"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode #6.12

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,319 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:06,199 It's the last week of the season. 3 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:08,119 Is everything going all right down there? 4 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:11,799 It's too hard. There's no way in the world you're going to be able to dig this. 5 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:15,479 Sweltering heat forces the Bushmen to enlist a rookie miner. 6 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:17,199 It's hard as on the floor. 7 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:19,159 It's like nothing I've ever seen before. 8 00:00:19,240 --> 00:00:21,039 There was a big seam up there, boy. 9 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:24,599 Look what you missed, you big . Look at that! 10 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:26,559 Oh, I think I got a problem, boys. 11 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:28,239 OSCAR: Can't get a break, can we? 12 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:31,239 The Cheals battle blowouts above ground... 13 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:32,999 We busted into an old drive here. 14 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:34,999 ..and disappointment below. 15 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:37,079 Oscar!Ooh. 16 00:00:37,160 --> 00:00:40,319 Literally come down for one last swipe and I've just smashed it. 17 00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:42,959 The claim that I'm looking at to purchase, 18 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:45,399 it's $50,000.Oh. 19 00:00:45,480 --> 00:00:48,479 The Opal Whisperers are chasing big money 20 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:50,319 to fulfil a family legacy. 21 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:52,119 DAVE: We got it, we cracked it. 22 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:54,079 We cracked it. Oh, my God. Look at that. 23 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:57,199 And one team will unearth the biggest find... 24 00:00:57,280 --> 00:00:59,079 It's big and it's cheesy. 25 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:00,999 ..we've ever seen. 26 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,319 Yes! 27 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:11,074 28 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:24,519 ISAAC: Come on, buddy. 29 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:26,799 Hope I don't lose a finger. 30 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:31,479 Feel the vibration. 31 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:34,959 If there's a big eye kernel, 32 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:37,359 we don't want to smash this one, that's for sure. 33 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:40,399 NARRATOR: In the final days of their debut mining season, 34 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:44,919 Isaac Andreou, his sister, Sofia, and partner, Chris Daff, 35 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,799 are sawing rare ironstone Yowah nuts 36 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:50,319 looking for hidden opal encased within. 37 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:52,759 I can't see any more. Take the glasses off will you. 38 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:54,759 You need to do the centrifuge... 39 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:58,679 Give me plenty of water on this side. 40 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:00,639 Ooh, this is dangerous for my palms. 41 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:03,319 I could lose my bloody hands on this. 42 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:05,879 Am I still in line? 43 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:07,559 I can't see any more. Whoa! 44 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:09,479 Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey... 45 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:14,039 Here we go. Come on. Moment of truth. 46 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:15,719 Come on, baby. Oh. 47 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:18,719 What is that? She's empty. 48 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:22,479 There's no colour in there, is there? Don't think so. 49 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:25,559 That lump there, I'm just going to dump it up here in the shade. 50 00:02:25,640 --> 00:02:29,559 Maye a 200 kilo bit of clay full of nuts. 51 00:02:29,640 --> 00:02:33,719 The Opal whisperers have been working a promising Yowah Nut pocket 52 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,519 with friend and mine owner, Dave Darby. 53 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:39,759 A Waanyi-Garawa man from the north Queensland region, 54 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:43,279 Dave took over this open cut mine from his late parents 55 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:45,999 who worked it for 50 years. 56 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:48,999 Working with Dave Darby has been a really amazing experience, 57 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:51,199 like better than I could have ever imagined. 58 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:53,879 The guy knows where the stones are, 59 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,319 he knows where the opal, he can smell it. 60 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:59,159 Brandy Gully and the surrounding mine fields 61 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:02,799 are the only place on earth the Yowah Nut is found. 62 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:06,639 Unique opal that forms within ironstone boulders, 63 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:10,319 creating elaborate and highly sought after patterns. 64 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:16,239 Individual pieces have been sold for over $100,000. 65 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:18,559 They started with mostly matrix 66 00:03:18,640 --> 00:03:20,839 but they're moving through to the rarest type 67 00:03:20,920 --> 00:03:23,799 and that's the pure eye kernel Yowah nut, 68 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:27,079 and it's what we came for and it's right here. 69 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:29,959 The Whisperers are on a 30% cut, 70 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:34,039 money they're relying on to fulfil a dream, 71 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:36,119 re-establishing the family business 72 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:38,999 their mum and dad began in the 1960s, 73 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:41,679 mining and selling opal direct. 74 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:46,279 I'm hoping also that my grandkids will carry on as well. Xalia. 75 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,679 My dreams are really to run my own show. 76 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:51,239 I'd like to have my own opal mine. 77 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:54,079 The claim that I'm looking at to purchase, 78 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:56,639 it's right in between all the famous little spots 79 00:03:56,720 --> 00:04:00,879 that produce the most beautiful opal in Yowah. 80 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,439 It's a hectare of land. It's two and a half acres. 81 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:06,719 Right. And it's virgin land, isn't it?It's virgin land. 82 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:08,759 We didn't holiday at the beach 83 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:12,199 or, you know, in national parks, 84 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:15,479 we were... We always holidayed at the opal fields. 85 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:19,319 I'm so happy that I started them into something they enjoy 86 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:21,639 and they can make a life out of. 87 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:25,119 It's $50,000.Oh. 88 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:27,999 Well, what do you think though? No, I think it's good, Isaac. 89 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:30,079 I think I think we should go for it. 90 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:33,039 Great.All right, cool. Sounds fantastic. Family hug.Awesome. 91 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:35,119 The base got hit... 92 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:36,799 Ah. OK...All right. 