"Outback Opal Hunters" Dangers Of The Abandoned

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,439 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:05,959 You crazy, man. That's crazy! 3 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:10,079 ..the Blacklighters are forced into treacherous abandoned tunnels... 4 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:11,759 Whoa! It's a bit dodgy. 5 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:15,839 ..searching for a location for their new open-cut mine. 6 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:18,399 We got to go big, and this is the start of going big. 7 00:00:20,240 --> 00:00:23,079 The Bishop and Scott dig through the night... 8 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:26,119 (DOG BARKING)SCOTT: Rocco, again. He's heard something. 9 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:28,199 ..in a race to stop thieves... 10 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:29,879 Hey. I found colour, man. 11 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:31,599 ..from stealing their opal. 12 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:35,199 We can't leave here until we're sure we got it all. 13 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:38,799 We've got hot weather coming in hard now. 14 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:41,599 And South Australia's searing temperatures... 15 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:43,839 MATHEW: Leif! Your spike. 16 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:47,759 ..puts The Mooka Boys' unique mining techniques under pressure... 17 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:50,799 We've cracked off one of the housings that hold onto the spike. 18 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:55,119 ..bringing their season to a catastrophic end. 19 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:57,759 COLIN: Ooh. Smoking out the back here, Leif. 20 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:00,399 LEIF: That's not good. Really not good. 21 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:03,519 (THEME MUSIC PLAYING) 22 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:11,074 23 00:01:22,320 --> 00:01:26,039 PAUL: How many holes are in this joint, man? Hundreds? 24 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:28,839 A lot of them are a bit dodgy, but there is a few that, 25 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:30,839 you know, you could go down so we'll... 26 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:33,039 we'll go down and have a bit of a look. 27 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:35,479 MARK: We've noodled a lot of the dirt on top 28 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,439 and it's had material in it, a few nice stones. 29 00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:41,119 That's come from underneath where we're standing, 30 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:44,999 so I got a funny feeling there's gonna be more, 31 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:47,519 so we're gonna get down and have a look. 32 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:50,199 In Coober Pedy, the Blacklighters 33 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:52,919 are switching tactics from surface mining 34 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:56,439 to the extreme dangers of underground. 35 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:58,479 PAUL: All these drill holes are pretty old 36 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:02,319 and some of them have been dug out by hand, so they're real sketchy. 37 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:05,319 You know, 20 metres, a rock falls down 38 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:07,839 and it could break your wrist or break your hand. 39 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:10,959 It could break your head, Paul. That'd even be worse. 40 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:13,879 We've got no knowledge of the history of these shafts. 41 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:16,279 They were done a long time ago by the Old Timers. 42 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:17,959 And no-one's done an open cut here. 43 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,279 They've done them all around but left this spot. 44 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:22,879 So, we've definitely got a chance here. 45 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:25,159 Let's do it. You beauty. 46 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:28,919 Another day in the desert. Hopefully we can find some colour. 47 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:36,839 MARK: You crazy, man. 48 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:40,119 That's crazy! 49 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:42,359 (INDISTINCT)Yeah. 50 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:57,759 See you on the flip side. MARK: Good luck, mate. 51 00:02:57,840 --> 00:02:59,439 Hope you come back. 52 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:02,559 Whoa! It's a bit dodgy. 53 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:09,599 All right, guys, I'm at the bottom and we have got shafts galore. 54 00:03:10,640 --> 00:03:13,759 JOHN: Oh, yeah, awesome, mate. Might have a bit of a look around. 55 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:16,159 (ON RADIO) Yeah, man. 56 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,479 There's an extensive network under there. 57 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:20,599 I reckon there'd be kilometres of tunnels. 58 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:23,039 Well, you'd get very lost down there very quickly. 59 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:28,359 MARK: Nothing. 60 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:32,159 Blacklighters Paul Coon, John Nassar, 61 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:36,039 Mark I'Anson, and his stepson, Xavier, 62 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:39,079 are weeks into an opal drought. 63 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:40,799 PAUL: All is it is, is noodling. 64 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:43,639 With noodling you're only going through 65 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:45,319 what people have already dug up. 66 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:49,199 Desperate to find a richer opal field, 67 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:54,439 John searched through waste dirt from nearby Old Timer mine shafts. 68 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:59,599 MARK: Mm. That's beautiful stuff. 69 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,599 This opal didn't come from nowhere. It's come from underground, 70 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:05,799 so that's what made us decide to take that area on. 71 00:04:05,880 --> 00:04:08,759 The gems missed by the Old Timers 72 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:12,079 indicate there could be an even richer opal level, 73 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:15,519 still untouched below the surface. 