"Outback Opal Hunters" Disaster Strikes

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,799 MC: Here's one for you guys on the stand. This horse's name is Sydney. 2 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:07,599 Oh, look at this one go again! Terrific horse. 3 00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:11,279 JC: What's the date?The 23rd. 4 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:14,119 Right now, JC's just signing the waiver, 5 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:16,599 I guess, for the local steer rides. 6 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:20,319 It's 60 bucks entry, but... 7 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:23,319 winner takes the bigger portion of 500 bucks. 8 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:26,559 Can all competitors in the local steer ride please be ready? 9 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:28,559 See you, boys. 10 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:31,239 We mine all the time, and that's pretty much all we do, 11 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:34,759 so today we've taken the day off and come to the White Cliffs Rodeo, 12 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:36,439 the biggest event of the year. 13 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:39,199 Draws the most people to town, especially country people. 14 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:42,159 MC: Whoa, I tell you what, ladies and gentlemen... 15 00:00:42,240 --> 00:00:45,439 The plan is to get JC up on a steer and make a bit of cash. 16 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:48,199 We've found a bit of opal over the years, 17 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:50,279 but not enough to keep us set up. 18 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:53,799 If I win that money, it'll go straight into food, it'll go into diesel. 19 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:57,719 It's the start of our third year out here, 20 00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:01,239 and I feel like the team is definitely getting sick of doing it rough. 21 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:07,079 Yeah! 22 00:01:08,320 --> 00:01:11,879 I think we're all getting a bit burnt out from mining, 23 00:01:11,960 --> 00:01:14,319 JC in particular. 24 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:16,879 The money we're making off opal is, seriously, 25 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:18,559 barely minimum wage. 26 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:21,799 We're just kind of working our arses off for not much return. 27 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:24,279 I'm ready to rumble. 28 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:26,679 Jesus, he's hanging off the side. 29 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,879 Oh, my God.Oh, my God, he's really... 30 00:01:29,960 --> 00:01:32,959 They're coming off all right. Yeah, but they know how to. 31 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:36,199 They've done this before. JC's never done it. 32 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:39,119 He grew up on a skateboard. He's used to taking hard falls. 33 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:41,399 This is not skateboarding. 34 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:45,319 This is a big live animal that wants to hurt me. 35 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:48,479 Thing about there in the middle of the back?Yeah? 36 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:50,439 Yep, just pull it out like that. 37 00:01:50,520 --> 00:01:52,399 And just kinda pull over.Yep. 38 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:56,799 Enough?Yeah, it feels pretty tight. Yeah. 39 00:01:56,880 --> 00:01:59,599 All right. Big chest, big chest. Mm, big chest. 40 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:02,079 Squeeze them feet. Squeezing them feet. All right. 41 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:03,759 Let's get it. 42 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:07,559 All right. Ready? MC: James Caruana... 43 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:09,239 Yep. Say when. When? 44 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:10,919 Let's get it.Go! 45 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:14,599 Go, JC! 46 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:22,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 47 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:36,039 NARRATOR: Australia. One of the harshest continents on Earth. 48 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:39,519 The vast, isolated outback 49 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:42,559 covers more than 70% of the country. 50 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:48,479 NEWSREADER: Extraordinary loss after the day's firestorms. 51 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:52,439 NEWSREADER 2: Flood emergency is swamping homes and devastating farms. 52 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:56,079 Extreme weather events across Australia... 53 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:58,479 It's not looking good. Trying to pull it out now. 54 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:01,599 ..have raised conditions to apocalyptic. 55 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:04,799 Not only do you have to do it with 50-degree days, 56 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:06,959 you have to do it with this. 57 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:11,279 NEWSREADER: Developing now, a mice plague. Recent rainfall has encouraged breeding. 58 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:13,879 Hey, get this little out. 59 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:15,959 Hordes of spiders 60 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:18,479 have been left scrambling for higher ground. 61 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:21,559 I'm not going near that thing. 62 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:25,719 The prize that's lured miners for over a century 63 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:28,959 to risk their lives in the outback... 64 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:38,439 ..opal, worth 500 times more than gold. 65 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:41,919 We've got it! We're pregnant! 66 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:44,479 We got another one! We got another one right there. 67 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:46,919 It's such a magnificent thing... 68 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:52,719 ..it makes you put up with all of this. 69 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:57,159 Live in the middle of nowhere, 70 00:03:57,240 --> 00:03:59,439 and all the hardships we go through, 71 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:02,279 and all the injuries, and all the heartbreaks... 72 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:05,999 MAN: Oh, Dad! You all right? What happened? 73 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:10,519 Once you hold that in your hand and you have a look at it, everything's forgotten. 74 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:15,879 # ASH GRUNWALD: Money 75 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:17,759 # Money 76 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:23,119 # And fancy clothes 77 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:30,559 # Telling you what to do For the life we live 78 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,279 # Where to go # 79 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:43,999 MC: Our next... Go, JC! 80 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:47,279 Let's get it.Go!Go! 81 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:50,399 He's heading over... Oh, he's down, he's down. 82 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:53,679 He does look hurt. He looks... My leg's broken. 