93 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:38,639 Let's go find more colour. Sounds good. 94 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:42,199 A hundred thousand dollars is a long way...Whoo! ..to go.Yeah. 95 00:04:42,280 --> 00:04:44,759 Our original target out here for this season 96 00:04:44,840 --> 00:04:48,479 was to pay for a few things within our life 97 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:50,959 which is like all our regular bills and everything, 98 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:52,799 but also my daughter's schooling. 99 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:56,719 I want some money put aside for her as well. 100 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:59,799 Chuck in this land on top, 101 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:01,999 that's an extra $50,000 102 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:05,279 on top of what we originally needed to make. 103 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:09,799 With the heat starting to build, the storms coming across, 104 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:13,559 it's all ramping up towards the end of the season here. We really don't have long. 105 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:15,759 I'd say we'd got probably a week, maybe days, 106 00:05:15,840 --> 00:05:18,719 er, before we can't really bear to be down there anymore. 107 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:23,879 It's hot, man. Even in the shade here, I'm cooking. 108 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:28,439 A little bit of manual labour put on top of the heat and the flies, 109 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:31,559 and, er, yeah, it's pretty unbearable. 110 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:35,559 The whole week we've been working towards this one spot 111 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:38,279 where all the signs are pointing like a bit arrow 112 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:40,959 to where we hope is the motherload pocket. 113 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:43,679 A couple of nuts that were on the top broken, 114 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:45,599 already showing great colour. 115 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:50,959 Using his 30 tonne excavator, 116 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:53,719 Dave extracts the clay from the mine face 117 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:56,599 holding the ironstone nuts. 118 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:58,279 So now if you have a good look, 119 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:01,519 it's all loose pieces of massive clay 120 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:04,519 with nuts all through it, and we've got to get back down there 121 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:08,479 and, erm, smash each piece of clay open carefully 122 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:10,799 to get to the nuts which we don't want to smash. 123 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:13,119 We put them in the bucket, saw them open later. 124 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:15,079 It's nut cracking' time! 125 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:36,319 Give us a look.Ah. 126 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:38,119 I don't want to. I feel devastated. 127 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:41,079 Why? Did you break it? I think so. 128 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:46,999 I feel like I've destroyed something good. 129 00:06:47,080 --> 00:06:49,919 In the excitement, I think that I've hit it the wrong way. 130 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:54,559 Um, I've opened it up and it's my personal favourite colour, 131 00:06:54,640 --> 00:07:00,279 that rich royal purple, crystalised Yowah nut. 132 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:03,999 In terms of monetary value, it could be anywhere between 8,000 and 10,000. 133 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:07,839 as a full untouched kernel. So, yeah. 134 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:13,439 That's the last thing you want to do is start damaging and destroying nice nuts with colour in it. 135 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:15,719 Otherwise, er, we basically, 136 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:18,199 we'll be just, yeah, losing the dollars. 137 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:29,759 CHRIS: Try and get as much digging done as we can. 138 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:31,999 You know, basically burnt the last two months. 139 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:34,919 Got very little digging done and um, you know, it's... 140 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,399 it's impacted what opal we've got out, 141 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:41,039 and in that time a lot of money's gone out so... 142 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:43,279 you know, it's really frustrating. 143 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:45,079 Try and make some money for the break 144 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:47,399 before it gets too hot. Yeah, the pressure's on. 145 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:55,719 I think I got a problem, boys. 146 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:58,239 Something's wrong here. What have you done? 147 00:07:59,920 --> 00:08:01,799 Ah, I've got a flat tyre. 148 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:07,199 Can't get a break, can we? 149 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:14,679 You're rough on the gear, mate. hell. 150 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:17,199 I'll rough you up in a minute. 151 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:19,319 Yous go on and make a start. 152 00:08:19,400 --> 00:08:21,959 Righto. Go and do what you can do, right. Yeah. 153 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:24,839 This is . I'm over it. 154 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:29,919 Chris Cheal, sons, Rory and Oscar, and mine partner, Scott, 155 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:32,999 have just days to turn their season around 156 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:36,239 but have already been beaten by the 40 kilometre road 157 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:38,439 from Lightning Ridge to their claim. 158 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:40,119 Ah, it's me off. 159 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:42,399 Anyway, just going to have to fix it. 160 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:44,479 It's put us behind today again already 161 00:08:44,560 --> 00:08:47,559 so just wasting time, you know. 162 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:50,479 Halved our production for the day, we're back to one truck. 163 00:08:50,560 --> 00:08:52,239 It's the last thing we needed. 164 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:58,679 I reckon it's got to be close to 165 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:01,119 one of the worst tailouts of the season, I reckon. 166 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:03,159 So far it is, isn't it? 167 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:05,679 We might have peaked too early in the season I think 168 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:07,799 and since then it's been pretty dry 169 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:10,239 and then, you know, 170 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:13,399 that tailout the other day was shocking. 171 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:15,919 Possibly our worst tailout all season. 172 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:18,799 Time's running out. Rory and I have got to head back to uni 173 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:21,959 and we need to stay away from breakdowns. 174 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:24,199 You know, breakdowns have killed us all season 175 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:27,479 and we just need a smooth, a smooth run come the end of the season, 176 00:09:27,560 --> 00:09:32,119 and I reckon there'd be some, you know, smiling faces around. 177 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:34,639 Mining with the boys, having that time with them 178 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:36,439 has been a whole new level 179 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:38,719 of our relationship and I've loved it. 180 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:42,359 But I can't expect the boys to be working for nothing 181 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:44,959 and I can't really afford to work for nothing either, 182 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:48,599 so if we don't achieve our season target, 183 00:09:48,680 --> 00:09:51,559 well, there might not be a next year for us. 184 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:56,399 With every hour of their final week vital, 185 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:59,519 rookie operators, Rory and Oscar, have begun work 186 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,599 while Chris repairs his truck's blown tyre. 187 00:10:02,680 --> 00:10:04,639 Today, er, we're just going to be digging. 