of finding opal. 224 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:23,159 But now, a serious breakdown is undoing that hard work. 225 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:28,199 Scott's agi's had a bunch of different problems all season. 226 00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:31,999 To process the extra opal dirt two diggers produce, 227 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:35,679 the Cheals have been using two agitator wash plants, 228 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:39,799 one owned by Chris, the other by mining partner Scott McMillan. 229 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:43,439 I'm not really sure what's going on. 230 00:12:43,520 --> 00:12:45,559 But it's got to be something major. 231 00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:48,839 Scott's agi, we tried to nurse it through, but it gave up the ghost. 232 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:51,239 It just halved our production straightaway. 233 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:54,839 This super digger, it's just sitting here at the moment and we don't have 234 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:57,999 a second agi to actually wash the dirt that it could potentially 235 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:00,279 be digging. So, there's no point 236 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:03,319 wasting diesel, digging loads, if we can't actually process it. 237 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:06,359 It's frustrating when you've got gear there just sitting idle. 238 00:13:06,440 --> 00:13:08,039 It's just a waste. 239 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:13,039 We've finished the truck load. Er, we'll take it to the agi, 240 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:15,959 the one agi we have left back in town. 241 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:21,639 An agi, or agitator wash plant, is a repurposed cement mixer. 242 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:26,239 Mined dirt is loaded via a conveyor, then water is added. 243 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:29,759 The barrel is rotated for up to 24 hours, 244 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:33,119 washing the mud and clay away through vents. 245 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:37,599 Finally, the barrel is reversed and the clean stones pushed out, 246 00:13:37,680 --> 00:13:39,599 ready to be checked for opal. 247 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:45,879 Agis are like the Frankenstein of mining gear. 248 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:49,119 You just take bits and pieces from everywhere and just chuck it in. 249 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:51,199 It's how you've got to do it out here. 250 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:55,039 For months, the Cheals have been working on getting 251 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:59,959 second agi out to their mine site. But with Scott's broken down, 252 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:02,239 the need is now urgent. 253 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:04,999 We've changed the plan. We're going to take Scott's off 254 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,159 and just use this new agi to replace it. 255 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:09,879 I think today we might as well just try and concentrate 256 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:13,759 on this wash plant. We're going to get it out there.Yeah. 257 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:18,159 Their new agi is ready to be transported out to their mine 258 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:21,039 on the back of one of Chris' trucks. 259 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:25,319 To help load it, Chris has called on friend Mark Townrow 260 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:27,079 to supply a mobile crane. 261 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:30,399 How you go, Mark? Yeah, good, good. Yourself? 262 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:33,039 Good, mate, good. So, what's it lift? 263 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:36,079 Well, they reckon around seven tonnes is what it's rated at. 264 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:37,999 So, I mean, should be OK. Yeah, yeah. 265 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:42,439 She might be on her limit. If you're not sure, I would rather just... 266 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:45,399 I will get a bigger crane. I can't afford to drop it. 267 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:48,279 No, no. Well, once it's off the ground, we'll be all right. 268 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:51,799 All right. Well, I've got faith in you. Give it a go. 269 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:57,279 OSCAR: We're not sure how heavy this agi actually is. 270 00:14:57,360 --> 00:14:59,599 We're hoping that it'll be able to lift it. 271 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:01,279 But, you know, we're not sure. 272 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:05,559 Ah, yeah, I'm not overly confident she's got the power 273 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:09,159 to do what we need it to do. You reckon it'll lift it or what? 274 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:11,639 I don't know, mate. She's going to be touch and go. 275 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:13,319 I'm not so sure, eh? 276 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:24,919 She don't like it at all, Chealie. 277 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:27,999 We're going to bust that top of that cage, mate. 278 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:30,999 We're pretty close to just using the winch, I reckon.Righto. 