"Outback Opal Hunters" Walls Closing In

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,119 On Outback Opal Hunters... 2 00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:04,079 Is she coming out? 3 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:06,879 Hang on. 4 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:11,679 ..the Blacklighters are forced to move Opalzilla to a new claim... 5 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:15,359 No lights.Won't be finding anything if we don't have power. 6 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:19,039 ..destroying the electrics and their ability to mine. 7 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:20,719 We're in a lot of strife. 8 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,119 We've had a major breakdown, boys. This is a disaster this year. 9 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:27,279 The Cheals face season-ending machine failure... 10 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:29,639 We just can't get a break, can we? Nah. 11 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:33,919 ..battling to repair their busted agitator with abandoned truck parts. 12 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:35,759 It might be the end of us. 13 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:38,799 Oi! Oi! 14 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:40,999 Rockfall. 15 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:45,079 The Young Guns risk their lives digging under century-old mines... 16 00:00:47,160 --> 00:00:49,039 Far out, JC. Let's get out. 17 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:51,839 ..and surface with a record opal haul. 18 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:54,319 How is that, JC? Well done. 19 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:56,799 Everyone's going for some! (LAUGHTER) 20 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:04,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 21 00:01:18,320 --> 00:01:20,799 It's a really big deal to move the machine. 22 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:28,279 Xavier and John are just knocking the dirt down, so I can get in there with the loader and take it out. 23 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:34,279 Paul's sort of freeing up the other side. That's sort of like stuck to the machine. 24 00:01:36,320 --> 00:01:40,639 We always hate digging out, but it's what we have to do. It's part of the job. 25 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:46,159 It could tip, which would be a pretty bad thing, but if it tipped on one of us that'd be even worse. 26 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:47,959 Yeah, that's death. That's death. 27 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:52,519 You've got to give yourself a wide berth, just be allowing that 28 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:55,719 it's going to tip over, so if it does, you're not under it. 29 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,799 Just got to be so careful. Just be on your toes really. 30 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:05,519 The Blacklighters' ten-tonne noodling machine, Opalzilla, 31 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:08,479 is buried in tonnes of processed dirt. 32 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:12,879 The team need to dig it out by hand to move it to a new claim. 33 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:20,119 You got the trommel, which takes all like the dust and smaller rocks out 34 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:23,679 and ends up going all underneath Opalzilla 35 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:27,039 and she pretty much just buries herself in dust. 36 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:30,919 Oh! 37 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:32,599 Oh, my eyes. 38 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:37,679 Been sucking dust all day for nothing. 39 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:39,559 Dusty... (BLEEP) ..day. 40 00:02:39,640 --> 00:02:42,759 Team leader, Mark I'Anson, 41 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:45,239 Paul Coon, John Nassar 42 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:50,199 and Mark's 15-year-old stepson, Xavier, have been chasing white opal, 43 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:53,679 worth up to $7,500 per gram, 44 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:59,159 at their claim, 30 kilometres from Australia's opal capital, Coober Pedy. 45 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:03,639 I have dug every corner, I've lifted every rock. 46 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:06,359 There's no little mound we haven't had a crack at. 47 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:10,239 The claim's finished. There's no more to dig. We have to accept it. 48 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:16,639 The ultimate goal this season is to really get 49 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:18,999 established in Coober Pedy properly. 50 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:21,079 Got a target of around 300K. 51 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:24,439 It's a lot of money to earn, but we really do need that much. 52 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:26,519 All our families and that, 53 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:30,319 you spread that through the whole team, it's just enough. 54 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:34,959 The Blacklighters want to move operations to an abandoned mine. 55 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:37,039 Magic Mountain. 56 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:39,679 Two 50m x 100m claims. 57 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:42,039 At its centre is a massive 58 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,799 waste dump, 50 metres high. 59 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:47,319 That's a big claim. There's a lot of dirt in there. 60 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:51,599 It's a big project. If there's opal in there, we're going to do all right. 61 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:53,679 I'm actually pumped. 62 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:55,759 I feel good about it. 63 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:59,999 If I never have to move Opalzilla again and this mountain is magic, 64 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:02,279 well, I'll be very happy. 65 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:07,999 Oh! (BLEEP) Avalanche! 66 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:11,759 Hey, Xavier! Yeah? 67 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:14,719 This is why you should stay in school, mate. 68 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:16,999 (BLEEP) Yeah. 69 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:18,679 This is better than school. 70 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:20,919 Getting yelled at by a teacher is worse. 71 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:23,759 Cos I said I could be anything I wanted to be! 72 00:04:23,840 --> 00:04:25,559 Look at me now! 73 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:31,199 We're pretty close to being dug out now. 74 00:04:31,280 --> 00:04:33,279 It's been a bit of a mission. 75 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:39,799 Mark's six-tonne loader will need all its power to free ten-tonne Opalzilla 76 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:42,679 from where it's been buried for six months. 77 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:45,919 Righto, Mark. You're ready to go? 78 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:49,479 Yeah, I'm ready to go man. All right. Give her the beans, mate. 79 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:54,679 "Keep going, mate. Keep going." 80 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:04,519 Is she coming out? More beans, mate. More beans. 81 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:10,119 Hang on. 82 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:21,839 So we're digging into any virgin ground that's left down here. 83 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:27,919 We know there's a mine just behind us, so eventually we're gonna break through into that, 84 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:32,399 see if there's any opal in the walls that's been left behind by the old-timers. 85 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:35,679 Sometimes you do have some good finds. There's our shaft. 86 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:37,759 We need to destroy this pillar here. 87 00:05:37,840 --> 00:05:43,039 I say, "We", but our whole season target is in jeopardy. Noah has had to leave, unfortunately. 88 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:46,399 His dad is sick, so he's made the trip back to the coast. 89 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:48,479 JC has still got his messed-up leg. 90 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:50,559 It's just me out here doing it. 91 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:59,559 After a severe accident, trying to win desperately needed cash for the team... 92 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:03,399 My leg's broken. 93 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:06,599 ..James "JC" Caruana has been unable to work. 94 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:12,559 The physio doesn't want me doing anything that involves lifting or operating machinery. 95 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:15,919 Anything like that, so I'm not gonna be doing much digging. 96 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:18,919 This sucks. 97 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:22,599 Now Noah has gone and I'm not back to full working capacity. 98 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:26,079 The team has kind of been in a shambles this whole year. 99 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:29,159 Jay's gonna have to do everything all by himself. 100 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:32,239 I'm going off to the doctor. 101 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:36,319 If I'm told that my leg is not in a good condition, I'm still out. 102 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:38,399 I'm still pretty much useless. 103 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:44,159 I'm really hoping JC gets the all-clear to work. There's so much to do. 104 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:46,759 If he doesn't, then we're gonna be in trouble. 105 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:54,679 So we still have a long way to go. 106 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:58,119 Our main goal is to be able to purchase a drilling rig, 107 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:01,919 get out there and explore new areas and find a new opal field. 108 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,599 So to do that, we need to make money 109 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:07,279 and we make money by finding opal. 110 00:07:08,840 --> 00:07:12,919 Opal forms over millions of years, as silica-rich water 111 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:16,199 seeps into cracks in the earth and hardens. 112 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:18,519 Jaymin believes the opal level 113 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:22,679 has formed on top of a layer of almost impenetrable rock. 114 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:25,319 Above part of the old timer's mines. 115 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:30,519 Potentially, they've completely missed the opal level 116 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:33,119 and done all the digging underneath it. 117 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:42,839 So the plan today is, basically, shift all of this loose dirt we have over here. 118 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:46,039 Once that's done, we can actually break into that shaft. 119 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:51,999 Ha ha! Ha ha! 120 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:54,359 Are you good to go? I'm good to go, matey. 121 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:56,839 It looks like digging is back on the menu! 122 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:59,599 Boots... Boots off, mate. I'm done. 123 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:03,199 Breaking into this shaft over here is pretty much a two-man job. 124 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:07,679 If we've got both of us, then I can keep clearing dirt, if you want to jackhammer. 125 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:11,999 We need to get into that shaft. We're gonna have to destroy the majority of this. 126 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:17,559 Jackhammer all the surface. It's too dangerous if we try and just dig a tunnel straight through there 127 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:20,679 and leave this one metre, two metre thick roof above us. 128 00:08:20,760 --> 00:08:24,439 It's all cracked. That could just fall down, straight on top of us. 129 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:29,399 So we really need to dig it from the surface all the way down. Just don't fall in the hole! 130 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:34,919 It's so good that JC's now got the all-clear to get back to work. 131 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:39,719 We've got so much dirt to shift, just to be able to break through into that mine safely. 132 00:08:39,800 --> 00:08:44,799 Yeah, right now, I'm being, you know, real careful, making sure I've got a nice seat here. 133 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:46,879 If I do go over, it could mean... 134 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:54,039 Not having Noah here is definitely difficult. 135 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:58,479 It'd be good to have, you know, two people jackhammering or shifting dirt. 136 00:08:58,560 --> 00:09:01,159 That would just speed up the whole process. 137 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:10,359 Whoo! 138 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:17,479 Ha ha ha! JC! 139 00:09:17,560 --> 00:09:19,559 JC! Come here. What? 140 00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:21,639 I've found some opal! 141 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:25,279 Literally, I've hit that rock there with the corner of my bucket 142 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:27,359 and I've just see a sheen of green. 143 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:29,159 Ohh!See that green?Dude! 144 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:31,239 Running up there. Then down there. 145 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:34,439 Like, that looks like it could just be a big plate of opal. 146 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:37,919 All through the middle of this rock, which is just awesome. 147 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:41,599 The Young Guns have found crystal opal, 148 00:09:41,680 --> 00:09:44,679 colour surrounded by transparent opal. 149 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:47,759 If this trace thickens to a seam, 150 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:49,839 it could be worth up to 151 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:51,919 $25,000 a gram. 152 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:56,319 In that mine, if they've dug underneath the level going through like that, 153 00:09:56,400 --> 00:10:00,919 all that dirt above it is all going to be an opal-bearing level, sort of thing. 154 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:13,119 Jacky-boy is finding it difficult to get through here. 155 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:16,199 My leg is starting to ache a bit, 156 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,079 but it's kind of all right. 157 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:20,359 (CONTINUES DRILLING) 158 00:10:22,560 --> 00:10:24,359 (SWITCHES IT OFF) 159 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:28,599 I need a bigger jackhammer! This ground is a lot harder than I thought it would be. 160 00:10:28,680 --> 00:10:30,679 Let's put this rock-breaker on. 161 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:37,479 The rock-breaker generates 225kg of force per square centimetre. 162 00:10:37,560 --> 00:10:40,759 Over four times the power of the jackhammer. 163 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:44,399 All right, JC. 164 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:46,479 Ready to break some rocks, son! 165 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:55,839 Just can't get in there. 166 00:10:57,560 --> 00:11:01,479 The rock-breaker is not gonna work. Unfortunately, we can't use it. 167 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:10,999 All clear. Clear?Yeah. 168 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:13,079 Righto. Coming down. 169 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:17,959 Righto, I'm pulling it out. Righto. 170 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:20,359 Oh, it's a mean bogga that one. Yeah. 171 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:23,319 Just going to set up to take the rest of this pillar. 172 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:25,999 We need props, obviously, to keep the roof up. 173 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:30,199 That's our best chance of making some money. We're chasing a few dollars, 174 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:32,679 because we haven't had much luck this year. 175 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:34,359 Coming down! 176 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:42,559 Dad set us the challenge of taking that pillar by ourselves. 177 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:47,839 We're 35 foot underground 178 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:51,119 and we've taken a big area out of those few claims already, 179 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:53,479 so there's a lot of pressure on the roof. 180 00:11:56,520 --> 00:12:00,519 If we go in and take a pillar and don't prop it, the whole area will cave in. 181 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:05,679 This season so far has been an absolute train wreck. 182 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:08,359 Hose is busted. 183 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:12,719 That's an absolute... (BLEEP)Just blew a digger hose. Just got going. 184 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:16,079 Saw a bit of colour, but it's been the story of the year really. 185 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:20,479 Just nothing but breakdowns.Fair dinkum.Can't really catch a break, can we? 186 00:12:20,560 --> 00:12:24,159 Getting our arse kicked all year. Nothing but breakdowns and no opal. 187 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:27,279 Chris Cheal and his sons, 188 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:32,239 Rory and Oscar, are putting all their faith in finding black Lightning Ridge opal. 189 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:34,319 The most valuable in the world. 190 00:12:39,680 --> 00:12:43,479 Rory and I have both taken time off work and sort of pushed the uni aside 191 00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:45,399 to get out here and give Dad a hand. 192 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:48,439 Oscar, Dad and I have set up a company 193 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:51,839 and a website and we plan to sell directly to consumers. 194 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:53,719 Including machinery, 195 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:57,359 they've already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars. 196 00:12:57,440 --> 00:13:00,279 We've put a lot of time and money into the business. 197 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:09,039 So it's crucial that we start to find some opal, 198 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,599 cos otherwise there's no point to it all. 199 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:19,839 Oscar and I are going to continue digging this pillar, opening it right up. 200 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:25,959 We've had a shocking year. We're running below costs. 201 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:29,439 We're going to be in a bit of trouble if we don't find opal. 202 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:33,119 Only got a little bit of the wall holding the roof up, 203 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:35,879 so we're going to have to start putting props in. 204 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:37,959 Shall we chuck a prop in right here? 205 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:39,639 Yeah. 206 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:46,439 It's not easy putting these props in. 207 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:50,319 You've got to get the roof flat and if you're, like, a centimetre out, 208 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:53,119 or even less, then you can't get the cap in there. 209 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:56,719 So just working around that, but it's definitely not easy work. 210 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:02,839 When you're taking a pillar, it's one of the most dangerous things you can do underground. 211 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:05,959 If we don't get these props right or wedged in there, 212 00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:09,359 that can result in, at the end of the day, the roof coming down. 213 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:13,039 I think that's pretty good. I'm happy with it. 214 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:26,399 At the start of the pillar, we were getting a lot of trace. 215 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:31,119 Fingers crossed that there's still more in there. Maybe we're just running onto it. 216 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:35,079 We really need something special to turn our season around, cos... 217 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:37,519 you know, we've just had our arse kicked. 218 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:40,879 Is that... Rory, do you reckon that's green there? 219 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:43,199 Bit of purple in it. Oh, yeah. 220 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:45,279 At least that's something. 221 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:48,519 It's a good sign to spot, like, bits of trace like that. 222 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:52,239 To still be getting bits of trace means we could be onto some opal. 223 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:57,599 Usually, when you're taking pillars, you're guaranteed some sort of money. 224 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:01,959 That's what we're chasing at the moment. The boys have been doing a good job. 225 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:06,959 We smashed out the truckload pretty quick. Been smooth sailing so far. 226 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:10,119 We're hoping that this continues throughout the week. 227 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:11,839 Truck's full. Sweet as. 228 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:16,919 So we're going to take it up to the agi and, fingers crossed, 229 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:20,919 the luck continues and we don't have any issues up there. 230 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:22,999 We've got two agi sites. 231 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:25,279 So we got one fairly close to the mine 232 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:27,359 and we've got one close to town 233 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:30,319 which is 30K or 40K back towards town. 234 00:15:33,280 --> 00:15:36,679 This whole season, we've just been tormented by the weather. 235 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:38,759 The rain has just been terrible. 236 00:15:38,840 --> 00:15:43,239 With this rain that we've had, at the moment, we can't get into our agi in town. 237 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:45,559 It cuts that road out completely, 238 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:48,039 shutting down half our production. 239 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:54,879 Hopefully, all that dirt has washed down and the truck's ready for us to knock another load out. 240 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:57,679 Yeah, that'd be nice. Get another load out today. 241 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:01,119 That doesn't look good, bro. The agi is not turning around. 242 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:02,999 It's not going around. 243 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:06,559 Far out. Hopefully, there's not another problem with it. 244 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,079 That does not look good, man. Far out. 245 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:12,159 Can't get a break, can we? 246 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:14,239 Let's go check it out. 247 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:21,039 What's going on, Chris? 248 00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:23,399 We've had a major breakdown, boys. 249 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:25,479 It's broken the axle. 250 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:34,759 Keep going, mate. Keep going. 251 00:16:38,360 --> 00:16:39,719 Hang on. 252 00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:42,199 Xavier, I can't see what's going on. 253 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:44,839 You're gonna have to tell me what's going on. 254 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:48,039 You're gonna have to grab the excavator, mate. 255 00:16:48,120 --> 00:16:50,279 "Yeah, it's not happening. Righto." 256 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:56,159 The Blacklighters' ten-tonne processing plant, Opalzilla, 257 00:16:56,240 --> 00:16:59,639 is refusing to budge from their opal dry claim. 258 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:03,119 Paul's gonna grab the excavator for us. 259 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:07,759 Hopefully, if he gives it a little bit of a nudge for me, we'll get it to go. 260 00:17:22,880 --> 00:17:25,839 I can feel it moving now. All right, I'm off! 261 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:27,919 We're moving. You beauty! 262 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:29,999 Got it! Yeah. 263 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:36,039 That's stressful. That is a very stressful thing to do. 264 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:43,559 Top-heavy Opalzilla will have to be towed five kilometres 265 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:45,439 to the new claim, 266 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:49,679 across the weather-beaten desert surrounding Coober Pedy. 267 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:53,559 Torrential rains and the baking sun 268 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:57,799 has turned their path into little more than goat tracks. 269 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:02,279 Moving Opalzilla is a nightmare. Something I regret. 270 00:18:02,360 --> 00:18:04,159 Don't want to do. 271 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:06,519 I lie in bed at night, I can't... 272 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:09,319 I can't get it out of my head. It's a tricky thing. 273 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:11,399 But we know it's time to move on. 274 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:13,159 Just not enough here for us. 275 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:16,519 You could make a living there, but not enough for all of us. 276 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:19,719 It's like that old song, you've got to know when to run. 277 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:23,799 We've hired another vehicle to tow Opalzilla. It's a lot bigger loader. 278 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:27,359 I'd rather have that bit more weight, pay a little bit of money. 279 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:32,119 Jayden has come out to help us. His loader weighs about four times the weight of ours. 280 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:34,799 We've only got a six-tonne. His is 20-odd. 281 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:38,879 If Opalzilla wants to roll, we're rolling with it! So that's no fun. 282 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:43,119 That weight is so important when you're towing on these roads 283 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:45,759 and off-camber and all that, so you don't tip. 284 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:47,439 You ready to go? 285 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:50,639 I'll just kick back in front and have Jayden follow me 286 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:54,719 and his boys follow behind, let us know if anything goes wrong back there. 287 00:18:54,800 --> 00:19:00,199 I'll stay up the back, mate, make sure everything's running all right. Let's get this thing done. 288 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:05,559 Yeah, no worries, mate. Slow and steady wins the race. 289 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:07,639 Yeah, slow and steady. 290 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:11,879 Definite risk. Have a look at the roads we're driving on here, mate. 291 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:15,079 They're not the the safest roads going around. 292 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:17,159 Could easily tip it over. 293 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:22,639 "Just take it easy. We've got some bloody rough ground coming up." 294 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:29,839 It's pretty top-heavy, cos of the hopper being on it. 295 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:32,239 So it gets a bit...gets a bit tippy. 296 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:36,919 If Opalzilla had a fall out here, it's not like we've got 297 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:41,159 engineering shops and everything we need to just fix it like that. 298 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:44,639 You know? It'd be a nightmare. Just an absolute nightmare. 299 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:48,879 I could see us taking a massive backwards step, if we rolled Opalzilla. 300 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:51,159 A massive backwards step. 301 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,159 There's a hole right alongside the road here, too, 302 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:56,439 so just be careful of that. 303 00:19:56,520 --> 00:19:58,519 Cos I reckon one wheel in there... 304 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:00,599 ooh-ooh, nasty stuff! 305 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:14,639 Welcome home, us! That's all I'll say. 306 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:17,919 Well done, guys. Welcome home, us. 307 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:22,079 Now that'll about do you, right there. 308 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:24,239 Welcome to your new home, Opalzilla. 309 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:28,919 What's happened to the air con? We've lost the air con. 310 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:31,279 What's happened to it? It's gone? 311 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:34,199 Oh, yeah. A bit of a mess. 312 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:37,799 She's messed?No. It's upside down, but hopefully she'll work. 313 00:20:37,880 --> 00:20:39,679 (GRUNTS) 314 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:41,759 I'll chuck the air con back in now. 315 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:43,839 See if it works. 316 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:45,919 Hopefully! 317 00:20:49,960 --> 00:20:52,359 (MOTOR SPLUTTERS AND FAILS TO CATCH) 318 00:20:55,360 --> 00:20:56,919 Is it on? 319 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:02,599 No. No lights. Nothing? 320 00:21:03,680 --> 00:21:05,279 Oh, great! 321 00:21:05,360 --> 00:21:07,279 I don't know what's going on. 322 00:21:07,360 --> 00:21:10,239 Won't be finding anything if we don't have power. 323 00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:12,319 Got nothing on these switches then? 324 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:14,399 (FLICKS SWITCHES) No. 325 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:24,359 It's a lot of hard ground and being a very tight spot in there, 326 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:29,039 we don't really have the reach or the capability to get up into that small area 327 00:21:29,120 --> 00:21:32,719 and just knock it all down with the rock-breaker, unfortunately. 328 00:21:33,720 --> 00:21:35,599 Now it's just back to the jackhammer 329 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:37,759 and, um, keep clearing this dirt away, 330 00:21:37,840 --> 00:21:39,919 so we can get through into this mine. 331 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:43,599 It's been a real battle for us all year. 332 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:46,759 We've been, pretty much, one man down the entire time. 333 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:51,719 You know, we've still got a long way to go to get where we need to be. 334 00:21:51,800 --> 00:21:54,119 We need opal as often as we can find it 335 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:56,999 and as much of it as we can pull out of the ground. 336 00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:04,679 (SWITCHES MOTOR OFF) What's up? 337 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:08,759 I think we're in. We're good to go?Yeah, mate. 338 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:10,439 Ooh. 339 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:15,079 Are you good?She's tight, JC. It is, isn't it. 340 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:17,839 We just want to get in there and do some digging. 341 00:22:17,920 --> 00:22:22,479 Our biggest limitation is just gonna be how structurally sound it is in this mine. 342 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:25,399 Some of these mines date back to over 100 years ago. 343 00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:29,719 I'm feeling pretty optimistic. 344 00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:33,799 I do believe that the old-timers may have actually missed the opal level 345 00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:35,879 and it could be a metre above us. 346 00:22:42,120 --> 00:22:44,399 We're down here in an old-timer's mine. 347 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:46,479 It could be around any corner. 348 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:00,319 Oi! Oi! Oi! 349 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:02,679 What? (BLEEP) Rockfall. 350 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:12,839 What's going on?We've had a major breakdown, boys.Another one? 351 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:14,919 I'd say it's broken the axle. 352 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:16,639 She's finally let go. 353 00:23:16,720 --> 00:23:18,719 If this is spinning, 354 00:23:18,800 --> 00:23:21,519 your axle is supposed to be spinning and it's not. 355 00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:24,599 Tells me the axle's broken. 356 00:23:25,760 --> 00:23:30,999 We haven't had one week where we haven't been rained out or had a breakdown this season. 357 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:33,359 And this is going to put us out for weeks. 358 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:35,519 We just can't get a break, can we? Nah. 359 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:37,599 Far out, man. I'm over it. 360 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:41,759 We've just had, you know, problem after problem, 361 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:43,839 set-back after set-back and... 362 00:23:43,920 --> 00:23:45,919 yeah, it just keeps getting worse. 363 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:47,999 We've got one agi we can't get to. 364 00:23:48,080 --> 00:23:50,879 We've got one agi broken down, a major breakdown, 365 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:52,959 which is 40K, 50K out of town. 366 00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:54,879 We're at a standstill. 367 00:23:58,320 --> 00:24:01,799 I think the axle's gone in it, but we'll just have to strip it and 368 00:24:01,880 --> 00:24:05,079 find out what's actually wrong with it and try and fix it. 369 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:12,639 Agitators are built by cannibalising an old cement truck for the barrel. 370 00:24:12,720 --> 00:24:15,239 A chain drive is attached to the barrel 371 00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:17,239 and then, using a drive train, 372 00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:20,239 a differential and an axle from an old truck, 373 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:22,319 it's connected to a motor. 374 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:24,999 This mechanism then turns the barrel 375 00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:28,279 to wash the clay from the opal-bearing rock. 376 00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:33,519 If you've got a broken axle, it can't drive the chain 377 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:35,599 to drive the agi to wash the dirt. 378 00:24:35,680 --> 00:24:37,679 Simple as that. So... 379 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:40,039 There's no quick fix for this. 380 00:24:40,120 --> 00:24:42,119 We've just got to get it to town 381 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:44,199 and try and fix it somehow. 382 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:48,759 Got a little crane truck to use out on the field. 383 00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:52,319 Hopefully, I can reach over and, basically, just pull it out, 384 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:56,959 through the top of the cage and get it on the other truck and get it to town. 385 00:24:58,000 --> 00:24:59,999 To save cutting the cage apart, 386 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:02,599 we'll just break a couple of sheets of tin off, 387 00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:05,679 hook it onto the diff and pull it out through the top. 388 00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:07,359 That should be enough. 389 00:25:07,440 --> 00:25:09,759 We won't give up. We've invested too much. 390 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:12,159 I've invested 20 years of my life into this. 391 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:14,999 Now just stand back. Come back out of the cage. 392 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:16,879 I love doing it with the boys. 393 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:19,679 If nothing else, I get to spend time with them. 394 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:23,159 If you sit sit the arse down here... Yeah, I know what you mean. 395 00:25:24,600 --> 00:25:26,199 Yeah, we're copping it. 396 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:29,079 We've just got to ride it out and do the best we can. 397 00:25:31,560 --> 00:25:33,239 We've nearly got it out. 398 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:35,519 Keep going. You've got it, mate. 399 00:25:36,600 --> 00:25:39,999 Righto. Just leave him there, mate. I'll come and do the rest. 400 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:43,479 That's what it's all about. It's all about not giving up. 401 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:45,559 I've never given up. 402 00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:50,639 If anyone can get this agi fixed, it's definitely Dad. 403 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:52,319 Happy? 404 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:55,039 He's been a bush mechanic for 20 years out here, 405 00:25:55,120 --> 00:25:58,159 just fixing all sorts of different bits of gear, so... 406 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:00,639 he's the one that'll be able to get it done. 407 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:04,039 We'll just have to see how we go. We'll do our best, as always, 408 00:26:04,120 --> 00:26:05,719 and, um, yeah. 409 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:09,079 We're down, but we're not out. 410 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:20,439 No lights.Nothing? I don't know what's going on. 411 00:26:20,520 --> 00:26:22,319 Oh, great! 412 00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:25,879 Lost our 240, for some reason. 413 00:26:27,040 --> 00:26:29,039 Ever time we move Opalzilla, 414 00:26:29,120 --> 00:26:31,119 there just seems to be one, little, 415 00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:33,879 tricky bit that will just seem to stuff up on you. 416 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:37,319 I think the move of Opalzilla, we didn't do it too well. 417 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:39,119 Without her, we're stuffed. 418 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:43,839 Got family, got mouths to feed, we got bills to pay, we got all these pressures. 419 00:26:43,920 --> 00:26:48,239 We need Opalzilla up and running and we need her up and running now. That's the bottom line. 420 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:52,879 Working in here without the air con would just suck. It'd be shocking. 421 00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:55,599 Cos, out here, it can get up to 50 degrees. 422 00:26:55,680 --> 00:27:00,679 This is what saves us in here. The whole room just heats up like an oven. 423 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:03,719 Might have worked some magic here. 424 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:06,599 All right. Well, let's see if we've got any power. 425 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:08,479 Next problem! 426 00:27:19,120 --> 00:27:22,319 Not a very good day, if we don't find any opal. 427 00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:24,399 We put in all this work to get here 428 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:26,079 and this happens. 429 00:27:26,160 --> 00:27:28,159 It's just quite annoying. 430 00:27:28,240 --> 00:27:30,639 These delays are killing us at the moment. 431 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:35,639 Opalzilla is just a 20-tonne paperweight, so if something doesn't change, we're... 432 00:27:35,720 --> 00:27:37,719 we're in a lot of strife. 433 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:39,999 Nothing! Not fixed it? 434 00:27:45,880 --> 00:27:47,879 Uh, just this... Yeah, the 240 cord. 435 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:50,559 You can see it's just sunburnt and...brittle. 436 00:27:50,640 --> 00:27:52,439 It is getting pretty... 437 00:27:52,520 --> 00:27:54,519 (BLEEP)Yeah, it's crusty-rusty. 438 00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:57,999 We've lost the connection in this wire somewhere. 439 00:27:58,080 --> 00:27:59,679 All right. 440 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:06,519 Hopefully, it hasn't killed it moving it here. That'd be... (BLEEP) 441 00:28:13,680 --> 00:28:15,959 Oi! Oi! What?(BLEEP) 442 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:17,759 Rockfall. 443 00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:21,399 We've got backfill coming down. From where? 444 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:23,759 From that shaft. The shaft? 445 00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:26,719 Oh, my God, that just scared the knackers off me. 446 00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:29,999 Yeah, I didn't even hear it, so a silent death, I guess. 447 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:33,879 Had a... Oh, man, I thought I was about to get buried alive. 448 00:28:33,960 --> 00:28:36,879 I don't want to go anywhere bloody near that. 449 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:40,839 That must be pretty loose.Just the vibration and it dried out.Yeah. 450 00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:43,599 The backfill up there coming down on top of us. 451 00:28:43,680 --> 00:28:45,679 Yeah, not a good prospect. 452 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:47,759 I don't think any opal's worth that. 453 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:51,759 Far out, JC. Holy sheeza. 454 00:28:51,840 --> 00:28:56,639 Let's get the gear and get out. It's not worth dying for. That's it, hey. That's dumb. 455 00:28:56,720 --> 00:28:58,719 Let's get out. 456 00:29:03,360 --> 00:29:06,759 The entrance of the mine and where the shaft is, is pretty much 457 00:29:06,840 --> 00:29:08,639 the only place we can dig now, 458 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:11,599 so we're going to try and pull some opal out of here. 459 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:13,999 Otherwise all of it has been for nothing. 460 00:29:24,160 --> 00:29:26,679 You ever try and eat cereal with chopsticks? 461 00:29:27,760 --> 00:29:30,039 This ain't up for the task, you know. 462 00:29:30,120 --> 00:29:32,319 It's bloody impenetrable. 463 00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:39,599 Can you help me pull this up, JC? Yeah, yeah, yeah. 464 00:29:39,680 --> 00:29:41,679 I'm at a bad angle. A slab. 465 00:29:41,760 --> 00:29:43,359 Yeah, grab it. 466 00:29:45,440 --> 00:29:47,719 You got a slab?I don't know what I've got. 467 00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:49,399 Oh, look at that! 468 00:29:50,480 --> 00:29:52,279 Ha-hey, brother! 469 00:29:52,360 --> 00:29:53,959 Look at this. 470 00:29:54,040 --> 00:29:56,039 (LAUGHS) 471 00:29:56,120 --> 00:29:58,359 Oh, my gosh! 472 00:29:58,440 --> 00:30:00,039 Oh, JC! 473 00:30:00,120 --> 00:30:01,799 Look at that. 474 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:03,479 Oh-ho-ho! 475 00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:05,759 That's a massive bit of green-blue. 476 00:30:05,840 --> 00:30:07,839 Now that is a stone right there. 477 00:30:09,640 --> 00:30:11,639 JC!Dude! 478 00:30:11,720 --> 00:30:13,319 I think...(LAUGHS) 479 00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:15,399 ..we have hit a big score today. 480 00:30:15,480 --> 00:30:18,759 It's looking like there could be some serious opal in here. 481 00:30:18,840 --> 00:30:20,839 I'm super, super excited for this. 482 00:30:20,920 --> 00:30:22,519 Mate! 483 00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:26,679 Holy crap.Hold that. Yeah. Hold that bit. It's heavy. 484 00:30:28,400 --> 00:30:31,999 There's stones coming out of here, brother. Look at this!I know. 485 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:43,599 Yeah, so this old truck I bought for the tyres off it. 486 00:30:43,680 --> 00:30:46,599 We'll just pull the axles out, head back to the shed 487 00:30:46,680 --> 00:30:49,119 and rip the axle out of the one from the agi 488 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:51,199 and just see if it's the same. 489 00:30:51,280 --> 00:30:53,479 If it's the same, well, happy days. 490 00:30:53,560 --> 00:30:56,999 After a catastrophic agitator breakdown, 491 00:30:57,080 --> 00:31:01,679 the Cheals are pinning all their hopes on a last resort bush repair 492 00:31:01,760 --> 00:31:03,959 to rescue their mining season. 493 00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:07,199 It's looking OK. 494 00:31:07,280 --> 00:31:10,879 You never know, we might be... we might be back in action. 495 00:31:10,960 --> 00:31:12,959 Right. Can you crawl under there 496 00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:15,039 and push that axle out? 497 00:31:15,120 --> 00:31:20,319 Looking at it yesterday and hearing Dad talk about it, I thought we were in real trouble. 498 00:31:20,400 --> 00:31:24,719 The fact that within a day he's found something we think will fit it, 499 00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:27,679 I'm pretty shocked to think we actually might be 500 00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:30,159 back on the road sooner than we thought. 501 00:31:32,320 --> 00:31:35,839 See if it's the right axle. If not, we'll have to keep searching. 502 00:31:38,240 --> 00:31:40,639 Hit them with the pressure cleaner, mate. 503 00:31:51,840 --> 00:31:53,839 The axle is coming out with it. 504 00:31:53,920 --> 00:31:55,919 Definitely a broken axle, I think. 505 00:31:57,920 --> 00:31:59,919 No. She's not. 506 00:32:01,560 --> 00:32:03,599 We've got bigger problems. 507 00:32:03,680 --> 00:32:05,479 Bugger. 508 00:32:05,560 --> 00:32:07,559 So much for our quick fix. 509 00:32:08,640 --> 00:32:10,839 Oh, the axle's fine? Mm. 510 00:32:10,920 --> 00:32:12,519 (BLEEP) 511 00:32:13,640 --> 00:32:15,639 So that is the right axle, though? 512 00:32:15,720 --> 00:32:17,719 Yeah. Yeah, it was the right axle. 513 00:32:17,800 --> 00:32:22,239 Well, that's just dangling the carrot in front of the donkey's eye, isn't it?Mm. 514 00:32:23,880 --> 00:32:26,759 If the axle was broken, we could have just chucked the new one in, 515 00:32:26,840 --> 00:32:28,839 we would have been putting it back on today. 516 00:32:28,920 --> 00:32:31,119 We all sort of thought we'd be right. 517 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:34,959 It turns out it's not actually the axle. It's the diff centre. 518 00:32:35,040 --> 00:32:37,039 I don't really know. 519 00:32:37,120 --> 00:32:40,519 The bearings in the hub are gone. They're definitely gone. 520 00:32:45,320 --> 00:32:49,799 The biggest problem we've got when something breaks down is getting the parts. 521 00:32:49,880 --> 00:32:54,359 We're a long way from anywhere. Usually, if you order parts, you've got to wait. 522 00:32:58,680 --> 00:33:00,879 Jason with the, um, truck parts. 523 00:33:00,960 --> 00:33:04,959 Pull him up. He might have those parts.Do you reckon he might? 524 00:33:05,040 --> 00:33:09,039 Jason brings over parts from Moree and he happened to be driving past. 525 00:33:09,120 --> 00:33:13,439 We pulled him up and we're just hoping he's got the bearing we're looking for. 526 00:33:13,520 --> 00:33:15,519 Jason.Hey. How you going?Good. 527 00:33:16,600 --> 00:33:18,759 Any chance you'd have them on board? 528 00:33:18,840 --> 00:33:21,439 I need them today. That's the only thing. 529 00:33:22,520 --> 00:33:25,519 It's a long shot, but I thought I'd pull him up and... 530 00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:27,839 and just, um, ask the question. 531 00:33:27,920 --> 00:33:31,839 WOMAN ON PHONE: "A 594A and a 592A together is a set." 532 00:33:31,920 --> 00:33:33,719 Is a set. 533 00:33:33,800 --> 00:33:35,799 Yeah? That's what we've got. 534 00:33:37,080 --> 00:33:41,079 We're halfway there. Just need the smaller bearing and the seal. 535 00:33:44,560 --> 00:33:47,239 That's getting more towards our size, you know. 536 00:33:47,320 --> 00:33:49,319 I'll just get Chris to measure it. 537 00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:52,399 We've got one bearing. 538 00:33:52,480 --> 00:33:54,479 We're just hoping that we might... 539 00:33:55,480 --> 00:33:57,479 ..be able to get the other one. 540 00:33:59,440 --> 00:34:01,439 Nah.Not it? Nah. 541 00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:04,119 Nah, nowhere near it. 542 00:34:05,200 --> 00:34:07,079 A long way off. 543 00:34:08,160 --> 00:34:10,159 Nothing's gone right. 544 00:34:10,240 --> 00:34:12,239 Yeah, it might be the end of us. 545 00:34:13,320 --> 00:34:16,199 Season over, really. There's nothing else we can do. 546 00:34:19,960 --> 00:34:22,599 This agi is our only chance of finding opal, 547 00:34:22,680 --> 00:34:24,959 so if it's not working, season over. 548 00:34:27,080 --> 00:34:31,199 With everything breaking down, we'll just have to stop mining production 549 00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:36,079 and Oscar and I are going to have to go back to Sydney. It's as simple as that. 550 00:34:36,160 --> 00:34:38,919 So this will be the season finish for us. 551 00:34:54,120 --> 00:34:56,679 We've got to replace the whole 240 cable. 552 00:34:56,760 --> 00:35:00,199 It's done some hours, it's been sitting out in the desert 553 00:35:00,280 --> 00:35:02,359 for, you know, ten-odd years, 554 00:35:02,440 --> 00:35:04,439 so it's about time to replace it. 555 00:35:05,520 --> 00:35:08,439 Hopefully, we can get it working pretty soon, cos... 556 00:35:08,520 --> 00:35:10,519 time's ticking. 557 00:35:11,600 --> 00:35:14,439 After an epic journey to their new claim, 558 00:35:14,520 --> 00:35:18,519 the Blacklighters' noodling machine, Opalzilla, is lifeless. 559 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:21,199 Righto, you ready? Yeah. 560 00:35:24,920 --> 00:35:27,119 You beauty! The power is back on. 561 00:35:27,200 --> 00:35:28,919 The black lights are all good. 562 00:35:29,000 --> 00:35:31,799 We have an air conditioner that actually... 563 00:35:31,880 --> 00:35:34,519 still works from falling out of the wall. 564 00:35:34,600 --> 00:35:36,599 Dark green belt on? 565 00:35:36,680 --> 00:35:38,279 Nah. 566 00:35:40,680 --> 00:35:43,559 Ohh! I've solved one problem and found another. 567 00:35:43,640 --> 00:35:47,959 We've got our lights working. Now we just need to get this bloody belt going. 568 00:35:50,840 --> 00:35:52,599 (HARSH WHIRRING) There we go. 569 00:35:53,680 --> 00:35:55,679 Some... (BLEEP) 570 00:35:55,760 --> 00:35:58,439 ..turned the... (BLEEP) ..emergency stop on! 571 00:35:58,520 --> 00:36:00,519 (BLEEP) (LAUGHTER) 572 00:36:00,600 --> 00:36:02,199 Idiots! 573 00:36:02,280 --> 00:36:04,679 Who did that? I have no idea. 574 00:36:04,760 --> 00:36:07,559 I was pushing it. What do you push the buttons for? 575 00:36:07,640 --> 00:36:11,559 We've just wasted time for two hours cos of a button that was pressed! 576 00:36:14,000 --> 00:36:15,999 Here we go! 577 00:36:18,720 --> 00:36:20,719 Righto, guys. It's going in. 578 00:36:20,800 --> 00:36:23,439 Now just remember it's that stuff that glows! 579 00:36:23,520 --> 00:36:26,199 Try not to miss it and put it in the bucket. 'Ey? 580 00:36:26,280 --> 00:36:29,159 Oh, thank God, we're going again. 581 00:36:29,240 --> 00:36:33,799 Just to get some dirt going through is pretty well what we need. 582 00:36:41,760 --> 00:36:43,639 Compared to where we were, um, 583 00:36:43,720 --> 00:36:46,319 this definitely feels drier and heavier rock, 584 00:36:46,800 --> 00:36:48,799 that we've got coming through. 585 00:36:48,880 --> 00:36:52,159 Just sort of feels that you've got a bit more of a chance. 586 00:36:53,240 --> 00:36:55,439 (BLEEP) It's starting to happen now! 587 00:36:56,560 --> 00:37:00,599 We thought we'd have a little sneak peak, as we're over at new ground. 588 00:37:00,680 --> 00:37:02,679 And, um, yeah, it's... 589 00:37:02,760 --> 00:37:05,359 it's got a fair bit of life in it. 590 00:37:07,640 --> 00:37:11,039 What have you got there?A little bit of life in there, I think. 591 00:37:11,120 --> 00:37:13,999 Might have done all right today. A few good pieces. 592 00:37:14,080 --> 00:37:17,119 Oh, that's productive there. There's heaps in there! 593 00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:20,639 I think pleasantly surprised once we give that a tumble again. 594 00:37:20,720 --> 00:37:23,479 Let's get home and tumble this. Let's get it washed up. 595 00:37:23,560 --> 00:37:25,959 Well done.Let's get some money in the bank. 596 00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:32,319 Oh, ho! That's looking all right! 597 00:37:32,400 --> 00:37:35,719 Oi, that's worth moving for, hey. Check that out.Oooh! 598 00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:37,799 Well, hello. Oh, hello! 599 00:37:51,160 --> 00:37:53,519 Who's going to put a number on that? 600 00:37:55,520 --> 00:37:58,319 I would not take under $30,000 for this parcel. 601 00:38:00,560 --> 00:38:04,159 Like, you imagine how much jewellery you could make out of that. 602 00:38:04,240 --> 00:38:06,039 That's a mass of jewellery. 603 00:38:06,120 --> 00:38:10,479 That was not a lot of hours to get that much opal.Six hours max. 604 00:38:10,560 --> 00:38:12,559 (LAUGHS) That's stupid! 605 00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:15,919 Magic Mountain really is magic. Magic Mountain, it's on! 606 00:38:16,000 --> 00:38:20,399 Six hours, 30G. Tell me where you're going to get that. Nowhere in the world. 607 00:38:20,480 --> 00:38:24,279 Couldn't have a better bunch to work with. That's what has made me so proud. 608 00:38:24,360 --> 00:38:27,999 And, mate, you are getting better, day by day, you're learning everything. 609 00:38:28,080 --> 00:38:31,759 You're doing awesome, mate. Now get back to work!Get out there. 610 00:38:31,840 --> 00:38:33,639 Ha ha ha! 611 00:38:33,720 --> 00:38:36,519 What's he got? What more could you ask for? 612 00:38:36,600 --> 00:38:39,279 I got you a wheelbarrow full of beer! 613 00:38:39,360 --> 00:38:42,239 You have to have a soft drink. Wait for the beer. 614 00:38:42,320 --> 00:38:44,079 A big relief. 615 00:38:44,160 --> 00:38:46,359 Been that stressed the last few days. 616 00:38:46,440 --> 00:38:48,639 Cos it's having to move. 617 00:38:48,720 --> 00:38:52,039 Like, we could have done all that moving and got nothing. 618 00:38:52,120 --> 00:38:54,399 Very happy. Like, tingling, actually. 619 00:38:54,480 --> 00:38:57,919 Cheers, mate.Cheers, mate. Well done.The Blacklighters! 620 00:39:02,240 --> 00:39:05,839 So we're back at the camp. We're seeing some really good results. 621 00:39:05,920 --> 00:39:07,839 All the rocks are just full of opal. 622 00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:10,799 It's now just smashing them up to get that opal out. 623 00:39:13,840 --> 00:39:16,519 We really want to get out of all of this, really. 624 00:39:16,600 --> 00:39:19,039 We're so sick of running into old workings 625 00:39:19,120 --> 00:39:22,519 and finding the opal has already been dug by the old-timers. 626 00:39:22,600 --> 00:39:25,359 It's gonna be at least 100 grand to get a drilling rig, 627 00:39:25,440 --> 00:39:29,439 so we can go out, find new areas, find new opal deposits and make the millions. 628 00:39:30,720 --> 00:39:33,839 The rocks are very coated, so we can get the opal out, 629 00:39:33,920 --> 00:39:38,639 put them into our tumbler barrel and then we'll know for sure what we've got. 630 00:39:38,720 --> 00:39:40,719 Let's put it on. 631 00:39:45,360 --> 00:39:48,439 So right now our opal is spinning around on our tumbler. 632 00:39:48,520 --> 00:39:50,519 That's just gonna wash off any dirt. 633 00:39:50,600 --> 00:39:53,199 So we'll leave that on there for at least a day. 634 00:39:53,280 --> 00:39:56,879 Until we get that dirt off, we have no idea what we've really got. 635 00:39:56,960 --> 00:39:59,359 So, right now, it's just a waiting game. 636 00:40:05,200 --> 00:40:07,399 All right, JC, here we go. 637 00:40:07,480 --> 00:40:10,079 Rags or riches? What have we got? Oh, dude! 638 00:40:10,160 --> 00:40:13,519 Pretty much now, we just grade the material out. 639 00:40:13,600 --> 00:40:17,519 Put all the best stuff together and we see how much we've really got. 640 00:40:17,600 --> 00:40:19,399 Just pick out... Look at this. 641 00:40:19,480 --> 00:40:23,799 ..the top stuff first and then we'll go through and sort out the rest, as well. 642 00:40:23,880 --> 00:40:27,479 This is such a good find. I feel like the biggest downer right now 643 00:40:27,560 --> 00:40:29,639 is just that Noah isn't here with us. 644 00:40:29,720 --> 00:40:31,799 I know what you mean. 645 00:40:36,160 --> 00:40:38,159 A big bag of opal. 646 00:40:39,480 --> 00:40:41,479 That's looking pretty good, JC. 647 00:40:46,240 --> 00:40:48,239 From greens and deep blues 648 00:40:48,320 --> 00:40:50,319 to rare, valuable reds. 649 00:40:57,440 --> 00:41:01,159 So Dad has really been our mentor since coming out to the opal field. 650 00:41:01,240 --> 00:41:04,559 He's got the knowledge of, you know, what opal will sell for. 651 00:41:04,640 --> 00:41:08,239 We've just never had this kind of opal to value ourselves before. 652 00:41:08,320 --> 00:41:09,919 Hey, Dad. 653 00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:12,079 Wow, yous got a fair bit. 654 00:41:12,160 --> 00:41:16,479 We just want to make sure that we don't rip ourselves off or get ripped off. 655 00:41:16,560 --> 00:41:18,919 So this one here we're at... Whoo-hoo! 656 00:41:19,000 --> 00:41:20,999 ..three ounces. 657 00:41:21,080 --> 00:41:25,079 Oh, you're looking at some really gem-quality material here. 658 00:41:25,160 --> 00:41:28,119 I think you can at least, you know, be asking five. 659 00:41:28,200 --> 00:41:30,479 $5,000 an ounce? Yeah.$5,000 an ounce. 660 00:41:31,800 --> 00:41:34,039 A little over eight ounces in this bag. 661 00:41:34,120 --> 00:41:37,719 This is bigger stones and it's going into crystal, 662 00:41:37,800 --> 00:41:40,639 so five grand an ounce on that, as well. 663 00:41:40,720 --> 00:41:42,359 That's pretty good. 664 00:41:42,440 --> 00:41:44,639 And then we've got this material. 665 00:41:44,720 --> 00:41:46,719 23 ounces. 666 00:41:46,800 --> 00:41:50,199 There's a lot of little nice stones. It's very bright. 667 00:41:50,280 --> 00:41:52,959 You'd be looking at, easy, at least $1,500. 668 00:41:53,040 --> 00:41:55,039 Brother! OK. 669 00:41:55,120 --> 00:41:57,119 So your total is going to be... 670 00:41:59,120 --> 00:42:01,119 ..$89,500. 671 00:42:01,200 --> 00:42:04,839 You seriously reckon we've got that there?Yeah. Absolutely. 672 00:42:04,920 --> 00:42:07,119 Well done.How is that, JC? Well done. 673 00:42:07,200 --> 00:42:09,079 Everyone's going for some! 674 00:42:09,160 --> 00:42:10,759 (LAUGHTER) 675 00:42:10,840 --> 00:42:15,079 We are so pumped now. Going into the start of the week, it was very rough. 676 00:42:15,160 --> 00:42:18,719 Noah's not here, JC... Is he gonna be able to help out? Is he not? 677 00:42:18,800 --> 00:42:22,279 We've made it into the mine, we've found some really good opal. 678 00:42:22,360 --> 00:42:26,759 I think both of our excitement levels right now are just going through the roof. 679 00:42:26,840 --> 00:42:28,599 I'm freaking out right now. 680 00:42:28,680 --> 00:42:32,399 Every time I close my eyes, I get flashes of opal behind my eyelids! 681 00:42:32,480 --> 00:42:34,479 So...I'm going crazy on it. 682 00:42:34,560 --> 00:42:36,559 (RINGING TONE) 683 00:42:36,640 --> 00:42:38,239 NOAH: "Hello?" 684 00:42:38,320 --> 00:42:40,039 Oi, Noz, man. 685 00:42:40,120 --> 00:42:42,799 "Hey, man." Hey, mate. How are you doing? 686 00:42:42,880 --> 00:42:46,559 "Yeah, good."Your dad's doing all right?"He's on the up and up." 687 00:42:46,640 --> 00:42:50,239 While you've been gone, me and Jaymin have pulled out a bit of opal 688 00:42:50,320 --> 00:42:52,919 and put the figure at $89,500. 689 00:42:53,000 --> 00:42:54,999 "(LAUGHS)" 690 00:42:55,080 --> 00:42:57,439 One of our greatest finds of all time. 691 00:42:57,520 --> 00:43:00,919 "And I wasn't even there." You missed it.Yeah, mate, sorry. 692 00:43:01,000 --> 00:43:05,999 That was the most disappointing part about the whole thing, just not having you there for this one. 693 00:43:06,080 --> 00:43:08,999 Wish you the best and get back out here soon, brother. 694 00:43:09,080 --> 00:43:11,159 "Some of the best news to hear. Yeah?" 695 00:43:13,520 --> 00:43:15,119 Whoa! 696 00:43:15,200 --> 00:43:16,839 Whoo-hoo! 697 00:43:16,920 --> 00:43:18,919 Cheers, JC. Cheers, brother. 698 00:43:19,000 --> 00:43:21,999 Our season target is $150,000. 699 00:43:22,080 --> 00:43:25,399 And, right now, we're at over $140,000. 700 00:43:25,480 --> 00:43:27,959 I did not think we'd get to where we are right now. 701 00:43:29,320 --> 00:43:33,399 This is probably the best find we've ever had colour-wise and quantity. 702 00:43:33,480 --> 00:43:36,639 Now it's looking like we will be able to get that drill. 703 00:43:37,720 --> 00:43:39,919 Goodbye, moon boot. To a damn good week. 704 00:43:40,000 --> 00:43:42,319 subtitles by Deluxe 705 00:43:43,305 --> 00:44:43,680 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=-