188 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:07,279 Get dirt out, see a bit of trace maybe. 189 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:12,119 The Cheals' mega claim is a network of 1.5 kilometres of tunnels 190 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:14,359 known as drives. 191 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:16,759 We haven't done too well on this side 192 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:18,959 digging this drive but, 193 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:23,519 we just wanted to try dig across to head over this direction cause we know there's colour there, 194 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:27,479 and the dirt's looking pretty good at the moment, so who knows. 195 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:32,079 Oscar! Yeah. 196 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:34,559 Come here. 197 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:36,239 What is it? Ooh. 198 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:38,239 Looks like we've broken into an old drive. 199 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:40,119 Old workings, hey? Ohl. 200 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:41,919 Yeah, right. 201 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,199 That's frustrating. The dirt was looking good. 202 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:45,999 Yeah, was looking good. 203 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:47,799 So by the looks of it... 204 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:55,199 By the looks of it, it's a drive going perpendicular to the way we're digging, 205 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:57,239 but the people who were in here before us 206 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:59,839 we're hoping they haven't gotten everything that's here. 207 00:10:59,920 --> 00:11:01,959 It could mean that the opal's gone already. 208 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:14,239 ROD: What are you seeing, old fella? 209 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:16,079 LES: Bit of thick stuff there. 210 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:19,079 Thick band there, Les, but ain't showing no colour at the moment 211 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:21,119 but it's only... See there, look at that, 212 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,479 I mean, that's got a little bit of in it. 213 00:11:24,560 --> 00:11:27,719 There's 35 cents for the collection. 214 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:30,279 Thirty five is better than no cents. 215 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:33,239 Look out, or I'll have ya. 216 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:35,919 Old Les is still struggling a little bit, you know. 217 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,879 He hasn't really bounced back real good this season. 218 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:42,679 He nearly died at the end of last season. 219 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:46,919 So it's sort of eating away at me a little bit this season more than others is, 220 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:50,079 I really wanted to get Les a good kick of money 221 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:54,039 so that he could sort of retire or semi-retire, anyway... 222 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:55,919 with a few bucks behind him, you know. 223 00:11:56,000 --> 00:12:00,039 And now we're almost at the end of the season, 224 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:03,959 and, you know, that ain't looking likely. 225 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:06,959 I'm 73, so, even if I'm going to think about, 226 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:09,119 slowing down and retirement, 227 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:12,119 we've got to find something 228 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:14,279 worth a fair bit of money to do that. 229 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:17,239 Other than that, it just won't happen. 230 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:20,879 Rod Manning and Les Walsh have gambled this season 231 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:24,799 on a new partnership and new claim, Ploughboys. 232 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:28,279 Now that's got to be a $60,000 stone there.Yeah. 233 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:30,519 I don't let you get out of the mine, mate. 234 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:34,319 They joined forces with mine owners, Owen and Martin Hutchison, 235 00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:38,119 on a 50-50 split of any opal found. 236 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:45,359 Ploughboys has been a bitter disappointment for us you know, like... 237 00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:48,519 Come into the season thinking that might be the one that made us, 238 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:50,679 and coming out of the season it hasn't been. 239 00:12:50,760 --> 00:12:52,439 It's just been a disaster. 240 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:55,239 It's getting to that stage I don't know where else to dig. 241 00:12:55,320 --> 00:12:57,519 I've dug everywhere. If you have a look around, 242 00:12:57,600 --> 00:12:59,599 all around you, we've dug. 243 00:12:59,680 --> 00:13:01,759 If we take too much more of this column out, 244 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:04,599 we're running the risk of this roof coming down. 245 00:13:04,680 --> 00:13:07,479 Jesus, look at that , Les. 246 00:13:07,560 --> 00:13:09,679 He's starting to spread at the top, isn't he? 247 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:11,639 Yeah, not happy about that at all, mate. 248 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:16,319 We got too big an area, Les, and I'm not going to risk me life for this crap. 249 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:18,599 I'm over it. What about you? You had enough? 250 00:13:18,680 --> 00:13:20,919 Yeah, no, that's, I've had enough of this, yeah. 251 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,239 We're going to end up being here forever. 252 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:24,919 Not good. No, it's not good. 253 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:31,159 The Bushmen's last chance for the season 254 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:34,959 is a single six metre deep, one metre wide test hole 255 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:38,639 that showed small amounts of opal trace. 256 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:41,759 Nothing spectacular but I'll take it at the moment. 257 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:46,799 To mine it, the bottom of the shaft needs to be widened or belled out. 258 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:52,319 Righto. I might just, er, lower this down, mate. 259 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:54,679 In order for us to get our big gear down there 260 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:57,119 and our digging machine and all of that, 261 00:13:57,200 --> 00:13:58,879 we have to make space for it, 262 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:00,799 so you got to go down with a jackhammer 263 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:02,879 and just start into your wall. 264 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:07,079 It's right there in front of you, and you just start jackhammering in. 265 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:09,319 Yee-haw! Here we go. 266 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:15,479 You create like a, a mini bore room in there 267 00:14:15,560 --> 00:14:17,839 so you're giving yourself enough room... 268 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:22,319 to be able to reassemble your, er, digging machine down there. 269 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:24,159 Hey, Les!Yeah? 270 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:27,039 It's hard. 271 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:28,799 It's hard? 272 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:33,799 hard, mate. 273 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:38,279 That's the hardest ground I've dug for a long time. 274 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:42,759 Grabs hold of ya pick and doesn't want to let it go. 275 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:45,919 Is everything going all right down there? 