"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode #6.10

1 00:00:02,440 --> 00:00:04,959 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... (DOG BARKING) 2 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,399 ..with the end of the season bearing down... 3 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:09,119 BISHOP: Why aren't I finding opal? 4 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:11,479 ..the Bishop takes a leap of faith... 5 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:17,519 ..buying the rights to a vast underground mine. 6 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:19,799 I'm in a tunnel I haven't been in before, 7 00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:21,759 so I'm not exactly sure where I am. 8 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:25,319 Scotty! 9 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:28,359 Scott! 10 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:30,719 In the second last week of their season, 11 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:32,399 the Bushmen need opal 12 00:00:32,480 --> 00:00:35,199 to secure a future contract with their partners. 13 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,599 ROD: It weighs on your mind a fair bit. 14 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:40,279 LES: Whoa, whoa! 15 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:42,199 But a disturbing discovery... 16 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:45,959 That's a 14-inch hole. There's a mine underneath us, Les. 17 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:47,839 ..stops them dead in their tracks. 18 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:50,719 A real possibility that we can fall through. 19 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:54,239 Holy snapping (BLEEP). 20 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:56,079 And in remote Queensland... 21 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:57,759 COL: Look at this green.Yeah. 22 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:00,399 ..the Geran Gang close in on the cash they need 23 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:02,279 to relocate their operation... 24 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:04,199 Luck of the Irish. 25 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:06,359 ..until chilling news... 26 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:08,439 What? Oh, no! 27 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:11,839 ..turns their lives upside down. 28 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:14,519 He must be alive, but if they've flown him to Townsville, 29 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:16,199 he must be busted up. 30 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:22,399 # Money 31 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:27,919 # And fancy clothes # 32 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:35,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 33 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:38,479 (HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING) 34 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:49,199 (GREG SPEAKING) 35 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:53,359 Opal hunting partners, Greg Geran, 36 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:57,079 and pilot, Stoney Cain, have a big dream... 37 00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:59,879 Here we are. It's been a while, Greggie. 38 00:01:59,960 --> 00:02:01,559 Has been a few years. 39 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:03,999 ..to mine an entire mountain. 40 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:07,399 (STONEY SPEAKING) 41 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:09,239 Yeah.The big wet.Yep. 42 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:12,879 (SPEAKING)We're definitely gonna need that.Yeah. 43 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:19,559 Sixteen years ago, they found a bonanza 44 00:02:19,640 --> 00:02:21,959 of boulder opal at Gypsy Hill, 45 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:24,719 outside Middleton, Central West Queensland. 46 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:28,919 That sort of material was probably worth a million bucks back then. 47 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:32,559 Easy. 48 00:02:32,640 --> 00:02:36,279 Bloody hell. There's some rock there to move, mate, ay.There is. 49 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:41,039 But dangerous caprock overhanging the dig site 50 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:44,039 forced them to suspend mining. 51 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:47,079 What we got to do, we got to move this cap. 52 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:51,399 We've got to blast it, move it. We got to take this sandstone down, 53 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:53,359 and the level's that way down in here. 54 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:58,719 Yeah, it is a big job here, but I think it's gonna be worth doing. 55 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:00,799 We both believe opal's just in here. 56 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:05,039 Ah, bit of colour here. 57 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:07,999 Yeah.That's all come off the hill.Yeah. 58 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:11,839 That's bloody nice opal here, mate, ay.Yeah. It is nice when it makes. 59 00:03:11,920 --> 00:03:14,359 It's all a process and it all costs money 60 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:16,999 so we definitely need more money for blasting. 61 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:19,999 We thought it was going to be about 40K to go to Middleton, 62 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:22,679 but after we've had a second look at it, 63 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:25,599 I reckon we need about 45 to get there. 64 00:03:27,920 --> 00:03:33,399 200km away, at their Plan B dig site in Opalton... 65 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:36,719 Got a live rock here, Col. COL: Yeah, that's better. 66 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:40,599 ..Stoney, Greg, his sister, Margie, and Col Duff 67 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:42,959 have been racing to extract enough opal 68 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,439 to pay for the move back to Middleton. 69 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:48,879 Nice, ay.Ay. Crikey. That's a little bloody dancer. 70 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:50,599 It's a dancer. It's worth a dance. 71 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:57,799 In four days' time, the exploration lease 72 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:00,279 they're working expires. 73 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,279 And now the opal level that was delivering 74 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:04,959 has petered out. 75 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:09,319 So pretty well, it's gone dead, but all this ground is falling... 76 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:12,479 ..and as we came over this side, 77 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:15,559 we could see a bit of a change so there's a low point here. 78 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:19,239 Er, we've still got some traces so we've got to try again. 79 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:21,479 Hopefully, it's still running. 80 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:25,119 Little ironstone pancakes are the host for the opal. 81 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:28,159 You can see that, er, pancake there. There's a big, er, 82 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:31,679 oh, it's staining and mud, a little bit of potch. 