74 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:18,599 All the tunnels at that level, they've had a look at it. 75 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:21,159 But what's above them and what's below them, 76 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,239 just around those tunnels, that's what we're chasing. 77 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:27,399 If you want to make some real money, open cuts are the way to go. 78 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:29,759 There's a lot of people relying on us. 79 00:04:29,840 --> 00:04:31,759 Our family survives on opal. 80 00:04:31,840 --> 00:04:33,639 Yeah, it is pretty stressful. 81 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,559 We just don't want to let anyone down. That's the big thing. 82 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:39,319 You don't want to let anyone down at all. 83 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:41,199 You're here to do it for them as well. 84 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:47,159 I was just trying to come through here to go 85 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:49,199 and have a look down the tunnel over there, 86 00:04:49,280 --> 00:04:51,559 and I noticed this big slab sitting on the floor. 87 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:53,279 And I looked up and, yeah, 88 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:55,359 it looks like it's come off the roof. 89 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:57,199 I reckon it'd weigh about a tonne 90 00:04:57,280 --> 00:05:00,239 and if that hit you, that's, that's game over. 91 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:03,079 You won't be going home for dinner tonight. 92 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:05,759 So my thoughts are, "Let's get the hell out of this bit 93 00:05:05,840 --> 00:05:07,679 and, erm, go find somewhere else." 94 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:14,679 You can see this is nice, soft, just like dust. 95 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:18,279 Ooh, hang on. Oh, have a look at that. 96 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:24,239 Blue, purple, green crystal... that's saleable, that is. 97 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:26,479 (ON CB RADIO) I found trace. Seam in the wall. 98 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:28,479 You got colour? 99 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:32,119 Little bit of blue green. We got colour! 100 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:35,999 It is good, but, man, it's a bit unsafe down here. 101 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:38,839 Personally to me, erm, we're digging it open-cut. 102 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:41,879 But if they wanna work underground, well, let them, 103 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:43,919 I'll go somewhere else and do an open cut. 104 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:45,799 Like, that's 100% dangerous. 105 00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:58,639 LEIF: Hey.MATHEW: Yo? 106 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:00,639 Do you wanna tell us where ten degrees is 107 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:02,759 from about in front of the bucket? 108 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:10,039 Pretty much straight, right angle. Straight right angle, eh?Yeah. 109 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:12,799 Just give us a right angle for a bit, then we'll remeasure 110 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:15,599 and make sure you're heading in straight.Yeah.Beautiful. 111 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,359 We've decided to turn a corner, so we got to get this dead right, 112 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:23,479 er, because if we don't get our bearings right on the target, 113 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:26,919 we could miss it by a metre and, er, that's our season done. 114 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:30,599 I've got my black book. It's like a Bible on everything 115 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:32,999 I know about the fields that I learnt from my dad 116 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:35,199 and spending time walking around prospecting. 117 00:06:35,280 --> 00:06:37,239 So, it's what we're going by. 118 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:41,319 COLIN: Leif walks over the ground and he finds our targets 119 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:43,279 that we're aiming for. We, er, map it out 120 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:45,119 and start heading towards it. 121 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:52,399 MATHEW: We're good. 122 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:55,999 This is gonna go spike the wall now, 123 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:57,959 loosen up all the area around the level, 124 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:00,319 it'll save us a whole lot of jackhammering. 125 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:03,119 It really uses the spikes on the bucket like a rhino does. 126 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,759 Always ramming them into the wall and, er, jimmying out all the dirt. 127 00:07:13,960 --> 00:07:16,279 Hey, Leif. The air's off, man. 128 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:22,159 Diesel fumes can be quite dangerous, particularly we're in a tunnel. 129 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:24,039 We got to make sure of good ventilation. 130 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:26,239 If you breathe in too much fumes coming out of 131 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:27,919 the back of the skid steer there, 132 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,559 then, yeah, you could get a build-up of carbon monoxide. 133 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:32,839 You could pass out and you won't be revivable. 134 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:37,279 COLIN: Found some nice crystal, Matty. 135 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:41,879 Oh, my God. We could find some more of that, man. 136 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:44,559 In their first season mining together, 137 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:47,559 using team leader Leif's claim and equipment, 138 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:50,599 The Mooka Boys are fighting for their survival, 139 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:53,199 racing against brutal summer temperatures 140 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:56,679 that will shut down all mining in days. 141 00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:59,559 We're only about halfway through our target so far. 142 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:02,879 We've covered costs, but at the moment we're walking away with nothing. 