279 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:32,919 Using the crane's winch will add 280 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:37,439 13 tonnes of pulling power to the seven tonnes it can lift. 281 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:39,639 She's, er, got a bit more mettle in it 282 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:42,039 than what we reckoned at the start. 283 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:44,359 The winch should be able to pull it up. 284 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:56,759 Yeah, I'm not real sure about this whole setup. 285 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:08,039 Just keeps, er, ticking away at me what we could get out of 286 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:12,319 Jess's Trench. The opal was so nice. We didn't have an excavator then, 287 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:14,799 so I'm sort of thinking now with an excavator, 288 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:17,399 we could really finish that off properly. 289 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:20,519 In a late season push to try and hit their target, 290 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:22,959 the Blacklighters are combining the forces 291 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,079 of a newly-bought excavator 292 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:28,559 with their processing plant, Opalzilla, targeting ground 293 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:30,759 that's delivered before. 294 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:35,279 What's going on here is, erm, virgin ground ending there, 295 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:38,519 virgin ground ending there, and this is all full of the good dump 296 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:40,799 that we were finding the beautiful material in. 297 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:42,679 We couldn't reach this with the loader. 298 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:45,799 But now with the excavator, we're just going to scoop these out, 299 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:48,679 put them in a pile and put them straight through Opalzilla. 300 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:51,079 So, there should be some good material in there. 301 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:53,879 With a loader, Opalzilla, and now, 302 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:56,799 an excavator all running at the same time, 303 00:16:56,880 --> 00:17:02,079 a massive 50 tonnes of dirt will be pouring into Opalzilla every hour. 304 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,959 The team need an extra pair of eyes. 305 00:17:06,040 --> 00:17:09,279 Mark's stepson Xavier has volunteered. 306 00:17:09,360 --> 00:17:11,359 XAVIER: This is our, like, family business. 307 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:14,439 Mark's dad did it, my mum's grandpa did it, 308 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:18,239 and it's just cool to do something to help out with the family. 309 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:20,839 Someone's gonna have to sit with him for a day or two 310 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:24,079 to watch everything and help him. It's not something you can just go, 311 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:26,959 bang, and leave someone in there. It takes getting taught, 312 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:28,999 otherwise he's just going to miss heaps. 313 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:33,039 We all good to go out there? About to put the first bucket in Opalzilla. 314 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:37,679 Righto, Xav. Time to learn the ropes in here, eh? 315 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:42,079 Yeah.So, what you're doing there, like, moving the rocks around 316 00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:44,959 is, like, pretty much the right way, you know, cos...Yeah. 317 00:17:45,040 --> 00:17:46,919 ..the opals have been hiding for so long 318 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:49,199 and they still like to hide in here. 319 00:17:49,280 --> 00:17:52,159 See, you let it come in and then just flip them over. 320 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:55,639 Yeah, see, you really want that nice green glow. 321 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:59,799 Ultraviolet light excites the water molecules in opal, 322 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:04,679 making it fluoresce, along with some less valuable substances. 323 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:07,359 It's pretty quiet. There's one. No, that's paper. 324 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:10,439 Well, there's paper in there. Could be toilet paper, 325 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:14,479 any sort of paper. Just anything with a bit of white 326 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:17,319 on it just glows so much when it comes through the belt. 327 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:20,279 All sorts come through, snakes, scorpions. 328 00:18:20,360 --> 00:18:22,799 Most of them are dead usually, though. 329 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:25,479 In the first two minutes, I felt a bit motion-sick. 330 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:28,759 But now, I'm feeling fine. 331 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:32,559 Your first piece?Yeah. 332 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:34,959 That's the good thing about being in here, mate. 333 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:36,999 If you didn't see it, it was never there. 