83 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:36,599 So the rocks are there, we just got to see if they get better or not. 84 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:42,439 Empty rocks and no sign of colour. 85 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:44,359 We've had a couple of hard weeks. 86 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:48,719 The dream of reopening the Middleton mine 87 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:51,759 is looking further away than ever. 88 00:04:51,840 --> 00:04:55,719 They need, you know, good money to, erm, afford the fuel 89 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,639 and the explosives and get the job done. 90 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:00,439 We've got to keep digging. 91 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:13,079 (DOG BARKING) 92 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:19,719 So this is the trace we're looking for 93 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:21,639 when we're looking for a new claim. 94 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:24,439 So you've got somewhere to start working straight away. 95 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:27,719 But the first thing I got to do is see if there's any colour in this 96 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,159 and also see if it gets thicker behind. 97 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:34,879 Ten metres below the pock-marked fields 98 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:39,559 of Coober Pedy, Greg Scully, aka the Bishop, 99 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:44,039 is searching for new hope in the dying days of his season. 100 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:49,159 Yeah, so there's no colour here. This is potch. 101 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:53,199 It is classified as opal, but no colour. It's worthless. 102 00:05:54,840 --> 00:05:57,439 With his only claim not producing, 103 00:05:57,520 --> 00:06:01,039 Greg is hunting for opal missed in abandoned claims 104 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:04,079 which he could then repeg in his own name. 105 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:07,919 So we've run out of luck at 8 Mile. 106 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:11,959 We haven't found any more opal there and time's ticking on. 107 00:06:13,280 --> 00:06:15,159 So I've been searching the field, 108 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:18,319 driving around on various fields looking for a claim 109 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:20,359 and looking for one where we could move. 110 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:26,879 A Bishop from the Christian Orthodox church, 111 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:31,599 Greg's vision is to find enough opal to purchase a derelict dwelling 112 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:37,079 and convert it into a safe haven for Coober Pedy's most in need. 113 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,399 So the goal this season was to find opal 114 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:43,359 to get a deposit for the property for the mission centre. 115 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:46,239 We haven't achieved that goal. 116 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:48,639 Why aren't I finding opal? 117 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:51,599 Patience. Often, it's just an issue of patience. 118 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,839 I've been seeking a bit of wisdom and, er, 119 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:04,639 knowledge on which direction to go here. 120 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:12,439 Often, I'll just go to the church and contemplate and pray 121 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:16,079 and attempt to, er, seek the mind of God on the matter. 122 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:21,319 (SOFTLY) Lord Master, Almighty God, do keep us in peace explicitly. 123 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:29,759 Lord Master, Almighty God, the Father, Jesus Christ, we thank you. 124 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:38,479 You know, God just doesn't throw opal at you 125 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:40,319 like it's gifts from heaven. 126 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:41,999 You have to do your effort 127 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:44,839 and so it could be that I haven't done enough effort yet. 128 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:48,239 I haven't looked at enough claims, I haven't gained enough experience, 129 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:50,919 so I think it's right that we go out looking, er, 130 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,999 wider a field and find a mine, another mine. 131 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:57,519 Perhaps if we do that, we'll get onto opal. 132 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:01,239 Only the Good Lord knows. We can only try. 133 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:05,679 For the Bishop and partner, Scott Stevens, 134 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:09,519 their mining experience has been in open pits. 135 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:11,759 With little time spent underground, 136 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:14,879 they're calling on local miner of 30 years... 137 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:16,559 Hey, Robin...Robin Moore. 138 00:08:18,120 --> 00:08:21,359 Had a chat to him and asked him to show us 139 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:25,799 if he knew of any, er, good spots to relocate to. 140 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,799 ROBIN: So if you want to pull up here, 141 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:37,879 and I'll take you down and show you around. 142 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:47,279 Oh, there's been a few tunnel machines down here then. 143 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:49,959 It's a good-looking claim. It's a good tunnel. 144 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:51,639 Good underground drives. 145 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:54,439 You've got a nice big pillar here. On the right-hand side, 146 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:58,119 you're going into virgin ground so it should be OK. 147 00:08:58,200 --> 00:08:59,799 There's miles of tunnels here. 148 00:08:59,880 --> 00:09:04,239 Yep.Just stay on the drive and you shouldn't have a problem. 149 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:09,479 Now largely abandoned, Six Mile Opal Field 150 00:09:09,560 --> 00:09:12,719 has been mined heavily for over 50 years. 151 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:17,879 Beneath the surface lies a labyrinth of interconnected claims and tunnels 152 00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:20,159 stretching for kilometres. 153 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:22,519 All right, you can do the whacking. 154 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:24,279 Just watch your fingers. SCOTT: Yep. 155 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:31,119 The new claim joins to the vast tunnel network, 156 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:35,759 but Greg's lease entitles him to work just 50 square metres of it. 157 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:38,239 You've got to have your permit to be on the field, 158 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:41,159 and to mine a claim, you've got to register your claim. 159 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:43,359 You've got to peg it and then go register it 160 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:45,079 and then you're right to work it. 161 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:54,319 There's a lot of dangers when you go underground. 