83 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:56,999 Right. Yeah. I'm with you, with you. 84 00:04:57,080 --> 00:04:59,839 Take it easy. Ohh, that's my leg gone. 85 00:04:59,920 --> 00:05:02,599 What's happened? He's hopping off. That's not good. 86 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:04,999 Righto, mate. Back it in there. 87 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:10,359 Yeah. I felt the whole thing click and roll, and now it's just kinda wobbling. 88 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,759 Oh, no. That's about the worst thing that could have happened. 89 00:05:13,840 --> 00:05:16,359 NARRATOR: It's the start of the new mining season, 90 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:20,039 and disaster has struck rookie team The Young Guns: 91 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:24,719 Jaymin Sullivan, Noah McDonough and James 'JC' Caruana. 92 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:28,159 It's not looking very good for our season of mining, 93 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:32,279 but right now, you know, it's more concern to see if he's all right. 94 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,199 Either way, he's gonna have to be sent off for an X-ray. 95 00:05:35,280 --> 00:05:37,479 So he's probably gonna have to be airlifted. 96 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,719 JC's injury needs to be assessed by a specialist. 97 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:46,199 Ambulance officers have made the call 98 00:05:46,280 --> 00:05:51,159 to have him airlifted almost 1,000km to Sydney. 99 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:54,359 The flying doctor's about to fly us out, and... 100 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:56,039 we'll assess the damage. 101 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:59,319 Definitely gonna be out of that mine for a while. 102 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:04,079 We don't know when he's gonna get back out here or how he's gonna feel about coming back out here. 103 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:08,399 See you, JC.Take care.Take care of yourself.See you later, James. 104 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:11,679 Suppose that's that. 105 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:15,919 We've been a team of three from the very start. 106 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:19,839 Without JC here, I don't even know where we go now. 107 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:26,759 Oh, look at that chunk! Let me dig it out. 108 00:06:26,840 --> 00:06:28,639 Have a look at that! 109 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:33,119 Last year, the Young Guns had their best season ever... 110 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:36,679 Our last find was massive. It was our biggest find. It was 60 grand. 111 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:40,439 ..after moving to a new mine with new gear. 112 00:06:40,520 --> 00:06:42,879 We severely underestimated 113 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:44,719 how much time and energy would go into 114 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:46,879 getting this mine up and running. 115 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:50,719 We spent the great majority setting up the mine. 116 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:54,599 By the time you split it and use it over summer, there's not much to show for it. 117 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:57,879 These are the best years of our life. We're all in our 20s. 118 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:01,479 If we're not making a profit and there's no payoff, we're wasting our time. 119 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:05,959 We're trying to set ourselves up now so we can live comfortably for the rest of our lives. 120 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:11,279 Our dream as a team is to be up here finding millions of dollars of opal, 121 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:15,599 expanding our business to the point that we can pioneer new opal fields. 122 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:21,359 To do that, we need at least a minimum of $150,000 this year. 123 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:26,999 But already a man down, 124 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:29,599 the Young Guns face an uncertain future. 125 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:34,199 It's a massive job to run this mine and it takes all three of us, 126 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:36,199 so without JC, it's really tough. 127 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:46,119 Yeah, getting bits of opal through here. 128 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:48,639 It's right through here, actually. 129 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:52,239 I might come round here a little bit and just see what's behind that. 130 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:55,519 This is just the start of our winter season, 131 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:58,719 and it's not kicked off real well. We've had a horror time. 132 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:02,919 I've been on my own for at least 80 truckloads for nothing. 133 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:04,719 Not a bit of colour. Not a speck. 134 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:08,039 See, I've done so much digging, it's hard to keep on going. 135 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:18,479 Hoo-hoo! Look at that. 136 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:20,439 That's good colour. 137 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:25,839 I've done all this digging here on my own for all... 138 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:30,239 ..and as soon as I hit the colour, it's on the boundary! 139 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:33,639 You can't just keep on digging. 140 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:37,599 Once you go over that boundary, you're stealing off your neighbour. 141 00:08:37,680 --> 00:08:40,159 The boundary's just there. 142 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:43,239 So it really is looking like it does run down the boundary. 143 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:47,239 There's been lots of floggings given to blokes crossing boundaries. 144 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:51,159 Bushman Rod Manning has finally struck opal 145 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:54,799 after moving operations to a new mine, 146 00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:56,479 Billy Goats. 147 00:08:56,560 --> 00:08:59,159 But it shares a boundary with another claim. 148 00:09:00,960 --> 00:09:03,399 So, what you would normally do is 149 00:09:03,480 --> 00:09:05,479 I dig a metre-and-a-half my side, 150 00:09:05,560 --> 00:09:08,639 and we dig a metre-and-a-half their side, and we share the money. 