334 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:39,359 But if you see it and miss it, yeah, that sucks. 335 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:41,799 Sounds like everything is running nice. 336 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:53,119 Righto, I will come out now. 337 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:56,959 Xavs, man, you're on your own. 338 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:00,919 Paul has gone to move the excavator because it was 339 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:03,959 in Mark's road, so that Mark can get... 340 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:07,999 Oh, oh, oh. No. 341 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:11,519 Don't tell Paul. 342 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:15,159 Over here, Mark's going to get rid of some of these fines here, 343 00:19:15,240 --> 00:19:19,039 so, yeah, hopefully, now Xavier doesn't let anything through. 344 00:19:19,120 --> 00:19:21,959 Yeah. Oh. Keep missing them. 345 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:25,079 It's a bit stressful. 346 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:28,399 Oh, here's Johnnie. 347 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:30,319 I just missed two pieces. 348 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:32,639 It's a bit stressful manning it on your own. 349 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:34,639 Yeah. 350 00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:47,239 We've broke an axle on the drive belt. 351 00:19:56,840 --> 00:19:58,479 If it's underwater, you might 352 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:02,679 be able to just yank the ladder a few times and it'll come free. 353 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:05,999 BAYDEN: Yeah, maybe so, but that's going to be a bit of a challenge. 354 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:10,239 To gain access to a new mine, the Tunnel Rats are trying to 355 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:16,279 retrieve a disused 15-metre ladder half-submerged in stagnant water. 356 00:20:16,360 --> 00:20:18,799 What I am concerned about is, 357 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:21,519 the ladder is secured underwater to the wall. 358 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:24,759 After sitting for five months, the water could be 359 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:27,879 contaminated with dangerous bacteria. 360 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:36,559 Well, it looks like you're swinging now. 361 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:39,319 Yeah, it's come out.Sweet. 362 00:20:41,640 --> 00:20:44,119 What I'm gonna do now, I will connect up the chain 363 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:46,199 and then, erm, I will ratchet up, and then, 364 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:49,199 hopefully, it'll come out, no worries at all. 365 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:52,199 Half the job is done. Hopefully, the next job is a bit easier. 366 00:20:53,640 --> 00:20:58,399 Back at their new claim, and their next job has already arrived. 367 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:00,679 How you going, mate? Good.Long time no see. 368 00:21:00,760 --> 00:21:03,079 About 30 years. About 30 years, Mick, yeah. 369 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:04,919 How are you? Nice to meet you, Mick. 370 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:09,279 Mick Cooke is a well-known Lightning Ridge miner and driller. 371 00:21:09,360 --> 00:21:12,439 I've known Mick Cooke ever since I was a young lad, so around 372 00:21:12,520 --> 00:21:16,759 about five or six years old. So, he was a good mate of my stepdad's. 373 00:21:16,840 --> 00:21:20,559 Bayden, he used to stock my shelves in my concrete factory. 374 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:22,719 Overpaid him. I think it was two bucks a day 375 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:24,399 for a five-year-old. 376 00:21:24,480 --> 00:21:26,999 Now, Mick will be working for Bayden, 377 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:32,719 using his latest toy, a 30-tonne auger drill... 378 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:34,959 It's big.It's huge. 379 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:39,679 ..to re-open two buried shafts into their abandoned mine. 380 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:42,439 We've got to drill through these old collars, 381 00:21:42,520 --> 00:21:45,319 so they'll be all wrapped around the augers. 382 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:47,199 Might have to get them off. 383 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:49,919 That looks like, erm, a 36-inch hole. 384 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:52,919 I'm drilling about a 48-inch hole, 385 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:56,799 so it'll still be a lot of work for the drill to do. 386 00:21:56,880 --> 00:22:01,479 The job will cost $500, the last of the Tunnel Rats' cash. 387 00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:04,679 We need to find opal so badly. We've invested a lot 388 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:07,439 and we've really sort of got to build that back up. 389 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:09,119 Oh, what's it doing? 390 00:22:11,360 --> 00:22:14,119 The ground's that tough, it's hard as a cat's head. 391 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:17,999 Like, a couple of turns, it just destroys tungsten carbide 392 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:22,399 tipped teeth into... ..nothing, it just melts them. 393 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:24,199 It looks like it belongs out here, 394 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:28,999 it's missing as many teeth as most of the miners from Grawin. 