162 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:57,879 You got to watch out for any type of falling rocks. 163 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:01,759 There's been a number of opal miners that lose their lives underground 164 00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:03,959 when the ceiling has come down. 165 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:07,399 If you're using a jack pick, you send vibrations through the rock. 166 00:10:07,480 --> 00:10:09,399 Remember to stay to the right, Scotty. 167 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,119 All these things, you have to watch out for 168 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:14,679 when you're underground in a new mine. 169 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:17,839 We've got to go find that electrical cord.Absolutely. 170 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:20,999 First job, find the cable they dropped down 171 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:24,039 a ventilation shaft to power their jackhammers. 172 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:32,359 Are we at the bottom, are we? 173 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:34,399 I thought there was a chamber at the back. 174 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:36,079 There is around the corner there. 175 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:38,679 I'm already disorientated. Can you believe that? 176 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:41,199 Not going to take much for you to get lost, does it? 177 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:43,319 No, well, it's...(LAUGHS) 178 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,879 Heaps of tunnels down here. First thing, check above. 179 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:50,879 Make sure the ceiling's not gonna come down on me while I'm here. 180 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:57,959 LES: Hey, Rod. She chewed all the belts off when I started her. 181 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:03,759 ROD: Oh, Jesus Christ. There's no saving any of them, Les. 182 00:11:03,840 --> 00:11:05,719 No.Ah, what a mess! 183 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:12,359 They've (BLEEP) what, been on there for about seven hours? 184 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:14,479 That's unbelievable.Yeah. 185 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:19,239 We're (BLEEP), Les, because I ain't got no more belts, mate. (SIGHS) 186 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:21,919 (BLEEP) hell. 187 00:11:24,560 --> 00:11:27,879 It's a desperate final two weeks of the mining season 188 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:30,999 for Bushmen, Rod Manning and Les Walsh. 189 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:34,639 I mean, it looks good, but there's no opal, no colour. 190 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:37,839 Their Ploughboys claim, 191 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:40,359 which they're working for a 50% share 192 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:43,279 with partners, Martin and Owen Hutchison, 193 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:45,719 is running dry. 194 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:47,599 Geez, we've done some work down here. 195 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:52,959 And now, one of their last hopes for opal, 196 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:55,079 a rare stretch of virgin ground 197 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:58,959 running along a fault line, has also come up empty. 198 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:03,559 Fifteen metres of digging for that. 199 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:09,199 We dug another probably 15, 20 metres, and not a cent. 200 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:15,439 Disappointing results in a season and a mine, approaching their end. 201 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:19,999 For the Bushmen, the future is far from certain. 202 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:22,879 If we don't find some decent colour soon at Ploughboys, 203 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:24,559 you just don't know. 204 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:27,079 Martin and Owen, they just might move on without us. 205 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,679 That sort of weighs on your mind a fair bit. 206 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:35,719 Lot of those faults tend to get bigger 207 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:38,799 as they run down into the floor, don't they?They do. 208 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:43,919 I'm a little bit concerned about the roof, mate. 209 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:47,439 Oh, yeah, cos that one there could open up pretty well. 210 00:12:47,520 --> 00:12:51,199 And you got that other one that goes across there.Yeah. 211 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:55,719 Bit concerned about that now. So, we just gotta be extremely... 212 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:58,839 ..yeah, cautious of this roof. 213 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:01,999 The fault's this thing here. 214 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:03,959 I can see it run through the roof. 215 00:13:04,040 --> 00:13:06,999 You've got the fault coming down at an angle like that, 216 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:10,559 all this section here, just the wedge part 217 00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:12,239 falls out of your roof. 218 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:14,919 I'd really hurry in this sort of ground here. 219 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:17,439 I think we're still 80% safe, don't you, Les? 220 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:20,239 We'll just have to keep a good, close eye and see 221 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:23,599 it's not opening up. I know it doesn't give you any warning. 222 00:13:23,680 --> 00:13:25,519 Can just fall out and get ya. 223 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:30,639 Only bit of good luck we've had 224 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:32,799 is the old fella's back and he's going good. 225 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:37,559 I've been a bit crook. I thought I had Ross River fever. 226 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:40,919 I've had a few blood tests and nothing's come up in them. 227 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:45,039 Just can't sit around and do nothing. Got to be doing something. 228 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:48,999 If I sit around doing nothing, I'll die and I don't wanna do that. 229 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:50,679 The latest setback... 230 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:53,439 No, it's not real good. You gotta do something about it. 231 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:55,799 There's got to be a reason why it's chewing belts. 232 00:13:55,880 --> 00:14:00,719 ..the 220 horsepower diesel blower has eaten its fan belts. 233 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:04,639 With no spares, waste dirt can't be cleared from underground 234 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:08,799 and will eventually pile up and prevent the Bushmen from mining. 235 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:11,319 Once you've got a big pile of dirt around your digger, 236 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:13,479 you can't move the digger and that's it. 237 00:14:13,560 --> 00:14:16,639 So where did you reckon, Les? 238 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:20,119 From that step back in there, just this way a bit. 239 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,759 There's plenty of potch. Right the way through. 