"Outback Opal Hunters" The Opal Whisperers

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,239 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 2 00:00:03,320 --> 00:00:05,439 MARK: I think there'd be opal in this hill. 3 00:00:05,520 --> 00:00:07,399 JOHN: Yeah, I'm not going in there. 4 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:10,439 The Blacklighters start the season underground... 5 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:13,479 That's sketchy. 6 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:16,399 All the water's coming out. PAUL: What have we struck? 7 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:20,799 ..and bust their excavator attempting to break virgin ground. 8 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:23,239 So just keep a (BLEEP) close eye. 9 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:25,719 Mark, you've just turned me into an octopus. 10 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:28,879 The Young Guns take on a dangerous new mine. 11 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:33,799 Oh! (BLEEP) Are you all right? 12 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:36,159 Desperate to lure injured JC 13 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:40,799 back to the opal fields with rare pineapple opal. 14 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:44,119 Oh, you've just (BLEEP) broke the whole thing, Noah.Oh, no. 15 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:48,839 SOFIA: If anything happens, they won't be able to get up. Are you all right?Really dodgy. 16 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,199 The Opal Whisperers begin the season 17 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:54,639 working their own claim for the first time... 18 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:57,159 Oh, it's not getting anywhere. 19 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:01,199 If we bust one of the teeth on the machine then that's it for the season, really. 20 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:04,439 ..on the hunt for prized Cathedral Opal. 21 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:06,199 That's the stuff we want. 22 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:10,479 # Money 23 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:16,639 # And fancy clothes # 24 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:24,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 25 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:30,239 If we start working back towards me. Back towards us. 26 00:01:30,320 --> 00:01:33,679 Get rid of this tree here, then we can you know, do a big circle. 27 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:36,199 OK, use Xavier, don't miss the opal. 28 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:37,959 That's all you've gotta worry about. 29 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:39,839 See opal, pick it up. 30 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:44,639 Yeah, we've got a bit of a creek bed. 31 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:48,239 The water seems to be washing all the way through it, somehow... 32 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:50,079 on the big rains. 33 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:52,479 It's started to expose all these pillars. 34 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:54,199 These are all virgin ground. 35 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,039 It's the start of the new mining season 36 00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:00,759 the Blacklighters, Mark I'Anson 37 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:03,519 Paul Coon, John Nassar 38 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:05,679 and Mark's step-son, Xavier 39 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:09,799 are working a new claim with their 35-year-old excavator. 40 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:12,839 Our dream is to find that big pocket 41 00:02:12,920 --> 00:02:16,159 and the excavator's the only way we're gonna do that. 42 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:18,599 Big hopes for this season, a nice new claim 43 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:22,559 and as soon as you find virgin ground in the middle of a beautiful field like this, 44 00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:25,519 you can't leave it. Not easy though, every... 45 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:28,719 Everyone will tell you open mining's (BLEEP) hard. 46 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:31,639 Look, snake. 47 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:34,799 Snake, man. Paul, wait! 48 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:38,799 Snake. Hey, he's getting angry, ooh! 49 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:40,719 XAVIER: Little baby Inland Taipan 50 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:43,999 deadliest snake in the world, like the most venomous. 51 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:47,279 Where's papa and mama is what I'm worried about.Yeah. 52 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:51,719 Here, look, look, look. Right there. 53 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:55,119 Inland Taipan venom is so toxic 54 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:59,119 one bite is enough to kill one hundred adults. 55 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:00,959 That's a deadly arse tree. 56 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:03,039 Wait up, Paul, let him go home. 57 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:05,079 As soon as you move, they'll be like, oh, 58 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,559 that's when they strike when they're scared. 59 00:03:07,640 --> 00:03:09,239 As long as you leave them alone 60 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:11,399 they'll leave you alone, everyone's happy. 61 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:18,519 Coober Pedy, the opal capital of Australia. 62 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:24,959 Extreme temperatures from sub-zero to 50 degrees Celsius 63 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:26,999 have driven residents underground 64 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:30,559 to escape the crippling desert environment. 65 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:36,239 The majority of miners seeking their fortune here will go broke. 66 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:41,719 # Happy birthday to you 67 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:44,799 # Happy birthday to you # 68 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:46,879 Forced to leave their homes in Mintabie 69 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:49,319 after the government closed the town, 70 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:53,479 the Blacklighters face their second season as Coober Pedy miners 71 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:57,319 struggling to support an extended family of 12. 72 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:00,319 MARK: It is a massive pressure to carry, like really is 73 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:02,199 cos too many people counting on you 74 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:04,199 the thought of letting them down is like, 75 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:06,719 you know what I mean, unbearable. 76 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:10,239 Dad.Ooh, have a look at that, nice 77 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:13,119 See, he knows what he's looking for. 78 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:15,999 Yeah, I provide a lot from opal mining to my family, 79 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:19,399 so if we don't find nothing, it does make it hard. 80 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,199 The ultimate goal is to hit it big. 81 00:04:21,280 --> 00:04:23,399 You can't say you wouldn't want to make money, 82 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:25,079 if you did, you're an idiot. 83 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:27,599 Opal mining's definitely not cheap. 84 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:30,679 The continued running cost of all the machinery, 85 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:32,639 diesel, 86 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:35,159 machines are breaking down constantly. 87 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:38,839 And then Mark likes to have lots of machines 88 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:41,719 and lots of toys, big boy toys. 89 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:43,599 JOHN: Failure... 90 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:45,879 isn't really an option. 91 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:49,199 You can talk the talk, have all the best machinery that money can buy 92 00:04:49,280 --> 00:04:51,759 but if you haven't got chunks of opal in your hand, 93 00:04:51,840 --> 00:04:54,479 yeah, pretty well just, yeah, just blowing hot air. 94 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:58,359 Needing all the help they can get 95 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:02,079 Mark's 15-year-old stepson, Xavier has joined the team 96 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:04,279 as an apprentice opal miner. 97 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:10,359 I reckon once these boys get old and ugly... 98 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,879 (CHUCKLES) they won't, they won't be able to do much more, so... 99 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:16,079 I'm pretty keen on taking over. 100 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:22,359 MARK: Last year, our season target was 250. 101 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:24,239 We fell a little bit short. 102 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:27,479 I think this year, we really want to get up around 300. 103 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:30,399 It did hurt not making that target, it really did. 104 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:32,799 We started off so well, we should have kept going, 105 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:34,519 didn't sort of worked that way, 106 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:36,799 but this year we're gonna make sure it does. 107 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:41,999 Getting into the virgin ground that hasn't been mined, 108 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:44,239 we're basically getting to the ball first. 109 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:48,279 Gives us a chance to hit a pocket, and get the whole lot. 110 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:52,239 Everyone's after some virgin ground, because it's, it's untouched. 111 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:54,999 The excavator allows us to do a big fresh open cut 112 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:57,439 and hopefully, find a seam, or, you know, 113 00:05:57,520 --> 00:06:00,679 something that's been sitting there for millions of years. 114 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:02,719 We're gonna be the ones to uncover it. 115 00:06:10,840 --> 00:06:13,559 What have we struck? 116 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:15,559 Oh, the water's coming out. 117 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:19,239 It is dripping, eh? 118 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:20,919 Bad.Bad. 119 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:22,599 The temperature skyrocketed. 120 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:24,839 Is that the water jacket?Yeah. 121 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:27,399 She sprung a water leak in the jacket 122 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:30,199 which is a real (BLEEP) of a spot to have a water leak. 123 00:06:30,280 --> 00:06:33,679 Without the excavator, our dreams are over of finding a pocket. 124 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:37,079 We really have to have this up and running, we have to. 125 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:38,759 Had to be that. 126 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:51,639 JAYMIN: So, right now we're just tidying up the mine a bit. 127 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:54,799 JC went down last week and had a pretty bad break in his leg. 128 00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:58,679 We're gonna wait for JC to get back out here before we start work again. 129 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:02,399 The boys and I came out here to find millions of dollars' worth of opal. 130 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:05,399 You know, if we have a million-dollar find down here, 131 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,079 we don't want him to miss out on that. 132 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:09,959 We've been a three-man team. 133 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:13,199 Our entire mine is kind of designed to work with three people. 134 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:15,799 We're not gonna dig down here without JC. 135 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:19,159 That's it, he's got a couple of ideas, we'll hear him out. 136 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,479 But I don't really like the idea of working for anyone at this stage 137 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:25,679 we've spent so much time setting up our own mine, 138 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:27,679 but we'll figure something out. 139 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:33,719 NOAH: Go, JC. JC: Let's get it. 140 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:36,599 JAYMIN: It was a really good day, up until the moment 141 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:38,519 that JC broke his leg. 142 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:44,759 My (BLEEP) leg's broke. 143 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:46,599 Oh, no. 144 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:49,279 He's been since flown back to the central coast 145 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:51,359 and, er, he's recuperating back at home. 146 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:54,519 It really, really sucks being off my leg, 147 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:56,879 but I'm back in my parent's beautiful house, 148 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,039 with my wonderful girlfriend. 149 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:01,719 A man could get used to this. 150 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:04,559 I'm starting to think about my life here 151 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:06,639 and you know, starting to question 152 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:08,919 whether or not I do want to really go back out. 153 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,519 It's on the fence right now. 154 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:15,839 I'm definitely concerned that JC may not come back out here. 155 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:17,999 Progress towards our season target 156 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:21,039 we found about ten grand worth of opal straight away. 157 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:22,839 We've still got a long way to go 158 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:26,519 and with only two of us here, it's gonna be a rocky road. 159 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:28,399 If JC doesn't make it back out here 160 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:31,159 then I mean, that's the end of the Young Guns as a group. 161 00:08:31,240 --> 00:08:33,479 We're all gonna probably go our separate ways 162 00:08:33,560 --> 00:08:35,679 and yeah, that's it. 163 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:38,439 So what are we gonna do, you reckon? 164 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:40,679 I don't know, Noz. Dad says he's coming over. 165 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:42,359 We'll see what he's got to say. 166 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:47,959 There he is, Noz. 167 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:52,039 Boys.How you doing? 168 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:53,759 Might have a proposition for you. 169 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:56,599 I've got a fall back hole, it's not far from here. 170 00:08:56,680 --> 00:09:00,119 It's been full of water for the last 10 years but it's actually dried up. 171 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,879 If you want to have a go at it, I'm giving you the option. 172 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:06,399 If you're not interested, don't worry about it, just walk away. 173 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:09,119 What kind of split are we talking if we go down there 174 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:11,039 and pretty much, you know, work for you 175 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:13,279 for the week or so?Look. 176 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:16,399 What kind of percentages are we talking there? 177 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:18,399 What about 20?20? 178 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,599 Yeah.If you want the work done, 179 00:09:20,680 --> 00:09:22,919 I think we've gotta go fifty-fifty on this one. 180 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:26,479 All right, we'll meet at sixty-forty. 181 00:09:26,560 --> 00:09:29,239 How does that sound? I don't know, I think like... 182 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:32,399 Think about it -Two of us putting in all the work for a week. 183 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:35,439 Forty-five. Last deal, come on. 184 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:38,439 We'll give it a go, give it a go, see how it goes, right? 185 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:41,759 See I'm a bit worried, because he agreed to that pretty easily. 186 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:45,239 What I didn't tell you. 187 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:47,399 We're not actually just chasing opal here, 188 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:49,079 this is actually a pineapple mine. 189 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:52,839 What?Well, there we go. I think it's gonna be a (BLEEP) opportunity 190 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:57,199 now that we know there's pineapples. Yeah, I'm glad we agreed to that. Let's get started. 191 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:05,119 Pineapples are some of the rarest, and most valuable opals. 192 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:09,359 White Cliffs is the only place in the world where they're found. 193 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:12,359 Despite being one of the hottest places on Earth 194 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:16,479 pineapples formed here under ice, millions of years ago. 195 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:21,119 Jaymin's step dad, Graeme, is one of only a few world experts 196 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:23,239 in pineapple mining. 197 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:25,159 So what would that one be valued at? 198 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:28,759 This one will be $60,000 US. Yeah, right. 199 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:30,639 His most valuable find 200 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:35,399 the heart of Australia worth $500,000. 201 00:10:37,240 --> 00:10:39,279 That ladder's looking a bit scary. 202 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:41,479 We talked Graeme up to 45 percent, 203 00:10:41,560 --> 00:10:43,359 but in a way, I kind of wish we didn't 204 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,799 because now it means we're gonna have to go down the hole. 205 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:49,439 I kind of forgot how scary ladders can be 206 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:51,479 now that I'm looking how deep that hole is 207 00:10:51,560 --> 00:10:54,279 and how long that ladder is, I'm getting a little nervous. 208 00:11:02,840 --> 00:11:05,239 ISAAC: That looks dodgy as... SOPHIA: What? 209 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:08,399 Hey, hold on, that's a massive hole. 210 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:10,199 I wonder how deep it is. 211 00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:15,359 That's a proper mine shaft. 212 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:17,519 This could be all mined out under here. 213 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:20,999 Brother and sister team, Isaac and Sophia Andreou 214 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:25,519 are sizing up the potential of an abandoned claim in Yowah. 215 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:28,679 Is there a level, is there fault lines that we can see? 216 00:11:28,760 --> 00:11:30,839 Is there a cave, has this all been mined out? 217 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:34,439 There's a lot of ifs at the moment. The only way to know is to go down there. 218 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:36,439 Probably I should go down there. 219 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:38,879 There could be snakes, there could be spiders, 220 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:44,119 brown snakes.Or a red-bellied black snake.You'd be dead before you get to the top.Let's smoke it out. 221 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:46,719 We thought it might be a good idea just to get anything 222 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:48,399 hopefully moving out, 223 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:51,199 before it's my time to go down there. 224 00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:54,279 Our goal for this season is really to establish ourselves 225 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:56,199 as miners off our own backs. 226 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:59,919 So this season we're really taking that extra step forward. 227 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:01,599 Are you ready to go?Yeah. 228 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:08,719 So that should smoke out any creepy-crawlies, anyway. 229 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:13,559 There's colour here, there's another nut here.Jesus, man. 230 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:16,239 There's colour everywhere. Woo! 231 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:20,199 Last season, the Opal Whisperers had the biggest find ever 232 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:22,159 on Outback Opal Hunters. 233 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:26,559 Working for a 30% share at miner Dave Derby's claim. 234 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:29,359 We've got 1.2 million dollars. 235 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,719 ISAAC: Last season for the Whisperers was fantastic. 236 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:36,559 We really appreciate the help we've been given to now, 237 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:38,519 but we want to make it on our own, 238 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:40,679 that's been our goal from the beginning. 239 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:42,519 SOPHIA: Our family's original purpose 240 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:44,719 was always taking the opal from the mine 241 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:47,719 and going through the process and directly to the customer. 242 00:12:47,800 --> 00:12:50,799 We really want to re-install that vision 243 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:52,519 that our parents had. 244 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:55,439 Ever since I was a little girl, I was studying rocks. 245 00:12:55,520 --> 00:12:57,399 In our family store, I had the pleasure 246 00:12:57,480 --> 00:12:59,879 of dealing with some of the rarest gems in the world 247 00:12:59,960 --> 00:13:02,639 from Columbian emeralds, rubies from Africa, 248 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:05,919 but out of everything, there's nothing like opal. 249 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,039 I started cutting at eight years old. 250 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:11,959 I can literally read the formation to see what's inside it. 251 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:14,399 So there should be a bit of colour just under that. 252 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:17,559 There's not many people that I could stand with 253 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:21,399 while cutting and not be quite nervous. 254 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:24,479 I know that from the get go he's gonna do a great job. 255 00:13:24,560 --> 00:13:26,239 Coming along. 256 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:29,199 Our season target this year 257 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:31,959 with a couple of machines, some fuel, 258 00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:35,559 we're looking at about $220,000. 259 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:38,799 But they can't take the next step in their mining careers 260 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:41,119 until they buy their own claim. 261 00:13:42,280 --> 00:13:44,279 Hello, Georgina.Hello! 262 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:46,319 Georgina's a really lovely lady. 263 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:49,399 She has some pretty exciting claims available. 264 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:52,279 So, this one and this one are for sale, 265 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:53,999 those two are for sale. 266 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:56,959 And you can choose either one? No, you have to take both. 267 00:13:57,040 --> 00:14:00,159 This is Jojo over here.Right. 268 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:04,039 In my eyes, the best opal in the world's come out of there.Yeah. 269 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:06,799 The two claims are at either end of the legendary 270 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:08,479 Jojo fault line, 271 00:14:08,560 --> 00:14:11,199 an opal hotspot that's made millionaires. 272 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:16,079 But the claims will cost Isaac and Sophia a massive $90,000. 273 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:21,719 I can sort of show you what's available. 274 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:24,559 That's red, real cathedral, that's... 275 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:26,359 That's the stuff we want. 276 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:31,239 Cathedral pattern forms as fossilized vegetation 277 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:34,919 is replaced over millions of years by opal. 278 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:39,839 Named for its pattern resembling a stained glass window 279 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:42,879 it can be worth $20,000 a gram. 280 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:46,079 If there's any chance 281 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:48,519 for the cathedral pattern in this area, 282 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:50,439 I want to have a look. 283 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:54,839 Have you got a long rope that we could lower down there 284 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:56,519 to measure it? 285 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:59,039 With $90,000 at stake, 286 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:02,399 Isaac and Sophia have permission to test the claims 287 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:04,319 before they commit to buying. 288 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:08,719 That's still going. 289 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:11,759 Holy crap, Sophia, that's so deep. Yeah, right. 290 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:14,959 It's a lot deeper, a lot lower than I thought it was gonna be. 291 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:17,959 I have to give it a go. There's no other option really. 292 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:19,639 We need to know what's down there 293 00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:21,799 and we need to know what we're dealing with. 294 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:28,839 MARK: She sprung a water leak. 295 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:31,079 Yeah, it's cracked. 296 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:32,759 We're after a decent pocket, 297 00:15:32,840 --> 00:15:36,479 so without this our dreams are basically over in that area. 298 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:40,479 The fear of letting down your loved ones, that's what drives me. 299 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:42,159 I never want to do that, so... 300 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:44,799 we can't afford to slack it off, we've got to go harder. 301 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:47,839 Last year was OK, but not good enough, really. 302 00:15:47,920 --> 00:15:50,199 Today didn't go to plan. Didn't go well at all. 303 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:52,279 While we're waiting for that to be fixed, 304 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:55,119 why don't we go up the hill and have a look? 305 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:58,439 The Blacklighters have two adjoining claims 306 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:01,879 measuring a huge 200 by 50 metres. 307 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:04,999 In the north are the remains of vast tunnels 308 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:06,879 dug 40 years ago. 309 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:08,839 You can see the slides 310 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:12,879 and slips they're following. JOHN: It made someone money.Yeah. 311 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:15,719 I still think there'd be opal in this hill to be found. 312 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:19,559 That's sketchy. 313 00:16:19,640 --> 00:16:24,159 It's the only way to do it, with a tunnelling machine. Let's chase it.Chase it, yeah. 314 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:27,159 Chase the dream with the tunnelling machine. 315 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:29,479 A tunnelling machine cuts through rock 316 00:16:29,560 --> 00:16:32,679 towards an opal level using a rotating drum 317 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:36,599 lined with rows of teeth, controlled by a hydraulic arm. 318 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:41,119 It's new to us, we've never done it before, so I don't know. 319 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:44,559 We have this debate quite often, but it's still dangerous. 320 00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:47,079 It's still dangerous, it's still underground. 321 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,319 Coober Pedy miner, James Coombes 322 00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:55,199 has offered Mark the chance to see a tunnelling machine in action. 323 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:57,439 Thanks for letting us have a look today. 324 00:16:57,520 --> 00:17:00,239 Happy to show you how the tunnelling machine works.Yeah. 325 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:02,479 If I wanted to get one, what am I up for? 326 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:05,519 Between 35, 40 thousand dollars. 327 00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:17,919 Now that's beautiful, is this one you called a little Rolls Royce? 328 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:20,559 Ferrari, not Rolls Royce. Ferrari, yeah. 329 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:23,039 She sucks that dirt up so quick. 330 00:17:23,120 --> 00:17:24,719 You can do 20 feet an hour. 331 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:26,399 Oh, really?Yeah, no worries. 332 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:29,599 We can fire it up and show you how to do it, if you want?Yeah! 333 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:36,879 That's moving some dirt. 334 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:39,599 Such a clean way to mine. 335 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:41,279 Really, really impressive. 336 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:44,399 I definitely want one. 337 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:46,999 The good ones are probably 25, 30. 338 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:48,999 Now I've just got to get it past the boss 339 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:52,279 the wife, and...yeah. 340 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:54,879 I don't know how that's gonna go. 341 00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:01,599 JAYMIN: I forgot how scary ladders can be. 342 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:05,399 That's a real scary long, deep looking ladder. 343 00:18:08,240 --> 00:18:10,399 With teammate JC injured 344 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:13,599 Jaymin has struck a deal to hunt for pineapple opal 345 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:15,759 in his stepdad's mine. 346 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:18,279 Thanks, brother. 347 00:18:18,360 --> 00:18:20,879 NOAH: I'm shaking. JAYMIN: You can do it. 348 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:25,159 We need to find opal. 349 00:18:25,240 --> 00:18:26,839 It's got to pay off for us. 350 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:30,599 I think that's gonna make JC keen to get back out here. 351 00:18:32,360 --> 00:18:33,959 How you going, Noz? 352 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:38,439 Just doing it.Oh, you've got it, you're doing well. 353 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:50,999 He's all right.Jesus. 354 00:18:53,520 --> 00:18:55,519 See how rusted the bottom of the ladder is? 355 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,479 That's where the water was up to. Oh, really?Yeah. 356 00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:01,399 What we actually really have to be aware of, 357 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:03,439 you see that pillar line? 358 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:05,879 We need to really not be digging underneath 359 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:07,559 if you want to keep the roof up. 360 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:09,959 I mean, that is imperative. 361 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:15,439 There's potential to find hundreds and thousands of dollars worth of pineapple, 362 00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:17,879 but at the end of the day, it's not worth our life. 363 00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:20,759 Pineapple level is actually that little strip of ground. 364 00:19:20,840 --> 00:19:24,039 We need to get a sharpened little screwdriver for digging that level. 365 00:19:24,120 --> 00:19:26,199 If you're looking for these $100,000 stones, 366 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:27,959 you don't hit it with a jackhammer. 367 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:31,519 It's glass. You know, jackhammer and glass doesn't mix. 368 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:36,159 I'd like to be down here when you're finding pieces. I won't be far, just give me a holler. 369 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:39,519 You might want to get another ladder to put on the bottom of these two. 370 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:42,319 That's probably would be a good idea, right? 371 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,999 OK.Yeah. 372 00:19:45,080 --> 00:19:47,319 I'm gonna crack a few lights on 373 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:49,359 Noah's gonna lower down the big ladder, 374 00:19:49,440 --> 00:19:52,079 just make it safer and easier to get into the mine. 375 00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:00,439 All right, be careful with it. 376 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:05,759 Hey, how far from the bottom is it? 377 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:07,479 Keep coming a little bit. 378 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:13,279 (GRUNTS) 379 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:19,719 Hey, hey, are you all right? 380 00:20:28,040 --> 00:20:31,039 ISAAC: That's a pretty big hole, and it's deep as hell. 381 00:20:31,120 --> 00:20:32,959 To kick off their opal season 382 00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:35,879 Isaac and Sophia want to prove two claims 383 00:20:35,960 --> 00:20:38,519 next to the legendary Jojo opal field 384 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:42,359 are worth the huge $90,000 price tag. 385 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:44,519 This season we want to establish 386 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:46,199 our own mining operation. 387 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:48,719 If we don't know if there's an opal level down there 388 00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:50,559 then there's no use buying this place. 389 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:54,399 It's a gamble and that might mean we have to give both of them away. 390 00:20:54,480 --> 00:20:56,079 We'll get this last length on, eh? 391 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:59,159 What we've decided to do, is overlap by one length here... 392 00:20:59,240 --> 00:21:00,919 and put four wires on it. 393 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:03,439 Hopefully, that'll...hold it. 394 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:06,399 That should be just off the bottom, I reckon. 395 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:08,119 That's it. 396 00:21:12,520 --> 00:21:14,279 I like that you're worried, Sophia, 397 00:21:14,360 --> 00:21:15,999 cos it's a serious situation, mate. 398 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:18,119 SOFIA: You said it, bro. 399 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:23,519 Bit more tension on the rope. How are the ladders feeling? 400 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:25,199 Really dodgy. 401 00:21:26,360 --> 00:21:31,119 If anything happens, I could jump down the last two metres, but I won't be able to get up. 402 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:34,799 Don't drop down a couple of metres, come back up, we'll try another ladder. 403 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:37,199 Nah, it's OK, I've got a good view from here. 404 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:39,599 OK. 405 00:21:39,680 --> 00:21:41,279 It looks like it's been deserted. 406 00:21:41,360 --> 00:21:42,999 Let's get up and out of this hole. 407 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:45,839 This isn't looking that good. OK. Woo! 408 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:48,919 The hole's told us nothing, really. 409 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:51,119 I mean, the opal might be deeper. 410 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:54,079 There's a possibility, but there's still nothing definite. 411 00:21:54,160 --> 00:21:56,599 We're gonna have to have a look at that other mine. 412 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:02,319 The second claim, Lucky One, is three kilometres away. 413 00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:06,359 It sits at the opposite end of Yowah's famous Jojo fault line. 414 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:09,439 It's all gonna come down to this other mine. 415 00:22:09,520 --> 00:22:11,439 If you make the wrong decision, 416 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:13,679 you could end up not only spending your money 417 00:22:13,760 --> 00:22:17,119 but spending your life looking for something that's just not there. 418 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:20,479 Family friend, Chris McDonald 419 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:24,679 has delivered a seven ton backhoe to speed up the assessment. 420 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:27,079 I'd start there, eh?Yeah. 421 00:22:27,160 --> 00:22:29,399 You can see that that line running that way 422 00:22:29,480 --> 00:22:32,159 and that one running that way. 423 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:33,879 This is the moment, Zach! 424 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:36,399 All right. 425 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:38,119 Chris' first task, 426 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:41,119 penetrate the cement like iron stone caprock 427 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:44,079 on the hunt for a seam of opal. 428 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:47,039 If it turns up with some colour or some trace 429 00:22:47,120 --> 00:22:49,439 then it might become a reality, this purchase. 430 00:22:50,920 --> 00:22:52,799 That is hard, isn't it? Wow. 431 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:58,399 The worst thing that could happen 432 00:22:58,480 --> 00:23:00,559 is we bust one of the teeth on the machine. 433 00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:03,599 Without it, we've got absolutely no hope of finding anything. 434 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:10,119 It's not getting anywhere. 435 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:18,439 MARK: I don't have a tunnelling machine. 436 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:21,959 If I get my way, I'll definitely be getting one. 437 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:24,239 With their excavator broken down 438 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:27,519 Mark believes a $30,000 tunnelling machine 439 00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:29,799 is the best chance for finding opal. 440 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:33,119 You know, you could make a living, but not enough for all of us. 441 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:36,879 We want to expand, but getting it through council, 442 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:39,199 the wives, isn't gonna be easy. 443 00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:41,159 How are you going, Rach? Hey, Bud. 444 00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:43,279 Went down underground, James has had a look 445 00:23:43,360 --> 00:23:44,959 at a tunnelling machine today, 446 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:46,719 we're thinking maybe that might be 447 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:48,679 a direction we head into. 448 00:23:48,760 --> 00:23:50,719 Yeah, nah. Nah. 449 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:52,759 Mining underground is not safe. 450 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:56,479 No?And at this point in time, there's no way we can... 451 00:23:56,560 --> 00:23:58,359 afford a tunnelling machine. 452 00:23:58,440 --> 00:24:00,679 That's why I wanted to look at better options. 453 00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:02,519 There's no way you're doing it. 454 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:04,639 No, not happening. 455 00:24:04,720 --> 00:24:06,319 Sorry. 456 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:14,639 But, yeah, nah, it didn't go too well, no. 457 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:17,279 No, it went real pear-shaped. 458 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:22,519 We need to start shifting some dirt. PAUL: We do. 459 00:24:22,600 --> 00:24:25,119 With the tunnelling machine off the table 460 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:27,439 the Blacklighters only choice is to make 461 00:24:27,520 --> 00:24:29,599 a bush repair on their excavator. 462 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:34,799 But if it fails, it risks even worse damage. 463 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:36,999 Without this, it's all over for us. 464 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:40,439 Got some stainless mesh, 465 00:24:40,520 --> 00:24:43,239 so we're gonna try and put it over the hole, and then... 466 00:24:43,320 --> 00:24:45,559 smear some of this metal weld over it. 467 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:50,559 There's no two ways about it, this is 100% a botch. 468 00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:52,359 Do a bit more. 469 00:24:52,440 --> 00:24:54,559 I reckon if it could work. 470 00:24:56,320 --> 00:24:57,919 Top her up, start her up. 471 00:24:59,120 --> 00:25:00,719 Hope for the best, I guess. 472 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:06,919 Definitely need to keep my eyes on the temperature gauge today 473 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:09,759 just to be safe, we don't want to do extra damage. 474 00:25:11,400 --> 00:25:14,639 Today we've got Xavier checking on the excavator with Paul, 475 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:17,239 just making sure we're not missing anything. 476 00:25:19,160 --> 00:25:20,759 XAVIER: I'm really nervous. 477 00:25:20,840 --> 00:25:22,719 Like, if I miss something, 478 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:25,599 we could be missing thousands, tens of thousands. 479 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:36,799 Wait, wait, wait, wait. 480 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:39,959 What have we got?What have we got? I see colour.Look at that. 481 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:41,999 Woo!Oh, look at this. 482 00:25:43,040 --> 00:25:46,319 We got colour!We got colour. 483 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:47,999 Well done, mate. 484 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:50,959 At the start, I wasn't too keen on coming out spotting. 485 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:54,799 I was pretty bummed, but after finding that colour 486 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:57,079 I'm pretty keen on sticking out here. 487 00:25:57,160 --> 00:25:59,839 Where's the rest? You know, we only got two pieces. 488 00:25:59,920 --> 00:26:01,679 No, we won't get just two. 489 00:26:03,560 --> 00:26:06,439 We could sit here and dig this whole thing away. 490 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:09,079 The fact that it's loose, all we're gonna do is bury it. 491 00:26:09,160 --> 00:26:12,199 Opalzilla it, man, just dig it, put it through. 492 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:14,879 Kind of like that, we don't want to go burying it again. 493 00:26:17,160 --> 00:26:18,999 We're just gonna do the smart thing, 494 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:21,959 put it through Opalzilla, nothing's missed. 495 00:26:22,040 --> 00:26:25,439 John, be ready. I'll let you know when it's going through. 496 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:27,519 JOHN: Right-o, fill her up. 497 00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:30,039 With Opalzilla, you just fill the hopper up, 498 00:26:31,320 --> 00:26:33,399 passes up the belt, goes through the trommel, 499 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:36,639 spins around, gets the dust off, spits it out onto the shaker deck 500 00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:39,439 and that spits it out onto the belt 501 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:41,359 which goes under the UV lights, 502 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:44,079 me just picking it off the belt as it glows up 503 00:26:44,160 --> 00:26:47,919 and then the rest just goes out the other end to just get dumped. 504 00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:50,119 Well done, mate, that was the main part of it, 505 00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:52,039 so just keep a (BLEEP) close eye. 506 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:56,079 Yeah, it's a bit all on my shoulders at the moment. 507 00:26:56,160 --> 00:26:59,199 Fingers crossed, today's not the day I start missing them. 508 00:27:00,320 --> 00:27:01,919 Oh, (BLEEP) 509 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:07,079 Every now and then you do get the moments where there's too much to handle. 510 00:27:07,160 --> 00:27:10,559 Holy crap! So yeah, just whack the emergency stop. 511 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:12,239 Thanks for that virgin dirt, Mark. 512 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:14,439 You've just turned me into an octopus. 513 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:23,599 NOAH: Hey! 514 00:27:23,680 --> 00:27:25,479 Are you all right? 515 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:27,479 Are you all good though! 516 00:27:27,560 --> 00:27:29,199 Yeah, I'm fine. 517 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:31,159 That was scary. 518 00:27:31,240 --> 00:27:33,119 You're telling me.Man. 519 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:35,039 Yeah, I'm (BLEEP) shaking at the moment. 520 00:27:36,440 --> 00:27:38,879 Anything coming down there is a projectile. 521 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:44,439 All right, you're good to come down. 522 00:27:44,520 --> 00:27:46,479 With JC missing from the team 523 00:27:46,560 --> 00:27:50,079 the Young Guns have made a deal with Jaymin's stepdad 524 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:52,159 to hunt for rare pineapple opal 525 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:55,199 in a mine not worked in over ten years. 526 00:27:55,280 --> 00:27:57,679 Nearly bloody killed me, bro. What happened? 527 00:27:59,160 --> 00:28:00,879 I don't know, man. 528 00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:03,839 I just reckon maybe today we just focus on this one spot. 529 00:28:03,920 --> 00:28:06,079 We're really happy to be down in this mine 530 00:28:06,160 --> 00:28:07,759 and looking for pineapples. 531 00:28:07,840 --> 00:28:09,559 I think if we can show JC 532 00:28:09,640 --> 00:28:12,599 that we're pulling in some good opal back out here, 533 00:28:12,680 --> 00:28:14,319 it's just gonna convince him 534 00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:17,239 that this is where he needs to be. 535 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:19,759 Take it slow, and just look in this level. 536 00:28:22,120 --> 00:28:24,119 So when you're looking for pineapples 537 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:26,879 if you're going for the wall and you hear a scratchy sound, 538 00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:29,919 or you know, you kind of know you've hit something. 539 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:32,559 So really sound's the main thing here 540 00:28:32,640 --> 00:28:35,679 to, you know, listen for to avoid breaking it. 541 00:28:35,760 --> 00:28:37,359 So, yeah, just keeping my ears out 542 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:39,719 for a sound, like a kind of clicky sound. 543 00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:42,119 But, yeah, if you feel any... 544 00:28:42,200 --> 00:28:46,239 Oh, (BLEEP) , are you kidding me, Noah. 545 00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:48,799 This is -Not already, we've literally just sat down. 546 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:51,119 What the hell? 547 00:28:51,200 --> 00:28:53,639 Are you serious? This is, this is not real. 548 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:56,039 That's...Oh, no way. 549 00:28:56,120 --> 00:28:58,919 You can see a little bit of opal there. 550 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:01,599 That's something, mate.That is definitely a pineapple. 551 00:29:01,680 --> 00:29:03,639 Look at it. It's got a bit of a ball. 552 00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:06,079 This is a game changer. 553 00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:09,159 (LINE RINGING) 554 00:29:09,240 --> 00:29:12,839 GRAEME: Yeah, Noah, what's up? I think we've already come across a pineapple. 555 00:29:12,920 --> 00:29:15,519 Holy, (BLEEP)Yeah, yeah. 556 00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:17,839 I'm coming over. 557 00:29:17,920 --> 00:29:19,559 Looks like we've found something. 558 00:29:19,640 --> 00:29:21,839 Already?Already.Let's have a look. 559 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:23,719 Oh, (BLEEP) it is true. 560 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:26,759 Bring this out on top of the piece of that hard ground. 561 00:29:26,840 --> 00:29:30,319 So some of our collectors like to see some of that 562 00:29:30,400 --> 00:29:33,239 natural matrix on the bottom of their specimens. 563 00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:39,079 Stop. Look at that, see that crack coming across the top there? 564 00:29:39,160 --> 00:29:41,359 It's either gonna break the top of that pineapple 565 00:29:41,440 --> 00:29:43,279 or it's just gonna expose it. 566 00:29:43,360 --> 00:29:44,959 It's gonna be a nice rounded blob. 567 00:29:45,040 --> 00:29:48,359 So this is the moment, this really is the moment. 568 00:29:49,480 --> 00:29:51,479 I feel like I'm in Jurassic Park right now 569 00:29:51,560 --> 00:29:54,039 just slowly excavating 570 00:29:54,120 --> 00:29:57,959 the bones of a dinosaur or something. 571 00:29:58,040 --> 00:29:59,639 OK, boys, here we go. 572 00:30:01,320 --> 00:30:03,359 It's so nerve racking because you don't know 573 00:30:03,440 --> 00:30:05,199 how much value you could lose 574 00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:08,039 each time you hear a crack, or take off the wrong bit. 575 00:30:11,880 --> 00:30:13,639 I've got it. 576 00:30:13,720 --> 00:30:17,519 Look at that. There's definitely some colour.That's fantastic. 577 00:30:17,600 --> 00:30:19,999 It really adds a lot of value to these specimens 578 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:22,039 when they have colour in them. 579 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:23,719 Oh, (BLEEP) 580 00:30:23,800 --> 00:30:25,399 What, no good?We'll have a look. 581 00:30:25,480 --> 00:30:30,559 We've got a big fracture running through the guts of that piece. It's not the best one. 582 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:34,119 You should be able to find some more pieces in this ground. 583 00:30:34,200 --> 00:30:35,879 Holy, (BLEEP) 584 00:30:38,960 --> 00:30:40,559 We got another one.Have we really? 585 00:30:40,640 --> 00:30:44,559 We've got another one right there. There's another one.Yep. 586 00:30:44,640 --> 00:30:46,479 It's unreal, like, right now all of this 587 00:30:46,560 --> 00:30:49,039 is kind of just a dream, mate. 588 00:30:49,120 --> 00:30:50,879 Have a go, Noz. 589 00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:53,719 Yeah, come on, Noz. Dig this section out. 590 00:30:55,640 --> 00:30:58,119 Let's move down so you can -Oi! What? 591 00:30:58,200 --> 00:31:00,999 No joke, I think there's one here. I'm on a roll! 592 00:31:01,080 --> 00:31:02,759 I was standing there, no joke, 593 00:31:02,840 --> 00:31:06,319 just poking the wall with this, waiting for you to finish digging that out, 594 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:09,879 so I could have a look at it and then it just goes clink, and I'm like, "No." 595 00:31:10,880 --> 00:31:13,399 What was the cut again? You're on a pretty good deal. 596 00:31:13,480 --> 00:31:16,239 Don't you worry. Holy, (BLEEP) Here we go. 597 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:19,519 Oh, it's solid!Blue colour. 598 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:22,359 Pineapple mining is easy as that, eh? 599 00:31:23,400 --> 00:31:25,639 Let's get yours out, Noz. See where you're at. 600 00:31:27,160 --> 00:31:31,039 Start further away, and then just work your way in towards it. 601 00:31:31,120 --> 00:31:33,759 The time taken now is the difference between 602 00:31:33,840 --> 00:31:36,719 a few thousand or ten thousand sort of thing, you know? 603 00:31:38,880 --> 00:31:41,759 Oh, you just (BLEEP) broke the whole thing, Noah. 604 00:31:52,280 --> 00:31:56,839 ISAAC: We haven't got far so far. That's what he's trying to break through. 605 00:31:56,920 --> 00:31:58,919 There's a layer of it, about that thick. 606 00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:01,519 If we could bust through it, maybe we have a chance. 607 00:32:03,240 --> 00:32:06,159 To prove themselves as independent miners 608 00:32:06,240 --> 00:32:10,879 Isaac and Sophia need to find opal on two legendary claims 609 00:32:10,960 --> 00:32:14,119 to justify the $90,000 price tag. 610 00:32:17,000 --> 00:32:18,919 Vital to proving their claim 611 00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:22,079 is Chris, and his seven ton backhoe. 612 00:32:22,160 --> 00:32:24,799 You want to find some trace of opal... 613 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:27,599 otherwise, these deals are a write off. 614 00:32:28,760 --> 00:32:32,919 Let's just keep our fingers crossed that he doesn't break the machine on the way. 615 00:32:35,880 --> 00:32:38,079 Any opportunity around here is 616 00:32:38,160 --> 00:32:39,959 not to be taken lightly. 617 00:32:40,040 --> 00:32:42,559 We're here for a life work a career. 618 00:32:49,240 --> 00:32:50,959 That's black manganese. 619 00:32:51,040 --> 00:32:53,919 If you find just manganese, you're gonna go broke. 620 00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:55,599 It's not what we're after. 621 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:01,919 OK, that's the clay, there.Yeah. 622 00:33:03,080 --> 00:33:05,559 Up here it's hard, so looks like he's through. 623 00:33:05,640 --> 00:33:08,919 Look, there's fossil, like that's remnants of some sort of fossil there. 624 00:33:09,000 --> 00:33:11,559 Well, maybe we should have a closer look at that. 625 00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:15,319 There's a fault line right there 626 00:33:15,400 --> 00:33:18,159 that's where the opal had a chance to blow in. 627 00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:20,199 That's where fossil might be. 628 00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:29,119 Hold on a minute. There's a bit of yellow here. 629 00:33:29,200 --> 00:33:31,239 Oh, I nearly hit this is... That's purple. 630 00:33:31,320 --> 00:33:33,359 There's purple. Isaac, there's colour there. 631 00:33:33,440 --> 00:33:36,719 That's purple.Look at that! That's awesome. That's a - 632 00:33:36,800 --> 00:33:38,959 Look at it in the sun as the sun comes out. 633 00:33:41,280 --> 00:33:43,719 Actually, this is broken off something else 634 00:33:43,800 --> 00:33:46,399 so there'd be more of this down there. 635 00:33:46,480 --> 00:33:48,279 There must be another little bit, 636 00:33:48,360 --> 00:33:50,399 but I can't see anything to be honest. 637 00:33:50,480 --> 00:33:52,599 Oh, look, there, do you see it? 638 00:33:54,760 --> 00:33:56,359 It's broken off that. See.Nice. 639 00:33:56,440 --> 00:33:58,359 Those two bits there add up. 640 00:33:59,760 --> 00:34:01,359 Chris, you're a legend, mate. 641 00:34:01,440 --> 00:34:03,639 Thank you, Chris.Too easy. 642 00:34:03,720 --> 00:34:05,559 Let's get back to the cutting machines. 643 00:34:05,640 --> 00:34:07,959 I want to see what this puppy's really got. 644 00:34:14,360 --> 00:34:16,439 MARK: More virgin love coming your way! 645 00:34:17,960 --> 00:34:20,559 The Blacklighters have hit a pocket of opal 646 00:34:20,640 --> 00:34:22,759 in virgin ground on their new claim. 647 00:34:26,280 --> 00:34:30,319 JOHN: We're starting to see a few bits come through. Woo-hoo, here we go. 648 00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:32,759 It's definitely gonna put a smile on my face today. 649 00:34:32,840 --> 00:34:35,159 Just picked like a whole pocket off the belt. 650 00:34:35,240 --> 00:34:36,919 About time. 651 00:34:37,000 --> 00:34:39,479 Under blacklight, all opal 652 00:34:39,560 --> 00:34:42,199 from colourless potch to rare reds 653 00:34:42,280 --> 00:34:44,439 fluoresces blue white. 654 00:34:44,520 --> 00:34:47,479 Its true worth will be revealed in the sunlight. 655 00:34:50,160 --> 00:34:53,279 Oh, I can see some in here.Ooh! 656 00:34:53,360 --> 00:34:55,639 Hello there. 657 00:34:55,720 --> 00:34:58,279 Oh, there's some money in the bucket today, fellas. 658 00:34:58,360 --> 00:35:00,879 Wow, well that's a (BLEEP) good day. 659 00:35:00,960 --> 00:35:03,119 The best day we've had.It is. 660 00:35:03,200 --> 00:35:06,519 Well done, mate, that is a (BLEEP) good effort, good to have you start. 661 00:35:06,600 --> 00:35:09,799 Wouldn't have found any of that if you didn't find that bit, mate. 662 00:35:09,880 --> 00:35:11,879 Yes!Overflow, that's it. That's a comeback. 663 00:35:11,960 --> 00:35:13,959 That's just a big comeback. 664 00:35:15,520 --> 00:35:18,999 In desperate need of cash to support their families 665 00:35:19,080 --> 00:35:22,319 the Blacklighters want to sell their opal fast 666 00:35:22,400 --> 00:35:25,079 with a live, online auction. 667 00:35:25,160 --> 00:35:26,999 We're gonna show it on our live 668 00:35:27,080 --> 00:35:29,759 which is something we usually do with our best stuff. 669 00:35:29,840 --> 00:35:33,879 We've got hundreds of buyers, yeah, from all around the world. 670 00:35:33,960 --> 00:35:36,159 We're ready to go live, Mum. 671 00:35:37,520 --> 00:35:40,719 The Blacklighters have white, and crystal opal 672 00:35:40,800 --> 00:35:43,239 featuring the full spectrum of colours. 673 00:35:43,320 --> 00:35:47,399 It's in the rough and there's 113 grams. 674 00:35:47,480 --> 00:35:50,999 Mark's hoping to get 13 to 15 thousand dollars 675 00:35:51,080 --> 00:35:53,239 for the parcel. 676 00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:54,919 If we can get in that ball park, 677 00:35:55,000 --> 00:35:58,279 I think we'll let it go and we'll be happy. Good to see everyone. 678 00:35:58,360 --> 00:36:01,559 Stoked to catch up. I've actually missed you guys. 679 00:36:01,640 --> 00:36:04,119 Hi, Joanne in London, and Tim in Joburg.Hey there! 680 00:36:04,200 --> 00:36:06,719 Hi, mate, how are you? This is an awesome parcel. 681 00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:08,399 Xavier found it, basically. 682 00:36:08,480 --> 00:36:10,999 We'd have missed it if it wasn't for him. 683 00:36:11,080 --> 00:36:13,999 Joanne started at 7,000. Well done, Joanne. 684 00:36:15,120 --> 00:36:16,879 I can't let this go too cheap 685 00:36:16,960 --> 00:36:20,319 cos Paul and John would get extremely mad at me. 686 00:36:21,920 --> 00:36:24,439 Tim's gone eight. Thanks, Tim. 687 00:36:24,520 --> 00:36:26,759 Oh, but Mike's gone nine. Thanks, Mike. 688 00:36:27,800 --> 00:36:29,599 See, now Joanne's at ten. 689 00:36:31,160 --> 00:36:33,679 Oh, and here's a new private bid on the screen. 690 00:36:33,760 --> 00:36:35,879 Rach, can you sort that out, please? 691 00:36:36,880 --> 00:36:38,879 All right, babe. 692 00:36:38,960 --> 00:36:40,839 That parcel has just sold. 693 00:36:40,920 --> 00:36:42,519 Well done, Rach. 694 00:36:42,600 --> 00:36:44,279 We got near the money we wanted. 695 00:36:44,360 --> 00:36:46,919 We wanted 15 thousand, we got 14. 