395 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:34,999 After Mick's come in, I've sort of felt like I really am here at home in Grawin. 396 00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:40,239 We're looking good. Another 14 feet to go. 397 00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:46,319 Looks like we're just about at our exact depth now, 398 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:48,159 so not long and we might be able 399 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:50,159 to put some ladders down and have a peek. 400 00:22:54,760 --> 00:22:56,839 Righto, let's go and chalk it up. 401 00:22:56,920 --> 00:23:00,199 So what we're doing is plugging up the hole to stop any dirt 402 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:02,959 from going down past the collar and hitting your head. 403 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:04,639 Try and pack him down as you go, 404 00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:07,359 buddy, with a few shovel-fulls. Push it down tight. 405 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:09,879 It'll all pack itself in in the first rain. 406 00:23:09,960 --> 00:23:11,799 You'll be right after that. 407 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:13,599 I bloody hope there's some opal 408 00:23:13,680 --> 00:23:16,759 down this hole, because if there is, we're going to be 409 00:23:16,840 --> 00:23:20,239 able to buy our boggers and diggers and find a lot more opal. 410 00:23:20,320 --> 00:23:23,639 Yeah. I will spot from up here and make sure everything is gonna 411 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:27,719 be all right, nothing falls in and nothing slides around. 412 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:29,639 Okey dokey, who's going first? 413 00:23:29,720 --> 00:23:31,719 I will go first. I'm excited about it. 414 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:33,439 Just watch your step and be careful 415 00:23:33,520 --> 00:23:35,359 cos there will be some loose debris. 416 00:23:35,440 --> 00:23:38,479 Yeah, all good. Righto, mate. Watch your step now. 417 00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:44,319 You all right?Dusty. 418 00:23:56,480 --> 00:23:59,479 OSCAR: Bit of an unorthodox way of doing it.Yeah. 419 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:04,599 I think we're close to success. Not on the tray. 420 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:11,159 She's on. 421 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:15,199 Never seen that done before. 422 00:24:16,880 --> 00:24:20,959 Mark Townrow has pushed his seven-tonne crane to its limit 423 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:25,679 to get the Cheals' urgently-needed agitator wash plant off the ground. 424 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:28,599 We've managed to shimmy the agi 425 00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:32,119 onto the back of Mark's truck, somehow. 426 00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:35,759 The next problem is being able to shimmy the agi into the truck. 427 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:39,639 To safely make the 40km trip to their mine site, 428 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:43,359 it now needs to be carefully swung onto Chris's truck. 429 00:24:44,720 --> 00:24:48,439 CHRIS: The tailgate is welded on, so we've got to slide this machine 430 00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:51,959 on from the side. You're gonna have to get the bulk of the weight on. 431 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:55,879 MARK: Yeah.If you don't hook that, she'll come off. Yeah, she'll be right, mate. 432 00:24:55,960 --> 00:24:58,159 You're over-thinking this, she'll be all right. 433 00:24:58,240 --> 00:25:00,679 We've got everything against us. We've got, you know, 434 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:02,959 not only the weight, but the shape. 435 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:06,679 I think it's over the capacity, to be fair, but this is Lightning Ridge, 436 00:25:06,760 --> 00:25:09,239 nothing's ever within capacity here, I don't think. 437 00:25:09,320 --> 00:25:12,159 Do you want me to try and drag it back with my little crane? 438 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:15,439 I don't know. Whatever you reckon, mate. I'm guessing like you. 439 00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:18,759 This crane is just not quite big enough to do what we want it to do, 440 00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:22,559 so I've got my old crane truck here and, yeah, hopefully, it's just got 441 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:26,079 enough power just to lift it enough and help him slide it back. 442 00:25:26,160 --> 00:25:27,759 Can you wiggle it too? 443 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:32,199 That's it. 444 00:25:32,280 --> 00:25:34,119 Looking pretty good, wasn't it? 445 00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:35,799 OSCAR: Yeah, that's good. 446 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:39,639 How about it, eh? 447 00:25:41,120 --> 00:25:44,399 You fellas from Western Australia are pretty wild. That's all I know. 448 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:48,759 I thought they were loose around Lightning Ridge. 449 00:25:50,160 --> 00:25:53,879 That's how much room we had. So, you know, 450 00:25:53,960 --> 00:25:56,719 the truck was only just big enough to get it on. 451 00:25:56,800 --> 00:25:58,439 Perfect, mate, perfect. 452 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:01,039 Now he's just got to worry about getting it off. 453 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:06,639 We're all fuelled up, I think we're right. 454 00:26:06,720 --> 00:26:09,759 No worries. Righto. RORY: See youse out there. 