240 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:24,439 Yeah.Right up into the top here. 241 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:27,279 They're hoping a change in digging position... 242 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:29,319 Right in there. I reckon in there somewhere. 243 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:30,999 ..will bring a change in luck 244 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:34,399 before the waste dirt shuts them down. 245 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:37,319 That it?Yeah.In there. 246 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:43,039 Hang on. Oh! Oh! Just a minute. 247 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:47,599 That's a 14-inch hole. 248 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:50,239 What do you mean a hole? We've got draft coming up it. 249 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:54,559 How can we have draft coming up it? Well, you put your hand in there. 250 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:56,519 It's (BLEEP) draft coming up there, Les. 251 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:58,919 I told you there's draft coming up in there, lad. 252 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:04,479 There's a mine underneath us, Les, and it ain't that far down. 253 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,119 Geez, that's a bit dodgy, Les, in this sort of ground. 254 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:09,119 It is, depending how much floor we've got 255 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,759 between the roof down there and and the floor here. 256 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:15,679 There is always a a real possibility that we can fall through. 257 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:18,519 We're gonna have to go and have a look. 258 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:20,319 Yeah, I reckon it'd be a good idea. 259 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:37,759 GREG: Plenty of rocks. 260 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:40,559 We're still making trace so we'll see what happens. 261 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:43,239 The Geran Gang have less than three days 262 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:46,959 before the lease on their Plan B claim expires. 263 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:51,079 They still need $10,000 to make the move to Middleton 264 00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:53,959 where a potential fortune lies. 265 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:56,759 Well, Middleton's going to be a big job, we knew that, 266 00:15:56,840 --> 00:15:58,679 and the boys have had a look at it now. 267 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:03,359 Done a fair bit of work and opened up the back wall. 268 00:16:03,440 --> 00:16:06,279 We've got a little live strip that we've picked up on again. 269 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:10,359 STONEY: Little bit of colour every now and again, 270 00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:12,319 just enough to say, "Don't go away yet. 271 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,079 Keep digging. We want to torture you a bit more." 272 00:16:15,160 --> 00:16:17,319 I reckon I've had enough. 273 00:16:17,400 --> 00:16:21,919 With time running out, they need all hands to find opal. 274 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:25,119 But pilot, Stoney, has another job to go to. 275 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:31,239 A guaranteed income for his young family, aerial mustering. 276 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:35,679 I've been mustering for 19, 20 years or something like that, yeah. 277 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:44,279 It only takes a split second for things to go terribly wrong. 278 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:48,159 You don't get much of a family life, ay. 279 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:51,279 Ah. Another day in the office. 280 00:16:57,040 --> 00:16:59,799 With only two full days left, 281 00:16:59,880 --> 00:17:04,159 it's up to the rest of the team to find the $10,000 they need. 282 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:06,319 GREG: It hasn't been giving us what we want, 283 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:09,319 but we still got trace, so who knows? 284 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:12,999 Without it, Middleton remains just a pipe dream. 285 00:17:14,880 --> 00:17:18,839 If we give up now, just cos it's not, er, flashing at us, 286 00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:20,519 we'll never find it. 287 00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:23,239 Have a look at this one. 288 00:17:24,360 --> 00:17:26,639 Cool. 289 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:28,639 Oh, nice and bright. Nice, bright. 290 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:30,319 Yeah, blue, green.Yeah. 291 00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:34,119 I've got some here, Greg. Got some colour. 292 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:36,439 Yeah. It's a nice green. Yeah.You beauty. 293 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:40,759 Yeah that's the business, Col. Oh, great. 294 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:43,559 Oh, look, it's green.Yeah. 295 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:46,839 Oh, we'll just keep checking.Yep. Could be alive all along here. 296 00:17:46,920 --> 00:17:49,239 Could be. She's coming alive. 297 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:53,479 Luck of the Irish, Col. Luck of the Irish. 298 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:57,279 Lucky Irish. (HUMMING) 299 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:03,119 No, sorry. I've never been a dancer. I'm more of a romancer. 300 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:06,439 Got some green. 301 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:17,279 BISHOP: You lead the way so I can see the, er... 302 00:18:17,360 --> 00:18:20,199 SCOTT: Yeah...the rocks. Otherwise I'll just take a tumble. 303 00:18:24,680 --> 00:18:27,319 There's tunnels going off everywhere here. 304 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:28,999 Let's hope the cord is here, 305 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,119 otherwise we've got to have a search party. 306 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:33,359 The Bishop, and partner, Scott, 307 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:35,999 are trying to find a crucial power cord 308 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:39,959 dropped into their new mine through a ventilation shaft. 309 00:18:40,040 --> 00:18:41,759 Oh yeah, this is the chamber.Yeah. 310 00:18:41,840 --> 00:18:44,199 Is the cord here anywhere?Nah. 311 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:46,279 Nothing to the right? It's back over there. 312 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:51,799 Scotty's gone off looking, but there's tunnels everywhere here. 313 00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:53,719 And my light is almost dead flat 314 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,439 so I'm going to stay here right under this hole 315 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:58,119 and wait for Scotty to come back. 316 00:18:59,920 --> 00:19:02,159 Cooooooo-eeee! 317 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:07,959 Greg.Did you find the cord?Nah. 318 00:19:09,040 --> 00:19:11,479 She goes a fair way back that way. 319 00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:14,919 The only option is for you to go up top. 320 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:17,239 Yeah.I'll sit here and yell out. 321 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:20,039 You locate my voice and find this hole. 322 00:19:20,120 --> 00:19:21,999 And drop the cord down here. 323 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:29,159 Greggie's waiting underneath the hole. He's going to yell out. 324 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:31,639 Greggie!The problem is, 325 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:36,319 where in the dozens of scattered holes...Greg...is the Bishop? 