143 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:05,639 I've got a family back in town that I need to feed. 144 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:08,079 I want opal mining to work out for us 145 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:10,119 so I don't have to go back to a normal job 146 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:13,639 and earn money for the man. I wanna earn money for us. (LAUGHS) 147 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:18,439 LEIF: The whole goal of this was to continue on with Dad's work. 148 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:22,239 Leif's father, Paul, was the leader of their operation 149 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:25,439 until he passed away two years ago. 150 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:27,879 It's not the case of following his footsteps 151 00:08:27,960 --> 00:08:31,039 because I had to earn his trust to be able to work alongside him. 152 00:08:31,120 --> 00:08:33,279 Unfortunate, the way, life sort of turned out, 153 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:35,679 you know, his footsteps have come to a halt. 154 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:37,839 Now it's my turn to continue on. 155 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:39,959 MATHEW: Every other season, we pretty much 156 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:42,759 worked with Leif's dad, Paul. This has been the first time 157 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:45,359 where we're out on our own and having to work it out. 158 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:47,519 So I really got to find opal to make sure 159 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,079 that we're even valuable to this partnership. 160 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:52,599 If they want this and they're serious about, you know, 161 00:08:52,680 --> 00:08:54,879 this partnership, then they've got to prove it. 162 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:59,359 See summer's been hot here, eh. Just a couple of terminals. 163 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,759 It gets a bit dangerous with the tunnel if we don't have air running. 164 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:04,439 The carbon monoxide builds up, 165 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:07,079 and that's definitely no good for Leif to be in there. 166 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:09,359 The Mooka Boys, Lunatic claim 167 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:13,999 includes a large open-cut ramp, and a 27-metre tunnel. 168 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:17,199 LEIF: We got the vent fenders try and bring in a bit of fresh air. 169 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:18,879 We found a burnt terminal, 170 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:21,879 so we're gonna clean it up a bit, see if it fixes the problem. 171 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:24,599 COLIN: It seems like we're racing against the clock now. 172 00:09:24,680 --> 00:09:26,279 It's warming up fast this year 173 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:28,279 and we're running out of money and diesel, 174 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:31,159 so, yeah, we've got a lot of things working against us here. 175 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,759 LEIF: See what that does. MATHEW: All right. Fingers crossed. 176 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:38,039 (ALL CHEERING) MATHEW: How's that? 177 00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:39,799 LEIF: What a fluke! 178 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:43,039 Looks like we've got a bit of water in there and a bit of corrosion, 179 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:45,439 so Leif's cleaned it all off, plugged it back in. 180 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:47,119 We are good to go. 181 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:51,199 (MACHINE STOPS)Oh, wait. Did it die again? 182 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:00,639 All right, Scotty. We got all our material in underneath here. 183 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:05,119 The trouble is, this is all loose rocks, 184 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:08,519 and there's no way a man can be working here with this above us. 185 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:14,919 When we're using a jack pick, it vibrates into the rock, 186 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:16,959 and that's dangerous cos anything else 187 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:19,519 that's still up there and loose can come down. 188 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:21,479 We've got to make it safe. 189 00:10:21,560 --> 00:10:23,159 (ROCCO BARKING) 190 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:25,239 SCOTT: So Greggy is gonna bring his car in, 191 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:28,279 I'm gonna jump up on top of the bullbar or on the roof 192 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:31,279 and have a poke at them. We can knock them down. 193 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:33,079 We can get in there and do some work. 194 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:35,039 You be careful, Scotty. Yeah, Greggy. 195 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:36,999 These rocks are big enough to kill you. 196 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:40,519 Lucky I got a preacher with me. God go with you.(CHUCKLES) 197 00:10:45,280 --> 00:10:46,999 Oh, ho, ho, ho.Hey, Greggy. 198 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:50,119 All right, try that big one, Scotty. Get ready to run, man. 199 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:52,679 This is gonna be a big one. It's a big one all right. 200 00:10:53,680 --> 00:10:56,919 Yeah, watch out. It's coming. It's a big rock. 201 00:11:00,680 --> 00:11:03,599 We're praying for the people, we're serving the people 202 00:11:03,680 --> 00:11:07,199 and, er, ushering them into God's presence. 203 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:11,999 Ordained Orthodox bishop, Greg Scully, 204 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:15,519 has a vision for the money he makes mining in the desert 205 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:19,239 surrounding Australia's opal capital, Coober Pedy. 206 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:24,839 My mission for this season is to start a drug rehab centre, 207 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:26,799 get the property and get up and going. 208 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:29,799 Er, for that we need good opal 209 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:32,879 and we've got the location I think that's gonna produce. 210 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:38,519 Helping Greg work his massive Cathedral claim is, Scott Stevens. 