455 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:16,199 It's a one-hour drive to their remote mine site, 456 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:18,999 but they still need to shift mining partner Scott's 457 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:22,679 broken agitator and replace it with theirs. 458 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:28,639 We were hoping just to be able to lift it straight off and do the swap-over. 459 00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:30,879 But, erm, Mark's crane was on its limit 460 00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:32,559 and I know it's not gonna lift 461 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:35,279 Scott's agi because it's heavier than this one. 462 00:26:35,360 --> 00:26:38,519 Our biggest problem is gonna be, now that we've got it out of here, 463 00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:41,679 is getting it off. And, erm, yeah, I'm not sure 464 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:44,319 who's got a crane out here that can do the job for us. 465 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:47,879 That's going to be the problem. If we can't get it off, then we're stuck. 466 00:26:55,120 --> 00:26:56,879 JOHN: Oh, OK. 467 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:06,839 What the is happening this week, man? sake. 468 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:15,239 I looked and I could just see the belt collapsed on its side. 469 00:27:15,320 --> 00:27:19,519 I knew that it was . PAUL: The whole shaft just snapped. 470 00:27:19,600 --> 00:27:21,799 Yeah, it just snapped straight clean. 471 00:27:23,080 --> 00:27:24,679 Yeah, we've got a big issue now. 472 00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:30,319 Opalzilla's entire production line is fed by the conveyor. 473 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:33,679 With its roller broken, the Blacklighters can't process 474 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:35,359 any dirt to find opal. 475 00:27:36,640 --> 00:27:39,879 I'll turn the jenny off. No point wasting fuel. 476 00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:47,799 It was running the best it ever had, as true as it ever had. And then... 477 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:51,119 ..geez. 478 00:27:54,160 --> 00:27:57,319 You can see the inside there, she's... Where she's snapped. 479 00:27:57,400 --> 00:28:00,199 And the outside's obviously been cracked for a while. So... 480 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:04,199 ..yeah, just finally gave up the ghost. 481 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:06,759 Bit too much pressure on the old girl. 482 00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:09,799 It's not a common issue, the drums for the back of these, 483 00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:12,599 so, yeah, I don't know what's gonna happen from here. 484 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:20,679 To get a timeline on a replacement part, the team need phone service, 485 00:28:20,760 --> 00:28:23,839 a 40km drive back to Coober Pedy. 486 00:28:25,480 --> 00:28:29,679 How you going, mate? Yeah, we've got a shaft we've snapped on, erm, 487 00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:34,319 our hopper. Are any of the engineers working at the moment, or... 488 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:36,479 All right, see you. 489 00:28:38,560 --> 00:28:43,079 The bad news is we can't get a, er, drum built for at least three weeks. 490 00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:49,439 For 14-year-old Xavier, it means his job helping out is over. 491 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:52,559 I feel like I've learnt a few lessons this week. 492 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:56,119 It was a good experience. I want to keep going. 493 00:28:56,200 --> 00:28:59,679 Oh, well, Xavier, you did a good job there, mate. Yeah, yeah, well done, Xav. 494 00:28:59,760 --> 00:29:03,959 Well played, young man. Well played.Well done, mate. Thanks for helping.Yeah, well done. 495 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:09,799 Scorching summer temperatures close to 50 degrees Celsius 496 00:29:09,880 --> 00:29:12,559 will soon shut the Blacklighters down. 497 00:29:12,640 --> 00:29:14,759 Still short of their season target, 498 00:29:14,840 --> 00:29:18,479 they urgently need a new way of finding money. 499 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:21,879 I'd really like to do a bit of night-ripping with the blacklights. 500 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:25,039 Get the excavator out. We've got the excavator there. Yeah. 501 00:29:25,120 --> 00:29:28,879 We'll get stuck into it. Might find a bit of opal with that while we're waiting. 502 00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:32,759 Using the excavator at night with handheld blacklight torches 503 00:29:32,840 --> 00:29:36,479 will make the spotting of any opal much easier. 504 00:29:36,560 --> 00:29:38,999 Everyone in my family, the boys and their families, 505 00:29:39,080 --> 00:29:42,399 they're all relying on us to have a really good finish to the season. 506 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:45,559 We're going to have to pull something out of the hat. 507 00:29:53,960 --> 00:29:57,719 That was a nightmare to get on, brother.Was it?Yeah. 508 00:29:57,800 --> 00:29:59,839 We're in a position now where we've 509 00:29:59,920 --> 00:30:02,359 got the truck tied up with the agitator on it 510 00:30:02,440 --> 00:30:05,159 and everyone I know with a crane is busy. 511 00:30:05,240 --> 00:30:07,599 Er, Scott sent a message to another guy. 512 00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:10,159 We're hoping that he'll get back to us tonight. 513 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:12,159 And if he can't do the job, well... 514 00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:16,479 ..I don't know what we're going to do, really. 