276 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:49,279 It's too hard, mate. There's no way you're going to be able to dig this. 277 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:50,959 It's as hard as hell. 278 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:58,719 Yes, he's pretty exhausted swinging on that hammer down there for... 279 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:02,239 well, four or five hours, you know. It does knock the hell out of you, 280 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:04,359 and it'll be warm down there. 281 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:07,279 I should be down there doing my share 282 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:11,319 but seeing the hammer's not going to treat me nicely, well, 283 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,839 I'll have to stay away. 284 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:16,639 Yeah, I think I've had enough. 285 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:19,039 I think that'll do me for the day. 286 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:23,559 Belling out, it's just a particularly of a job. 287 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:25,999 It's hard going down there, Les. 288 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:27,759 Yeah. 289 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:29,919 Getting a bit of fresh blood in the team 290 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:31,719 wouldn't be a bad thing, you know. 291 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:34,359 Neither of us are getting any younger. 292 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:38,999 Les is knows a young fella that's only been up here a little while, 293 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:41,159 and Les seems to think he'll be pretty good. 294 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:43,999 He reckons he's an honest bloke. He's a young fella. 295 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:48,199 He's big so he might be all right. 296 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:50,279 HUDSON: You got a pretty good set up there. 297 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:52,719 As long as it doesn't break down, we'll be right. 298 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:04,079 That sun's going to get us, eh? It's going to get us now. 299 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:05,759 You two especially just being, 300 00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:08,599 got the sun beating down on you hard. 301 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:10,919 In the final days of the season, 302 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:14,519 the Opal Whisperers' dream to fund their own family mine 303 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:18,119 is evaporating in searing 40 degree temperatures 304 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,959 and broken stones. 305 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:23,159 The heat's starting to really build up here. 306 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:25,639 The shade's retreating away very quickly. 307 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:28,439 We've got lots and lots of little nuts 308 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:30,479 all the way through all of this, 309 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:32,559 so we really don't want to miss any. 310 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:34,439 We've just got to bust through it 311 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:37,319 and hopefully get it all in before we, er, get fried. 312 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:40,279 The ironstone Yowah nuts they've found so far 313 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:45,479 are lacking the rare and highly prized opal patterning unique to the region. 314 00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:48,359 All the nuts are down in here so we'll work our way forward, 315 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:50,279 I'll just take out the whole wall again 316 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:52,879 and do what, just work the whole surface again. 317 00:16:56,760 --> 00:16:59,879 Claim owner, Dave, has to use to an excavator 318 00:16:59,960 --> 00:17:03,079 to dig out blocks of sandstone holding the nuts 319 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:06,519 but risks destroying the opal with the bucket's teeth. 320 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:12,159 ISAAC: How's it going? We buried a few just here. 321 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:15,319 Yeah, in there. Oh, there's colour everywhere. Really? 322 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:19,519 I must have just scraped it and lucky to see the nuts first. 323 00:17:19,600 --> 00:17:22,239 There's colour here. There's another nut here with blue. 324 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:23,919 Look at that. 325 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:27,359 Man. There's colour everywhere. 326 00:17:27,440 --> 00:17:29,919 Everything's making now. Even on the skin of the nut. 327 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,879 Oh, God! There could be a million dollars under our feet. 328 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:35,119 Could be anywhere. There is colour everywhere. 329 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:37,999 Uh-huh. And actually, like, I'm sitting on a Yowah nut. 330 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:41,799 Look at this here. CHRIS: Oh, hold the phone! 331 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:44,719 Hey. Nice.Look at that. That's what I mean. 332 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:49,479 Beautiful dark ironstone with thick matrix blue flash.Wow. 333 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:51,639 It's outrageously bright. 334 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:54,599 Ay. 335 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:56,479 ISAAC: Guys, look what I'm sitting on. 336 00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:58,319 Look at that! Can you see it? Yeah. 337 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:00,959 Holy... It's all through the wall, man. 338 00:18:01,040 --> 00:18:02,639 Every single piece. Look at that. 339 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:04,359 That's pulling it out of the wall. 340 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:07,159 Right there is about three foot of just colour band. 341 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:08,839 It continues right the way along, 342 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:11,239 so let's get this little baby out very carefully. 343 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:13,519 We'll go from underneath it, we'll push it down. 344 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:15,199 See that. Nice and careful. 345 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:17,039 It's massive, too.Is it? 346 00:18:17,120 --> 00:18:19,799 Whoa, dude! This is the best colour yet. 347 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:23,519 Whoa! 348 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:25,799 Whoo! 349 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:28,599 Really an opportunity of a lifetime. 350 00:18:28,680 --> 00:18:31,679 We are in this pit of heaven. 351 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:35,279 I think I was calling it the pit of hell a few days ago because of the heat, 352 00:18:35,360 --> 00:18:38,479 but there's literally colour everywhere. 353 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:42,599 I couldn't even actually start to put a figure on what we've found. 354 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:46,439 We've got loads of nuts that are unopened, 355 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:50,199 all from a level that is producing every single one that we accidentally broke 356 00:18:50,280 --> 00:18:52,279 or was broken by the excavator is colour. 357 00:18:52,360 --> 00:18:55,399 DAVE: There's another bit there. Yeah.Ooh.There's red in that. 358 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:58,799 Our imagination, obviously, is going wild of the possibilities. 359 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:02,479 Erm, we could be on quite a fortune here to be honest. 360 00:19:12,320 --> 00:19:15,159 The last thing we need today, you know, start of the week, 361 00:19:15,240 --> 00:19:16,919 flat tyre straight up. 362 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:21,679 The clock's ticking down to the end of season for the Cheals. 