211 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:41,959 So, Scotty, I know why I need opal. What's your reason for wanting opal? 212 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:44,759 I've got the girlfriend overseas. You wanna make it legal? 213 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:48,159 Make it legal.Good man. Eventually go for visa.Yeah. 214 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:51,879 So...You need money for that, eh. Definitely need money for that. 215 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:54,879 To make both their dreams a reality, 216 00:11:54,960 --> 00:12:00,759 they are hunting for white opal worth up to $7,500 per gram. 217 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:05,479 That's a good size rock there, Scott. 218 00:12:05,560 --> 00:12:08,199 (RUMBLING) 219 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:12,759 Be careful. That's a big one, mate. 220 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:14,559 That's a big one, all right. Careful. 221 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:16,559 Watch out! Watch out! Get out of the way. 222 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:20,279 Sheesh.You all right?Yeah, man. You'll be going a rock slide, Scotty. 223 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:23,599 They're still coming down, mate. Get out! Get out! It's too much. 224 00:12:23,680 --> 00:12:25,479 All right, buddy.I'll get the dog. 225 00:12:25,560 --> 00:12:29,719 Oi.We just have to leave the car as it is and come back. 226 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:43,119 MARK: Been down there a while, mate. 227 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:46,079 Thirty kilometres out of Coober Pedy, 228 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:50,919 the Blacklighters are searching for new opal rich land to mine. 229 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:55,439 What have you got there? Purple. PAUL: Yeah, all out of the wall. 230 00:12:55,520 --> 00:13:00,079 That's gem, mate. Woo-hoo-hoo! It's only little but nice. 231 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:02,679 There's a tonne of backfill down there, eh.Is there? 232 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:04,679 Like (BLEEP) loads. So the bottom line is 233 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:07,679 it's too dangerous to really mine under there any more. 234 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:09,759 It's just peeling off left, right and centre. 235 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:12,199 Like, there was a slab that would have been a tonne. 236 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:14,639 One big chunk just come from the roof, ka-bonk. 237 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:16,839 Yeah, that -That'll kill ya. That'd hurt. 238 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:19,319 And then me wife would probably kill you.Yeah. 239 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:22,959 I think we're gonna have to bite the bullet and get a dozer in. 240 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:26,959 Take the whole top off, then come in with the excavator, 241 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:30,119 smash all the drives in, smash all the dangerous stuff in, 242 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:32,479 put the whole lot through Opalzilla. 243 00:13:32,560 --> 00:13:37,559 Bulldozer! Excavate! Laughing. Heaps of money.Hey!(LAUGHING) 244 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:39,679 I know there's a dozer available but, 245 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:42,919 it's not cheap and just got to try and get it past Rach. 246 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:49,839 I discuss all the financial decisions with Rach, 247 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:51,559 cos she's doing all the book work. 248 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:53,879 She knows what's going on there, where we're at. 249 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:58,879 How you going, sweetheart? How's things?Good, babe. 250 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:02,119 Did you have a good day? Well, it's going good, 251 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:03,879 but there's a lot of work to do, 252 00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:07,119 so I think there's a big way we could speed it up. 253 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:09,039 And that's by getting a dozer in 254 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:11,799 to push the whole top off for us, you know. 255 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:13,839 I reckon ten hours. 256 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:17,399 We could come in and do the rest ourselves from there, 257 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:20,559 but that ten hours would save us weeks of work. 258 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:22,799 I was thinking - Well, how much are you talking? 259 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:24,639 Pretty well about five grand. 260 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:31,959 All right, well, one day, ten hours, five grand. 261 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:34,279 You've got one day to get it done. 262 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:45,999 The bulldozer's just arrived. We're gonna get stuck into the open cut. 263 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:52,399 Using a hired 40 tonne 410hp bulldozer, 264 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:54,959 the Blacklighters are starting their cut 265 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:58,839 at one end of their new Land of Promise claim. 266 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:04,639 He'll push this way and that way 267 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:08,679 to get to the level which is pretty well 40ft down. 268 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:13,119 This will be the biggest job we've ever taken on. 269 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:16,079 On the other hand, it could be just a white elephant, 270 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:18,839 and I've just blown all that money we worked so hard for. 271 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:21,999 So my heart's going bang, bang, bang. 272 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:32,639 All right, Scotty. The car's still here. 273 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:35,999 Ha! I should have closed the windows on my car before we bolted. 274 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:37,679 Oh, yeah.Look at that.(CHUCKLES) 275 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:39,919 Look at this pile of rocks and dirt. 276 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:44,399 Sheesh.And look at this. Look at it. Eh? 277 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:46,839 Look at all these huge widow makers, mate. 278 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:50,759 A widow maker is a rock ten kilos or more 279 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:52,559 at a height that if it drops, 280 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:54,839 it's gonna kill you and make your wife a widow. 