515 00:30:16,560 --> 00:30:20,399 The Cheals have made it to their mine site with the new agitator, 516 00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:24,119 but they now need a crane strong enough to lift mining partner 517 00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:27,039 Scott's faulty one and replace it with theirs. 518 00:30:28,400 --> 00:30:30,559 Done all the work getting this agi ready. 519 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:32,599 This one is ready to get taken off 520 00:30:32,680 --> 00:30:35,479 and, you know, we've got no crane to do it. 521 00:30:35,560 --> 00:30:38,319 It's frustrating. You know, we've got all the manpower 522 00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:41,319 and we've got half the production that we probably should have 523 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:44,439 if we could just get a crane. We've just got to run back to town 524 00:30:44,520 --> 00:30:46,839 to keep the production happening. 525 00:30:46,920 --> 00:30:50,919 40km away, at their only functioning agitator, 526 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:54,279 it's time to tail out their single load for the week. 527 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:59,439 We're looking for a pay. And we need it, we need it 528 00:30:59,520 --> 00:31:01,159 sooner rather than later. 529 00:31:03,120 --> 00:31:07,159 Not much chop so far. Barely seen a bit of potch. 530 00:31:07,240 --> 00:31:10,359 Yeah. I've only got little bits and pieces. No money. 531 00:31:10,440 --> 00:31:13,559 Normally, when it comes down the initial chute, you're seeing stuff, 532 00:31:13,640 --> 00:31:16,079 picking stuff out, it gives you a little bit of an 533 00:31:16,160 --> 00:31:18,559 indication of what might be in the rest of it. 534 00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:20,519 And we've seen not much at all. 535 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:23,199 Not really much happening with it, eh?No. 536 00:31:24,760 --> 00:31:26,719 We're going to have to change our tactics, 537 00:31:26,800 --> 00:31:29,359 because this is not paying where we're going. 538 00:31:29,440 --> 00:31:31,039 It's just crippling us, really. 539 00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:35,559 I reckon, boys, that's the worst tailout we've had this year. 540 00:31:35,640 --> 00:31:37,799 Yeah, I reckon. Couple more tailouts 541 00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:40,199 like that, we're broke. That's exactly right. 542 00:31:42,480 --> 00:31:44,639 Won't be the last time we have a bad tailout. 543 00:31:44,720 --> 00:31:46,359 It's just come at a bad time. 544 00:31:55,120 --> 00:31:58,279 BAYDEN: Righto, honey. I'm down. Just watch your step. 545 00:31:59,400 --> 00:32:03,799 In a final play to save a frustrating season in hard ground, 546 00:32:03,880 --> 00:32:06,959 Bayden and Elisa have gambled the last of their cash, 547 00:32:07,040 --> 00:32:10,519 opening up an old mine on their new claim. 548 00:32:10,600 --> 00:32:13,119 ELISA: Craig has told us some history on the claim. 549 00:32:13,200 --> 00:32:16,519 He said there's, definitely, money's been found in there. 550 00:32:16,600 --> 00:32:19,199 Are you all right, hon? Yeah, I'm good. 551 00:32:19,280 --> 00:32:21,959 There's not much air in here. It's very hot. 552 00:32:22,040 --> 00:32:24,879 15 metres deep. Until now, 553 00:32:24,960 --> 00:32:27,799 this mine had been sealed for ten years. 554 00:32:27,880 --> 00:32:31,159 Well, they've done a fair bit of work.Yeah, it's huge. 555 00:32:31,240 --> 00:32:34,199 We'll have a bit of a scratch around and see what we can find. 556 00:32:34,280 --> 00:32:36,319 Yeah, too easy. 557 00:32:39,160 --> 00:32:42,799 Go this way. Watch out for the roots. 558 00:32:42,880 --> 00:32:44,959 The mine's in a really, really, good state. 559 00:32:45,040 --> 00:32:47,279 Wow. We'll go around, have a look. Big one, hey? 560 00:32:47,360 --> 00:32:49,879 And we're gonna try and find some trace of something 561 00:32:49,960 --> 00:32:52,119 that the other miners have left behind. 562 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:54,959 What do you reckon? Well, come and have a look in here. 563 00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:56,839 Looks like someone's gouged there. 564 00:32:59,680 --> 00:33:02,119 Look at that. That's just... 565 00:33:02,200 --> 00:33:05,879 That's just like butter, absolute butter. 566 00:33:05,960 --> 00:33:10,439 This ground, it's so soft. I can't get over how soft this ground is, 567 00:33:10,520 --> 00:33:12,279 how different it is. 568 00:33:14,080 --> 00:33:18,199 There's a bit of potchy blue in the wall. 569 00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:22,319 Bayden!What was that? 570 00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:24,839 Do you want to come have a look over here?Righto. 571 00:33:26,920 --> 00:33:29,239 What have you got? I might've found something. 572 00:33:29,320 --> 00:33:32,599 Look at that piece of potch. That is huge. 573 00:33:32,680 --> 00:33:34,279 Where did that come from? 574 00:33:34,360 --> 00:33:37,559 It was just laying underneath something, so I'm just having a dig. 575 00:33:37,640 --> 00:33:41,839 Potch is colourless and worthless, but it forms under 576 00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:47,039 the same conditions as black opal, the most valuable opal in the world. 577 00:33:47,120 --> 00:33:50,399 Oh, my God. That's colour here. Check that out. 578 00:33:50,480 --> 00:33:55,519 Oh, what? That is absolutely bloody beautiful, babe. 579 00:33:55,600 --> 00:33:59,879 Yes! Another piece there.Yeah, yeah. 580 00:33:59,960 --> 00:34:02,359 Grab that. Oh, where's the rest of it? 581 00:34:03,920 --> 00:34:07,599 I've got more colour.Where? Up. Do you see that?Where? Yeah. 582 00:34:07,680 --> 00:34:10,519 Yeah, yeah, I've got it, there, there, there.Give me a look. 583 00:34:10,600 --> 00:34:14,919 That is absolutely beautiful, honey. That's red on black. 