326 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:39,439 Not this one. 327 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:44,319 Greggie! Greg! 328 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:50,439 That's the right hole.Found him! 329 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:53,279 All right. 330 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:58,999 In the last week of his season, the Bishop can finally get mining. 331 00:19:59,080 --> 00:20:00,679 Beautiful. 332 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:05,039 The goal this season was to get a deposit for the mission centre. 333 00:20:05,120 --> 00:20:07,399 We haven't achieved that goal. 334 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:11,399 We've still got a little time left of the season, so we'll go all out. 335 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:15,559 We need to find the opal. 336 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:24,839 Don't fall in the bastard, Les. It looks deep. 337 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:27,119 Does, doesn't it? 338 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:30,039 The Bushmen have discovered a hidden tunnel 339 00:20:30,120 --> 00:20:34,639 beneath their mine site, putting it at risk of collapse. 340 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:40,359 Dry.It's dry, but it's a long way down there.Yeah. 341 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:44,239 This abandoned shaft is the only possible access point 342 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:47,079 to the deeper workings and will allow Rod 343 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:51,319 to gauge the extent of any dangerous undermining. 344 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:54,959 These old holes haven't been opened for a long time. 345 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:58,959 You can often get snakes down there. You always look, as soon as you get 346 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:00,879 to the bottom, you always look. 347 00:21:04,360 --> 00:21:07,119 Righto, mate. Take it easy going down. 348 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:10,959 You don't know the condition of it, what the roof's like.Jesus. 349 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:17,839 Air's like. So there's a few concerns with it. 350 00:21:17,920 --> 00:21:21,079 (PANTING) 351 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:28,359 Holy snapping duck (BLEEP). What was that? 352 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:30,639 Yeah, a bit fell from the top, under the thing. 353 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:32,399 Frightened the crap out of me, Les. 354 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:34,279 You got to be expecting these things. 355 00:21:34,360 --> 00:21:36,519 You can't go off in a dream. (PANTING) 356 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:38,239 Dream. That was a nightmare. 357 00:21:42,520 --> 00:21:44,119 Oh, Jesus. 358 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:49,359 Good news. There's no snakes, Les. 359 00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:52,279 (EXHALES) That's a long way. 360 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:00,999 I've got to find that exploratory hole that we hit up top 361 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:03,559 so that I can see how much sandstone 362 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:06,479 I got between the one underneath us and where we're working. 363 00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:10,359 (GROANS) 364 00:22:10,440 --> 00:22:14,119 This here, I think anyway, 365 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:17,719 yeah, that's that hole we just dug into. 366 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:21,119 It's, er, oh, yeah. 367 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:25,399 Yeah, there's our level just there. We're probably two metres from here 368 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:27,359 to the feet of my digger, 369 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:30,279 and that ain't a lot with, er, fractured sandstone. 370 00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:33,439 Are you there, Rod?Yo. 371 00:22:34,880 --> 00:22:38,839 Les' headtorch confirms it is the exploratory drill hole 372 00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:41,039 linking the two mines. 373 00:22:41,120 --> 00:22:43,159 Yeah, what's it like? 374 00:22:43,240 --> 00:22:45,479 Roof's pretty fractured down here. 375 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:47,839 Oh, yeah. Yeah. 376 00:22:47,920 --> 00:22:50,759 There's a lot of tree roots, a lot of faulting.Yeah. 377 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:52,759 So, I don't think they found anything. 378 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:54,479 OK, then. Yeah. 379 00:22:54,560 --> 00:22:56,839 It's not as dangerous as it could be, 380 00:22:56,920 --> 00:22:59,399 and now you know, see, and that's a good thing. 381 00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:01,279 We know what it's like down there now. 382 00:23:13,880 --> 00:23:16,639 In the final days of their season, 383 00:23:16,720 --> 00:23:21,519 the Bishop and Scott are desperately hunting for any opal 384 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:24,959 in an abandoned mine they've just claimed. 385 00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:28,759 GREG: And there's just a little bit appeared right here. 386 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:32,799 The ultraviolet light from the blacklight torch 387 00:23:32,880 --> 00:23:36,679 causes the opal to fluoresce, making it easier to see. 388 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:39,959 There, there's some there. You take an inch off the rock 389 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:43,159 and if there's material behind it, whoever was last here, 390 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:45,759 he stopped one smack too early. 391 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:50,199 I got some trace in the wall here that I think we should follow. 392 00:23:51,760 --> 00:23:55,719 (DRILLING) 393 00:24:02,400 --> 00:24:06,399 It's finished.Yeah. There's no more in this bit. 394 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:09,639 Ah, there's nothing here, mate. We've got to keep moving...Yeah. 395 00:24:09,720 --> 00:24:11,479 ..and find something to dig, ay. 396 00:24:11,560 --> 00:24:13,479 I think the best way we can cover ground, 397 00:24:13,560 --> 00:24:15,959 we'll split up and go down different tunnels.Yeah. 398 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:26,839 (PANTING) 399 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:30,159 I just noticed I can't hear the generator any more. 400 00:24:31,480 --> 00:24:33,599 I'm in a tunnel I haven't been in before 401 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:36,319 so I'm not exactly sure where I am. 402 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:38,879 I got to backtrack now and try and find 403 00:24:38,960 --> 00:24:42,919 where the generator noise is so I can get back into the area. 404 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:46,319 If you're deep underground, er, if you lose your directions... 405 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:51,479 ..it's a very dangerous occupation, underground mining. 406 00:24:53,360 --> 00:24:55,479 Ooh. 407 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:57,359 All these tunnels look the same. 408 00:24:58,360 --> 00:24:59,959 Scotty! 