281 00:15:57,240 --> 00:16:01,679 Well, Scotty, that part of the job has made it safe.Yeah. 282 00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:04,559 We don't have to worry about these rocks killing us. 283 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:06,439 This is a very good sign. 284 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:08,959 We're finding material in the loose rocks 285 00:16:09,040 --> 00:16:10,639 that have fallen down from above. 286 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:16,079 So what we've got here is heaps of material. 287 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:20,239 Any of that goes to colour, it's gonna be worth a lot of money 288 00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:22,159 and the mission will be up and running. 289 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:24,799 You can see it all here, see? 290 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:26,759 The ultraviolet rays emitted 291 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:30,239 from the blacklight torch will make the opal fluoresce, 292 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:33,639 so Greg can easily spot it glowing in the wall. 293 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:37,559 What we want is for this to thicken up behind here 294 00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:39,479 and to go to full colour. 295 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,799 And if that's the case, it could be worth tens of thousands or more. 296 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:48,399 So Scotty and I now will get some lights on the job site. 297 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:50,079 We'll get the jack pick. 298 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:53,319 There's that shattered overhang directly above the material, 299 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:55,439 we gotta drop that so it's safe. 300 00:16:55,520 --> 00:16:57,239 So Scotty can get in underneath 301 00:16:57,320 --> 00:16:59,559 and not have the risk of it all falling on you. 302 00:16:59,640 --> 00:17:01,679 (MACHINE WHIRRING) 303 00:17:05,120 --> 00:17:07,399 This is why you don't lay under these. 304 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:10,279 Heyy! (LAUGHS) 305 00:17:10,360 --> 00:17:12,239 Stuff everywhere here. 306 00:17:12,320 --> 00:17:13,919 There you go. Look at that. 307 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:17,359 If that was colour, that'd be worth thousands. 308 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:19,039 Just that piece alone. 309 00:17:19,120 --> 00:17:20,719 Just potch, man. 310 00:17:22,120 --> 00:17:24,599 Potch is colourless opal. 311 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:26,959 The silica spheres inside, are jumbled 312 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:28,639 and don't refract light. 313 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:31,719 With precious opal, the spheres are uniform, 314 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:34,639 causing light to scatter into colour. 315 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:38,719 Blues and purples are created by the smallest spheres. 316 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:40,919 The largest spheres are rarer 317 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:43,639 and produce highly sought-after reds. 318 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:48,919 Our potch has a value, a very low value in today's market. 319 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:50,599 But we wanna see colour. 320 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:52,839 Material everywhere here. 321 00:17:52,920 --> 00:17:54,559 In this pillar, here's some more... 322 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:57,839 ..just a few smaller pieces there. 323 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:00,039 This is worth thousands if it goes to colour. 324 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:13,639 MATHEW: Oh, we got a dead short somewhere. 325 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:17,319 300 km from the South Australia coast, 326 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:22,079 the Mooka Boys are racing to find another $27,000 327 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:23,799 to hit their season target 328 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:27,999 before blistering summer temperatures shut them down. 329 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:31,079 The machines don't really like running in the heat, so, er, 330 00:18:31,160 --> 00:18:33,079 yeah, we're running on the edge of time. 331 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:36,999 But a faulty fan motor has stalled their operation. 332 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:38,759 We're in a tunnel, er, you can get 333 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:41,359 a real build-up of carbon monoxide really fast. 334 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:44,279 So we got to make sure we got good ventilation. 335 00:18:44,360 --> 00:18:46,159 LEIF: If the vent stops, we can't dig. 336 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:49,319 All right. What's going on with that motor? 337 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:52,319 Hey, hang on, Leif.(SWITCH CLICKS) 338 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:56,399 Sweet. 339 00:18:56,480 --> 00:18:59,119 Must be a blacklight was tripping it.Yeah, right. 340 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:03,359 COLIN: Checking over all the leads. 341 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,679 Er, turned out to be the blacklight keeps tripping the circuit, 342 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:09,519 so, yeah, just fix that up and, er, we'll get moving again. 343 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:20,919 MATHEW: Just having a quick look while Leif's taking the loads out 344 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:24,039 just to make sure we're not coming across any trace in here. 345 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:32,159 Leif! Your spike. 346 00:19:35,320 --> 00:19:38,159 One of his spikes has come off, and there's no way 347 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:41,079 we can keep working without that. It does all the main work. 348 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:43,239 Probably in the truck, so we'll have to go up 349 00:19:43,320 --> 00:19:45,239 and dump that load and get him out again. 350 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:53,479 Yeah, I think the spike fell in here, 351 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:55,799 so we'll get Kozza when he dumps the dirt. 352 00:19:55,880 --> 00:19:58,039 I'll walk behind him so we can find the spike. 