584 00:34:15,000 --> 00:34:17,999 Who would ever would have thought that you would have found opal 585 00:34:18,080 --> 00:34:21,039 as soon as you got down your new claim? Mate, I'm excited. 586 00:34:21,120 --> 00:34:23,519 This could be a digger. This could be a bogger. 587 00:34:23,600 --> 00:34:28,279 This could be something. Made my year, it's made my year. 588 00:34:35,720 --> 00:34:39,519 If we get a good little run at it, we're going to get some material. 589 00:34:39,600 --> 00:34:42,879 MAN: Righto. Night shift it is. Night shift it is, eh? Come on. 590 00:34:42,960 --> 00:34:46,559 With their main source of income, Opalzilla, out of action 591 00:34:46,640 --> 00:34:49,959 for three weeks, the Blacklighters have been forced to trial 592 00:34:50,040 --> 00:34:52,679 a new technique to make money. 593 00:34:52,760 --> 00:34:56,079 We were hoping to actually open this wall up tonight, 594 00:34:56,160 --> 00:34:58,399 use the blacklights and see what's in here. 595 00:34:58,480 --> 00:35:01,199 We've got a fault in the ground here where, naturally, 596 00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:03,479 stuff's been seeping down over it for years. 597 00:35:03,560 --> 00:35:06,679 So, it's a point for the opal, and the silica actually 598 00:35:06,760 --> 00:35:08,479 seeped down, and make a pocket. 599 00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:17,239 All right, it's game on. Game on.Yes. 600 00:35:18,680 --> 00:35:22,239 They're using their new excavator to follow a fault line, 601 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:27,239 while using handheld blacklight torches to spot any opal. 602 00:35:27,320 --> 00:35:30,559 On the side here, there's, erm, like a little seam sort of running. 603 00:35:30,640 --> 00:35:32,919 See, it's sort of showing through there, there, 604 00:35:33,000 --> 00:35:35,839 there's a bit on that rock there. 605 00:35:35,920 --> 00:35:39,199 Yeah, too, too wide. You've gotta scrape back here. 606 00:35:39,280 --> 00:35:42,159 Yeah, that's, that's it. Yeah, just there. 607 00:35:43,320 --> 00:35:47,359 This ground is hard. So we're gonna have to go, like, inch by inch to get through it. 608 00:35:47,440 --> 00:35:49,879 Where did you see the seam over this side, John? 609 00:35:49,960 --> 00:35:54,079 It was about here somewhere. It was like the tiniest little crack going down. 610 00:35:54,160 --> 00:35:56,479 There it is.There we go, there it is.Right there. 611 00:35:56,560 --> 00:35:59,599 All right, turn the lights off so we can get at him. 612 00:35:59,680 --> 00:36:03,399 The further back we got, it just ended up being like concrete. 613 00:36:03,480 --> 00:36:06,759 I get nervous about the boys hanging around right next to the bucket. 614 00:36:06,840 --> 00:36:11,359 If that dirt cracked and gave way, the bucket's coming straight down on their heads. 615 00:36:11,440 --> 00:36:15,799 Straight up.ALL: Oh! 616 00:36:19,120 --> 00:36:23,519 Here I go. Look at that piece, eh? Oh, it's got colour. 617 00:36:23,600 --> 00:36:26,599 Like, that's a decent piece. 618 00:36:26,680 --> 00:36:29,479 Can't wait to see that after it's been through the tumbler. 619 00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:35,159 They've found valuable Coober Pedy crystal. It's in the rough 620 00:36:35,240 --> 00:36:37,839 and there's approximately 200 grams, 621 00:36:37,920 --> 00:36:41,319 giving it an estimated value of $2,000. 622 00:36:44,320 --> 00:36:46,039 Well, that wasn't too bad of a night. 623 00:36:46,120 --> 00:36:49,679 No, that was a good night. Went good, eh? That works well Let's shut her down. 624 00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:51,359 Yeah, shut her down, man. 625 00:36:51,440 --> 00:36:55,319 Tonight turned out really well for us. The excavator did well, 626 00:36:55,400 --> 00:36:59,639 we can see the opal well. The team have been awesome. 627 00:36:59,720 --> 00:37:02,999 Every curveball that's been thrown at us, we've worked it out. 628 00:37:03,080 --> 00:37:05,279 I think we're on a winner here. We'll be back, 629 00:37:05,360 --> 00:37:07,919 and give it another go. 630 00:37:13,520 --> 00:37:16,839 Yeah, that's awesome. That'll do the job, no worries at all. 631 00:37:16,920 --> 00:37:21,199 I got a phone call late last night. We finally tracked a crane down, 632 00:37:21,280 --> 00:37:24,439 so the only day he could do it was today, which was good, suited us. 633 00:37:25,960 --> 00:37:30,799 The Cheals' fortunes are looking up. After a broken-down agitator 634 00:37:30,880 --> 00:37:33,239 crippled their opal-washing capacity, 635 00:37:33,320 --> 00:37:36,719 their replacement agi is about to be unloaded. 636 00:37:36,800 --> 00:37:40,399 Thanks so much, mate, for coming out at short notice.Anytime. 637 00:37:41,880 --> 00:37:45,599 Dennis Hardy's truck crane can lift up to 20 tonnes. 638 00:37:47,360 --> 00:37:49,599 I think we're right, Dennis. Righto. 639 00:37:51,560 --> 00:37:53,159 I want to pick Scott's agi up. 640 00:37:53,240 --> 00:37:55,199 It needs to go back to town for repairs. 641 00:37:55,280 --> 00:37:56,879 We'll move it out of the way. 642 00:37:58,160 --> 00:38:01,719 We'll back the Volvo in, hook up, and hopefully, get it in place. 643 00:38:01,800 --> 00:38:03,719 Oscar, where's your hard hat? 644 00:38:03,800 --> 00:38:06,599 I'll get Oscar to hold the line, I'll drive the truck out. 645 00:38:08,000 --> 00:38:10,879 It's going good. Just lifted the agi off the back of the truck. 646 00:38:12,520 --> 00:38:15,519 I just want to line up that pipe with the back of the barrel. 647 00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:18,519 Oh, yeah, it's good. Just hold it there, Dennis. 648 00:38:21,000 --> 00:38:24,039 Went really well. We've just got to get this other one on now. 649 00:38:27,480 --> 00:38:29,959 Oscar, guide Dennis in on the front. 650 00:38:30,040 --> 00:38:32,759 It's going to be a tight fit, like the other one. 651 00:38:34,640 --> 00:38:37,759 Yeah, good to come down there. Down there, Dennis. 652 00:38:40,960 --> 00:38:42,559 That's perfect.Yeah. 653 00:38:43,840 --> 00:38:48,719 Yeah, we've got to get it up and running and then we've gotta find a bit of opal to help pay for it all. 654 00:38:53,440 --> 00:38:56,159 Only thing to worry about is the starter motor. 