409 00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:05,199 Scott! Where are we? 410 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:17,759 Oh, bit of luck, we find a bit of opal today. 411 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:20,399 Yeah.Where you got trace, you've always got a chance. 412 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:22,879 Got to keep chasing the trace. That's it. 413 00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:26,479 Might just make a quick coffee. Yeah. Have a coffee, mate. 414 00:25:29,400 --> 00:25:32,519 It's the last day on their Plan B claim 415 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:34,959 and the Geran Gang believe they're closing in 416 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:39,199 on the opal they need to relocate to Middleton. 417 00:25:39,280 --> 00:25:41,719 You know, we've gotten a bit. That's got us excited. 418 00:25:41,800 --> 00:25:45,479 We're looking for more and seeing if it's still going. 419 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:47,159 There's Marg.Margie. 420 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:54,279 I just got a message.Yeah. 421 00:25:54,360 --> 00:25:57,359 Stoney went down in his chopper yesterday. 422 00:25:57,440 --> 00:26:00,919 What? Oh, no. 423 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:03,079 I, erm, don't know anything else. 424 00:26:04,440 --> 00:26:07,159 Did he walk out of it? I don't know, Greg. We can go 425 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:09,199 and make some phone calls or something. 426 00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:13,999 We need to find out. He's in Townsville. 427 00:26:14,080 --> 00:26:16,759 It must be pretty serious if they've flown him out. 428 00:26:16,840 --> 00:26:19,639 All right, I'm gonna go back up and see what I can find out 429 00:26:19,720 --> 00:26:21,799 and make some phone calls to know something. 430 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:24,319 Yep, well, do that. All right. I'm going to go. 431 00:26:25,880 --> 00:26:27,479 Unbelievable. 432 00:26:32,120 --> 00:26:34,319 Is he in hospital? Maybe he's got broken bones. 433 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,799 Yeah. Maybe we can get onto one of the family.Yeah. 434 00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:40,319 Get some info of what's going on. 435 00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:43,119 Oh, Stoney's crashed his helicopter and, erm, 436 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:46,919 and he's in hospital. Going to go and find out. 437 00:26:49,120 --> 00:26:51,799 He must be alive, but if they've flown him to Townsville, 438 00:26:51,880 --> 00:26:53,519 he must be busted up. 439 00:27:03,360 --> 00:27:06,239 Three kilometres away, at their remote camp... 440 00:27:07,520 --> 00:27:09,959 ..they're able to get some phone signal. 441 00:27:14,360 --> 00:27:18,039 Oh, erm, I might be able to message his daughter. 442 00:27:20,440 --> 00:27:24,479 Aerial mustering is one of the riskiest jobs in Australia, 443 00:27:24,560 --> 00:27:29,679 claiming 12 lives in 83 accidents over the past decade alone. 444 00:27:29,760 --> 00:27:32,599 It's a very dangerous occupation.Very. 445 00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:34,759 Not too many people walk away from choppers. 446 00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:39,799 We got no idea how he is or what's happened. 447 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:42,079 As soon as you hear anything like that, you know, 448 00:27:42,160 --> 00:27:45,359 you just, like, shock and, er, you know, 449 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:48,079 hopefully he's going to be all right. 450 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:51,119 You try not to think the worst... 451 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:55,359 ..but if you hit hard, oh, gee. 452 00:27:58,360 --> 00:28:00,039 Not a good thought, so. 453 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:11,119 ROD: Do we ever get a break, mate? Do we ever get a break? 454 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:14,199 Plenty of breakdowns. That's the only break we seem to be getting. 455 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:15,879 We just go down and dig till 456 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:18,119 we're bogged and can't move any more. 457 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:21,279 Well, hopefully, there might be a rainbow there. 458 00:28:21,360 --> 00:28:25,119 Reassured their mine won't collapse due to undermining, 459 00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:27,479 the Bushmen are working again, 460 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:31,839 but their problem-plagued blower is restricting their digging. 461 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:34,319 Well, we're running out of ground 462 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:38,159 and the blower's broke down so we can't dig much more dirt. 463 00:28:38,240 --> 00:28:40,639 They're in desperate need of a find, 464 00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:46,319 having gambled this season, taking on new partners on a 50/50 share. 465 00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:49,599 You can go into a mine with all hopes and, er, 466 00:28:49,680 --> 00:28:51,639 find out there's nothing there at all. 467 00:28:54,920 --> 00:28:57,079 Once it gets under the legs, that's it, 468 00:28:57,160 --> 00:28:58,759 I can't move the digger. 469 00:28:58,840 --> 00:29:02,479 She's staying here until we get the blower going and suck the dirt out. 470 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:04,679 Yeah, go straight in there. 471 00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:07,279 Whoa! 472 00:29:07,360 --> 00:29:10,159 The potch is gone to about three-quarters-of-an-inch-thick. 473 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:12,799 All right.Will there be colour? 474 00:29:12,880 --> 00:29:16,039 Will this put a smile on the face of the Bushmen? 475 00:29:19,560 --> 00:29:21,839 Here we go, Les. (GROANS) 476 00:29:25,280 --> 00:29:29,639 Ah, how nice is that (BLEEP) colourless grey potch? 477 00:29:29,720 --> 00:29:32,199 Big handful of nothing. 478 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:51,519 BISHOP: Oh. Well, that's a dead end. 479 00:29:51,600 --> 00:29:54,959 This isn't the right one, mate. (DOG BARKING) 480 00:29:55,040 --> 00:29:57,679 The Bishop and his dog, Rocco, 481 00:29:57,760 --> 00:30:02,319 are lost 18 metres underground in an abandoned mine. 482 00:30:02,400 --> 00:30:05,199 Scotty! Scott! 483 00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:08,399 Scotty and I separated. 484 00:30:08,480 --> 00:30:10,519 If you're looking down all the time, 485 00:30:10,600 --> 00:30:12,999 you don't pay attention to surroundings, 486 00:30:13,080 --> 00:30:15,639 but down here, all your surroundings look the same. 487 00:30:17,560 --> 00:30:19,159 Scotty! 488 00:30:20,360 --> 00:30:21,959 It's down here somewhere. 489 00:30:24,080 --> 00:30:27,279 (PANTING) Where are we? We'll go back down this way. 490 00:30:30,080 --> 00:30:32,679 SCOTT: Greg! Hey! Over here, man! 491 00:30:32,760 --> 00:30:34,879 Hold on, I'm coming. Where are ya? 492 00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:38,439 Keep calling, Scotty.Greg. Yep. I'm coming. 493 00:30:42,760 --> 00:30:45,159 Oh. (LAUGHS) 494 00:30:45,240 --> 00:30:48,159 Good to see your face, mate. These tunnels under here. 495 00:30:48,240 --> 00:30:52,359 Yeah, I know. On the way, I found some potch. 496 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:54,599 Just doesn't seem to be any colour in there, 497 00:30:54,680 --> 00:30:57,759 but some thick material. 498 00:30:57,840 --> 00:31:00,439 Is there more?There's more material in the wall, yeah. 499 00:31:00,520 --> 00:31:03,959 If that turned to colour, mate, that's, er, that's money. 500 00:31:05,320 --> 00:31:06,959 Just up here. 501 00:31:08,680 --> 00:31:12,239 Oh, yeah. Oh, that's nice and thick, isn't it?Mm. 502 00:31:12,320 --> 00:31:16,439 Scotty's found some material and it's a good thickness. 