151 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:12,039 Before I go and see the young blokes next door, 152 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:14,239 I'd have to check with Les. 153 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:18,719 Old Les hasn't worked for a few months. He's still my partner, 154 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:22,679 so any money I find I'm still sharing with him. 155 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:28,479 Rod's partner, 74-year-old Les Walsh, 156 00:09:28,560 --> 00:09:32,519 suffered serious burns over a year ago. 157 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:35,599 The year with me... never finished good last year. 158 00:09:35,680 --> 00:09:37,559 And it never started off good this year. 159 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:39,799 A rockfall smashed his thumb 160 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:42,359 and broke that joint just about clean off. 161 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:44,559 Before the end of this season, 162 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:47,439 I think he's gonna come to the realisation that this is it. 163 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:50,479 Been down the ladder a couple of times... 164 00:09:50,560 --> 00:09:52,999 but it's too hard getting out of there. 165 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:58,519 I can't work on my own. It's too dangerous. 166 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:01,479 I suppose I'm a bit like Les. I'm not getting any younger. 167 00:10:01,560 --> 00:10:06,519 Rod will have to get someone else down there to give him a hand. 168 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:08,759 And I might even have to drop out of the... 169 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:12,599 ..out of the system. We'll just have to see how it goes. 170 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:15,439 I mean, I'm no good if I can't work. 171 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:21,559 Last season, you know, the goal was to find enough money 172 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:26,479 for Les to be able to have a bit of a retirement. 173 00:10:26,560 --> 00:10:30,839 We got nowhere near it, so we gotta make up for last year's this year, I reckon. 174 00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:33,359 So I reckon we're gonna push for about $260,000. 175 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:35,039 That'll leave us $130,000 each. 176 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:47,239 All right, Les? Come and have a look at this old fella. Tell me how good I am. 177 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:49,319 Look at that. Some nice stuff 178 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:53,199 and it's still going, too, there's plenty there. But there's a problem. 179 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:56,359 The run is going right down the boundary.Yeah? 180 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:58,119 So it's sort of no-man's land. 181 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:02,239 So what I'm thinking of doing is going and seeing Sanga next door 182 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:03,919 and see if they wanna partner up. 183 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:08,279 Take a metre-and-a-half of our side, a metre-and-a-half of their side, and share the money. 184 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:10,159 Well, the thing is... 185 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:12,079 How trustworthy are they? 186 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:15,239 It's so close to the boundary.Yeah. If I don't do this deal, 187 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:17,079 we're gonna lose it. 188 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:31,519 Be good to get out there again and get back into it. 189 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:33,199 Hopefully, if that claim's dry... 190 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:36,239 ..hopefully we can get your truck through 191 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:39,319 and our truck through without getting bogged, eh? 192 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:43,359 We've got to get out here, get a bit of digging done. 193 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:46,279 Yeah, you got that right, mate. 194 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:48,839 Good back there, Scott? 195 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:51,999 Cruising along real well, mate. What about yourself? 196 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:54,999 Yeah, no. Bit bumpy over here. But should be all right. 197 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:58,239 Desperate to start the new mining season, 198 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:00,199 Chris Cheal, 199 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:02,519 close family friend Farren Lamb... 200 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:05,959 ..mining partner Scott McMillan 201 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:08,119 and his 20-year-old daughter Hannah... 202 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:12,519 ..are struggling to get to their claim, 203 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:15,279 40km from Lightning Ridge. 204 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:18,879 We kicked off about six weeks ago, and... 205 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:22,999 you know, we got a couple of weeks in, and then it started to rain. 206 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:25,399 It just wouldn't stop. 207 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:28,159 You know, we basically just had a month off. 208 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:32,799 So we've had no money come in, you know? No chance of finding any opal. 209 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:36,719 This is our only access road in. 210 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:40,039 Some bad sections through here. 211 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:48,159 Just make sure I get through this water before you come into it, mate. OK? 212 00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:50,359 Yeah, righto. Copy that. 213 00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:53,239 This truck is obviously not built for mud. 214 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:55,039 I'm hoping we can get through. 215 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:21,119 That's something that we didn't really want, eh? 216 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:28,159 When you're having a bad run, you're having a bad run. It just doesn't seem to end for us. 217 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:33,479 Look at that one, Scotty! 218 00:13:33,560 --> 00:13:35,799 The Cheals' last piece of good luck 219 00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:38,679 was in the 11th hour last season... 220 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:41,999 That's what it's all about. That's beautiful. 221 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:44,519 ..allowing Chris' sons Rory and Oscar 222 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:47,879 to unveil their new family business, Cheal Opal. 223 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:52,719 We manage all the opal, all the sales. It would up our profit margins. 224 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:57,639 But with over $80,000 spent launching the company, 225 00:13:57,720 --> 00:13:59,919 and recent torrential rains, 226 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:03,759 the Cheals are in danger of drowning in debt. 227 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:09,279 We've had a lot of money going out. No chance of anything coming in as we haven't been able to mine. 228 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:13,119 They've invested heavily in a 23-lease mega-claim, 229 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:16,599 and almost half a million dollars on equipment to run it. 230 00:14:16,680 --> 00:14:19,959 How you going with the website? Going good. Just making a few edits. 