655 00:38:56,240 --> 00:38:59,839 We've still got to put the starter motor on it. We don't know if it's gonna go. 656 00:38:59,920 --> 00:39:04,039 Little bit worrying, but Dad's always made it work. We call him the Wizard for a reason. 657 00:39:04,120 --> 00:39:07,679 The electric starter motor cranks the bigger combustion engine 658 00:39:07,760 --> 00:39:09,599 rotating the agitator. 659 00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:12,399 We realised the starter motor was no good. 660 00:39:12,480 --> 00:39:15,199 So we've had to track down a second-hand one, 661 00:39:15,280 --> 00:39:19,279 so I don't know whether it's going to actually turn the motor over. 662 00:39:19,360 --> 00:39:22,399 This is the only chance we've got. Other than this, 663 00:39:22,480 --> 00:39:25,479 I've got no idea what we're going to do. 664 00:39:25,560 --> 00:39:28,039 We're gonna fire it up and see how it goes. 665 00:39:29,720 --> 00:39:31,319 Moment of truth, eh? 666 00:39:35,880 --> 00:39:40,159 Doesn't sound good.No. 667 00:39:47,040 --> 00:39:52,559 Yes! Well done, boys. 668 00:39:54,120 --> 00:39:56,839 Righto, we'll get it spinning, eh? 669 00:40:00,760 --> 00:40:02,919 Well done, boys.Woohoo! 670 00:40:04,440 --> 00:40:07,559 Even though we didn't get the opal this week, we got this agi going, 671 00:40:07,640 --> 00:40:09,999 which was a goal we've had all season. And we're 672 00:40:10,080 --> 00:40:12,519 absolutely stoked that we actually achieved that. 673 00:40:12,600 --> 00:40:16,519 My main goal for this season was to get all the gear set up for Dad. 674 00:40:16,600 --> 00:40:20,079 So I feel like we've accomplished that and now's the time 675 00:40:20,160 --> 00:40:22,759 to focus on the money. 676 00:40:22,840 --> 00:40:25,719 We didn't get opal, but we kind of got a victory anyway. 677 00:40:36,200 --> 00:40:39,199 Was there a strategy to them backfilling those holes? 678 00:40:39,280 --> 00:40:43,519 I reckon there was. To stop anyone else to want to peg it. 679 00:40:43,600 --> 00:40:48,319 For the first time since relocating 2,000km from Mintabie, 680 00:40:48,400 --> 00:40:52,119 Bayden and Elisa have found coveted black opal. 681 00:40:52,200 --> 00:40:54,839 If we've just managed to find that, 682 00:40:54,920 --> 00:40:58,159 what else is down here? Like, this could be something 683 00:40:58,240 --> 00:41:01,239 really big for us. This could be our future in this claim. 684 00:41:01,320 --> 00:41:06,239 With the last of their cash spent, they need to sell it quickly. 685 00:41:06,320 --> 00:41:09,479 Craig's got a buyer lined up. He's going to introduce us to him. 686 00:41:12,200 --> 00:41:16,199 There we go.Hello.Hi, Craig. How are ya?Good, mate. 687 00:41:16,280 --> 00:41:18,839 DAN: Hi. Dan.This is my friend, Dan.Good day to you. 688 00:41:18,920 --> 00:41:21,799 Dan Hopkins has been a professional buyer 689 00:41:21,880 --> 00:41:23,639 all of his working life. 690 00:41:23,720 --> 00:41:29,079 Second generation opal buyer, mainly in the USA, but I live here. 691 00:41:29,160 --> 00:41:32,439 So, I brought a little bit of opal along with me, I hope you like it. 692 00:41:32,520 --> 00:41:36,239 I've never seen anything so pretty in my life. 693 00:41:36,320 --> 00:41:40,839 Straightaway I can see orange and red, that's a good thing. 694 00:41:40,920 --> 00:41:44,879 It's very, very different when it comes to Mintabie opal and Lightning Ridge. 695 00:41:44,960 --> 00:41:47,639 Having Craig on my side, I'll actually feel a lot better. 696 00:41:47,720 --> 00:41:51,039 Yeah, a bit grey, that one... Yeah...but it's still nice colour. 697 00:41:52,400 --> 00:41:56,879 The Tunnel Rats have highly-prized Grawin black seam opal, 698 00:41:56,960 --> 00:41:59,799 displaying a full array of colours. 699 00:41:59,880 --> 00:42:03,839 It's in the rough, and it weighs 100 grams. 700 00:42:06,240 --> 00:42:07,839 I don't even know where to start. 701 00:42:07,920 --> 00:42:10,759 I think it's gotta be at least ten grand. 702 00:42:10,840 --> 00:42:12,719 So, what do you reckon, Dan? 703 00:42:12,800 --> 00:42:16,519 DAN: I'm looking at that one. Could be... Could be three. 704 00:42:18,000 --> 00:42:20,479 That one's probably three, and that, six. 705 00:42:20,560 --> 00:42:22,799 And then this one, I don't want to be anywhere 706 00:42:22,880 --> 00:42:25,199 more than five on that, cos you have these little 707 00:42:25,280 --> 00:42:28,399 sand spots on top, and sometimes they penetrate a bit. 708 00:42:28,480 --> 00:42:33,279 If sand spots are in the colour bar, its value will plummet. 709 00:42:33,360 --> 00:42:36,599 But that can only be revealed after cutting the stones, 710 00:42:36,680 --> 00:42:39,119 making it a massive gamble for the buyer. 711 00:42:40,720 --> 00:42:44,799 Would you do 19 grand? No, no, no. 712 00:42:44,880 --> 00:42:47,079 What's your best offer today? 713 00:42:47,160 --> 00:42:50,879 Come on, best offer. I've been fairly, er, 714 00:42:50,960 --> 00:42:54,199 fairly generous with what I'm pricing these at.OK. 715 00:42:55,600 --> 00:42:58,559 I'd go another thousand, I'll give you 18. 716 00:42:58,640 --> 00:43:02,479 We'll take it, mate. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. 717 00:43:02,560 --> 00:43:04,919 Everybody happy?Yeah. Yeah, I'm happy. Thank you. 718 00:43:05,000 --> 00:43:06,679 Awesome.All right. 719 00:43:06,760 --> 00:43:09,199 Our season total was looking pretty dismal. 720 00:43:09,280 --> 00:43:11,399 But having an 18 grand boost, I mean, 721 00:43:11,480 --> 00:43:14,039 that's popped us up just over $20,000. 722 00:43:14,120 --> 00:43:17,239 This really gets us going. This is good for the business. 723 00:43:17,320 --> 00:43:20,439 We left Mintabie with nothing, came here with nothing, 724 00:43:20,520 --> 00:43:23,679 and we've found enough to give us a real kick start. 725 00:43:23,760 --> 00:43:26,479 I think we're, er, we're here to stay. 726 00:43:48,040 --> 00:43:54,359 # Money, money # 727 00:43:54,440 --> 00:43:56,159 Subtitles by Deluxe 727 00:43:57,305 --> 00:44:57,768