363 00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:23,959 It's not setting us up for a good week. 364 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:28,199 Anyway, nothing you can do about it. You just got to fix it. 365 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:31,639 Chris' blowout delay has forced Rory and Oscar 366 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:34,479 13 metres underground to mine alone. 367 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:37,999 Without their father's 20 years' experience to guide them, 368 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:41,399 the brothers have broken into an old tunnel or drive. 369 00:19:41,480 --> 00:19:43,079 I thought it was initially a problem 370 00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:46,039 but we might even just continue straight through it. 371 00:19:46,120 --> 00:19:48,719 I don't mind that. Last time Dad and I hit a whole drive, 372 00:19:48,800 --> 00:19:51,479 last season we come straight onto money so. 373 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:54,039 Well, just keep digging and wait for Dad to get down. 374 00:19:54,120 --> 00:19:56,879 See what he reckons. 375 00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:01,839 If we finish the season not reaching our season target and without any new opal, 376 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:04,519 I think it'll leave a bit of a sour note on the season. 377 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:08,679 So it'd be really great if we could find some opal this week. 378 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:10,759 Get a bit of money in the bank. 379 00:20:17,840 --> 00:20:20,559 Oscar!Yeah? 380 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:23,479 Look at this, mate. Ooh! 381 00:20:23,560 --> 00:20:27,479 Broken nobby in the face here. Oh. 382 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:29,359 Literally come down for one last swipe 383 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:33,079 and I've just nicked the nobby. Smashed it. 384 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:37,119 Nobbies are small pebbles of opal unique to Lightning Ridge. 385 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:40,719 The most valuable are rare red on a pure black base 386 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:44,359 worth up to $43,000 a gram. 387 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:46,039 It's sort of bluey 388 00:20:46,120 --> 00:20:48,799 so I don't think it would have been a very valuable stone 389 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:51,519 but I'm honestly pretty happy to see a bit of trace. 390 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:54,399 I reckon it's a really good sign. 391 00:20:54,480 --> 00:20:59,279 Half a day behind schedule, Chris finally arrives at the mine. 392 00:20:59,360 --> 00:21:01,559 What have you got? Bit of colour. 393 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:04,599 SCOTT: Really?Yeah. RORY: Yeah, a smashed nobby. 394 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:07,599 Oh.Yeah. CHRIS: Check it out. 395 00:21:07,680 --> 00:21:09,559 Look at that. 396 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:11,239 It's good size. Gees, that's good. 397 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:13,599 Beautiful nobby. Look how clean it is. 398 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:17,799 That is so good, man. To see that, you know... 399 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:19,839 Do you reckon that's our best chance?Yep. 400 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:21,799 Then not long left. 401 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:24,559 This is our best chance right here. 402 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:28,079 All right, well, boys, we need to get into it, 403 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:31,519 we really do because, um, 404 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:33,559 there's nobbies everywhere here. 405 00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:37,879 That's a brilliant start. 406 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:40,879 We couldn't have asked for a better start really after... 407 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:43,639 getting a flat tyre, today. 408 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:47,599 Er, it's all forgotten about now, er, yeah, you know, 409 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:50,959 and we've dug this whole drive for nothing, 410 00:21:51,040 --> 00:21:54,679 and then we see that, you know, Rory's broke that nobby in the face 411 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:58,959 so we'll just keep digging out of here. It's, erm, pretty exciting. 412 00:21:59,040 --> 00:22:02,239 I think we might be in for a half decent pay. 413 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:16,959 I wasn't watching what I was doing. 414 00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:20,799 Er, Hudson's me next door neighbour, only a couple of hundred yards away. 415 00:22:20,880 --> 00:22:24,479 Yeah he wants to go opal mining. He's a big lad. 416 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:27,199 Swing on a jackhammer pretty well, I'd reckon. 417 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:31,119 With sweltering summer temperatures ending the season in days, 418 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:35,479 Les has brought in 19-year-old Hudson Sim to help Rod. 419 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:37,959 All right. 420 00:22:38,040 --> 00:22:40,999 ROD: How you going, Les? Good, mate. Yourself? All right. 421 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:43,119 The young fella I know 422 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:46,399 he's will do a bit of digging for us, so, yeah. 423 00:22:46,480 --> 00:22:48,479 Rod, Hudson. Hudson. Nice to meet you, Rod. 424 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:50,759 How are you, Hudson? Good, thanks. 425 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:53,719 Hudson, hey. See how he works on the jackhammer. 426 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:55,639 Oh, yeah. 427 00:22:55,720 --> 00:22:59,119 All right. Well, he's big enough to hold the , Les. 428 00:23:01,360 --> 00:23:04,399 I came up here a couple of years ago, erm, with my family. 429 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:06,919 They brought me up here as a kid. 430 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:09,839 Opal mining is just, it's that addictive. 431 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:13,319 Once you see it, it's hard to go back to anything else. 432 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:15,119 You done much mining? 433 00:23:15,200 --> 00:23:17,399 A little bit here and there but not a whole lot. 434 00:23:17,480 --> 00:23:20,999 Oh, yeah?Yeah.All right. 435 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:24,119 Growing up on a farm over five hours away, 436 00:23:24,200 --> 00:23:26,839 Hudson has been working as a steel fabricator 437 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:29,799 but now wants to make the switch to opal miner. 438 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:32,919 All right. We can give you a go. 439 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:34,839 Better than me doing it on me own, Les. 440 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:36,559 Yeah.Yeah. 441 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:39,239 It's hard to find a young fella to get into this life 442 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:40,919 so when you find one, 443 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:42,719 I reckon you should look after them. 444 00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:46,199 I don't particularly like training someone young up 445 00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:50,359 but if you don't do it, there's no future for opal mining. 446 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:53,679 Les is 74-75, you know, 447 00:23:53,760 --> 00:23:57,079 and opal mining's a tough game for anyone, 448 00:23:57,160 --> 00:24:00,599 but he's going to have to front up again next year and you know. 449 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:03,479 I was really wanting to send him out with a couple of bucks 450 00:24:03,560 --> 00:24:05,479 so that next season he could... 451 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:07,599 he could get it a little bit easier. 452 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:09,519 All right, you ready? Go. 453 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:21,799 You're doing all right, Hudson. 454 00:24:21,880 --> 00:24:24,839 You just got to lean on your hammer a little bit more, mate. 455 00:24:28,280 --> 00:24:30,919 Yeah, it's pretty pretty tough going some of this stuff, 456 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:35,399 like nothing I've, er, ever had to deal with before. 457 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:37,319 It's totally different ground. 