231 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:24,319 Rory and Oscar are finishing university degrees in Sydney 232 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:27,719 and focusing on the marketing of their new company. 233 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:31,239 We're undermanned. It's too much just for Scott and I. 234 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:35,479 Farren and Hannah have stepped up to the challenge. 235 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:37,239 Yeah, love working with my dad. 236 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:40,319 I've grown up around opal pretty much my whole life. 237 00:14:40,400 --> 00:14:43,079 We asked Hannah to come in and give us a hand. 238 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,719 The way she carries on, it's more like she's the boss. 239 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:48,439 I've got to listen to her. Not just a pretty face, mate. 240 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:52,519 Digging with Dad's always fun, like. 241 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:54,319 He gets a laugh out of you, you know, 242 00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:57,879 but when we need to get business done, he's pretty serious. 243 00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:00,239 Yeah, he certainly became a part of our family 244 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:02,039 and he's brought joy and happiness, 245 00:15:02,120 --> 00:15:04,839 and really blessed to be able to call him 'Son'. 246 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:09,879 It's gonna be a pretty big season for us. We're going for broke. 247 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:13,159 Our season target's $150,000. 248 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:15,359 And that's why every opal miner goes to work, 249 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:18,119 is to, you know, bring home a lot of money. 250 00:15:24,840 --> 00:15:27,999 Do you reckon Bill would mind if we used the loader?No. 251 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:29,679 He won't mind.Yeah, all right. 252 00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:35,079 I just gave him a ring and told him we were stuck. 253 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:38,719 It's only working in two-wheel drive at the moment... 254 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:41,559 so hopefully this has got enough grunt to pull us out. 255 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,279 Give it everything, bro! 256 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:56,119 Ah! 257 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:03,559 That's good to see, boys. 258 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:09,479 I didn't think it was gonna do it. 259 00:16:09,560 --> 00:16:12,439 Farren! I'll wait up here, make sure you get through. 260 00:16:12,520 --> 00:16:16,079 Oh, yeah. Don't go where I went. 261 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:18,759 It's Farren's turn. 262 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:22,239 Hopefully he'll come in on the other side. It's a bit better that side. 263 00:16:22,320 --> 00:16:26,079 So we'll just see how he goes in the mud. There's only one way to learn. 264 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:28,759 All good. Righto, mate. Come through. 265 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:44,439 Come on! 266 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:53,599 Hang on, mate. Just wait there. Just pull up. 267 00:17:03,320 --> 00:17:05,719 What are we gonna do, Noz? 268 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:09,039 Well, that didn't go the way we intended last night, did it? 269 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:15,039 Losing team member JC to a horrific injury 270 00:17:15,120 --> 00:17:16,999 has stalled the Young Guns' new season. 271 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:21,679 We've made money each year, but not profit. We've just... 272 00:17:21,760 --> 00:17:24,119 expanded our operation. We've scaled the business. 273 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:26,359 We need to just pull in some big seams. 274 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:29,759 Something that can convince JC to actually come back out here. 275 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:32,559 For him especially, I think it's important to show that... 276 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:34,439 Yeah...this is still a viable thing 277 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:36,959 and get him passionate about it again. 278 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:38,639 And find him some good opal. 279 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,399 Right, Noz, let's get to work. 280 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:50,439 We'll go down to the face first and have a look, 281 00:17:50,520 --> 00:17:53,999 but I wanna keep digging through there. It'll be our best chance of seam. 282 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:59,599 The Young Guns' Paydirt mine is a network of old and new workings 283 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,559 with over 150 metres of tunnels. 284 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:07,479 I found that bit of opal jackhammering in the old part of the mine, 285 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:09,239 on the other side of this wall, 286 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:13,079 so I'll bring the digger in here, really attack this area. 287 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:20,399 We don't need two people operating the digger at the same time now, so I'm just gonna look back here. 288 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:23,839 I'm pretty sure that JC started a monkey up here. 289 00:18:24,920 --> 00:18:27,039 A 'monkey' is basically an underground shaft. 290 00:18:27,120 --> 00:18:30,599 It's really just to go down deeper and survey the ground down there, 291 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:32,399 and get an idea of what's down there. 292 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:35,839 So, it seems like this is where he was digging. This is the hole here. 293 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:38,079 It's basically just to find a pineapple level. 294 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:42,799 Pineapples are probably White Cliffs' most special thing to find. 295 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,519 They're super-rare. There's only about 300 of them in the world. 296 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:51,559 Pineapple is an extremely valuable mineral specimen. 297 00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:55,399 It's originally a crystal that's become opalised. 298 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:58,919 It only ever happens here in White Cliffs. 299 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:03,359 Pineapples were found 300 metres away from this claim, so that's a good sign for this area. 300 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:21,039 Right there, we've got a little bit of opal happening in the wall. 301 00:19:21,120 --> 00:19:23,839 This tiny bit of blue potch, not worth anything, 302 00:19:23,920 --> 00:19:25,599 but a good sign there is opal. 303 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:35,159 Basically, you know, this is what digging a monkey is. 304 00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:37,999 You get in with the jackhammer, you dig a little bit, 305 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:41,719 then you shovel the dirt out and get back in there with the jackhammer. 306 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:47,919 Noah! What's going on there? 