503 00:31:16,520 --> 00:31:19,359 Just got to turn to colour now and, er, the next half hour's 504 00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:21,399 going to tell us if we're on money or not. 505 00:31:28,200 --> 00:31:29,799 (GROANS) 506 00:31:33,120 --> 00:31:35,599 Oh, Scotty. Look at this! What's that? 507 00:31:35,680 --> 00:31:37,799 Mate, there's colour in this. Give me a look. 508 00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:39,839 That's a thick piece too. Look at that. 509 00:31:42,080 --> 00:31:43,759 It's more like a pinfire. 510 00:31:46,640 --> 00:31:50,039 Pinfire pattern is opal with specks of colour 511 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:53,039 scattered through a white base. 512 00:31:53,120 --> 00:31:54,719 (PANTING) 513 00:31:58,560 --> 00:32:02,599 Oh, wow! Look at that. What did you find? 514 00:32:02,680 --> 00:32:05,159 A solid chunk of opal, mate.Oh. 515 00:32:05,240 --> 00:32:07,759 White opal with plenty of colour pinfire. 516 00:32:09,320 --> 00:32:12,639 That's nice. Look at the thickness of it, mate.Oh. 517 00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:14,319 It's just fallen down here. 518 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:19,199 Here's another, mate. Oh, that's a nice chunk. 519 00:32:19,280 --> 00:32:22,479 You beauty! Ay! You found a good spot here, Scotty. 520 00:32:24,760 --> 00:32:28,719 It's got oranges, greens, reds, yellows. 521 00:32:28,800 --> 00:32:31,599 All the colours of the rainbow, mate. God's colours. 522 00:32:33,800 --> 00:32:35,399 Some green there. 523 00:32:38,000 --> 00:32:40,319 Wow, check that out, Scotty.Oh. 524 00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:43,239 That's nice and thick. Look at that.(LAUGHS) 525 00:32:43,320 --> 00:32:46,519 With all the chunks that are in here, put 'em all together 526 00:32:46,600 --> 00:32:50,199 and we got more opal than we've seen this season in one hit. 527 00:32:50,280 --> 00:32:51,879 About time. 528 00:32:52,960 --> 00:32:56,399 It's been very well worth it coming to this new mine, 529 00:32:56,480 --> 00:32:59,439 and, er, we're walking away with opal. 530 00:33:02,840 --> 00:33:05,039 Looking good, Greggie. Oh, there's going to be 531 00:33:05,120 --> 00:33:07,519 a dollar or two here, mate. Don't worry about that. 532 00:33:07,600 --> 00:33:11,639 I know we got about five ounces... Yeah...of good, solid opal. 533 00:33:12,960 --> 00:33:17,839 After removing the loose dirt, they have white pinfire opal. 534 00:33:17,920 --> 00:33:22,319 It's medium-quality, displaying a full of array of colours. 535 00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:27,159 It's in the rough and weighs five ounces or 140 grams. 536 00:33:28,240 --> 00:33:31,599 If we can get 800 an ounce, I'd be happy with that. 537 00:33:33,480 --> 00:33:35,519 Four grand, I reckon. 538 00:33:35,600 --> 00:33:37,399 Awesome.Yeah. You happy?Yes. 539 00:33:38,720 --> 00:33:43,079 At $4,000, it's their biggest find of the year. 540 00:33:43,160 --> 00:33:45,239 This last find has really bumped up 541 00:33:45,320 --> 00:33:47,319 the numbers and we're happy for that. 542 00:33:47,400 --> 00:33:51,039 But for the Bishop, the celebrating will have to wait. 543 00:33:51,120 --> 00:33:52,839 It's not what I needed to open 544 00:33:52,920 --> 00:33:55,119 a mission centre, even for the deposit. 545 00:33:55,200 --> 00:33:59,439 Hey. Going to go, mate, are we? Time to go? 546 00:33:59,520 --> 00:34:02,999 It's time to leave Coober Pedy for the summer. 547 00:34:03,080 --> 00:34:06,199 I think this season has been a learning experience. 548 00:34:06,280 --> 00:34:09,039 It's taken us to the next level of opal mining. 549 00:34:09,120 --> 00:34:11,999 We've done the hard yards, we've moved a lot of rock, 550 00:34:12,080 --> 00:34:16,959 so what I've decided to do is go and get some employment in Canberra, 551 00:34:17,040 --> 00:34:22,439 work the summer and come back all engines firing for next season. 552 00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:28,759 What I see is the potential of this place. 553 00:34:30,200 --> 00:34:34,719 I don't see, er, the derelict state. I don't see the rubbish. 554 00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:37,439 I see what it can become. 555 00:34:37,520 --> 00:34:39,599 I see much more than what's here right now. 556 00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:44,439 The mission centre is very much still alive... 557 00:34:46,320 --> 00:34:48,879 ..so we'll come back and get back into it next season. 558 00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:03,559 LES: That'll do. 559 00:35:03,640 --> 00:35:05,439 There's a fair pile of dirt there. 560 00:35:05,520 --> 00:35:07,759 It's starting to not be able to slew either way, 561 00:35:07,840 --> 00:35:11,519 so a little bit more out of the roof and that'll be it for us. 562 00:35:11,600 --> 00:35:14,399 A faulty blower is preventing the Bushmen 563 00:35:14,480 --> 00:35:17,239 from clearing away their growing waste dirt. 564 00:35:18,520 --> 00:35:20,239 Yeah, we got a little bit of colour. 565 00:35:25,400 --> 00:35:29,119 They're hoping a fast find of opal can still save them 566 00:35:29,200 --> 00:35:31,439 in the last throes of their season. 567 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:36,319 There's no colour in this. I didn't say it was in all of it. 568 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:39,879 (LAUGHS) You said that it was in some of it, bud. 569 00:35:39,960 --> 00:35:42,639 Yeah, I know. Well, which piece was it in? 570 00:35:42,720 --> 00:35:44,319 I can't help it if 571 00:35:44,400 --> 00:35:47,399 as soon as it comes out of the wall, it (BLEEP) goes to nothing. 572 00:35:48,600 --> 00:35:50,559 I'm seriously worried about you, Les. 573 00:35:52,160 --> 00:35:53,759 I am bogged 574 00:35:53,840 --> 00:35:56,799 with about four or five tonne of dirt around me. 575 00:35:56,880 --> 00:35:59,279 I can't move any more, can't dig any more. 576 00:36:00,680 --> 00:36:02,279 That's it. 577 00:36:05,800 --> 00:36:08,279 With little to show for their efforts, 578 00:36:08,360 --> 00:36:12,799 Les wants Rod to try and improve the few rough stones they have. 579 00:36:12,880 --> 00:36:16,079 You gonna put a figure on what you think's in this little parcel? 580 00:36:16,160 --> 00:36:19,799 Well, give us a look.It's not many cutters in there, mate. 581 00:36:19,880 --> 00:36:22,959 Most of it's crap. A couple of hundred. 582 00:36:23,040 --> 00:36:24,679 A couple of hundred? All right. 583 00:36:24,760 --> 00:36:27,279 The old fella seems to think there's something in it. 584 00:36:27,360 --> 00:36:30,519 Nah, I don't think we'll get anything, to tell you the truth. 585 00:36:30,600 --> 00:36:34,959 OK. Let's see, mate. We'll go this one first, ay? 586 00:36:40,640 --> 00:36:42,239 Full of sand, Les. 587 00:36:42,320 --> 00:36:44,879 We rubbed a couple of stones and they're just rubbish. 588 00:36:44,960 --> 00:36:46,559 That's a bust. Full of sand. 589 00:36:59,360 --> 00:37:01,919 There's a stone sitting there.Yeah. 590 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:04,599 The old fella appears to be right. 591 00:37:04,680 --> 00:37:06,559 The stone's rubbed up pretty good. 592 00:37:06,640 --> 00:37:08,839 Probably got 500 bucks there in a rubbed stone. 593 00:37:09,840 --> 00:37:12,199 I was pretty convinced there was nothing in there. 594 00:37:12,280 --> 00:37:14,759 The old fella reckoned there was a couple of hundred, 595 00:37:14,840 --> 00:37:17,719 and in just one stone, you can hit a $500 piece. 596 00:37:17,800 --> 00:37:20,119 It's turning out all right. 597 00:37:20,200 --> 00:37:23,839 The Bushmen have grey-based crystal opal 598 00:37:23,920 --> 00:37:27,679 displaying colours of blue, green, and gold. 599 00:37:27,760 --> 00:37:30,519 It's been partially rubbed, and there's 20 grams. 600 00:37:31,640 --> 00:37:33,799 I reckon we ought to have a look at this fella 601 00:37:33,880 --> 00:37:37,159 in the sun, Les, what do you think? But on the 50/50 split, 602 00:37:37,240 --> 00:37:41,679 the Bushmen will only have $250 for the entire week. 603 00:37:41,760 --> 00:37:44,519 A figure that won't even cover their costs. 