458 00:24:39,560 --> 00:24:42,959 With the two of us down here and one of us a giant, 459 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:45,719 there's not a lot of room for us to move 460 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:50,119 and it's as hot as bloody hell, and you don't want to be belling out at the end of the season 461 00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:51,799 when it's hot like it is now. 462 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:54,399 It's got to be 42-43 down here. 463 00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:56,359 Feels like 53. 464 00:25:04,440 --> 00:25:07,119 Good job, guys. Well done, everyone. Whoo! 465 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:09,319 Oh, so pumped to see this stuff opened up. 466 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:13,759 On their last dig before heat and storms shut down the season...Oh. 467 00:25:13,840 --> 00:25:18,079 ..the Opal Whisperers have unearthed a massive 200 kilogram haul 468 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:20,359 of highly rare Yowah nuts. 469 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:29,919 Don't think we really prepared for the magnitude of this situation 470 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,119 and what we've actually found here. 471 00:25:32,200 --> 00:25:35,599 Erm, we're all a little bit in shock but we've just got to get into it. 472 00:25:38,200 --> 00:25:40,879 Taught by his father 40 years ago, 473 00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:42,799 Dave saws the nuts open 474 00:25:42,880 --> 00:25:46,679 exposing the kernel inside hoping it holds opal. 475 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:50,999 There's no colour on this nut. 476 00:25:51,080 --> 00:25:54,719 Got a nice pattern. No colour. 477 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:57,199 The ultimate prize is a Yowah nut 478 00:25:57,280 --> 00:26:00,319 with the entire centre filled with opal. 479 00:26:00,400 --> 00:26:04,199 No?No. Third time lucky. 480 00:26:04,280 --> 00:26:08,599 Just one would cover the $50,000 the Whisperers need 481 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:10,279 to buy their own mine. 482 00:26:10,360 --> 00:26:12,479 No good.Na. 483 00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:14,359 No good. 484 00:26:18,360 --> 00:26:20,119 Na.Na.Okay. 485 00:26:26,080 --> 00:26:27,839 Maybe. 486 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:29,519 Hopefully. 487 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:32,519 Ah, got a kernel. SOFIA: Ah. 488 00:26:32,600 --> 00:26:34,839 There's our first kernel. Yeah. 489 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:37,519 Yeah, ya. Nice. 490 00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:39,439 Beautiful.Hey. 491 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:41,119 Good one. 492 00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:43,559 Ooh, whoa. CHRIS: Whoa! 493 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:46,039 Oh, my God. Beautiful, eh? 494 00:26:46,120 --> 00:26:48,079 SOFIA: Ah. 495 00:26:49,840 --> 00:26:51,719 Hey.Yo. 496 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:53,479 Look at the colour. 497 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:03,159 Holy . Oh, God. 498 00:27:03,240 --> 00:27:05,079 Oh!CHRIS: Oh!Woo! 499 00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:06,839 Ah! DAVE: We got it, we cracked it. 500 00:27:06,920 --> 00:27:08,519 We cracked it. What the hell. 501 00:27:08,600 --> 00:27:11,279 Oh, my God. Look at that! Whoa! 502 00:27:11,360 --> 00:27:13,119 CHRIS: Whoo! Bloody hell. 503 00:27:13,200 --> 00:27:15,119 That's what dreams are made of, man. 504 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:16,999 Oh, she's crying. 505 00:27:17,080 --> 00:27:18,959 SOFIA: Oh. Are you serious? 506 00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:22,359 Yeah, that is 50 grand. That's a Yowah nut kernel. It is an eye kernel. 507 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:24,439 Brandy Gully kernel in Yowah. Yep. 508 00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:27,239 Oh!What the hell? 509 00:27:27,320 --> 00:27:29,479 It's a beautiful floral pattern. 510 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:31,999 It's a full eye kernel Yowah nut 511 00:27:32,080 --> 00:27:36,599 and it is the rarest of the rarest formation on earth.Yep. 512 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:40,159 That is something that you don't get to see. 513 00:27:40,240 --> 00:27:43,159 That is the one a billion. 514 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:45,039 Don't drop it. 515 00:27:45,120 --> 00:27:47,999 Oh, my God. 516 00:27:48,080 --> 00:27:49,919 Eye kernel, man. Fifty grand! 517 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:52,559 That is $50,000, buddy. Yep. 518 00:27:52,640 --> 00:27:54,959 Ooh. 519 00:27:55,040 --> 00:27:57,119 Are you okay? No. 520 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:09,199 If you've got a colour bar through that, that's 20-30 grand. 521 00:28:09,280 --> 00:28:11,159 It is on, mate. 522 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:13,159 The find's definitely lifted our spirits. 523 00:28:13,240 --> 00:28:15,519 Literally, the best trace we've seen for months. 524 00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:18,839 It's hard not to be excited of what else might be there. 525 00:28:18,920 --> 00:28:21,879 It's the last day of mining for the Cheals 526 00:28:21,960 --> 00:28:25,559 as summer temperatures hit 45 degrees Celsius, 527 00:28:25,640 --> 00:28:27,359 making it too hot to work 528 00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:29,879 and rendering the machines inoperable. 529 00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:32,599 CHRIS: The window's closing to hit our season target. 530 00:28:32,680 --> 00:28:34,839 Yeah, with all the disruptions we've had, 531 00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:38,199 we just got to get as much dirt out as we can. 532 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:40,199 I don't really have time to mess around. 533 00:28:40,280 --> 00:28:43,279 We just got to get into it. 534 00:28:43,360 --> 00:28:45,199 As Chris mines the face, 535 00:28:45,280 --> 00:28:47,079 sons, Rory and Oscar, 536 00:28:47,160 --> 00:28:51,279 are loading the dirt into a 600 kilogram capacity bucket 537 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:55,279 to be dumped into waiting trucks above. 538 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:59,119 When it heats up, it gets really hard on the gear on the generator. 539 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:01,439 Last season Oscar and Dad had a lot of drama, 540 00:29:01,520 --> 00:29:03,999 erm, with the bucket getting stuck halfway up, 541 00:29:04,080 --> 00:29:07,079 and didn't have enough power to drive it all the way over the top 542 00:29:07,160 --> 00:29:11,599 so we're just watching it and taking it a bit slow, not filling it right up 543 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:14,799 so we can avoid, uh, the situation like that again. 544 00:29:17,880 --> 00:29:20,879 Yeah, a bit concerned about the heat. 545 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:23,319 Trying to get work done before this heat sets in. 546 00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:25,479 It's just knocking the gear around too much. 547 00:29:25,560 --> 00:29:29,359 We've got two full trucks. Just going to call it a day. 548 00:29:29,440 --> 00:29:31,159 Right, boys, this is the last bucket. 549 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:33,639 Sweet as. Last of the season, ay, boys. 550 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:35,519 That's it then? This is our last hope. 551 00:29:35,600 --> 00:29:38,199 Last it's our last hope. Hopefully, she's full of opal. 552 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:47,439 The trucks filled with 35 tonnes of mined dirt 553 00:29:47,520 --> 00:29:49,479 are taken to an agitator 554 00:29:49,560 --> 00:29:51,999 to wash the clay off the rock overnight 555 00:29:52,080 --> 00:29:54,239 to expose any opal. 556 00:29:56,840 --> 00:29:58,839 It's crunch time for us now, you know. 557 00:29:58,920 --> 00:30:00,519 Hopefully, the opal's in there. 558 00:30:00,600 --> 00:30:02,959 I think we're going to be disappointed if it's not. 559 00:30:03,040 --> 00:30:06,239 Hitting that season target would really set us out well for next year 560 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:09,039 and put us in a good spot now. 561 00:30:09,120 --> 00:30:12,839 Family friend, Farren Lamb, and mine partner, Scott, 562 00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:17,239 are helping with the most critical tailout of the season. 563 00:30:17,320 --> 00:30:19,199 Here we go. 564 00:30:21,160 --> 00:30:22,879 I'm just hoping that, erm, 565 00:30:22,960 --> 00:30:25,239 now we can get over the line cause if we don't, 566 00:30:25,320 --> 00:30:27,159 you know, it's going to be harder to... 567 00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:29,119 to start up next season. 568 00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:39,399 Pretty poor. 569 00:30:39,480 --> 00:30:41,319 It'll want to improve. 570 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:43,799 That's for sure. 571 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:53,359 We need to have two of us down here 572 00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:55,919 because otherwise we're just taking too long. 573 00:30:56,000 --> 00:30:58,239 I just want to get the finished 574 00:30:58,320 --> 00:31:00,799 so I can get my big machines down here 575 00:31:00,880 --> 00:31:03,679 and I don't, we don't have to swing off these jackhammers. 576 00:31:03,760 --> 00:31:06,759 But at the moment, it's bloody awful down here. 577 00:31:06,840 --> 00:31:08,479 It's as hot as hell. 578 00:31:08,560 --> 00:31:11,799 It's the last chance for the Bushmen to find opal 579 00:31:11,880 --> 00:31:16,239 as extreme temperatures are about to shut down the mining season. 580 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:19,999 With Les unable to work, Rod and rookie miner, Hudson, 581 00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:23,199 are widening a one metre diameter shaft. 582 00:31:23,280 --> 00:31:25,159 Just hold it there for a sec. 583 00:31:26,480 --> 00:31:29,879 Not looking too bad there. See the way this seam's coming up here. 584 00:31:29,960 --> 00:31:32,159 HUDSON: Yeah. See the way it's forming there. 585 00:31:32,240 --> 00:31:36,679 Yeah, that's a bit promising that. Good performing crystal.Yeah. 586 00:31:36,760 --> 00:31:40,319 Just take a little bit more out of that side there for me.All right. 587 00:31:40,400 --> 00:31:42,759 See the way the seam's coming down. Yeah. 588 00:31:42,840 --> 00:31:44,719 Come in that way. 589 00:31:54,480 --> 00:31:56,719 Oi! Hang on! 590 00:31:56,800 --> 00:31:58,839 What's going on? 591 00:31:58,920 --> 00:32:01,759 Yeah, there was a big seam up there, boy. 592 00:32:01,840 --> 00:32:03,479 Look. 593 00:32:03,560 --> 00:32:07,039 Ah. Don't tell me I missed that. 594 00:32:07,120 --> 00:32:08,719 Look at that, boy. 595 00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:11,199 Look what you missed you big . Look at that. 596 00:32:11,280 --> 00:32:13,359 Gees. I've got to clean me glasses. 597 00:32:13,440 --> 00:32:15,399 I'd clean your glasses for sure, mate. 598 00:32:15,480 --> 00:32:17,199 I don't know how I missed that. 599 00:32:17,280 --> 00:32:19,479 It fell out of there. I saw it come down. 600 00:32:19,560 --> 00:32:22,279 Big patch of it. Ha. 601 00:32:22,360 --> 00:32:24,239 Here, put your hands out. 602 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:26,679 Colour. 603 00:32:26,760 --> 00:32:28,439 Oh, that's nice, isn't it? 604 00:32:28,520 --> 00:32:30,399 Is that the first opal you found, boy? 605 00:32:30,480 --> 00:32:33,279 Yeah, not far off. Look at that. 606 00:32:33,360 --> 00:32:38,479 Oh. There's colour in here. It's big and it's cheesy. 607 00:32:38,560 --> 00:32:40,319 That's just full of colour that is. 608 00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:42,879 It's all right, isn't it?Oh! 609 00:32:42,960 --> 00:32:45,599 That just sparkles, that does. 610 00:32:45,680 --> 00:32:47,999 That is... There's more here, you know. Is there? 611 00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:49,839 How much did we miss? 612 00:32:49,920 --> 00:32:53,719 Oh. Colour in that. 613 00:32:53,800 --> 00:32:55,959 Jesus. 614 00:32:56,040 --> 00:32:58,599 We'll be eating well tonight. 615 00:32:58,680 --> 00:33:01,159 You there, Les? Yeah, mate. What's up? 616 00:33:01,240 --> 00:33:02,839 Guess what I'm looking at? 617 00:33:02,920 --> 00:33:05,159 Oh, you've found some opal, have ya? 618 00:33:05,240 --> 00:33:08,639 Big handful of beautiful crystal, mate. Oh, okay. 619 00:33:08,720 --> 00:33:11,519 Show a bit of excitement you old . 620 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:13,359 I am excited. 621 00:33:13,440 --> 00:33:17,879 Excited I don't have to climb down the ladder and climb back up again. 622 00:33:17,960 --> 00:33:22,079 Rod and Hudson have found high quality crystal opal. 623 00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:26,399 It's predominantly blue green with bars of rare red. 624 00:33:26,480 --> 00:33:31,079 It's in the rough and there's 300 grams. 625 00:33:31,160 --> 00:33:33,479 Have a look at that stuff, mate. 626 00:33:35,880 --> 00:33:37,479 That's the cheese, isn't it? 627 00:33:37,560 --> 00:33:39,199 That doesn't look bad. Look at that. 628 00:33:39,280 --> 00:33:40,919 Beautiful, isn't it, ay? 629 00:33:41,000 --> 00:33:43,559 The best we've seen in a while, Les. It is, it is. 630 00:33:43,640 --> 00:33:46,439 Ah, we'd get a few bob for this. 631 00:33:46,520 --> 00:33:48,479 Well, I don't know what you reckon, Les, 632 00:33:48,560 --> 00:33:51,359 but it's got to be worth between ten and 15. 633 00:33:51,440 --> 00:33:53,039 You reckon it's worth that much? 634 00:33:53,120 --> 00:33:56,559 I do. Look at it. I reckon it's worth, yeah. Gees. 635 00:33:56,640 --> 00:33:59,599 What if we settle on 12 grand? We won't take anything under 12. 636 00:33:59,680 --> 00:34:01,279 All right. That sounds good to me. 637 00:34:01,360 --> 00:34:04,279 We were only belling out and we've got a handful of colour.Yeah. 638 00:34:04,360 --> 00:34:06,199 Wait till we get the digger down there. 639 00:34:06,280 --> 00:34:08,879 Wait till we get the digger down there and get moving. 640 00:34:08,960 --> 00:34:12,319 With mine owners, the Hutchisons, taking 50%, 641 00:34:12,400 --> 00:34:14,679 the Bushmen's final find of the season 642 00:34:14,760 --> 00:34:18,119 brings their total to $93,000. 643 00:34:18,200 --> 00:34:21,039 Finding that little bit of colour we did down there, 644 00:34:21,120 --> 00:34:23,759 the moment Les dropped it on the front of the old Landy, 645 00:34:23,840 --> 00:34:26,639 when the sun hits it, it just, it's like nothing else. 646 00:34:26,720 --> 00:34:28,759 It really is. 647 00:34:33,120 --> 00:34:35,759 Hey, that nearly looks good enough to eat, fellas. 648 00:34:35,840 --> 00:34:37,959 Here's to the new mine, you know. 649 00:34:38,040 --> 00:34:41,559 Here's to the Ulster. Hope she's a bloody beauty.Cheers. 650 00:34:41,640 --> 00:34:43,759 I'm really looking forward to the next season 651 00:34:43,840 --> 00:34:46,839 because you're going into a mine that hasn't been worked before. 652 00:34:46,920 --> 00:34:49,559 The old fella will be able to retire with a few dollars, 653 00:34:49,640 --> 00:34:55,199 I'll be able to do those renovations I've been telling Amanda I was going to do for ten years, 654 00:34:55,280 --> 00:34:58,319 so next year, it's going to be our year. 655 00:34:58,400 --> 00:35:01,959 Yeah, I reckon it's picked our spirits up a little bit. 656 00:35:02,040 --> 00:35:04,999 Looking forward to next season now. 657 00:35:05,080 --> 00:35:07,599 Erm, I don't know whether I'll retire altogether, 658 00:35:07,680 --> 00:35:09,999 but I might slow down a bit. 659 00:35:10,080 --> 00:35:12,119 But mining keeps you fit, 660 00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:14,079 and the beer keeps you happy. 661 00:35:14,160 --> 00:35:16,399 There's not much more to go for than that. 662 00:35:31,560 --> 00:35:34,519 Come on, man. Drop us a good stone. 663 00:35:34,600 --> 00:35:37,199 In their final tailout for the year, 664 00:35:37,280 --> 00:35:43,039 the Cheals need $35,000 to continue mining next season. 665 00:35:43,120 --> 00:35:46,079 Lots of these big chunks coming out, Dad. 666 00:35:46,160 --> 00:35:48,319 Yeah. 667 00:35:48,400 --> 00:35:51,079 Still lots of material but it's just lacking with colour. 668 00:35:51,160 --> 00:35:54,599 Certainly need more to hit our target from here. 669 00:35:54,680 --> 00:35:57,239 I'm going to clear the baby anyway. 670 00:35:57,320 --> 00:35:59,199 What about that one, Scotty? Holy . 671 00:35:59,280 --> 00:36:01,879 CHRIS: Whoo-hoo, hoo! Oh, that's . 672 00:36:11,000 --> 00:36:13,519 Look at that! Look at that! Look at that! 673 00:36:13,600 --> 00:36:15,679 Is that the other half? What? 674 00:36:20,040 --> 00:36:23,479 Oh, look at the size of it. Oh. 675 00:36:23,560 --> 00:36:26,119 That's what it's all about. That's beautiful. 676 00:36:26,200 --> 00:36:29,399 OSCAR: That's gem colour. That'd be close to our find of the season. 677 00:36:29,480 --> 00:36:31,359 Save the best for last, all right. 678 00:36:31,440 --> 00:36:33,439 Look at that. ALL: Ooh. 679 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:35,119 Oh, ho, hey. FARREN: Holy. 680 00:36:37,120 --> 00:36:39,159 Oh, let's go. 681 00:36:39,240 --> 00:36:41,759 RORY: Look at the size of that nobby! 682 00:36:41,840 --> 00:36:44,359 The more you swipe around, the more there is too.Yeah. 683 00:36:44,440 --> 00:36:46,919 Look at that face. 684 00:36:47,000 --> 00:36:49,239 FARREN: My heart is just pounding. 685 00:36:49,320 --> 00:36:51,719 So good. OSCAR: Oh, my God. 686 00:36:51,800 --> 00:36:53,479 Nice work, my bro. 687 00:36:53,560 --> 00:36:56,359 Hey. 688 00:36:56,440 --> 00:37:00,359 The Cheals have found black and crystal opal nobbies, 689 00:37:00,440 --> 00:37:04,879 the most valuable gem saturated with highly prized reds, 690 00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:07,679 it's in the rough and there's 500 grams. 