307 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:51,399 The legs aren't retracting. It won't go up or down. 308 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:54,239 If I can't retract the leg, I can't move the digger. 309 00:19:54,320 --> 00:19:57,119 Seen opal in the wall, now I can't get to it. 310 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:02,679 Now I've potentially got a major... problem with the digger. 311 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:04,359 JC's broken down. 312 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:10,999 Why are we here? Maybe we just pack up and head home. 313 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:26,759 Just on my way over there to have a gander with the fellows next door. 314 00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:29,159 Put the deal to them, see what they reckon. 315 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:33,159 These boys are pretty wild. They live out here in the scrub. 316 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:35,079 They've got no fridges or anything. 317 00:20:35,160 --> 00:20:37,999 They drink hot beer and live off baked beans. 318 00:20:42,760 --> 00:20:46,199 Hoi! Hey. Hey!Hey. 319 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:47,919 It's morning time. Where's Sanga? 320 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:50,039 Sanga!I think he's in the swag. 321 00:20:50,120 --> 00:20:52,039 You play up last night? 322 00:20:52,120 --> 00:20:55,399 Had a big night, mate. Big night. 323 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:57,439 Feel a bit dry today. 324 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:02,719 Ehh. Had a few beers yesterday. Did you? 325 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:05,759 Yeah, you look like you had just a couple, mate. 326 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:08,999 NARRATOR: After hitting opal on his boundary wall, 327 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:12,319 Bushman Rod is hoping for a 50/50 deal 328 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:15,519 with neighbouring claim owners Sean 'Sanga' Pandel 329 00:21:15,600 --> 00:21:17,599 and Patrick Moore. 330 00:21:17,680 --> 00:21:20,319 I'm from Lightning Ridge, born and bred. 331 00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:23,679 Here I am out here mining now, and I'm trying to make a living. 332 00:21:25,120 --> 00:21:27,999 My dad did do a fair bit of mining. 333 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:30,519 He passed away and I was a little bit down and out, 334 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:34,039 so I just had to go to work and pick my head up a bit. 335 00:21:35,080 --> 00:21:37,439 PATRICK: Sang, I've known him my whole life. 336 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:40,079 We went to school together. Grew up together. 337 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:41,759 Then he ended up offering me 338 00:21:41,840 --> 00:21:45,439 a percentage of work putting in his claim. 339 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:48,239 Got a bit of a thing over here. Yeah, mate? 340 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:52,359 I been working over to your boundary...Yeah, righto. ..and getting a bit of colour, 341 00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:56,839 but it looks like the run's going right down the middle of the boundary.Yeah. Righto. 342 00:21:56,920 --> 00:22:00,519 And if we dig a bit of my ground, a little bit of your ground, 343 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:05,119 and we'll just go halves in the opal. Don't know, mate. 344 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:07,759 We get a little bit of opal over that way too, mate. 345 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:10,199 It's sorta heading that way, and it's not too bad. 346 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:13,119 As good as this? Ah. 347 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:15,359 That's what I'm getting right on the boundary. 348 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:17,879 Good size. 349 00:22:17,960 --> 00:22:20,239 Should be some good opal in there. 350 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:22,879 Yeah, I think there's some money in there. 351 00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:30,199 I reckon we got a deal going. We got a deal?Yeah.Yeah. Good on ya, mate. 352 00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:32,919 Well, do you want a beer, or what? A beer? 353 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:36,279 It's 8:00 in the morning! You haven't even got a fridge yet. 354 00:22:36,360 --> 00:22:40,279 If I was gonna have a beer at 8:00 in the morning, I'll have a cold one. 355 00:22:40,360 --> 00:22:43,239 I'll have a wander over here.Yep. 356 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:49,599 Yeah, we got the neighbours to come and give Rod a hand and pull the boundary out. 357 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:53,759 But, yeah... Have to be careful on that one. 358 00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:57,839 This season, Les is just about done. 359 00:22:58,840 --> 00:23:01,759 He can't keep working the way he has been. 360 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:03,599 He's crook. 361 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:05,879 While the boys are down underneath there 362 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:09,199 I'll be up top checking a few things out, and... 363 00:23:10,520 --> 00:23:13,799 Yeah, it's not gonna be that easy to get used to it, 364 00:23:13,880 --> 00:23:15,479 but, er, I guess I will. 365 00:23:23,320 --> 00:23:26,799 You all right, Farren?Yeah, I got it in first. I'm ready to go. 366 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:30,999 Righto. I'll just take the weight with that chain. 367 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:34,239 NARRATOR: Torrential rain has flooded Lightning Ridge, 368 00:23:34,320 --> 00:23:36,319 making roads impassable. 369 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:41,079 Righto. 370 00:23:41,160 --> 00:23:43,159 For the first time in a month, 371 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:45,679 Chris and Farren are battling through 372 00:23:45,760 --> 00:23:48,799 the only track they have to their mine. 373 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:54,279 You happy with that? Yeah, I'm out. 374 00:23:56,440 --> 00:23:59,119 We've lost about a month out of our season. 375 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:03,439 We've had a lot of money go out just in parts and labour 376 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:05,599 to try to get the gear up to scratch. 377 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:08,759 So now it's time to get back in 378 00:24:08,840 --> 00:24:11,519 and start working towards our season target. 379 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:15,639 Bit of a concern about whether the claims have taken water. 380 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:20,039 And if that's the case, we could be out for another week just pumping the claims out. 381 00:24:20,120 --> 00:24:22,439 Go down and check it out. 382 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:33,519 We're good to go here, Farren, 383 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:37,679 so we'll go over the other side where the blower is and see if there's any water there. 384 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:44,919 Oh, we got a little bit of water. 385 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:47,199 We might suck that out with the blower. 386 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:50,079 You reckon we'll get it up? Yeah, I reckon we will. 387 00:24:50,160 --> 00:24:52,599 Farren, start that blower up! 388 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:59,439 They're using the 140hp blower, 389 00:24:59,520 --> 00:25:02,959 capable of sucking 10 tons of dirt to the surface per hour 390 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:04,719 to remove the water. 