604 00:37:44,600 --> 00:37:47,919 We're a bloody long way from 200 grand, that's for sure. 605 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:51,159 Time's really running out. Summer's coming. 606 00:37:52,880 --> 00:37:55,079 Well, Les, you were right, mate. 607 00:37:56,080 --> 00:37:58,039 Opal mining ain't rocket science. 608 00:37:58,120 --> 00:38:01,039 You just got to keep climbing that bastard ladder every day. 609 00:38:01,120 --> 00:38:03,199 When you find the colour, your life changes. 610 00:38:03,280 --> 00:38:05,479 I like it when I'm wrong like that. (LAUGHS) 611 00:38:15,560 --> 00:38:19,079 COL: Stoney's back. I heard he was in a big body cast, 612 00:38:19,160 --> 00:38:21,639 so he must have cracked a vertebrae or something. 613 00:38:21,720 --> 00:38:25,359 We're going to go and visit him. We'll see how he is. 614 00:38:29,120 --> 00:38:31,999 It's been eight days since Stoney Cain 615 00:38:32,080 --> 00:38:36,199 crashed his helicopter, mustering cattle near Opalton. 616 00:38:36,280 --> 00:38:39,159 STONEY: No, I can't lift you up. I can't lift you up. 617 00:38:39,240 --> 00:38:41,559 BOY: Mm.You're going to make me fall over, mate. 618 00:38:41,640 --> 00:38:43,799 (CRYING) 619 00:38:43,880 --> 00:38:45,479 Come on, mate. 620 00:38:49,000 --> 00:38:51,919 You're too heavy. Ay. 621 00:38:53,040 --> 00:38:54,799 Ah, mate, hey. 622 00:38:56,520 --> 00:39:00,279 That there tells more of a story than anything. 623 00:39:00,360 --> 00:39:02,999 You know, like, that was actually on my head, 624 00:39:03,080 --> 00:39:06,079 and to be in that state like that is just crazy. 625 00:39:07,360 --> 00:39:10,279 Very lucky. Very lucky. 626 00:39:10,360 --> 00:39:13,559 The impact destroyed his helicopter 627 00:39:13,640 --> 00:39:16,679 and fractured three vertebrae in his back. 628 00:39:16,760 --> 00:39:20,479 My new friend for the next, oh, hopefully, only a couple of months. 629 00:39:20,560 --> 00:39:22,439 It might be six months or three. 630 00:39:23,880 --> 00:39:28,559 Flying doctors medevacked Stoney 700km to the coast. 631 00:39:32,680 --> 00:39:34,279 Oh. 632 00:39:34,360 --> 00:39:38,359 Today is his first time revisiting the crash site. 633 00:39:41,200 --> 00:39:42,799 God knows what speed? 634 00:39:42,880 --> 00:39:45,599 Probably a couple of hundred kilometres an hour. 635 00:39:45,680 --> 00:39:49,999 So we hit the ground there, and bang, crash, bounce, 636 00:39:50,080 --> 00:39:51,679 spinning around, slide. 637 00:39:54,000 --> 00:39:57,479 And it was all just over a simple, simple mistake. 638 00:39:57,560 --> 00:39:59,719 I didn't see that last bloody dead tree there 639 00:39:59,800 --> 00:40:01,639 and the sun in my eyes and took it out, 640 00:40:01,720 --> 00:40:03,519 and bang, and then, just like that. 641 00:40:03,600 --> 00:40:05,759 And I've got thousands of hours bloody flying. 642 00:40:05,840 --> 00:40:08,959 It just goes to show how easily things happen. 643 00:40:09,960 --> 00:40:13,119 Eventually pulled up and I was still hung up in my seatbelt 644 00:40:13,200 --> 00:40:15,759 and I remember thinking, "Ah, 645 00:40:15,840 --> 00:40:18,399 you won't die, you mad (BLEEP), will ya? 646 00:40:18,480 --> 00:40:20,519 Now you're gonna have to (BLEEP) walk." 647 00:40:24,760 --> 00:40:26,839 I knew something was wrong. I knew I'd 648 00:40:26,920 --> 00:40:29,839 hurt my back and I knew that I had to get moving 649 00:40:29,920 --> 00:40:32,599 while I was still hot and the adrenalin was still pumping 650 00:40:32,680 --> 00:40:34,839 cos I knew if I sat down here for half an hour 651 00:40:34,920 --> 00:40:37,079 or had a bit of a rest, I wouldn't get up again, 652 00:40:37,160 --> 00:40:39,399 like, I wouldn't have been able to bloody do it. 653 00:40:39,480 --> 00:40:41,399 And I knew I was in for a hell of a walk 654 00:40:41,480 --> 00:40:44,199 through this terrain, like, within the dark. 655 00:40:44,280 --> 00:40:47,079 It's not far. It's only probably three or four kilometres, 656 00:40:47,160 --> 00:40:49,159 but it took me about three and a half hours 657 00:40:49,240 --> 00:40:51,319 and I don't know how many times I fell over. 658 00:40:55,640 --> 00:40:58,919 He made it back to Glen Kyree Station homestead 659 00:40:59,000 --> 00:41:02,799 where his partner and three-year-old son were staying. 660 00:41:02,880 --> 00:41:04,799 How quickly things happen. 661 00:41:04,880 --> 00:41:07,879 Ah, your whole life changes in a split section. 662 00:41:07,960 --> 00:41:09,559 Come on, come around here. 663 00:41:14,040 --> 00:41:15,959 COL: Margie's gone to the coast to, erm, 664 00:41:16,040 --> 00:41:18,599 do a bit of work so it's just me and Greg. 665 00:41:18,680 --> 00:41:20,999 Oh, captain!Hey. 666 00:41:21,080 --> 00:41:23,079 How are ya? How you going? 667 00:41:23,160 --> 00:41:26,319 Oh, look at you, mate. Well, you're walking, mate. That is so good. 668 00:41:27,840 --> 00:41:29,719 What's been happening? How do youse go? 669 00:41:29,800 --> 00:41:31,439 Yeah, we got a bit more stuff out. 670 00:41:31,520 --> 00:41:34,319 Yeah, no, I didn't turn up for work that day.Yeah. I know. 671 00:41:34,400 --> 00:41:36,399 I've got a note though.Yeah. 672 00:41:36,480 --> 00:41:38,079 Yeah, I've got a note. Yeah. 673 00:41:38,160 --> 00:41:39,759 So were you going very fast? 674 00:41:39,840 --> 00:41:42,079 Oh, you know, probably 90 knots. 675 00:41:42,160 --> 00:41:44,639 Oh, 180km an hour.Fair dinkum. 676 00:41:44,720 --> 00:41:48,359 With Stoney's injury, the team's dream of mining 677 00:41:48,440 --> 00:41:51,439 the profitable ground at Middleton is on hold. 678 00:41:52,440 --> 00:41:55,959 Yeah, we're a team and given what's happened to Stoney, 679 00:41:56,040 --> 00:41:58,319 it's better we pull up, take a break. 680 00:41:58,400 --> 00:42:00,559 Stoney needs time to heal, 681 00:42:00,640 --> 00:42:02,519 so we'll go and dig Middleton next year. 682 00:42:05,400 --> 00:42:07,479 It might be the excuse I need to really, 683 00:42:07,560 --> 00:42:09,959 to (BLEEP), to stop flying and do a bit more mining 684 00:42:10,040 --> 00:42:13,959 and a bit more other things and spend more time with the family. 685 00:42:14,040 --> 00:42:18,079 The Geran Gang's final haul of opal from Plan B 686 00:42:18,160 --> 00:42:20,319 will be their last this season, 687 00:42:20,400 --> 00:42:22,639 but at least they've added to their total. 688 00:42:23,960 --> 00:42:25,759 Bit bigger-looking rock, ay? 689 00:42:25,840 --> 00:42:28,479 A bit of colour there in that one. Yeah.Still doing it. 690 00:42:28,560 --> 00:42:30,199 Yeah, it's still going. 691 00:42:31,320 --> 00:42:33,599 Their boulder opal shimmers 692 00:42:33,680 --> 00:42:36,959 with shades of green, blue, and purple. 693 00:42:37,040 --> 00:42:40,079 It's in the rough, and they have two kilograms. 694 00:42:41,360 --> 00:42:44,399 I reckon, might have got five, seven grand. 695 00:42:44,480 --> 00:42:47,759 Yeah. Something like that. Yeah. Something like that. 696 00:42:50,920 --> 00:42:54,079 Most importantly, their team is intact 697 00:42:54,160 --> 00:42:56,679 and they've added to their season total 698 00:42:56,760 --> 00:42:58,359 which will go towards moving 699 00:42:58,440 --> 00:43:00,559 their operation to Middleton next season. 700 00:43:00,640 --> 00:43:04,159 Although the season's been a short one, it's been OK. 701 00:43:04,240 --> 00:43:06,519 We made 41K. 702 00:43:06,600 --> 00:43:08,599 We need 45. 703 00:43:08,680 --> 00:43:10,319 It's a shame with the timing, 704 00:43:10,400 --> 00:43:13,919 you know, we're just right on opal and finding a bit, 705 00:43:14,000 --> 00:43:17,639 but Middleton's a great prospect, but it's a real hard job. 706 00:43:17,720 --> 00:43:20,559 I don't think we're there yet, but we're on the way. 707 00:43:20,640 --> 00:43:22,319 We've just got to keep digging. 708 00:43:24,040 --> 00:43:26,479 So we'll cut some stones in the off season 709 00:43:26,560 --> 00:43:29,039 and go back and have a go at it next year. 710 00:43:30,040 --> 00:43:33,199 Oh, well, here's to luck, ay? Yeah. Here's to you fellas, ay. 711 00:43:33,280 --> 00:43:37,079 Yeah. Here's to it.All the best. Cheers.Good to see ya. 712 00:43:58,000 --> 00:44:00,879 # Money 713 00:44:02,760 --> 00:44:04,359 # Money # 714 00:44:04,440 --> 00:44:06,119 Subtitles by Deluxe 715 00:44:07,305 --> 00:45:07,918 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm