"Outback Opal Hunters" Young Gun Returns

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,279 . 2 00:00:01,360 --> 00:00:03,199 NARRATOR: 'On Outback Opal Hunters... 3 00:00:03,280 --> 00:00:06,039 It's a very dangerous operation. Anything could go wrong. 4 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:10,319 ..The Tunnel Rats start their season risking their lives 5 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:13,119 getting a one-ton digger underground.' 6 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:17,319 Could be a disaster.If something snaps, it's all over very quickly. 7 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:18,879 Is it stuck on something there? 8 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,839 It doesn't take much to lose an arm or a leg or a hand. 9 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:26,439 That just looks like hope to me. 10 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:30,879 'The Young Guns are reunited, and take on a treacherous open-cut mine.' 11 00:00:32,480 --> 00:00:34,799 I've just broken into a mine that's right below 12 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:36,519 where we're hoping the opal was. 13 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:40,719 Just not seeing much life at all. 14 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:43,919 'The Blacklighters dig out the final pocket of virgin ground 15 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:45,199 on their claim.' 16 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:47,759 Is there any point wasting more diesel on this crap? 17 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:50,279 No, so let's just get it through Opalzilla and move on. 18 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:53,319 'And unearth their largest piece of opal.' 19 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:55,399 What's that thing worth? 20 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:02,119 # Money 21 00:01:04,320 --> 00:01:06,999 # And fancy clothes... # 22 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:14,074 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=- 23 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:19,519 I don't know what to expect when we go underground. 24 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:22,039 It's been three or four months since we've been there. 25 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:24,359 So I dare says there's gonna be plenty of mice, 26 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:26,279 plenty of spiders and plenty of bones. 27 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:29,799 This is a very long way down. Are the lights on, honey? 28 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:31,919 Looks like there's lots of spiders. 29 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:36,079 'The Tunnel Rats, Bayden Pearse and fiancee Leese Grobe 30 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:39,039 are back in the off-the-grid town of Grawin 31 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:42,199 after crippling 50-degree temperatures shut down 32 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:44,759 the mining season last year. 33 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,519 But recent torrential winter rainfall 34 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:51,839 has created perfect breeding conditions for invasive pests.' 35 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:56,639 So while we've been away, I've heard that there's been a mice plague. 36 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:59,039 But I haven't seen many running around, 37 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:01,159 so maybe they're eaten each other. 38 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:03,279 I think all those dark spots 39 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:06,639 in the bottom of this pit is a mouse carcass. 40 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:09,679 And there's one little fat fella in there having a good old munch 41 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:11,959 on one of his friends. They eat each other, obviously. 42 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:14,559 I've done a fair bit of work with a jackhammer down here, 43 00:02:14,640 --> 00:02:18,079 so it took me a little time to understand what the ground was doing, 44 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:21,319 but it was just a dog of a job. When you're down here and you look 45 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:23,999 at it and you think, "I'm gonna have to dig a big hole like that 46 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:26,239 with the jackhammer, it's kind of a bit daunting. 47 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:31,359 So an actual heavy-duty machine is gonna make the world of difference. 48 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:34,759 In our downtime we managed to do a little bit of research 49 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:36,519 and found a digger. 50 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:38,919 One, it takes a lot of pressure off your body, 51 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:42,479 and two, you'll move ten times more dirt than you would on a jackhammer. 52 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:46,839 And even though, if it was a fantastic mine, it was hard as rock, 53 00:02:46,920 --> 00:02:50,279 the jackhammer was extremely hard going and sometimes you're 54 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:53,319 almost breaking jackhammer picks trying to do your job. 55 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:57,679 I'm stuffed. It feels like I've got a broken rib. 56 00:02:57,760 --> 00:03:01,319 The digger cost us about $15,500. It's a big investment. 57 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:02,919 I'm nervous but I'm excited. 58 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:06,639 We've got so much to pay for. If that digger doesn't do its job, 59 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:08,119 then we're screwed. 60 00:03:10,920 --> 00:03:13,919 'The Tunnel Rats are trying to rebuild their lives 61 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:16,639 after authorities closed their hometown, 62 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:19,679 returning the land to its indigenous owners... 63 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,359 We can no longer work or live in Mintabie. 64 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:25,079 ..destroying the successful mining operation 65 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:27,199 they shared with Bayden's father.' 66 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:29,999 My life is up there in that town! 67 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:33,359 And everything that I've owned is in the ! 68 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:37,519 He said, "Get out of my home, get out of my home, get out of my home." 69 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,439 I said, "Don't forget it's my home too, old boy." 70 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:46,239 Last season was really ourselves trying to just get established. 71 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:48,199 We didn't really have a place to stay 72 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:50,639 and we didn't really have machinery. 73 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:55,279 'Bayden and Leese live in a modified horse trailer parked on their claim.' 74 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:59,039 So at the end of the day, we really just wanna have our own home. 75 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:03,039 We got a house and swimming pool. 76 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:05,199 That's my main goal. I wanna get that house built. 77 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:09,159 So we've set ourselves a target of 100,000. 78 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:10,999 100 grand is not gonna finished, 79 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:14,039 but it's definitely gonna get us in there.It doesn't matter if some 80 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,799 of it still looks like a construction site, it'll still be 81 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:18,439 our home. We can still live in it. 82 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:21,599 Yeah, our home.Yeah, our home. Absolutely. 83 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:25,719 First, opal. Second, house. Third, marriage. 84 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:27,599 That's something we've worked hard 85 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:29,599 for and I think we deserve to be happy. 86 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:32,439 Leese and I, we wanna start afresh and have our own house 87 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:35,399 and our own family, so I wanna make that happen. 88 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:39,039 So we've got a bit of pressure. The digger's a pretty big investment. 89 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:43,039 I actually took the money out of the account I had set up to put in 90 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:44,799 towards my house. 91 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:48,639 So it could've given us nearly a full re-roof on the house. 92 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:51,279 But I chose to buy a digger instead. 93 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:54,239 And that's why it's so important that we get this digger and get it 94 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:57,719 to work and find us some money. The main issue we've gonna have 95 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:01,999 is getting that digger underground here, so we've got two holes 96 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:05,159 in this mine, but I think this one's gonna be the go. 97 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:07,479 It looks light enough. There gonna be a bit of work in it 98 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:09,279 but we'll get it. 99 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:11,719 'Before attempting to get the digger underground, 100 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:17,039 The Tunnel Rats need to decide where to mine on their 50 by 50m claim.' 101 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:19,399 Where were you thinking of hitting? 102 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:21,479 We can get in this little nook here 103 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:24,479 and we can beeline straight over to where that colour is. 104 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:28,719 'The Tunnel Rats are hunting for black seam opal, 105 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:31,199 worth up to $43,000 a gram. 106 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:36,119 Formed millions of years ago when an ancient inland sea drained into 107 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:39,839 cracks and fissures, trapping silica-rich water between 108 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:42,519 impervious layers of rock. 109 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:47,439 Over time, the water hardened and the silica inside formed opal.' 110 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:51,319 The reasons why I wanna dig here is because I've seen traces and I know 111 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:55,639 it makes opal. And it's a lot closer to the hole for a digger. 112 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:59,519 So pretty much we could be here within the next two days 113 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:00,999 digging with the digger. 114 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:03,359 So we could be on opal fairly quickly. 115 00:06:11,280 --> 00:06:13,199 Ooh, I got something. What is it? 116 00:06:13,280 --> 00:06:14,799 Here. 117 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:17,999 That's a good direction to go then. 118 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:20,599 Leese has just dug us out a bit of opal. 119 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:23,479 That was just in there.It could be a couple of hundred dollar stone. 120 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:27,039 Mining like this is fine cos you're on the level 121 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:28,599 and you're mining your opal out. 122 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:32,399 But then, all of a sudden, you have to crawl in too far 123 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:35,399 and you need to take all this out, and it could take you a whole day 124 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:38,799 just to get back to where you wanna get to, close to the opal. 125 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:41,999 So this is where we wanna bring the digger straight through here. 126 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,959 Make that first on the to-do list. That's what we need. 127 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:48,279 We need opal to start up our season. 128 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:57,959 We'll march down in here, we'll dig a bit of a pit down there. 129 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:00,879 But the rights where we found the bit, we'll get rid of that first 130 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:03,759 cos there's not much left.See what we're left with once we clear it out. 131 00:07:03,840 --> 00:07:06,039 Cool.Good idea. Let's get into it. Get into it. 132 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:09,119 We're not gonna let anyone down. We'll give it everything we've got. 133 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:12,719 We've got a pretty big season target. 134 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:15,119 There is no plan B. 135 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:17,479 So it's all or nothing. 136 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:19,879 We just have to hit this target. 137 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:22,919 So with the emergency stop, if it all gets a little bit out of control 138 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,119 for you and there's a bit too much on the belt, 139 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:27,279 just pull that up and that'll stop the belt. 140 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:32,599 'Mark's 15-year-old stepson Xavier will be left to run Opalzilla's 141 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:36,799 blacklight room on his own, as John will be needed at the mine face 142 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:38,319 looking for opal.' 143 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:41,199 I need Johnny out there spotting. His eyes are amazing. 144 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:43,879 He'll find opal any old way, any old how. 145 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:48,079 Now's probably one of the easiest times to learn because 146 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:52,039 we've not had busy days, there's not been heaps of opal coming through. 147 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:54,439 We wish there was - but there hasn't. 148 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:57,759 Yeah, so, I don't know, I'm gonna leave it to you. 149 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:00,279 If you see it and miss it, that's when the trouble starts. 150 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:04,479 Cos a piece could be nothing or it could be, you know, five grand 151 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:06,079 going out the back. 152 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:08,119 Yeah, chuck him in the deep end. 153 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:10,519 That's the only way to go. You either sink or swim. 154 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:12,039 So hopefully he swims. 155 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:16,879 Righto, mate. Get ready. Here comes your first bucket. 156 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:19,399 I don't want you to miss any. Good luck. 157 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:21,879 Thanks. 158 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:27,639 'Opalzilla is the Blacklighters' custom-built noodling machine, 159 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:31,639 used to find the white opal Coober Pedy is famous for. 160 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:37,919 In the extreme desert climate, every day is a battle for survival - 161 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:40,599 for the miners and their machinery.' 162 00:08:40,680 --> 00:08:42,679 The noodling's been pretty poor. 163 00:08:43,560 --> 00:08:46,919 I have dug every corner, I've lifted every rock. 164 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:49,799 It's not producing enough. 165 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:53,279 Wait, wait, wait! What have you got? 166 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:55,359 Oh! 167 00:08:56,200 --> 00:09:00,999 'Last week, Xavier helped the team dig out $14,000 worth of opal.' 168 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:03,479 Definitely a good start. Definitely. 169 00:09:03,560 --> 00:09:06,959 'And cemented his place as an official Blacklighter.' 170 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:09,079 If you haven't jumped in the pool fully clothed, 171 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:10,639 you're not a Blacklighter, mate. 172 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:11,919 Oh, yeah! 173 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,799 'But the extended Blacklighters' family, 174 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:18,119 living together in a cramped underground dugout, 175 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:22,239 need another $286,000 worth of opal.' 176 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:27,879 It's a lot of money to earn but we really do need that much. 177 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:30,319 It is a massive pressure to carry, it really is. 178 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:33,999 I provide a lot to my family from opal mining, so if we don't find 179 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:35,519 nothing, it does make it hard. 180 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:38,599 We can't really afford to rest. We've got a lot of work to do. 181 00:09:38,680 --> 00:09:42,359 We found a bit of colour in this pillar on the right-hand side 182 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:45,359 down here last time we were down here. 183 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:48,279 So we've got not much else left on the claim to do, 184 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:50,679 so we'll march down here and we'll take out what's left 185 00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:52,639 and, yeah, hopefully there's something in it. 186 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:56,119 The fillers are from the old days, is where the old-timers 187 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:58,439 have dug open cuts on either side. 188 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:00,479 But you've always got a boundary line. 189 00:10:00,560 --> 00:10:02,399 They didn't usually take that out. 190 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:04,479 So they leave the pillar in between claims. 191 00:10:04,560 --> 00:10:08,879 There's no more ground after it, it's done. 192 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:11,919 What's coming through is not much opal in it. 193 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:14,679 A lot of dirt but not a lot of opal. 194 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:23,079 How did you go, mate? Nothin'. 195 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:25,639 Been sucking dust all day for nothing. 196 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:27,959 Dusty jack day. 197 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:30,839 We got heaps of potch, but we're not out here looking for potch. 198 00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:34,679 'Potch is colourless opal, and of little value.' 199 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:37,959 I'll tell you what. I've sucked enough dust today.Yeah. 200 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:47,239 They're coming up. So right now we're at the Kanga service centre. 201 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:49,319 Brought our machine in just to get fixed up a bit. 202 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:52,439 It's a key piece of machinery for our job, so really need to 203 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:54,519 make sure it's running well. 204 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:59,479 'Young Guns Jaymin and Noah have made the 1,200km trip from 205 00:10:59,560 --> 00:11:03,999 White Cliffs to Sydney to service their loader and buy new equipment.' 206 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:06,079 So we're picking up a rockbreaker. 207 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:07,959 It's gonna be able to get us through 208 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:09,999 some of the harder parts of the ground. 209 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:12,839 Basically, it's a jackhammer attachment for the loader. 210 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:16,239 It's pretty heavy-duty. We're talking 112 kilos. 211 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:20,399 Our jackhammer's 25 kilos. It's a serious bit of gear. 212 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:24,879 These are the best years of our life, and we're spending them 213 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:27,839 digging holes. We're not making a profit and there's no payoff, 214 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:29,879 then we're wasting our time. 215 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:32,999 Shall we go out of our way, stop in and see JC? 216 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:34,799 You reckon?Yeah. Surprise him. 217 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:38,319 Oh! 218 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:40,999 my leg's broken. 219 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:44,439 'Seven weeks ago, The Young Guns' third member, JC, 220 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:48,959 suffered a broken leg attempting to win prize money for the team.' 221 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:52,159 Mining without JC is a bit of a challenge, especially when it comes 222 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:54,279 to the mechanical side of things. 223 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:58,639 'JC has been recovering at his parents' house 100km outside 224 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:02,359 of Sydney, leaving Jaymin and Noah to mine alone.' 225 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:04,039 Holy ! 226 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:07,199 'Hitting a huge haul of rare opal pineapple.' 227 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:09,879 We've got another one. We've got another one right there. 228 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:11,679 Whoa, look at that. 229 00:12:12,680 --> 00:12:14,439 We're almost at JC's now. 230 00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:17,079 JC! 231 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:19,239 Hello! 232 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:23,119 What's going on?! 233 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:25,359 What are you doing here? Huh? 234 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:26,759 Hello. 235 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,559 What are you doing here? We've brought the loader over 236 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:33,119 for a service. What's happening? 237 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:35,559 Yeah, we thought we'd stop by, see how you're doing. 238 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:37,639 You're looking pretty good, bud. 239 00:12:39,360 --> 00:12:42,199 We're planning on working over at Noah's Ark, you know? 240 00:12:42,280 --> 00:12:45,639 Yeah, yeah, yeah. Dude, what the hell... Is this new? 241 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:49,079 Have a look at this as well.Is it gonna be a dead mouse or something? 242 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:52,479 Have a look at that. What the hell? 243 00:12:52,560 --> 00:12:55,639 That was the best one we found. It's just insane. 244 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:57,399 That is seriously insane. 245 00:12:57,480 --> 00:13:00,079 I can't handle this. This is ! 246 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:03,799 I can't believe I leave and you find pineapples.Yeah.I'm done. 247 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:06,439 Bring me with you. You're being serious?100% serious. 248 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:09,559 We're leaving in 15 minutes. Yeah. 249 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:13,159 I have nothing. Everything's in my bus. That's my home. 250 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:15,799 Literally everything's in there. Your shirt and pants. 251 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:17,919 Dude, I can't miss out on something like that again. 252 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:21,959 I'm coming.OK. That's ridiculous. 253 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:25,519 Is it a good idea? I don't know. It's a great idea. 254 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,239 Let's go. We're back. Let's go, guys. 255 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:31,839 We're back together. Young Guns back in action. 256 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:34,839 We've only 1,099km left. 257 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:44,119 I feel a lot of pressure this year, like with all the investment. 258 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:48,239 I'm going to make sure that I'll make that goal, that $100,000 that we need 259 00:13:48,320 --> 00:13:50,839 to build that house. We need to find opal this year. 260 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:53,559 We need it badly, and I'm gonna make sure we find it. 261 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:58,599 'The Tunnel Rats need to get their newly purchased $15,000 digger 262 00:13:58,680 --> 00:14:00,559 underground to break through 263 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:03,399 the cement-like sandstone in their mine.' 264 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:05,679 The digger's a very unique piece of machinery. 265 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:08,879 We don't know anything about this gear. I'm used to explosives, 266 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:11,159 big bulldozers and all that kind of stuff. 267 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:13,719 So I sort of feel like a fish out of water, really. 268 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:17,559 We've gotta do our best to clear a really good pathway 269 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:19,559 so that everything fits. 270 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,199 Those machines are fairly wide and they could snag on anything, 271 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:26,199 and they could cost you nearly all day to try and get that machine down. 272 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:27,279 Agh! 273 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:31,599 The biggest spider. Look at him. 274 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:35,039 He's freakin' hairy. I don't want that thing near the hole even. 275 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:37,359 Oh, look, he's pissed. 276 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:40,759 I can handle snakes, I will pick up a poisonous snake. 277 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:43,159 But a fat spider and I'm gone. 278 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:46,879 Got a present for ya! What's that?He wants to kill you. 279 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:49,799 He's wanting to bite the stick. You don't want it near your hole 280 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:52,879 when you have to work on things.I don't want it biting my face, either. 281 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:57,279 'Huntsman spiders have large fangs, inflicting a painful bite, 282 00:14:57,360 --> 00:14:59,839 causing headaches and localised swelling.' 283 00:14:59,920 --> 00:15:04,119 Yeah, I kinda handballed the task over to Bayden because he's the one 284 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:05,719 who's gonna climb down the hole. 285 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:08,279 Nothing worse than climbing up the ladder, and all of a sudden 286 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:11,279 seeing a big spider on your face or on the ladder under you. 287 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:14,959 You could fall down the hole. So it's best to deal with it. 288 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:19,399 But finally Greg's rocked up. Everything's all good to go. 289 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:21,879 How you going, Greg? Yeah, what's going on? 290 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:27,199 'Friend and Grawin local Greg is supplying his crane, 291 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:31,279 which will lower the one-ton digger 15 metres underground.' 292 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:33,559 How are you going? 293 00:15:33,640 --> 00:15:37,039 'Neighbouring miners Craig Mann and his dad Bevan 294 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:39,119 have also offered to help out.' 295 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:42,039 Getting a digger down a hole is not that easy. 296 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:44,799 So we're all trying to give each other a hand. 297 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:47,679 It's a pretty hard game, this, and very dangerous as well, 298 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:49,239 so the more hands make light work. 299 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:51,879 Today's job is, we're gonna split the digger into two 300 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:55,199 and separate the digger arm from the main frame of the digger. 301 00:15:55,280 --> 00:15:58,719 So this is gonna go down first. The digger arms goes down after that, 302 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:00,479 and that's where the boys are gonna be 303 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:02,759 spending most of their time putting it together. 304 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:05,679 People always notice things all the time if you're not careful. 305 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:08,479 Yeah, that's when you don't concentrate on what you're doing. 306 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:12,879 Time is very precious, and we wanna try and get this done 307 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:15,319 as soon as possible, get this machine underground. 308 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:18,999 It's a snug fit. We've got about this much space on either side. 309 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:21,479 It's a very dangerous operation. Anything could happen, 310 00:16:21,560 --> 00:16:26,119 anything could get wedged or damaged or torn apart, torn to pieces. 311 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:28,279 You just don't know. I'll be underground today, 312 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:30,079 make sure it all goes together. 313 00:16:30,160 --> 00:16:32,559 I'll have Leese up the top and we'll get this job done. 314 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:35,119 These holes are linked up. This is our escape hole. 315 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:37,799 You've gotta have an escape hole on every mine. 316 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:40,999 We'll just walk across and get the digger down the hole. 317 00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:43,039 The boys down there will talk to me. 318 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:45,039 I'll relay the directions to Greg. 319 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:48,119 And we'll all be one working team, hopefully. 320 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:54,439 Is it stuck on something there, guys?Something's caught. 321 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:57,319 I've got no weight. Got no weight?Nah. 322 00:16:57,400 --> 00:16:59,679 Right, that'll just be a second, he's got no weight. 323 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:02,479 It's jammed in the hole. It was taking the stress off the cable, 324 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:04,639 which is not good. 325 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:08,159 'If the 600kg digger body suddenly unjams, 326 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:12,319 the freefall could snap the cable as it takes up the slack.' 327 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:15,439 That comes down with some force, that'll cause some real havoc, 328 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:16,839 a little fun to this place. 329 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:19,799 I'm feeling pretty anxious from the start, you know? 330 00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:21,679 I knew it was gonna be a bit of a tough job, 331 00:17:21,760 --> 00:17:25,319 and a job I've never really done before. So tensions are high. 332 00:17:35,520 --> 00:17:37,399 This feels like I'm coming home right now. 333 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:39,519 That just looks like hope to me. 334 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:41,799 The Young Guns are back in White Cliffs. 335 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:43,919 We're back, baby. We've got a lot of work to do, man. 336 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:47,479 We've got a lot of work to do. We're gonna need to find some money. 337 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:49,599 I've got two dollars left in my bank account. 338 00:17:49,680 --> 00:17:51,239 I got 30 bucks cash there. 339 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:55,239 Our life right now is always on the edge of financial ruin. 340 00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:58,839 We live on the edge of a knife, and it's so hard, there's so much 341 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:03,399 stress involved. Our diesel fuel alone every week is just ridiculous. 342 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:06,879 So it's good to be back at the camp. JC's with us at last. 343 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:08,799 So we've gotta get back to work. 344 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:12,519 A big mixed bag of emotions right now. I'm super, super excited, 345 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:16,319 but also I'm still in my boot. So I can't dig straightaway. 346 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:19,319 The physio doesn't want me doing anything that involves 347 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:22,359 lifting or operating machinery or anything like that, 348 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:24,559 so I'm not gonna be doing much digging. 349 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:26,519 I'm getting there, boys, don't you worry. 350 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:29,239 All right. Our best chance, if we're gonna find any opal, 351 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:31,919 it's gonna be in this hard ground here that hasn't been dug. 352 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:33,959 I reckon the plan for today is pretty much just 353 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:37,559 clear as much loose dirty away as we can, expose our actual level 354 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:40,119 that hasn't been dug, and then we can bring the rockbreaker in 355 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:42,079 and we can start jackhammering as well. 356 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:47,319 'In summer, the White Cliffs opal fields hit temperatures of nearly 357 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:50,599 50 degrees. So The Young Guns are taking advantage 358 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:55,159 of the colder winter months to dig their open-cut claim Noah's Ark. 359 00:18:55,240 --> 00:19:00,399 But the entire area is riddling with treacherous abandoned shafts 360 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:02,479 and hidden old workings.' 361 00:19:04,120 --> 00:19:07,559 All these piles of loose dirt, we didn't dig any of that dirt, 362 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:09,919 which means there's not a lot of ground left to dig. 363 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:13,039 We've got one massive knob that we're planning on looking at. 364 00:19:13,120 --> 00:19:15,559 Ife there's no opal in that, then it's a bust. 365 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:20,159 Whoa! 366 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:23,559 I've bloody just gone through the floor. 367 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,399 It looks like I've just broken into a mine that's potentially 368 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:31,679 right below where we're hoping the opal was. 369 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:34,079 It looks like we're gonna be digging the roof. 370 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:36,439 Hopefully they missed the opal in the band above, 371 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:39,759 otherwise it could mean they've dug out all our opal, so it means 372 00:19:39,840 --> 00:19:42,199 we have so much less ground than we thought to actually dig. 373 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:46,599 We've already sunk a bit of money into making this area happen. 374 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:50,159 If there's no ground left to dig, we're screwed. 375 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:00,359 We're just trying this last-ditch effort to produce 376 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:02,959 some colour, and then, yeah, we'll go from there. 377 00:20:03,040 --> 00:20:05,479 I'll sit up here and be lazy and dig it out 378 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:07,839 while Johnny's out in the flies, checking. 379 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:11,079 So hopefully he can find something and we'll be laughing. 380 00:20:11,160 --> 00:20:14,879 Paul's just taken a chunk at a time out of the wall. 381 00:20:14,960 --> 00:20:19,599 Yeah, I'm here to see if anything shows up or rolls out. 382 00:20:19,680 --> 00:20:22,479 There's a little bit of work here, so we've got maybe a couple of hours 383 00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:24,319 of ripping pillars before she's all gone. 384 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:28,399 'With an extended family of 12 to feed, 385 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:32,239 the Blacklighters are desperate to find opal on the last workable pocket 386 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:33,759 of their claim.' 387 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:36,919 This is all virgin ground here. You can see a line that runs 388 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:39,799 all the way there, so that's pretty well where they've chucked the dump 389 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:41,199 on top of virgin ground. 390 00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:44,079 Virgin ground means the opal hasn't been dug out. 391 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:45,959 The ground hasn't been turned over once. 392 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:48,559 It's as it lies. Virgin ground's our last hope. 393 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:52,279 There's no more ground after it. It's done.Hopefully it comes good. 394 00:20:52,360 --> 00:20:55,679 There's a few good signs here and there, but nothing amazing just yet, 395 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:57,159 but we'll keep having a crack. 396 00:20:57,240 --> 00:20:59,519 Wouldn't mind seeing a bit of trace or something 397 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:01,119 just to get the blood going. 398 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:05,439 It's not looking amazing just yet, but that could all change 399 00:21:05,520 --> 00:21:07,559 with one bite of the bucket. 400 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:10,359 So, what we miss, Opalzilla will see anyway. 401 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:17,799 I'm still on it, looking for every little piece. 402 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:22,239 The minute you relax is the minute that they all start coming through. 403 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:25,719 I've gotta show them that I'm 404 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:29,639 capable of managing Opalzilla. 405 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:33,719 We've tried the dump, we've dug the dumps around, 406 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:35,439 we've got absolutely nothing. 407 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:38,359 So, basically, the pillars are our last little ditch thing 408 00:21:38,440 --> 00:21:40,319 on this claim, then we're out of here. 409 00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:44,639 So, yeah, just thought I'd check and see how they're going. 410 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:48,519 What's going on, man? 411 00:21:49,120 --> 00:21:51,599 The pillar nearly gone. Yeah. 412 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:53,559 You can see the level, eh? 413 00:21:53,640 --> 00:21:55,799 You can see right in front of John there 414 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:57,879 is the only spot that seems to be all right. 415 00:21:57,960 --> 00:22:00,719 What's going on, mate? Nearly through this pillar. 416 00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:02,959 Not much of it left. 417 00:22:03,040 --> 00:22:04,959 Looks like the pillars are done, John. 418 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:07,959 Just not seeing much life at all. No. 419 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:10,999 Is there any point wasting more diesel on this crap? 420 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:16,599 It's that dry and dusty -It's just all dump, there's no more pillar. 421 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:18,599 Anything there's gonna be crook anyway. Done? 422 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:22,119 Done, man. So let's just get it through Opalzilla and move on. 423 00:22:25,720 --> 00:22:27,919 I reckon we got here 50 years too late. 424 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:38,279 I wanna know, JC. It is just going straight down. 425 00:22:38,360 --> 00:22:41,639 I can't see anything.This is usually the job we'd send you 426 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:44,439 down the hole to see how extensive that tunnel's going. 427 00:22:44,520 --> 00:22:46,839 Who's gonna be the mole rat and get in there? 428 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:50,679 'The Young Guns have unearthed an old mine under what they'd hoped 429 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:53,119 was opal-bearing virgin ground.' 430 00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:57,039 It's hard to see, it is very tight. So I'm gonna say 431 00:22:57,120 --> 00:23:00,719 it probably goes at least to here, underneath where I'm standing, 432 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:03,759 and then at least to kind of where JC is to over there. 433 00:23:03,840 --> 00:23:06,359 But, yeah. 434 00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:08,759 That's open mining in the old field. 435 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:12,679 We've got a lot less ground to work. 436 00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:14,759 So we've just gotta have more hope in that ground. 437 00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:19,079 We've still got a bit of area to work here. 438 00:23:19,160 --> 00:23:21,519 It's gonna be a bit more dangerous cos there is a metre drop 439 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:23,439 right below my feet. 440 00:23:23,520 --> 00:23:25,639 Our long-term goal out here is to get a drill 441 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:28,879 so that we can head out and get into virgin ground, 442 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:32,519 where here, in Noah's Ark, we spend a couple of grand in fuel, 443 00:23:32,600 --> 00:23:35,759 in diesel just clearing this loose dirt, hoping to dig ground, 444 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:38,159 and we come in and find it already dug. 445 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:41,199 Being on this old field, it seems like there's nothing left. 446 00:23:41,280 --> 00:23:44,199 We wanna get it out and, you know, find a new opal field. 447 00:23:46,520 --> 00:23:48,159 Whoa! 448 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:49,839 See that? 449 00:23:49,920 --> 00:23:53,039 JC, did you see that? My God. Did you see it all just collapse? 450 00:23:53,120 --> 00:23:56,319 Holy crap. The whole roof just fell in. 451 00:23:57,080 --> 00:23:59,119 Yeah, all this is thin as. 452 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:02,119 That's gonna come down. Like, that's really sketchy. 453 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:05,599 If we would've driven over there with the loader, 454 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:10,679 that could've been dangerous. 455 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:13,319 Damn! 456 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:14,959 My only hope now is that, you know, 457 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:16,999 they were working this area underground, 458 00:24:17,080 --> 00:24:19,959 they were digging through all this, and they were leaving their roof 459 00:24:20,040 --> 00:24:23,399 and leaving pillars so it wouldn't collapse on top of them. 460 00:24:23,480 --> 00:24:26,239 Because we're working from the surface, we can take out all those 461 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:29,919 pillar supports, all the roof, and hopefully find the opal that they 462 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:33,159 just couldn't afford to take out cos it might have meant a cave-in. 463 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:35,239 I think it's time to get the rockbreaker out. 464 00:24:35,320 --> 00:24:37,639 Drop all that down? I'll park the other side of it 465 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:40,719 and then use that rockbreaker to just destroy this entire ledge. 466 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:43,559 Then we can clear it out later and you can just wash, 467 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:46,519 hopefully spot the opal.I'm keen to see this thing in action. 468 00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:52,599 I mean, this thing should shake things up a bit. 469 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:54,799 It's got a fair bit of breakout power on the end there, 470 00:24:54,880 --> 00:24:58,599 so we'll take it down and just try and break through that ground. 471 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:00,679 It's a bad day to be a rock. 472 00:25:05,240 --> 00:25:06,399 Yeah. 473 00:25:07,880 --> 00:25:09,839 Agh! 474 00:25:09,920 --> 00:25:13,639 This rockbreaker is absolutely tearing the ground up. 475 00:25:13,720 --> 00:25:18,759 Already this whole section here, all these big rocks have just kinda 476 00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:20,839 been smashed. 477 00:25:22,360 --> 00:25:26,479 Get back. Back, Noah. Get out of here with your chair. 478 00:25:26,560 --> 00:25:29,559 You've been up all day. What would your physio say, mate? 479 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:31,159 I'm sick of sitting on the sidelines. 480 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:33,479 I've been doing it for too long, but... 481 00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:37,399 I suppose I'll be able to get back in there sooner the more I rest up, 482 00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:39,399 the faster I get over this. 483 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:41,479 I might as well do what the physio says. 484 00:25:41,560 --> 00:25:43,559 Just relax for now. 485 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:49,799 There's a little bit of colour. Yeah, what did you get? 486 00:25:49,880 --> 00:25:51,439 A little bit of green. Hmm. 487 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:53,519 At least we know there's something in the ground. 488 00:25:53,600 --> 00:25:55,719 And it is a nice colour. Yeah. 489 00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:58,719 You can see. Look, look. See that edge? 490 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:01,239 That's a stone. 491 00:26:01,320 --> 00:26:04,439 You can just see that tiny little wink of colour on the end there. 492 00:26:04,520 --> 00:26:06,679 But it's absolutely... Look at that. 493 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:10,199 This is a nice big bit. This is definitely solid. 494 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:13,079 And the colour of it I'm seeing there, if we can even a few ounces 495 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:15,399 of this, thousands of dollars. 496 00:26:19,600 --> 00:26:21,759 See that? That's like a bit of opal there. 497 00:26:22,600 --> 00:26:24,599 Could be good, brother. 498 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:26,639 Could be good. 499 00:26:26,720 --> 00:26:29,599 A good size. If it's got that colour all the way through, we're laughing. 500 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:33,919 This is a tiny bit, but the colour in this little bit is unbelievable. 501 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:35,559 It's like a rainbow. 502 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:41,519 'The Young Guns have found crystal opal, worth up to $25,000 a gram.' 503 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:44,319 You see that? That seam in the wall right there. 504 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:46,359 We got some red. 505 00:26:46,440 --> 00:26:48,039 Yeah, look at that. 506 00:26:48,120 --> 00:26:51,079 You reckon that whole thing could be it?Yeah, that whole bottom is opal. 507 00:26:51,160 --> 00:26:53,359 Oh, what? 508 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:56,239 This is gonna be a great day, I reckon. 509 00:26:56,320 --> 00:26:57,839 Whoa! 510 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,039 That's freed now. Something moved then. 511 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:15,559 It just freed itself then. It's freed itself. 512 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:17,199 You're right to come down. 513 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:19,359 I've already paid a lot of money for this machine. 514 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:22,319 I cannot afford to break anything, so it's very crucial that 515 00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:25,919 it comes down in one piece and we can put it together in one piece. 516 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:27,879 We've got a target we wanna keep by, 517 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:30,719 and I can't reach that target without this digger. 518 00:27:31,960 --> 00:27:34,759 I can see 'em touching it now, so it's there. 519 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:37,239 It looks like quite a headache of a job, 520 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:39,799 but I guess you think of the big picture. 521 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:42,719 Once it's all down and set up, you know, just having that machine 522 00:27:42,800 --> 00:27:45,239 down there's gonna make life just a hell of a lot easier. 523 00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:48,159 So it's worth the process, it's worth the pain. 524 00:27:48,240 --> 00:27:52,039 'The next challenge is to position the 600kg unit 525 00:27:52,120 --> 00:27:56,559 clear of a 1.2m deep hole directly under the shaft.' 526 00:27:56,640 --> 00:27:58,919 Watch your leg, watch your leg. 527 00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:02,439 Right. It's right. 528 00:28:02,520 --> 00:28:05,039 It'll be right there. That's it. That's it. 529 00:28:05,120 --> 00:28:08,239 "You can stop there, it's on the ground, thank you." 530 00:28:08,320 --> 00:28:10,399 Very hairy. 531 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:13,559 Very hairy. Needed a lot of strength to pull that to the side. 532 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:20,359 And, yeah, we got it. Good to see it down here. 533 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:23,559 This old girl's gonna save us a lot of time and pain. 534 00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:25,639 We've only got one half down here, though. 535 00:28:27,120 --> 00:28:30,879 'The digger arm will have to be positioned precisely into place 536 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:34,519 so the pin holding the two parts together can be inserted.' 537 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:37,079 There's not a lot of margin for error. 538 00:28:37,160 --> 00:28:39,999 So I've gotta get the height pretty much exactly right, 539 00:28:40,080 --> 00:28:42,839 so that the pieces of the puzzle can join together. 540 00:28:42,920 --> 00:28:44,799 Watch out. Whoa! 541 00:28:44,880 --> 00:28:46,599 Hold. Hold it. 542 00:28:46,680 --> 00:28:48,039 Oh, Jesus. 543 00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:50,079 It's not easy. You've got pipes everywhere, 544 00:28:50,160 --> 00:28:51,599 you gotta work around the hole. 545 00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:55,039 It's just dealing with, pretty much dealing with the punches as we go. 546 00:28:55,120 --> 00:28:57,639 It's hard, there's no doubt about it. 547 00:28:57,720 --> 00:28:59,679 I wouldn't wanna do this every week. 548 00:28:59,760 --> 00:29:01,679 Hold it. Keep going. 549 00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:04,679 One more. Whoa. 550 00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:09,199 We're just moments away, so I've been pushing up against this arm. 551 00:29:09,280 --> 00:29:12,799 And Craig reckons that he's just about got that pin in. 552 00:29:12,880 --> 00:29:14,479 Now, go. 553 00:29:14,560 --> 00:29:16,119 Now. 554 00:29:16,200 --> 00:29:18,119 More. She's in! Yes! 555 00:29:18,200 --> 00:29:22,679 I'm feeling absolutely pumped, I've got goosebumps. I'm all excited. 556 00:29:22,760 --> 00:29:25,919 And just gotta get the hydraulics right and we're in business. 557 00:29:26,920 --> 00:29:28,879 'The last piece is the power pack 558 00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:31,399 that runs the hydraulics on the digger.' 559 00:29:31,480 --> 00:29:34,759 Even this power pack on its own is a about 400 kilos. 560 00:29:34,840 --> 00:29:36,759 It's got so many layers of oil on it. 561 00:29:36,840 --> 00:29:39,319 Gotta make sure we think about what we do cos we could easily 562 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:41,279 just do our backs in and our shoulders in. 563 00:29:41,360 --> 00:29:43,759 We can't afford that. Can't afford any downtime. 564 00:29:43,840 --> 00:29:48,879 "The powerpack's coming down. Drop it down. Unhook it. 565 00:29:48,960 --> 00:29:52,319 Then you're gonna have to pull it over so it lays flat on the ground 566 00:29:52,400 --> 00:29:56,119 so you can re-swing it to pick it up to drop it on the cradle." 567 00:29:56,200 --> 00:30:00,039 These hooks are fairly big. You've got 400 kilos here, 568 00:30:00,120 --> 00:30:03,239 and there's no proper lifting points on the set-up. Just try it. 569 00:30:03,320 --> 00:30:06,799 Yeah, we'll just go very slowly because these hooks are pretty big 570 00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:09,039 and most likely they will slip out. 571 00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:12,639 Whoa. Just slow. 572 00:30:12,720 --> 00:30:14,719 I might get you quickly to grab that trolley. 573 00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:18,159 Just try not to let it fall back down the hole. 574 00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:21,599 Can't afford to break anything.I can't get this trolley under there. 575 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:25,479 Yeah, we might need Bevan to come down, please. 576 00:30:25,560 --> 00:30:28,159 We'll need extra hands. This is a, yeah. 577 00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:31,839 It's not gonna work with two boys. Another set of hands, please. 578 00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:34,959 I'm feeling very nervous with this because it's, er, 579 00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:38,799 those big hooks are only hooked on just by the tip of the hook 580 00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:40,519 on that little side of the flange there. 581 00:30:40,600 --> 00:30:44,519 Any kind of slight movement or slip, this thing's going down there. 582 00:30:44,600 --> 00:30:46,599 We don't want that to happen. 583 00:30:54,160 --> 00:30:56,159 It's not going too well. 584 00:30:56,920 --> 00:30:58,879 Usually you think, oh, well, just keep pushing, 585 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:04,679 but we went beyond where we normally would go. We dug deeper, 586 00:31:04,760 --> 00:31:09,639 we've tried harder. We gave every edge of this area a really good go, 587 00:31:09,720 --> 00:31:11,719 and it's not producing enough. 588 00:31:12,840 --> 00:31:16,279 'The Blacklighters have just dug out the remaining dirt 589 00:31:16,360 --> 00:31:20,359 from two virgin pillars fed into Opalzilla. 590 00:31:20,440 --> 00:31:24,519 It's their last chance of finding opal on the claim.' 591 00:31:24,600 --> 00:31:26,919 It really should be better than it is. 592 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:30,079 Opalzilla's running well, everyone's working, doing their jobs. 593 00:31:30,160 --> 00:31:33,919 But we're not getting the results, so very disappointing, actually. 594 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:36,599 Yeah, it's been a bit of a slow day. 595 00:31:36,680 --> 00:31:39,439 It's been quite an easy day so far. 596 00:31:50,640 --> 00:31:52,399 Oh! 597 00:31:52,480 --> 00:31:53,879 Whoa! 598 00:32:04,400 --> 00:32:06,639 What's happening in there? Everything's just stopped. 599 00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:09,559 What's going on? 600 00:32:09,640 --> 00:32:12,559 What's happened? Hold up. What's going on? 601 00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:16,119 I think a few might've gone through. There's a lot over there. 602 00:32:16,200 --> 00:32:18,999 Did you have an emergency stop? Yeah. 603 00:32:19,080 --> 00:32:20,559 You're kiddin' me. No. 604 00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:23,199 We've had a bit of an overload on the belt 605 00:32:23,280 --> 00:32:27,079 and something's come out in the tailing. We've got some colour. 606 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:31,679 Dude, that ain't potch. Look at that. 607 00:32:32,800 --> 00:32:35,119 What are you two looking out here for? 608 00:32:35,560 --> 00:32:37,879 The young fella had to stop the belt. 609 00:32:37,960 --> 00:32:42,119 And the belt was loaded. Just a bit of a pocket went pop. 610 00:32:42,200 --> 00:32:45,359 It seems to be that way. Here, mate, I'm going in there. 611 00:32:47,480 --> 00:32:49,879 We're gonna have to run these tailings, Mark. 612 00:32:49,960 --> 00:32:52,519 What happened? Did it just all come through too quick? 613 00:32:52,600 --> 00:32:56,359 It all came through at once. Pretty much the whole belt was full. 614 00:32:56,440 --> 00:32:59,639 Wow, that's some decent colour. We're gonna have to... 615 00:32:59,720 --> 00:33:01,519 We're gonna have to put that through again. 616 00:33:01,600 --> 00:33:03,919 Yeah, John, you wanna sit in there while we do this bit? 617 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:06,919 Yeah. Scoop her up, mate, put her back through.All right. 618 00:33:07,000 --> 00:33:08,639 Get eagle eyes on the job. 619 00:33:08,720 --> 00:33:11,799 Well done, Xav. Good job stopping it, mate. 620 00:33:11,880 --> 00:33:14,159 That was well done, buddy. Taught him well. 621 00:33:14,240 --> 00:33:16,399 High five, mate. 622 00:33:23,240 --> 00:33:24,959 Look at that. 623 00:33:25,040 --> 00:33:27,399 Got him. Ah-ha! I've got him. 624 00:33:33,120 --> 00:33:34,399 Whoa! 625 00:33:34,480 --> 00:33:35,919 Ha-ha! Look at that guy. 626 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:38,759 I hope that's not one you missed earlier, Xav?Me, too. 627 00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:44,399 I am feeling a bit better now that Johnny's in here helping. 628 00:33:44,480 --> 00:33:46,799 A nice little tile. 629 00:33:46,880 --> 00:33:48,879 That must be about all she wrote. 630 00:33:52,120 --> 00:33:55,039 How did it go?Who's got the chunks and who's got nothing? 631 00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:57,639 Who caught fish? Johnny took my chunks. 632 00:33:57,720 --> 00:33:59,719 I'm gonna have a look too. 633 00:34:03,120 --> 00:34:05,119 Holy ! 634 00:34:05,880 --> 00:34:08,199 Have a look at that guy. Shiver me timbers, Mark. 635 00:34:09,120 --> 00:34:11,479 What else have you got in there, John? 636 00:34:11,560 --> 00:34:13,879 Look at this, man. 637 00:34:13,960 --> 00:34:15,959 Holy ! 638 00:34:17,000 --> 00:34:19,879 What's that thing worth? 639 00:34:22,600 --> 00:34:27,239 There's a couple of bucks there, lads, hey? Xav, have a look at this. 640 00:34:27,320 --> 00:34:32,479 Milky opal isn't worth as much as crystal, it's still worth a lot. 641 00:34:32,560 --> 00:34:35,319 but to get it that chunky, it's impressive, definitely. 642 00:34:36,160 --> 00:34:39,959 That's the best sized chunk we've ever found. We might've found some 643 00:34:40,040 --> 00:34:44,199 brighter material, but size-wiser that's a Blacklighters' 644 00:34:44,280 --> 00:34:47,119 biggest ever chunk of opal, without a doubt. 645 00:34:54,960 --> 00:34:58,439 Any kind of slight movement or slip, this thing's going down there. 646 00:34:58,520 --> 00:35:00,719 You can crack the tank, then you have a leaking tank 647 00:35:00,800 --> 00:35:03,519 and then it's no good. Then you'll need another tank. 648 00:35:03,600 --> 00:35:06,919 I can't afford that. I can't afford anything to happen. 649 00:35:09,280 --> 00:35:12,039 We've got a mess here. We need your help, Dad. 650 00:35:12,560 --> 00:35:15,759 I'll pull the back side around as they lower the crane, 651 00:35:15,840 --> 00:35:18,559 and Bayden will pull forward. We'll try to get this thing on here. 652 00:35:18,640 --> 00:35:20,399 Watch that wheel doesn't go in the hole. 653 00:35:21,560 --> 00:35:26,319 'The Tunnel Rats need to move the digger's 400kg power pack 654 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:29,039 into position to start mining.' 655 00:35:29,120 --> 00:35:31,839 Better than nothing. It's better than nothing. 656 00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:35,239 As you can see here how close that wheel to the sump, 657 00:35:35,320 --> 00:35:37,359 I'm gonna jemmy is over the crowbar, 658 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:39,679 push this whole machine over and get it out of the way. 659 00:35:39,760 --> 00:35:41,759 Cos I don't want that going in the hole. 660 00:35:41,840 --> 00:35:45,159 That thing is gonna make me money. I don't wanna spend money to fix it. 661 00:35:45,240 --> 00:35:47,239 I wanna get that house built. 662 00:35:51,320 --> 00:35:52,959 Yep. Whoa. 663 00:35:53,040 --> 00:35:54,439 OK. 664 00:35:54,520 --> 00:35:56,639 Righto, you've got her. 665 00:35:56,720 --> 00:35:58,759 Hang on. That's gotta be on the inside. 666 00:35:58,840 --> 00:36:03,279 This is the wrong way round. It's the wrong way around. 667 00:36:03,360 --> 00:36:08,159 But it's on there so we can just twist it around. 668 00:36:08,840 --> 00:36:09,959 Yeah. 669 00:36:10,040 --> 00:36:12,399 I'll show you how. 670 00:36:12,480 --> 00:36:13,839 No. Yeah. 671 00:36:13,920 --> 00:36:15,879 Watch me. Careful, mate. 672 00:36:15,960 --> 00:36:18,479 Watch me. You're better off using the winch. 673 00:36:22,360 --> 00:36:25,879 Whoa. OK. I'm very determined. 674 00:36:25,960 --> 00:36:27,799 No doubt about you. 675 00:36:29,400 --> 00:36:31,399 You're doing my head in. 676 00:36:32,480 --> 00:36:34,639 Jesus Christ. 677 00:36:38,600 --> 00:36:41,719 You got her. No crowbar under here and you got her. 678 00:36:41,800 --> 00:36:43,799 Here you go, Craig. 679 00:36:44,480 --> 00:36:46,039 Yeah, mate, that's it. 680 00:36:46,120 --> 00:36:48,119 Yes! High five. Thank you. 681 00:36:49,000 --> 00:36:50,839 Excellent. 682 00:36:50,920 --> 00:36:52,919 That's not the way you should do it. 683 00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:55,159 That's not the way you should do it, but we did it. 684 00:36:55,240 --> 00:36:57,039 Yes! 685 00:36:57,120 --> 00:37:00,119 I can't tell if they're celebrating or swearing. 686 00:37:00,200 --> 00:37:02,919 I'll tell you now. I've never seen nothing like that. 687 00:37:03,000 --> 00:37:06,719 The boy's that determined, he should be able to dig this goddamn mine 688 00:37:06,800 --> 00:37:08,799 with his fingernails. 689 00:37:12,000 --> 00:37:14,119 That weighs 400 kilos. 690 00:37:14,200 --> 00:37:15,959 All good. 691 00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:18,439 Bayden sounding a little bit puffed. 692 00:37:18,520 --> 00:37:20,479 I'll need a beer tonight, mate. 693 00:37:20,560 --> 00:37:22,879 Oh, yeah. 694 00:37:28,720 --> 00:37:32,159 If we don't find the opal in there, I don't know what I'm gonna do. 695 00:37:32,240 --> 00:37:35,159 I can't imagine myself going to work for anyone else 696 00:37:35,240 --> 00:37:37,519 after being out here. 697 00:37:37,600 --> 00:37:40,559 We have no idea what kind of material we really have. 698 00:37:40,640 --> 00:37:44,039 There's a few bits of colour and a lot of coated opal. 699 00:37:44,120 --> 00:37:45,799 We need to clean it off a bit more 700 00:37:45,880 --> 00:37:47,959 just to get it to that saleable point. 701 00:37:51,680 --> 00:37:54,799 Whoa, that's pretty good. You can see the colours from here. 702 00:37:54,880 --> 00:37:58,599 Let's go sell it.We go in, ask for nine, see what we can get for it. 703 00:37:58,680 --> 00:38:01,359 I think we can't take much lower than that. 704 00:38:01,440 --> 00:38:03,439 'The Young Guns have... 705 00:38:11,000 --> 00:38:13,559 Right now, Jay is entrusting me with the negotiating, 706 00:38:13,640 --> 00:38:14,999 which I'm pretty keen for. 707 00:38:15,080 --> 00:38:17,519 I'm a little bit nervous cos I haven't been here in so long, but 708 00:38:17,600 --> 00:38:19,879 this is seriously beautiful material. 709 00:38:19,960 --> 00:38:22,319 Dick Wagner is a local opal buyer. 710 00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:25,359 JC.Good to see you. Good to see you up and about. 711 00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:28,439 We've sold to him in the past and he's always treated us fair. 712 00:38:28,520 --> 00:38:31,119 And that's really important when it comes to selling opal. 713 00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:33,359 They tell me you've had a little bit of a find. 714 00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:36,479 Yeah, it's an absolute rainbow, as you can see. 715 00:38:36,560 --> 00:38:38,999 The boys have done a real good job of pulling this out. 716 00:38:39,080 --> 00:38:42,639 OK, let's have a good look.It's a really, really stunning colour. 717 00:38:42,720 --> 00:38:44,759 It's just quite hard to get the rock off. 718 00:38:44,840 --> 00:38:49,079 Have you got an idea of what sort of dollars an ounce you're looking at? 719 00:38:49,160 --> 00:38:51,999 We're thinking around about $6,000 an ounce. 720 00:38:52,080 --> 00:38:54,359 They're a little bit thin but they're still solid stones 721 00:38:54,440 --> 00:38:56,279 that have come out. 722 00:38:57,720 --> 00:39:02,479 But, yeah, look, my opinion, not $6,000 an ounce material. 723 00:39:02,560 --> 00:39:04,559 So what are you thinking? 724 00:39:07,480 --> 00:39:10,639 Me? Top, four and a half an ounce. 725 00:39:10,720 --> 00:39:13,639 For the whole package, we'd be happy taking eight grand. 726 00:39:13,720 --> 00:39:16,119 Four and a half takes you to 6,750. 727 00:39:16,600 --> 00:39:18,999 Split the difference. We'll call it five an ounce. 728 00:39:20,440 --> 00:39:22,279 Takes it to seven and a half. 729 00:39:22,360 --> 00:39:25,799 Yeah, I reckon that's probably as low as we wanna go. 730 00:39:28,040 --> 00:39:29,399 Oh! 731 00:39:30,160 --> 00:39:32,039 What do you reckon, Dick? 732 00:39:32,120 --> 00:39:34,839 Oh, you're a hard man.Hard man. Yes, yes. 733 00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:37,359 Can you go out and Jaymin come in? 734 00:39:38,000 --> 00:39:39,999 He's a bit easier to deal with than you. 735 00:39:41,280 --> 00:39:43,239 JC did some tough negotiating. 736 00:39:43,320 --> 00:39:46,239 I think I probably would've ended up with something even lower. 737 00:39:46,320 --> 00:39:49,759 So he did really well. I think he's found a new position in the group, 738 00:39:49,840 --> 00:39:51,839 being the chief negotiator there. 739 00:39:52,360 --> 00:39:55,319 It's a pretty good week. First good week back, brother. 740 00:39:55,400 --> 00:39:58,359 Good to have you back. You did some good negotiating. 741 00:39:58,440 --> 00:40:02,359 Thanks, boys.Since you negotiated, you can break for us. 742 00:40:02,440 --> 00:40:04,079 You wanna hold that for me? Yeah. 743 00:40:04,160 --> 00:40:06,759 Do you want a cue? No, mate, I'm sorted. 744 00:40:18,800 --> 00:40:22,119 We're off to the airport to pick up a buyer. 745 00:40:22,200 --> 00:40:24,879 You've gotta treat them like they're important and 746 00:40:24,960 --> 00:40:27,559 an integral part of our business. 747 00:40:29,200 --> 00:40:35,279 'The Blacklighters have arranged for an opal buyer to fly 8,500km 748 00:40:35,360 --> 00:40:36,959 from Adelaide.' 749 00:40:37,040 --> 00:40:42,119 It's really important for us because if we make these big figure sales, 750 00:40:42,200 --> 00:40:46,479 that ensures we've got diesel to keep mining and keep finding opal. 751 00:40:46,560 --> 00:40:49,159 And we really need that. That's important. 752 00:40:49,240 --> 00:40:51,279 Hiya. How you doing? 753 00:40:51,360 --> 00:40:53,519 Nice to see you. Good to see you. Good to see you. 754 00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:56,879 He's got a market in the Middle East, which is a niche market, 755 00:40:56,960 --> 00:40:59,839 but he's got a lot of customers that seems to buy off him all the time. 756 00:40:59,920 --> 00:41:03,479 So he's pretty well our go-to. If we find a big pocket, we ring him first. 757 00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:08,079 Let's be hard on him this time, eh? He's gonna play hardball, 758 00:41:08,160 --> 00:41:09,839 he's very good at what he does. 759 00:41:09,920 --> 00:41:11,719 I really don't wanna let it go under 20. 760 00:41:11,800 --> 00:41:15,319 It'd have to be 19-point something, otherwise... 761 00:41:15,400 --> 00:41:17,319 I hope he's not listening. 762 00:41:17,400 --> 00:41:19,999 Boys, how's it going? Hello, mate. 763 00:41:20,080 --> 00:41:22,799 Good to see you. Johnny. How are you going, big fella? 764 00:41:22,880 --> 00:41:24,839 So what have you got for me? Let's have a look. 765 00:41:24,920 --> 00:41:26,279 We've worked for weeks to get it. 766 00:41:26,360 --> 00:41:29,959 I think I've paid you enough over the years to get a better lamp. 767 00:41:30,040 --> 00:41:34,199 That's a bit dodgy. Seriously, who's doing the shopping? 768 00:41:34,280 --> 00:41:37,639 I did talk to the council about the lighting, and it is a bit piss poor. 769 00:41:37,720 --> 00:41:39,999 But there you go. If that opal looks good in this light, 770 00:41:40,080 --> 00:41:42,519 it's opal.You can't tell me you don't like that. 771 00:41:42,600 --> 00:41:44,599 'The Blacklighters have... 772 00:41:46,560 --> 00:41:48,879 ..including a single 93 gram stone.' 773 00:41:53,920 --> 00:41:56,879 It's all right. So let me negotiate with the boss. 774 00:41:56,960 --> 00:41:58,759 Johnny, what are you asking? 775 00:41:58,840 --> 00:42:00,839 If you think he's gonna give you a better price, 776 00:42:00,920 --> 00:42:03,999 I know how ruthless John is. I think we should start at 30, mate. 777 00:42:04,600 --> 00:42:06,279 30 dollars a... No, thirty grand. 778 00:42:06,360 --> 00:42:07,839 30 dollars a gram? 30 grand. 779 00:42:07,920 --> 00:42:10,919 When you go overseas and see one of your mates over there and show 'em 780 00:42:11,000 --> 00:42:13,399 that big chunk, 30 grand's gonna be small change, mate. 781 00:42:13,480 --> 00:42:15,919 I think 30's way too high, Johnny. 782 00:42:16,880 --> 00:42:18,959 What have you got? I'm gonna halve you. 783 00:42:19,040 --> 00:42:21,319 15? Yeah. 784 00:42:21,400 --> 00:42:24,559 John, John, John...I think you might wanna fly home for that. 785 00:42:24,640 --> 00:42:28,439 He's putting you back on the plane. 786 00:42:28,520 --> 00:42:30,279 If 30's too steep, how about 25? 787 00:42:30,360 --> 00:42:33,279 What I'll do, John, because I like you.I know you do. 788 00:42:33,360 --> 00:42:37,159 And you're my mate, if you buy a better lamp for here next time 789 00:42:38,600 --> 00:42:41,159 I come, I'll give you 20 - and then that's it. 790 00:42:41,240 --> 00:42:44,999 You're pushing me.20 and a new lamp.It's good money. 791 00:42:45,080 --> 00:42:47,439 Deal, mate. Deal. 792 00:42:47,520 --> 00:42:49,199 Lovely. All done. 793 00:42:49,280 --> 00:42:50,799 Well done. Good on you. 794 00:42:50,880 --> 00:42:54,079 No two-minute noodles this week. No two-minute noodles tonight. 795 00:42:59,880 --> 00:43:01,879 Subtitles by Deluxe 795 00:43:02,305 --> 00:44:02,744