391 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:09,759 Don't normally suck water with a blower, but I've done it before. 392 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:12,399 Just suck up what we can. We mightn't get it all. 393 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:14,239 Righto, that'll do, Farren, I reckon. 394 00:25:18,600 --> 00:25:20,439 We'll take this up. 395 00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:25,359 This is a cat's eye we found at the start of this drive. 396 00:25:25,440 --> 00:25:31,159 They're really rare. They're found in Lightning Ridge and Coober Pedy. This is the first I've ever seen. 397 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:37,559 This cat's eye opal features a rolling flash of colour across its face... 398 00:25:38,680 --> 00:25:41,559 ..caused by a path of misaligned silica spheres. 399 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:46,399 It can sell for over $7,000 a gram. 400 00:25:46,480 --> 00:25:50,279 Let's hope we can find a bit more of them, eh?Yeah, it's pretty cool. 401 00:25:50,360 --> 00:25:53,199 We'll make a start. 402 00:25:54,840 --> 00:25:59,479 We're just digging again. First time in a month. Been really frustrating. No money's come in. 403 00:25:59,560 --> 00:26:02,799 Farren and I are down here, Hannah and Scott are washing. 404 00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:07,559 Chris is tunnelling towards one of the leases on his mega-claim. 405 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:09,599 Been told that there was money out there. 406 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:13,879 We've just gotta do the prospecting drive out there. We're hoping to get opal on the way. 407 00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:24,359 Oh, .Dad, you all right? What happened?Agh. Ohh. 408 00:26:31,320 --> 00:26:33,319 Righto. We ready to rock and roll? 409 00:26:33,400 --> 00:26:36,119 Just drop this bit of roof out, boys, 410 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:39,719 then I'll move forward and see if we can find a bit more colour.Yeah. 411 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:42,679 It's the start of the mining season. 412 00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:46,799 Bushman Rod and neighbouring claim owners Sanga and Pat 413 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:50,319 are attempting to extract opal from a shared wall. 414 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:52,319 We gotta watch the roof. 415 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:56,319 Cracks in the roof sometimes. You've got a pretty bad roof zone. 416 00:26:56,400 --> 00:27:00,559 This ground at this end of the field is pretty dodgy. 417 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:03,439 There's a bit of cracking sort of starting to appear. 418 00:27:07,760 --> 00:27:09,359 Holy . 419 00:27:09,440 --> 00:27:12,159 Broke through into our drive. 420 00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:16,839 Pretty wild, look. You can see where my roof is up there. Look at that. 421 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:20,159 Yeah, we better have a look at that, mate. That could be dangerous. 422 00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:25,799 An unstable ceiling needs support every two metres. 423 00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:27,839 Removing the wall between the claims 424 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:31,839 has created a four-metre run of unsupported roof 425 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:36,679 that must be propped with pine logs to avoid catastrophic collapse. 426 00:27:43,400 --> 00:27:47,199 The boys are just coming down their side of the boundary. 427 00:27:48,360 --> 00:27:51,519 We'll use these pine logs now, lads, so grab it. 428 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:55,119 Right.Righto.They're really strong at holding roofs up. 429 00:27:57,040 --> 00:28:01,439 That's how it ought to be, mate. We gotta be pretty careful about this, boys. 430 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:05,799 If the roof's gonna come down when you're putting props in, that's when she'll come. 431 00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:08,839 Hang on a second. That'll do it, mate. 432 00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:12,839 Pretty good, do you reckon? Well, it don't look pretty but it'll hold the roof up. 433 00:28:14,120 --> 00:28:16,679 Now, that seam there, Sanga? 434 00:28:16,760 --> 00:28:18,599 That might produce something, 435 00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:22,239 so you tell me whether you want me up or down...Up or down... 436 00:28:22,320 --> 00:28:25,839 ..to put my teeth in above that seam to drop it down.Not a problem. 437 00:28:25,920 --> 00:28:28,639 Yep. Go a little bit higher... 438 00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:31,359 About there. 439 00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:34,599 Tell me when you want me to stop. Little bit more... 440 00:28:40,600 --> 00:28:44,079 Holy . Look at this. Look at what?Look at this. 441 00:28:46,960 --> 00:28:49,439 Jesus, look at it! That's unreal, mate. 442 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:52,679 Righto, Sanga. You and Pat can dig it out. 443 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:57,359 That's when you know you're on good opal, when you get something out like this and dig 'er out. 444 00:28:57,440 --> 00:28:59,599 You don't wanna bust it up, obviously. 445 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:02,599 You just gotta be real gentle and patient with it. 446 00:29:02,680 --> 00:29:04,759 Pull that out. Let's have a look at it. 447 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:12,319 Still going! Oh, my God. 448 00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:15,959 Look at the colour in that. Tickle my grandmother, boys. 449 00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:17,639 Hey-y-y! 450 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:22,999 Here it comes, boys, here it comes. There she is, bud. 451 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:25,119 Whoa-ho, boys! 452 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:27,959 I told you! I told you! 453 00:29:28,040 --> 00:29:30,519 Good on ya, mate! Nice dig! 454 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:34,599 Never seen anything like it. 455 00:29:34,680 --> 00:29:37,279 We got some serious, serious money. 456 00:29:48,840 --> 00:29:51,799 Oh, .Dad, you all right? What happened? 457 00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:56,479 Piece come out the roof. Hit me in the face. 458 00:29:56,560 --> 00:29:58,159 Ah, you wanna come upstairs? 459 00:29:58,240 --> 00:30:00,319 Come upstairs and have a look? 460 00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:03,239 NARRATOR: Cement-like sandstone, 461 00:30:03,320 --> 00:30:05,559 loosened by the digger's hydraulic rams, 462 00:30:05,640 --> 00:30:08,559 has slammed into Chris' face. 463 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:11,959 Ah, just...bit hard, and roof ram... 464 00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:16,119 ..brought a chunk down and hit me on the helmet, then hit my face. 465 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:19,359 After four weeks of work-delaying rain, 466 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:22,879 a serious injury could push Chris further behind 467 00:30:22,960 --> 00:30:25,439 and deeper into debt. 468 00:30:25,520 --> 00:30:28,639 Might just clean it up. Get some superglue and glue it up. 469 00:30:30,360 --> 00:30:32,319 That's all they do at the hospital anyway. 