691 00:37:09,600 --> 00:37:12,439 I reckon, boys, what I've added up there... 692 00:37:14,800 --> 00:37:17,119 ..and that there's still stones in there 693 00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:19,759 that are high quality but smaller. 694 00:37:19,840 --> 00:37:22,919 To be honest, I reckon there's 60 grand there. 695 00:37:23,000 --> 00:37:25,199 Ooh. RORY: Let's go, boys. 696 00:37:25,280 --> 00:37:26,879 Yeah, baby. 697 00:37:26,960 --> 00:37:29,959 Oh, let's go.Ooh! 698 00:37:30,040 --> 00:37:32,719 Far out. What a way to end the season, mate. 699 00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:35,119 Oh, mate. That's unreal. Yeah. 700 00:37:35,200 --> 00:37:37,159 So that's it, eh? Sixty grand? Yeah. 701 00:37:39,720 --> 00:37:43,159 That's over half our season target well and truly in one tailout, 702 00:37:43,240 --> 00:37:45,159 and that's exactly why 703 00:37:45,240 --> 00:37:47,959 when you start opal mining you get hooked. 704 00:37:48,040 --> 00:37:51,719 What a way to end the season. I don't think it could've ended on a better note. 705 00:37:51,800 --> 00:37:54,639 It's disappointing that we have to pull up where we are now. 706 00:37:54,720 --> 00:37:56,559 Yeah, over the moon. I'm just so stoked 707 00:37:56,640 --> 00:37:58,839 with how it all panned out. 708 00:37:58,920 --> 00:38:01,839 Sixty grand. Literally left it to the last minute. 709 00:38:01,920 --> 00:38:04,159 We've all been through so much this whole season 710 00:38:04,240 --> 00:38:06,039 and, you know, Rory and I took the risk 711 00:38:06,120 --> 00:38:08,239 to actually come out here and we backed Dad. 712 00:38:08,320 --> 00:38:11,959 For us to do that and actually get a result out of it, 713 00:38:12,040 --> 00:38:14,239 that's one of the best things we've ever felt. 714 00:38:17,360 --> 00:38:19,959 Well, on that. 715 00:38:20,040 --> 00:38:22,879 Actually, Rory and I got a little surprise for ya. 716 00:38:22,960 --> 00:38:24,879 Oscar and I have got to go back to Sydney 717 00:38:24,960 --> 00:38:26,919 and we've been talking to you guys about 718 00:38:27,000 --> 00:38:30,599 how we're going to stay involved while we're away. 719 00:38:30,680 --> 00:38:36,279 Our proposition is to start up a company, Cheal Opal. 720 00:38:36,360 --> 00:38:40,639 We manage all the opal, all the sales and that sort of stuff, 721 00:38:40,720 --> 00:38:42,719 it'd up our profit margins... You serious? 722 00:38:42,800 --> 00:38:44,399 Yeah.Are you serious? 723 00:38:44,480 --> 00:38:46,279 We registered a company, Cheal Opal, 724 00:38:46,360 --> 00:38:48,959 set up a website and... 725 00:38:49,040 --> 00:38:51,199 Oh...How good's that, mate? ..no way. 726 00:38:51,280 --> 00:38:53,319 Look how schmick. 727 00:38:53,400 --> 00:38:55,079 boys. Fair dinkum. Oh, gee. 728 00:38:55,160 --> 00:38:56,759 What do you reckon? 729 00:38:56,840 --> 00:38:58,719 Man, I just... 730 00:39:00,640 --> 00:39:02,559 Choked up, ay. 731 00:39:09,640 --> 00:39:11,239 Happy with that? Thanks, brother. 732 00:39:11,320 --> 00:39:13,639 Ah, that's all right. You're good. 733 00:39:13,720 --> 00:39:17,079 Thanks for everything. No, that's all right. You too. 734 00:39:17,160 --> 00:39:19,399 The boys are going to take it to another level. 735 00:39:19,480 --> 00:39:23,599 You might be signing autographs. 736 00:39:23,680 --> 00:39:27,599 I really don't know what to say. You know, like, er... 737 00:39:27,680 --> 00:39:29,519 you're so busy, 738 00:39:29,600 --> 00:39:31,559 you know, maintaining gear and... 739 00:39:34,000 --> 00:39:36,039 ..fixing stuff and, 740 00:39:36,120 --> 00:39:37,799 you know, it's... 741 00:39:37,880 --> 00:39:41,359 it's 12 hour days and, you know, 742 00:39:41,440 --> 00:39:44,199 for them to want to be a part of what I love to do 743 00:39:44,280 --> 00:39:47,119 and take the business to another level 744 00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:49,199 and back me the way they are is, erm... 745 00:39:50,520 --> 00:39:53,879 yeah, you can't put a price on that. 746 00:40:03,280 --> 00:40:06,399 This is the... the really grand prize. 747 00:40:06,480 --> 00:40:10,479 The best, er, crystal centred nut I've ever found. 748 00:40:10,560 --> 00:40:13,239 This is like a dream for every opal miner. 749 00:40:13,320 --> 00:40:16,559 Once in a lifetime to find something like this. 750 00:40:16,640 --> 00:40:18,719 My parents, they'd be looking down on me now 751 00:40:18,800 --> 00:40:21,959 and, yeah, jumping up and down with joy. 752 00:40:23,680 --> 00:40:26,039 SOFIA: Did anyone realise how... It's amazing... 753 00:40:26,120 --> 00:40:30,159 ..much stuff we've actually got? This is absolutely mind boggling. 754 00:40:30,240 --> 00:40:32,199 It all adds up, yeah. You wouldn't think. 755 00:40:32,280 --> 00:40:35,559 When you look down that table... Makes your eyes spin inside your head. 756 00:40:35,640 --> 00:40:37,239 It just...It's just that... 757 00:40:37,320 --> 00:40:39,719 ..incredible. Look at that. 758 00:40:39,800 --> 00:40:41,999 Dave and the Opal Whisperers 759 00:40:42,080 --> 00:40:45,719 have just finished processing their biggest find ever 760 00:40:45,800 --> 00:40:49,959 including a $50,000 nut they've named "Yowah Moon" 761 00:40:50,040 --> 00:40:54,559 and a mammoth 2.5 kilogram boulder. 762 00:40:54,640 --> 00:40:58,199 Every single piece here is phenomenal. 763 00:40:58,280 --> 00:41:00,759 Rare crystal opal patterning 764 00:41:00,840 --> 00:41:03,999 featuring the full spectrum of vibrant colours. 765 00:41:04,080 --> 00:41:07,079 The stones are sought after by collectors whole 766 00:41:07,160 --> 00:41:10,279 or can be cut and polished for unique jewellery. 767 00:41:10,360 --> 00:41:16,279 Over one thousand nuts weighing 150 kilograms. 768 00:41:16,360 --> 00:41:20,159 SOFIA: Valuation, I mean, it's something that I've done since I was 11 years old. 769 00:41:20,240 --> 00:41:23,519 It's always an exciting thing... usually. 770 00:41:23,600 --> 00:41:28,559 But today I would say that it was the first time in my opal career 771 00:41:28,640 --> 00:41:32,519 that I've ever felt intimidated by an opal collection. 772 00:41:32,600 --> 00:41:34,319 How we going there, Sof? 773 00:41:34,400 --> 00:41:36,319 To be honest, babe, we're... 774 00:41:36,400 --> 00:41:38,959 we're really looking at some serious value here. 775 00:41:39,040 --> 00:41:42,359 There was just so much there and there was a lot of adrenalin, 776 00:41:42,440 --> 00:41:45,599 erm, and anxiety of where to start. 777 00:41:45,680 --> 00:41:48,639 Just every crack is just filled with colour. 778 00:41:50,800 --> 00:41:53,399 DAVE: Oh, there they are. Top of the top. 779 00:41:53,480 --> 00:41:55,679 Oh, mate, every time I see that just. 780 00:41:55,760 --> 00:41:58,199 SOFIA: I need to just know what's on these... 781 00:41:58,280 --> 00:42:00,919 Yeah...please. It's 30, 30 grand on that. 782 00:42:01,000 --> 00:42:02,839 30.Modest.50 grand on that. 50.Yeah. 783 00:42:02,920 --> 00:42:06,239 So what have you got? What's the total?You say it... Altogether?Yeah. 784 00:42:06,320 --> 00:42:08,399 If we're looking at 80,000 for this? Yeah. 785 00:42:11,440 --> 00:42:14,239 We've got 1.2 million dollars. 786 00:42:16,160 --> 00:42:17,799 Whoa! DAVE: Hell. 787 00:42:20,040 --> 00:42:22,799 Come here. In all these years. 788 00:42:22,880 --> 00:42:25,679 This doesn't feel real. It's all good. 789 00:42:28,600 --> 00:42:31,279 One point two million dollars 790 00:42:31,360 --> 00:42:35,959 makes this the biggest find ever on Outback Opal Hunters. 791 00:42:36,040 --> 00:42:42,199 The Whisperers' share is a massive $360,000. 792 00:42:42,280 --> 00:42:44,719 ISAAC: I had the experience of my life. 793 00:42:44,800 --> 00:42:46,679 Everything that we dreamt of came true. 794 00:42:46,760 --> 00:42:48,999 SOFIA: Buddy, here's to your parents DAVE: Yeah. 795 00:42:49,080 --> 00:42:50,799 This is just awesome. Good job, mate. 796 00:42:50,880 --> 00:42:53,159 You never think it, erm, would happen, you know, 797 00:42:53,240 --> 00:42:57,799 and it's every opal miner's dream and I'm one of the lucky ones. 798 00:42:57,880 --> 00:43:00,759 It's going to be something that we'll never ever, ever forget 799 00:43:00,840 --> 00:43:03,999 and I don't think we'll ever be parallel in our lifetime. 800 00:43:04,080 --> 00:43:05,919 Sofia and I have put everything on hold 801 00:43:06,000 --> 00:43:08,279 to come out here in the desert to chase a dream. 802 00:43:08,360 --> 00:43:10,759 By no means did we expect to see this. 803 00:43:10,840 --> 00:43:14,199 Like, I couldn't, we couldn't have dreamed of a better end to the season. 804 00:43:16,840 --> 00:43:18,759 We cracked it. 805 00:43:18,840 --> 00:43:22,559 SOFIA: It looks like we'll be operating 806 00:43:22,640 --> 00:43:25,159 and mining on our own claim 807 00:43:25,240 --> 00:43:27,399 which is just, erm, a life dream 808 00:43:27,480 --> 00:43:30,399 that's going to be incredible to experience. 809 00:43:30,480 --> 00:43:34,999 And then also to share the magic with people that you love, 810 00:43:35,080 --> 00:43:37,519 erm, I mean, it's right up there. 811 00:43:37,600 --> 00:43:39,319 Whoo! 812 00:43:39,400 --> 00:43:41,559 Opal really is magic. 813 00:43:41,640 --> 00:43:43,479 Bloody good. 814 00:44:02,760 --> 00:44:04,759 Subtitles by Deluxe 814 00:44:05,305 --> 00:45:05,768