696 00:36:47,000 --> 00:36:49,559 So I think that's a fair enough offer. 697 00:36:49,640 --> 00:36:51,839 If you haven't jumped in the pool fully clothed 698 00:36:51,920 --> 00:36:53,519 you're not a Blacklighter, mate. 699 00:36:53,600 --> 00:36:58,399 You know the tradition around here. You know the tradition. Let's go, mate!Yeah! 700 00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:04,519 Good kick off and to have Xavier come in 701 00:37:04,600 --> 00:37:07,399 and get his first catch really, pretty proud of him. 702 00:37:07,480 --> 00:37:09,559 And that's the Blacklighters spirit. 703 00:37:09,640 --> 00:37:11,719 Welcome to the Blacklighters, buddy! 704 00:37:11,800 --> 00:37:14,759 It's a really good feeling to go out and help, 705 00:37:14,840 --> 00:37:17,239 and then realize you're actually doing something 706 00:37:17,320 --> 00:37:19,559 by spotting the colour. 707 00:37:19,640 --> 00:37:21,799 Opal fever, we call it. 708 00:37:31,240 --> 00:37:34,399 GRAEME: Oh, you just (BLEEP) broke the whole thing, Noah. 709 00:37:34,480 --> 00:37:38,239 Young Gun Noah is trying to extract a rare pineapple opal 710 00:37:38,320 --> 00:37:39,919 from the mine wall. 711 00:37:40,000 --> 00:37:43,559 Selling for up to $500,000 a piece, 712 00:37:43,640 --> 00:37:45,439 it might now be worthless. 713 00:37:46,480 --> 00:37:48,319 Let's just (BLEEP) go for it. 714 00:37:50,000 --> 00:37:51,599 I'm very nervous right now 715 00:37:51,680 --> 00:37:54,519 I mean, this is...getting real risky. 716 00:37:55,600 --> 00:37:59,639 OK and you're just gonna pull him out the wall, nice and gently. 717 00:38:01,000 --> 00:38:03,199 That's it. 718 00:38:03,280 --> 00:38:05,559 Oh! 719 00:38:05,640 --> 00:38:07,239 How we're looking? 720 00:38:12,440 --> 00:38:14,239 But it did snap it off. 721 00:38:14,320 --> 00:38:16,559 Natural break, see how dirty and coated that is? 722 00:38:16,640 --> 00:38:18,679 So it wasn't Noah's fault.No. 723 00:38:18,760 --> 00:38:22,879 It was always gonna come apart. I mean, that can still make for a good specimen. 724 00:38:22,960 --> 00:38:26,119 Well done, Noah, I'm so happy to be here, guys. 725 00:38:30,400 --> 00:38:32,959 JAYMIN: So, we brought them back to mum and dad's cafe, 726 00:38:33,040 --> 00:38:35,239 and then take them down into the cutting room. 727 00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:37,759 They could be $100,000 pieces, 728 00:38:37,840 --> 00:38:40,519 they could be a couple of thousand, we really don't know 729 00:38:40,600 --> 00:38:42,679 until we do this cleaning process. 730 00:38:45,800 --> 00:38:48,399 GRAEME: So this is a micro sand blaster 731 00:38:48,480 --> 00:38:50,239 for cleaning the pineapples. 732 00:38:51,520 --> 00:38:53,919 I'm really just trying to blow 733 00:38:54,000 --> 00:38:55,599 across the piece. 734 00:38:55,680 --> 00:39:00,479 If I blow straight into it and it's a fracture, it could pop the entire piece in half. 735 00:39:00,560 --> 00:39:03,159 This is actually the tools that the palaeontologists use 736 00:39:03,240 --> 00:39:05,519 for cleaning dinosaur fossils. 737 00:39:05,600 --> 00:39:07,599 It's as gentle as we can be. 738 00:39:07,680 --> 00:39:11,279 The risk is if there's any fractures within this stone, 739 00:39:11,360 --> 00:39:15,719 and we get that air in between it'll just blow it apart. 740 00:39:15,800 --> 00:39:17,759 And it's slow, it's tedious. 741 00:39:21,080 --> 00:39:22,679 I've had a bit of a look over them 742 00:39:22,760 --> 00:39:26,919 just to give you a bit of an idea of what you might be looking at. 743 00:39:27,000 --> 00:39:29,239 This little piece here.Yeah. 744 00:39:30,240 --> 00:39:32,999 Six thousand for this.OK. Not bad. 745 00:39:33,080 --> 00:39:35,479 This piece, at around 8,000. 746 00:39:35,560 --> 00:39:37,439 OK. That's a pretty cool piece. 747 00:39:37,520 --> 00:39:39,399 The two pieces side by side, 748 00:39:39,480 --> 00:39:44,079 you'd be looking at around 20, 25 thousand. 749 00:39:44,160 --> 00:39:45,999 That's awesome. 750 00:39:46,080 --> 00:39:48,719 This piece, we've got colour right through, 751 00:39:48,800 --> 00:39:50,759 we've got great shape on this part of it. 752 00:39:50,840 --> 00:39:52,559 It's making a good pineapple here. 753 00:39:54,920 --> 00:39:57,959 50,000. Oh, that's the one, isn't it? 754 00:39:58,040 --> 00:39:59,719 That's a proper pineapple. 755 00:39:59,800 --> 00:40:02,799 Oh, God, are you ready?Yup.89,000. 756 00:40:02,880 --> 00:40:05,199 That's not bad at all. It's pretty good. 757 00:40:07,040 --> 00:40:10,679 Jaymin and Noah found five pineapples in Graeme's mine. 758 00:40:11,720 --> 00:40:16,719 The opal features pale greens, deep blues and purples. 759 00:40:17,880 --> 00:40:20,959 It will take another 10 hours to fully clean them. 760 00:40:21,960 --> 00:40:26,759 Their 45 percent share comes to over $40,000. 761 00:40:29,800 --> 00:40:32,039 We should probably go give JC a call. 762 00:40:35,240 --> 00:40:37,639 Hey man, you look pretty rough. What's the update? 763 00:40:37,720 --> 00:40:40,239 The swelling hasn't gone down at all. 764 00:40:40,320 --> 00:40:41,919 You're just getting worse and worse 765 00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:44,159 and we're just getting better and better. 766 00:40:44,240 --> 00:40:46,479 Have a look at this.Pineapple! 767 00:40:46,560 --> 00:40:48,479 Yeah, we found five. 768 00:40:48,560 --> 00:40:51,919 What? Are you serious? 769 00:40:52,000 --> 00:40:54,639 It totalled out at 89,000. 770 00:40:54,720 --> 00:40:57,559 What? No.Yeah.God damn! 771 00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:03,519 Boys, boys, boys, I'm coming back out. 772 00:41:03,600 --> 00:41:05,439 Oh, man, I wish I was there. 773 00:41:05,520 --> 00:41:08,159 Heal that leg and then come back. 774 00:41:08,240 --> 00:41:10,919 See you later. Bye-bye. We'll see you. 775 00:41:11,000 --> 00:41:12,959 Oh, well, mate, man, oh, man. 776 00:41:13,040 --> 00:41:15,279 Yeah, let's go grab a burger and a beer. 777 00:41:16,360 --> 00:41:18,239 We found so many pineapples 778 00:41:18,320 --> 00:41:20,399 it's a massive win for us. 779 00:41:20,480 --> 00:41:23,559 I think we've convinced JC to come back out here, so that's great. 780 00:41:32,680 --> 00:41:34,919 This is the exciting bit. Oh, so glad to be back 781 00:41:35,000 --> 00:41:37,599 at the cutting machine, eh? 782 00:41:37,680 --> 00:41:41,239 With their samples of opals from one of the Jojo claims 783 00:41:41,320 --> 00:41:43,959 the Opal Whisperers hope they've struck it lucky. 784 00:41:44,040 --> 00:41:48,439 What we want to do is be able to value it so we can work out 785 00:41:48,520 --> 00:41:50,719 if these claims are any good. 786 00:41:52,880 --> 00:41:55,119 If I'm not careful, this will grab into it. 787 00:41:55,200 --> 00:41:57,519 If it goes in behind there, cos it's a big rock, 788 00:41:57,600 --> 00:41:59,759 it will literally just explode. 789 00:42:01,320 --> 00:42:03,279 We're getting rid of that mother stone 790 00:42:03,360 --> 00:42:05,799 the outer sediment, because the opal likes 791 00:42:05,880 --> 00:42:08,119 to form into something hard 792 00:42:08,200 --> 00:42:11,239 to get rid of that, but at the same time, trying not to shatter 793 00:42:11,320 --> 00:42:12,999 or grind away the opal. 794 00:42:13,080 --> 00:42:14,879 Look, I won't take it too far, Sophia. 795 00:42:14,960 --> 00:42:19,079 what I'll do, is I'll take it in specimen form, so you can get a proper look at it 796 00:42:19,160 --> 00:42:20,959 see how much opal content's in there 797 00:42:21,040 --> 00:42:23,159 and then maybe work out a value or something. 798 00:42:27,600 --> 00:42:29,799 Sophia, that's cathedral, though. 799 00:42:29,880 --> 00:42:31,479 That's cathedral pattern. 800 00:42:34,680 --> 00:42:37,599 Wow. Wow.This one really is talking to me, check it out. 801 00:42:37,680 --> 00:42:39,599 Oh, man. 802 00:42:39,680 --> 00:42:42,079 Bring me more of this stuff. 803 00:42:42,160 --> 00:42:43,959 I can't believe it. 804 00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:48,119 The Whisperers have Cathedral pattern opal. 805 00:42:49,600 --> 00:42:52,039 Blue with flashes of deep purple, 806 00:42:52,120 --> 00:42:55,879 it's partially rubbed, and weighs two kilograms. 807 00:42:57,960 --> 00:42:59,839 Still admiring the beauties, eh? 808 00:42:59,920 --> 00:43:03,159 Admiring, trying to value as well. Oh, yeah? 809 00:43:03,240 --> 00:43:05,039 What do you reckon? Just to get an idea. 810 00:43:05,120 --> 00:43:07,599 I mean, this piece is obviously the king stone. 811 00:43:08,760 --> 00:43:12,559 What I really like about it is that it has a sister piece 812 00:43:12,640 --> 00:43:16,039 and as a collection that's definitely worth more. 813 00:43:16,120 --> 00:43:19,079 And this is super modest because this is unprocessed. 814 00:43:19,160 --> 00:43:23,399 I would say four and a half grand. That means we're getting the two leases, both of them. 815 00:43:23,480 --> 00:43:26,359 100 percent. Well, I've got goosebumps, Sophia. 816 00:43:26,440 --> 00:43:28,079 I've got goosebumps, here we go. 817 00:43:28,160 --> 00:43:30,719 So we are partners in opal mines, two of them. 818 00:43:30,800 --> 00:43:34,199 We're looking at two opal mines. Come here. All right. 819 00:43:36,640 --> 00:43:38,279 Woo! 820 00:43:38,360 --> 00:43:40,359 Subtitles by Deluxe 821 00:43:41,305 --> 00:44:41,659 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from www.OpenSubtitles.org