470 00:30:33,400 --> 00:30:35,279 One kilometre away, 471 00:30:35,360 --> 00:30:37,879 mine partner Scott and his daughter Hannah 472 00:30:37,960 --> 00:30:40,399 are attempting to get the team's agitator working. 473 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:43,879 That's mud all the way through that. Yeah. 474 00:30:43,960 --> 00:30:45,679 I know. 475 00:30:46,760 --> 00:30:48,639 The agitator processes loose dirt, 476 00:30:48,720 --> 00:30:52,239 washing clay off to reveal any opal. 477 00:30:52,320 --> 00:30:55,719 But this 10-ton load has been left in the truck, 478 00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:57,919 soaking up rain for a month. 479 00:30:59,440 --> 00:31:02,719 You can see a crust on the outside, and you can see where it's wet. 480 00:31:02,800 --> 00:31:05,319 So that's all damp. Doesn't wanna come free. 481 00:31:05,400 --> 00:31:08,279 We usually tip it up, and you've just gotta help it a bit. 482 00:31:14,360 --> 00:31:16,039 Trouble, eh?Yeah. 483 00:31:16,120 --> 00:31:18,719 That dirt, it's too wet. Is it?Yeah. 484 00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:22,039 Well, we gotta dump it, we could dry it out, pick it up later... 485 00:31:22,120 --> 00:31:24,399 All right. ..if it's too hard. 486 00:31:28,880 --> 00:31:30,559 Hands all over the barrel. 487 00:31:31,720 --> 00:31:35,199 Yeah.Bringing out your artistic side, Farren. 488 00:31:35,280 --> 00:31:38,439 Put a bit of spiritual back into it. 489 00:31:43,560 --> 00:31:45,359 Unable to shift the dirt, 490 00:31:45,440 --> 00:31:49,239 and burning through over $300 of diesel a day, 491 00:31:49,320 --> 00:31:51,599 the team are on the verge of collapse. 492 00:31:51,680 --> 00:31:56,119 It's probably been...six months since we sold some opal, so... 493 00:31:57,120 --> 00:32:01,719 We all need money - either that, or me and Hannah will be looking for a new job. 494 00:32:09,960 --> 00:32:13,039 Hello?What's up, guys? 495 00:32:13,120 --> 00:32:17,159 What's going on? It's still, er...super-swollen. 496 00:32:17,240 --> 00:32:19,639 Oh, God, that looks swollen. 497 00:32:19,720 --> 00:32:21,719 Jeez.So it's pretty bad. 498 00:32:21,800 --> 00:32:23,999 Yeah. Yeah, it's broke. 499 00:32:24,080 --> 00:32:27,919 Ahh, I'm sorry I'm not there... No, it's all good, man. ..but, you know... 500 00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:30,799 All right. See you, JC. See you, man. 501 00:32:30,880 --> 00:32:33,719 All right, guys. Rest up. Bye. Bye. 502 00:32:37,360 --> 00:32:39,559 So, it's not looking too fantastic. 503 00:32:40,680 --> 00:32:42,639 Morale's low cos JC's gone, 504 00:32:42,720 --> 00:32:44,959 and it's gonna really affect our mining as well. 505 00:32:45,040 --> 00:32:47,959 JC is our hardest digger. No-one moves dirt like him, 506 00:32:48,040 --> 00:32:51,599 so it's gonna be hard to find enough opal to keep us alive. 507 00:32:52,920 --> 00:32:55,999 While Noah has been searching for a pineapple level... 508 00:32:56,080 --> 00:32:57,679 Brought the ladder over in case. 509 00:32:57,760 --> 00:33:02,159 ..a problem with the digger has halted Jaymin's quest for seam opal. 510 00:33:03,360 --> 00:33:07,679 I think... Like, we're pretty close over there. I might as well just jackhammer it...Hmm. 511 00:33:07,760 --> 00:33:10,439 ..and we'll fix this when we've got a bit more time. 512 00:33:10,520 --> 00:33:14,519 It's important to get to the opal. We're that close. There's good trace, good signs. 513 00:33:17,120 --> 00:33:19,759 It's so frustrating. We've got a digger sitting there... 514 00:33:19,840 --> 00:33:22,559 We're that close to some good opal, I can feel it. 515 00:33:22,640 --> 00:33:24,759 So...jackhammer it is. 516 00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:32,759 JC, he does love doing this sort of stuff. He loves the challenge. 517 00:33:32,840 --> 00:33:34,879 Not so much me, though. 518 00:33:34,960 --> 00:33:38,199 Neither of us can do what JC can do when it comes to digging. 519 00:33:39,280 --> 00:33:43,999 Tiny little bits. I mean, it's better than just seeing dirt, but... 520 00:33:44,080 --> 00:33:46,319 we can't really do anything with that. 521 00:33:58,520 --> 00:34:02,319 I think we got something. Yes! We got some opal right there. 522 00:34:02,400 --> 00:34:06,079 Hey, Noah! Come and have a look. See if you can spot it. 523 00:34:07,280 --> 00:34:10,799 Oh, look at that! How good is that, bro? Yeah, couldn't miss that! 524 00:34:12,600 --> 00:34:16,239 There you go.Holy crap. 525 00:34:16,320 --> 00:34:20,399 Look at the size of that!That has got some amazing colour in it, Noah. 526 00:34:20,480 --> 00:34:22,919 There's definitely more in there. 527 00:34:26,160 --> 00:34:29,039 Oh, look.Hold on. Have a look at the size of that, Noah. 528 00:34:29,120 --> 00:34:30,879 Whoo! 529 00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:32,959 I can't really tell how good it is, though. 530 00:34:33,040 --> 00:34:35,319 We've got a fairly decent amount in this pocket. 531 00:34:36,320 --> 00:34:39,999 Take it back up. We'll tumble it. Maybe we can FaceTime JC with the end result. 532 00:34:40,080 --> 00:34:42,079 Hopefully.Show him some good stones. 533 00:34:42,160 --> 00:34:44,879 Hells yeah, Noz, hells yeah. Hell, yeah! 534 00:34:52,760 --> 00:34:56,839 That's...Yeah, we're gonna have to split it there, put that little one on, I think. 535 00:34:56,920 --> 00:35:02,519 Stalled by a month of rain, and now forced to wait for their opal dirt to dry out, 536 00:35:02,600 --> 00:35:05,239 the Cheals desperately need cash. 537 00:35:06,240 --> 00:35:10,639 Chris is hoping to sell a parcel of opal mined last season 538 00:35:10,720 --> 00:35:12,479 to a buyer in the town of Dubbo. 539 00:35:13,880 --> 00:35:15,479 I've got a buyer lined up, 540 00:35:15,560 --> 00:35:19,239 but I've just gotta make the 700km round-trip to go down and show him. 541 00:35:20,240 --> 00:35:23,439 Takes me away from mining for the day. Bit frustrating. 542 00:35:25,520 --> 00:35:27,599 Leave that on there. Just take this one off. 543 00:35:27,680 --> 00:35:30,039 Well, if you can. Can you get it off? 544 00:35:30,120 --> 00:35:32,159 It's coming. Up and down, mate. 545 00:35:34,960 --> 00:35:37,639 Oi!Hey! 546 00:35:37,720 --> 00:35:41,319 Hey, boys! You surprised me! 547 00:35:44,080 --> 00:35:46,439 You dumb dog! 548 00:35:48,520 --> 00:35:50,119 How ya goin'? How ya goin', mate? 549 00:35:50,200 --> 00:35:52,759 I thought you weren't coming till next week! 550 00:35:52,840 --> 00:35:58,639 Chris' sons Rory and Oscar have arrived from Sydney to help mine. 551 00:35:58,720 --> 00:36:04,039 Hey, listen. Since you're here... I was gonna have to go to Dubbo tomorrow to try and make a sale. 552 00:36:04,120 --> 00:36:06,519 I really haven't got time. 553 00:36:06,600 --> 00:36:09,639 Do you reckon you could go there for me and do your first sale? 554 00:36:09,720 --> 00:36:12,879 Without you? Reckon we're up for it? 555 00:36:12,960 --> 00:36:16,239 Why not? See how good you are. Right. 556 00:36:20,720 --> 00:36:24,759 Little parcel of rough rubs, right? That's it there. 557 00:36:24,840 --> 00:36:28,639 Don't come back with less than 10 grand.Yeah.Righto? 558 00:36:28,720 --> 00:36:30,599 The plan with the business is 559 00:36:30,680 --> 00:36:35,279 any opal we find, we wanna take that and be able to onsell that. 560 00:36:35,360 --> 00:36:37,279 Dad's gotta trust us. 561 00:36:37,360 --> 00:36:41,719 Good luck. Let me know when you get to Dubbo safe, please. Yep. Will do.Righto. 562 00:36:51,640 --> 00:36:53,239 Here we are. After you, mate. 563 00:36:55,920 --> 00:36:57,839 Hi, Steve. How are you, mate? All right? 564 00:36:57,920 --> 00:36:59,919 My company is for opal-buyers, 565 00:37:00,000 --> 00:37:02,879 but also specialises in opal fossils from Lightning Ridge. 566 00:37:02,960 --> 00:37:05,239 So, here's the parcel, here. 567 00:37:07,560 --> 00:37:11,159 Their parcel is Lightning Ridge black opal, 568 00:37:11,240 --> 00:37:12,919 predominantly blue and green, 569 00:37:13,000 --> 00:37:15,199 with flashes of valuable, rare red. 570 00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:19,399 It's been rubbed to expose the quality, 571 00:37:19,480 --> 00:37:23,799 but the most important factor remaining to determine the value... 