353 00:19:59,080 --> 00:20:00,919 Yeah, like, riding a bull. (LAUGHS) 354 00:20:02,280 --> 00:20:04,399 Bit tame this one but... 355 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:06,079 Hey. 356 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:20,239 Didn't see it fall out. 357 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:23,519 These spikes are... well, they're the main digging point of a machine. 358 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:26,119 You know, without those spikes, we can't dig properly. 359 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:32,879 All good?Nah.No? 360 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:37,479 It's back in there then still? Yeah.Oh, man. 361 00:20:38,680 --> 00:20:42,319 Yeah, it has to just be in here somewhere. Hopefully. 362 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:45,759 Ooh, here.Oh. 363 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:48,479 Oh, he's onto something. Oh, look at that.Yeah, yeah. 364 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:50,599 It's not opal, but it's the next best thing. 365 00:20:50,680 --> 00:20:52,279 Cool. 366 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:01,439 Awesome. Hang on. 367 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:11,759 COLIN: We've cracked off one of the housings that hold onto the spike. 368 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:14,639 So, er, yeah, I think we're gonna have to get an oxy, 369 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:16,319 some welders and come back 370 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:19,159 and put some heat and weld into this. 371 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:21,239 We've got hot weather coming in hard now. 372 00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:25,799 Poor Leif's gonna have to do some grinding and some welding out there. 373 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:39,159 Not as good as a boilermaker's weld, but it'll work. 374 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:40,879 (ENGINE STARTS) 375 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:45,039 Oh, hey. 376 00:21:45,120 --> 00:21:48,319 Fits like a...You beauty, man. 377 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:50,239 Oh, well, that's all we had to do, eh. 378 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:52,719 We'll see yas back down the hole. Righto, mate. 379 00:21:59,960 --> 00:22:01,559 Oh! 380 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:05,959 Boys, we got some rocks falling. 381 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:18,999 Material everywhere here. In this pillar, here's some more. 382 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:22,439 We'll get a bucket full today. 383 00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:26,159 Greggy, I found colour, man. Look at this. 384 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:28,199 Oh, wow! 385 00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:30,279 There's some beautiful colour there. 386 00:22:30,360 --> 00:22:32,439 Look at that. 387 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:34,679 You little beauty, Scotty! 388 00:22:34,760 --> 00:22:36,719 We could have a very large pocket here, 389 00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:38,639 and the mission will be up and running. 390 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:42,439 If you look here...Yep. ..there's more colour in the wall. 391 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:45,559 Oh, man, get it all out, get it all out! Gentle, gentle. 392 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:47,359 But get it out. 393 00:22:48,360 --> 00:22:52,399 Oh, ooh! Look at that, mate. Look at the play of colours in that. 394 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:54,999 Beautiful green and orange. 395 00:22:56,400 --> 00:22:59,399 You little beauty! We've hit colour. 396 00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:03,279 Ah, but it means, after all the work we've done all day, 397 00:23:03,360 --> 00:23:05,999 we got to stay all night now. 398 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:08,159 The ratters will come in and night-shift us. 399 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:13,399 A ratter is someone that comes 400 00:23:13,480 --> 00:23:15,799 in the middle of the night to steal what's yours. 401 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:20,039 And when you left your material in the wall, 402 00:23:20,120 --> 00:23:22,559 you'll come back next morning and it's been thieved. 403 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:27,439 We have to keep digging now, 404 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:30,919 and we can't leave here until we're sure we got it all. 405 00:23:40,160 --> 00:23:42,359 Geez, that's thick behind there, Scotty. 406 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:45,039 I can hear you hitting the material back there. 407 00:23:45,120 --> 00:23:47,119 Material gives off a particular sound 408 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:49,279 when you jack-pick it or hit it with a pick 409 00:23:49,360 --> 00:23:51,599 or it gives a different sound to rock. 410 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:53,599 So it tells me that there's more behind 411 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:56,039 what Scotty is breaking off right now. 412 00:23:56,120 --> 00:23:58,359 This is the most exciting part of the job 413 00:23:58,440 --> 00:24:00,039 cos you got to be real careful, 414 00:24:00,120 --> 00:24:02,599 just cos you don't want to destroy the opal too much. 415 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:06,799 If you destroy it, then you're gonna lose money. 416 00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:10,239 But, erm, if you don't get it out, 417 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:12,519 the ratter is gonna come and steal it from you, 418 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:14,959 especially if you're just finding the good stuff. 419 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:17,039 Good thing this thing's sharp. 420 00:24:27,840 --> 00:24:30,919 This one piece that played out a little, but this right next to it 421 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:33,359 has got a little bit of colour out the back of it. 422 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:37,639 (ROCCO BARKS)Where'd Rocco go? 423 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:40,839 He's heard something. It might be ratters. 424 00:24:40,920 --> 00:24:44,199 We better go have a look. See where he's gone, eh.Yeah, man. 425 00:24:45,200 --> 00:24:47,759 (ROCCO BARKING) 426 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:53,439 Rocco!Rocco! Where are you, Roc? 427 00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:55,559 Where'd he go?Just come out here. 428 00:24:57,240 --> 00:24:58,839 Chasing after someone. 429 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:02,039 (ROCCO BARKING) 430 00:25:03,680 --> 00:25:05,519 Rocco? Roc.Roc. 431 00:25:06,520 --> 00:25:09,239 Where are you, Rocco? (ROCCO BARKING)Where'd he go? 432 00:25:09,320 --> 00:25:11,279 He's heard something I'd say. Yeah, man. 433 00:25:11,360 --> 00:25:13,719 (BARKING)Rocco! 434 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:20,679 I thought I heard things before. 435 00:25:20,760 --> 00:25:23,239 Ahh. The dog's gone after someone. 436 00:25:23,320 --> 00:25:25,239 There could be someone on top of the hill 437 00:25:25,320 --> 00:25:27,639 keeping an eye on the claim and on us.Yeah. 438 00:25:27,720 --> 00:25:30,879 They can hear the generator, they know we're in here working.Yeah. 439 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:33,359 The only reason we'd be here is if we were on opal. 440 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:37,479 Yeah, we have to get it out tonight. All right. 441 00:25:37,560 --> 00:25:40,199 We stay and we keep working. Yeah, man. He'll come back. 442 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:43,719 (ROCCO BARKING) 443 00:25:57,000 --> 00:25:58,719 MARK: Just getting to the rock level. 444 00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:01,359 Then it will go to the white sandstone like the beach. 445 00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:04,559 That's what we're after. From then on in, it's game on. 446 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:07,439 The Blacklighters are attempting to dig 447 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:13,279 a gigantic open-cut mine to reach an opal level 11 metres down, 448 00:26:13,360 --> 00:26:17,399 but it's meant hiring a costly 40 tonne bulldozer. 449 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:21,159 We said we'd go ten hours, 500 bucks an hour, 450 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:23,199 so we went five grand we said. 451 00:26:23,280 --> 00:26:26,359 If it's there, we don't wanna miss it, so let's have a good crack. 452 00:26:29,080 --> 00:26:30,999 Oh, we're going really good with the cut. 453 00:26:31,080 --> 00:26:33,159 We finally got through all the top sandstone 454 00:26:33,240 --> 00:26:35,239 and we're into the real white sandstone now, 455 00:26:35,320 --> 00:26:37,439 so the dozer's pushed it up for us. 456 00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:40,879 It's come from the top of the drives where John found that opal, 457 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:43,399 so I'm gonna get Paul to come round, 458 00:26:43,480 --> 00:26:45,599 grab a bit and let's start processing. 459 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:49,359 Hey, Paul, you there, mate? 460 00:26:49,440 --> 00:26:51,639 Yeah, dude, what's up? Do you want to come 461 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:54,239 and put a couple of buckets through?On my way. 462 00:26:57,520 --> 00:27:01,479 (ON CB RADIO) Where am I going here? Come round the back along the back of that dump. 463 00:27:02,600 --> 00:27:05,319 You heading off to Alice Springs, mate. 464 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:08,399 Eh? You said come round the back, didn't you? 465 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:10,359 Not the back of Bourke. 466 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:12,599 (LAUGHING) 467 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:15,319 Go back past Ayres Rock and come in the other way. 468 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:19,079 (ON RADIO) What? Just underneath where you're standing here? Take some of that? 469 00:27:19,160 --> 00:27:21,999 Yep. This is what's come from the top of the shafts. 470 00:27:29,760 --> 00:27:32,119 That's the stuff we're after. 471 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:34,799 Righto, well, this is the first bucket from the new cut. 472 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:36,959 Let's hope it's got some material in it. 473 00:27:41,480 --> 00:27:43,759 JOHN: You there, Paul? Yo. What's up? 474 00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:46,519 Yeah, there's not much coming through the darkroom, mate. 475 00:27:46,600 --> 00:27:49,799 Have you filled the hopper up? What's going on, man? Is she empty? 476 00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:51,519 Dude, the hopper's full, man. 477 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:53,519 Yeah, we got something going on out there, 478 00:27:53,600 --> 00:27:55,519 so, yeah, we'll have to come have a look. 479 00:27:56,680 --> 00:27:58,599 Have a look at all that dirt under there. 480 00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:01,799 The hopper belt stopped working, 481 00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:04,159 so it wasn't feeding the rest of the machine. 482 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:06,959 So by the looks of it, it's jammed up. 483 00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:09,639 Yeah, man, we got issues, ay. 484 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:19,479 COLIN: Boys, we got some rocks falling. 485 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:23,559 Bit windier today, you know, it's letting the little ones go, so. 486 00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:26,079 LEIF: Oh, yeah, right. They would have knocked us out. 487 00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:27,839 There's a few up there overhanging. 488 00:28:27,920 --> 00:28:31,159 MATHEW: Ah, yeah, look, they're all drying up, man. 489 00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:33,079 They've had a bit of dry weather here. 490 00:28:33,160 --> 00:28:36,079 We've got a few rocks crumbling out the walls of the open cut. 491 00:28:36,160 --> 00:28:38,759 It's a bit dangerous to be poking a stick over the wall 492 00:28:38,840 --> 00:28:41,599 and a bit dangerous to be putting a ladder up. 493 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:43,879 Do you think you'll be able to do it with that? 494 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:47,519 I think so, mate. We'll have a good, good hot red crack at it anyway. 495 00:28:48,520 --> 00:28:51,719 Matty got his gun licence a fair while back now and, er, 496 00:28:51,800 --> 00:28:53,399 I always made fun of him. 497 00:28:53,480 --> 00:28:55,839 No point having that cos they just sit in the safe, 498 00:28:55,920 --> 00:28:58,159 but, er, Matty actually got to use them. 499 00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:00,599 The Mooka Boys have just days 500 00:29:00,680 --> 00:29:04,839 before extreme summer temperatures shut down their operation. 501 00:29:04,920 --> 00:29:07,719 MATHEW: It's going to be loud. They're desperate to prove 502 00:29:07,800 --> 00:29:11,199 the new three-man mining team can succeed. 503 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:17,119 It's pretty hard to keep a partnership together. 504 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:19,559 It's really important for me and Kozza to show Leif 505 00:29:19,640 --> 00:29:21,399 that we're up to the challenge. 506 00:29:21,480 --> 00:29:23,679 Yeah, something dropped down there. (GRUNTS) 507 00:29:23,760 --> 00:29:25,359 That's a good start. 508 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:35,079 Dropped a few. 509 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:42,359 There we go. That's just about got it, eh. 510 00:29:42,440 --> 00:29:44,039 Ah, wicked.Awesome. 