572 00:37:23,880 --> 00:37:25,479 its weight. 573 00:37:26,760 --> 00:37:28,719 Do you know how many carats are here? 574 00:37:32,080 --> 00:37:34,479 Er... Um... 575 00:37:35,600 --> 00:37:38,479 We might chuck it on the scales, see how it comes up.Yeah. 576 00:37:43,160 --> 00:37:45,839 50.95 carats. 577 00:37:45,920 --> 00:37:48,999 And what sort of dollars were you after for these? 578 00:37:49,080 --> 00:37:51,599 Don't wanna go lower than $13,000, I reckon. 579 00:37:53,440 --> 00:37:55,079 How would you guys be at $12,000? 580 00:37:56,280 --> 00:37:58,879 Look, there's a few really nice bright pieces in there, 581 00:37:58,960 --> 00:38:02,079 perfect for the sort of commercial stuff you've got going here. 582 00:38:02,160 --> 00:38:04,239 I think, Steve, 583 00:38:04,320 --> 00:38:08,079 if you meet us halfway, we'll give you the first look at the next go. 584 00:38:13,120 --> 00:38:16,999 Yep. It's a deal. Thanks, boys. There you go, mate. Thank you. 585 00:38:18,880 --> 00:38:24,599 They were pretty hard bargainers, actually. They're great. They're gonna take over from their dad! 586 00:38:25,680 --> 00:38:27,639 Feel really good. 587 00:38:27,720 --> 00:38:30,319 I was a bit nervous and it was pretty intense in there, 588 00:38:30,400 --> 00:38:34,559 but now it's done, we've got cash in hand, we're heading home. I couldn't feel happier. 589 00:38:34,640 --> 00:38:38,679 What I've learned is if you're selling something, know how much it weighs. 590 00:38:38,760 --> 00:38:41,999 Shall we give the old man a call? I reckon. Let's do it. 591 00:38:42,080 --> 00:38:46,359 Hey, big fella. How ya goin'? CHRIS: Yeah, good. How ya goin'? Yeah, good, thanks. 592 00:38:46,440 --> 00:38:49,719 We got $12,500 for it. You're not pulling my leg, are you? 593 00:38:49,800 --> 00:38:53,319 No, $12,500 we got for it, big fella.Awesome, boys. Well done. 594 00:38:54,920 --> 00:38:58,399 The boys made that sale. I'm stoked, I'm really proud of them, 595 00:38:58,480 --> 00:39:01,879 and, yeah, we're all right just to get back into it. 596 00:39:09,320 --> 00:39:13,359 All right, Noz? Here we go. I'm very, very excited. 597 00:39:13,440 --> 00:39:15,719 It's been such an intense week. 598 00:39:15,800 --> 00:39:19,239 You know, with JC going and everything, it's been kind of emotional. 599 00:39:19,320 --> 00:39:21,479 I think if we can show JC 600 00:39:21,560 --> 00:39:24,719 that we're pulling in some good opal back out here, 601 00:39:24,800 --> 00:39:28,199 I think that's gonna help convince him that this is where he needs to be. 602 00:39:28,280 --> 00:39:32,519 Here we go. Here's our moment of truth. 603 00:39:32,600 --> 00:39:34,359 Do we actually have some gems? 604 00:39:35,760 --> 00:39:38,039 Here we go. 605 00:39:38,120 --> 00:39:41,399 Haven't even washed the mud off yet! 606 00:39:41,480 --> 00:39:44,519 We got some quantity, that's for sure. Oh, look at that, Noz. 607 00:39:44,600 --> 00:39:46,999 I'll sit down, I'll grade it out, 608 00:39:47,080 --> 00:39:49,199 we'll figure out what we've got money-wise. 609 00:39:49,280 --> 00:39:52,639 The Young Guns' parcel is crystal opal, 610 00:39:52,720 --> 00:39:54,639 featuring blues and greens 611 00:39:54,720 --> 00:39:58,239 with four king stones of full colour. 612 00:39:58,320 --> 00:40:02,039 It's in the rough, and weighs almost 1kg. 613 00:40:04,600 --> 00:40:08,199 The material's been graded out now. Well, when are we gonna tell JC? 614 00:40:08,280 --> 00:40:11,559 Yeah, well, give him a call. I'll put some water in the bag. 615 00:40:11,640 --> 00:40:15,759 JC's back on the coast. He's gotta be questioning whether he wants to come back here. 616 00:40:15,840 --> 00:40:18,439 Hey, man! What's going on, JC? 617 00:40:18,520 --> 00:40:23,039 Aw, you know. A little bit, er... incapacitated. 618 00:40:23,120 --> 00:40:27,559 Well, we might have something that might help with the healing process. Have a look at this. 619 00:40:27,640 --> 00:40:31,679 We got a bag of this green material. It's really nice. We've got two ounces of that. 620 00:40:31,760 --> 00:40:33,399 We've got, like, a massive... 621 00:40:33,480 --> 00:40:37,759 Wahey-hey-hey!..900 grams of this, so we nearly had a full kilo of the low-grade stuff. 622 00:40:37,840 --> 00:40:39,599 Oh, my God! 623 00:40:39,680 --> 00:40:42,959 And then we've got four stones, a full ounce. 624 00:40:43,040 --> 00:40:46,079 Altogether, they weigh a full ounce. Woo-hoo-hoo! 625 00:40:46,160 --> 00:40:49,799 I reckon, easily, we've got... 10 grand for the lot. 626 00:40:49,880 --> 00:40:51,959 Wahey-hey-hey! 627 00:40:52,040 --> 00:40:54,519 We're just sad you couldn't be here for it, you know? 628 00:40:54,600 --> 00:40:58,439 We've just gotta keep finding opal until we know what's happening with JC. 629 00:40:58,520 --> 00:41:00,479 Just keep putting that smile on his face. 630 00:41:00,560 --> 00:41:02,759 There's no end to opal mining. 631 00:41:02,840 --> 00:41:08,199 That was a little bit, but we've got a whole season ahead of us, so we'll hopefully find a lot more. 632 00:41:08,280 --> 00:41:11,039 Take time, rest up, get better and come back out here. 633 00:41:11,120 --> 00:41:13,239 That's unreal. That's the best news ever. 634 00:41:13,320 --> 00:41:16,279 Opals.See ya.Whoo! 635 00:41:31,600 --> 00:41:33,839 Here you are, mate.All right? G'day, buddy. 636 00:41:33,920 --> 00:41:35,999 Four musketeers, eh? 637 00:41:36,080 --> 00:41:37,999 Heh-heh.Hello, little dog. 638 00:41:38,080 --> 00:41:42,679 You know the boys.Yep, yep. Sanga. There you go.Grab a seat, Brian. 639 00:41:42,760 --> 00:41:44,999 Hello, mate. 640 00:41:45,080 --> 00:41:48,399 Bushman Rod has dug out a massive opal haul 641 00:41:48,480 --> 00:41:53,439 from a claim wall he shares with his neighbours Sanga and Pat. 642 00:41:53,520 --> 00:41:57,519 He's called in veteran buyer Brian Gray to value the find. 643 00:41:58,640 --> 00:42:01,519 I'm an opal-buyer. I buy it for myself, 644 00:42:01,600 --> 00:42:06,679 and I also commission-buy for one of the biggest wholesale jewellers in Sydney. 645 00:42:06,760 --> 00:42:09,199 You said that you got no cash left. 646 00:42:09,280 --> 00:42:13,759 Yep.You're not buying it, so don't try and talk it down. 647 00:42:13,840 --> 00:42:16,159 Give us the real evaluation. 648 00:42:16,240 --> 00:42:19,759 We think we've got about 120 grand's worth. 649 00:42:19,840 --> 00:42:24,479 Hmm. So what's your... You know, what's your real price? 650 00:42:24,560 --> 00:42:27,879 That's why YOU'RE here. Hmm, OK. 651 00:42:27,960 --> 00:42:30,599 Their parcel is in the rough, 652 00:42:30,680 --> 00:42:33,679 weighing 4kg - 653 00:42:33,760 --> 00:42:35,639 predominantly electric blue, 654 00:42:35,720 --> 00:42:38,399 with greens and flashes of red. 655 00:42:38,480 --> 00:42:41,919 The colour sits on a black potch base, 656 00:42:42,000 --> 00:42:44,199 making it black opal. 657 00:42:46,960 --> 00:42:49,279 I think, in all honesty, 658 00:42:49,360 --> 00:42:53,799 $120,000 is...a little bit too much. 659 00:42:53,880 --> 00:42:57,479 It's got a lot of colour in it. It's beautiful, beautiful material. 660 00:42:57,560 --> 00:43:01,399 However, I still feel that... 661 00:43:01,480 --> 00:43:04,799 there's a fair bit of work in it for a very good cutter. 662 00:43:05,920 --> 00:43:08,319 And that's why... 663 00:43:08,400 --> 00:43:10,799 I'm saying $85,000. 664 00:43:12,520 --> 00:43:14,519 Oh, yeah, mate, turned out pretty good. 665 00:43:14,600 --> 00:43:17,159 That's not bad at all, eh? 666 00:43:18,520 --> 00:43:20,959 I reckon it's pretty good, actually. 667 00:43:21,040 --> 00:43:24,759 The only thing I'd like to change is being down there doing it too. 668 00:43:24,840 --> 00:43:27,319 All right. So, you're gonna have this pile, are you? 669 00:43:27,400 --> 00:43:32,039 Yeah, that one.We'll go this pile. Righto. Good luck, fellas. 670 00:43:32,120 --> 00:43:36,279 I reckon we've hit the jackpot. Best week I've had in months and months and months. 671 00:43:36,360 --> 00:43:38,159 Subtitles by Deluxe 671 00:43:39,305 --> 00:44:39,403