511 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:49,759 We're about 18ft into the target now, 512 00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:51,439 so we're getting really close. 513 00:29:51,520 --> 00:29:54,439 We're starting to see evidence of silica coming into the level, 514 00:29:54,520 --> 00:29:56,959 so hopefully the further we go, the more we'll find. 515 00:29:59,040 --> 00:30:01,599 Yeah, we got some little pieces of opal up here, Leif. 516 00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:05,959 We come across our first little seam of potch. 517 00:30:06,040 --> 00:30:08,959 COLIN: Yeah, so keep going in. We might get a better result. 518 00:30:09,040 --> 00:30:10,639 LEIF: At least it's material now. 519 00:30:10,720 --> 00:30:13,279 We actually found some opal at least. Beauty. 520 00:30:13,360 --> 00:30:14,959 We're in the right place. 521 00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:17,719 Making this 90-degree turn was a good choice for us 522 00:30:17,800 --> 00:30:20,439 because there wasn't much ahead of us. 523 00:30:20,520 --> 00:30:23,519 So...we'll see. 524 00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:25,879 I think you're smoking out the back here, mate. 525 00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:27,999 Yeah, that is steaming out, man. 526 00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:31,199 Oi. Jesus. 527 00:30:31,280 --> 00:30:33,839 Ooh. Yeah, that's a good leak. (GROANS SOFTLY) 528 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:39,439 That is not good. It's really not good. 529 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:41,359 Diesel on the hot motor. 530 00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:44,479 That could potentially burn the machine down and that's not good. 531 00:30:45,520 --> 00:30:48,399 We can't have diesel leaking all over the back of the engine, 532 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:51,479 particularly around the turbo. It could easily start a fire here 533 00:30:51,560 --> 00:30:54,039 and, yeah, we're a long way from any sort of help. 534 00:30:54,120 --> 00:30:55,879 We might have to take this thing home 535 00:30:55,960 --> 00:30:58,759 cos it's coming from the back of the head.That's not good. 536 00:30:58,840 --> 00:31:01,719 And pull the exhaust out, the intake, everything like that. 537 00:31:01,800 --> 00:31:03,519 Yeah, and that's too dangerous, man. 538 00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:06,199 We really don't need a fire or this thing burning down. 539 00:31:06,280 --> 00:31:08,919 Yeah, this is the heart and the soul of the whole show. 540 00:31:20,920 --> 00:31:24,079 GREG: There's a heap of material in the wall 541 00:31:24,160 --> 00:31:27,439 and we can't leave here until we're sure we got it all. 542 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:34,799 This is as thick as material as you want. 543 00:31:36,640 --> 00:31:39,439 To protect their opal find from thieves, 544 00:31:39,520 --> 00:31:43,719 the Bishop and Scott are mining through the night. 545 00:31:43,800 --> 00:31:45,999 This is what I needed. Look at all that. 546 00:31:47,160 --> 00:31:50,799 Hey, how you going, Rocco? You back. Where did you go? 547 00:31:50,880 --> 00:31:54,079 You chased those naughty night-shifters away? Did you? 548 00:31:54,160 --> 00:31:55,919 I'm sure you did. Good boy, Rocco. 549 00:31:58,520 --> 00:32:02,239 Yeah, no, starting to feel a bit knackered. Been a long night. 550 00:32:08,920 --> 00:32:11,039 Ah, Scotty.What happened? 551 00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:13,679 The gennie. We got any more fuel? 552 00:32:13,760 --> 00:32:16,719 Ah, not on us. Mm. Oh, maybe it's a sign, mate. 553 00:32:16,800 --> 00:32:19,479 Yeah.I think that's it for the day. All right. 554 00:32:19,560 --> 00:32:21,639 We've had a huge day. We got... Oh, huge. 555 00:32:21,720 --> 00:32:24,399 ..two bucket's full.Yeah. Two pockets full. Let's call it. 556 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:27,479 We don't want to push the envelope any further.I agree, buddy. 557 00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:32,119 Ah, we got no more petrol for the generator. 558 00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:34,279 Ah, we're done, we're done. 559 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:36,559 No-one's gonna nightshift this place tonight 560 00:32:36,640 --> 00:32:40,279 cos there's no night left. The sun will be up soon anyway. 561 00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:42,919 And then in the morning we got to try and make a sale, 562 00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:44,599 get some money. 563 00:32:49,960 --> 00:32:52,479 There's a man I know that we'll go and see...OK. 564 00:32:52,560 --> 00:32:54,679 ..and he buys potch.Cool. 565 00:32:54,760 --> 00:32:58,839 Of course, you don't get as much as what you would for opal.No. 566 00:32:58,920 --> 00:33:00,919 It's not gonna make the mission, 567 00:33:01,000 --> 00:33:04,399 but it's gonna go towards it. So I'm happy with that. 568 00:33:09,440 --> 00:33:13,239 Greg and Scott's parcel is mostly potch, 569 00:33:13,320 --> 00:33:16,919 with a small amount showing specks of colour. 570 00:33:17,000 --> 00:33:20,639 It's in the rough weighing 25kg. 571 00:33:21,760 --> 00:33:24,919 Hey, boys.Phil, how you going? My name's Phil. 572 00:33:25,000 --> 00:33:26,839 I have some Indian opal contacts, 573 00:33:26,920 --> 00:33:29,519 and so we have a market for your potch. 574 00:33:29,600 --> 00:33:32,879 Potch is sought-after with the Indian and Asian markets. 575 00:33:32,960 --> 00:33:35,559 They use it in nightclubs. It glows under the lights. 576 00:33:35,640 --> 00:33:38,719 Er, and it's a very cheap form of jewellery for them. 577 00:33:38,800 --> 00:33:40,519 Phil, Scotty did most of the work... 578 00:33:40,600 --> 00:33:42,639 Did he?..for this material. Did he really? 579 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:45,439 So I'm gonna sit back and, er, let him talk to you 580 00:33:45,520 --> 00:33:48,199 about the business side of things. All right. 581 00:33:48,280 --> 00:33:50,719 SCOTT: Greggy does, normally does the negotiating. 582 00:33:50,800 --> 00:33:54,079 Today he's chucked me under the bus. He said it's my turn, 583 00:33:54,160 --> 00:33:56,599 which I feel a little bit uncomfortable about. 584 00:33:56,680 --> 00:33:59,279 But at the end of the day, you got to get in and do it. 585 00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:00,959 Ah, give us a look here. 586 00:34:06,080 --> 00:34:08,799 Ah, this is good stuff. Yeah, just what the market needs. 587 00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:11,839 That's good to hear. Yeah, you've done well. 588 00:34:11,920 --> 00:34:13,559 What are you looking at here? 589 00:34:14,560 --> 00:34:17,399 OK, so I'm after $1,200 for this one. 590 00:34:18,680 --> 00:34:21,639 And 500 for these two. 1,700 for the lot. 591 00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:26,519 You know opal buyers, it's like a game of poker. 592 00:34:26,600 --> 00:34:28,999 I knew an opal buyer that would walk to your fridge 593 00:34:29,080 --> 00:34:32,079 and see how much food you had in fridge before he made an offer. 594 00:34:32,160 --> 00:34:33,759 And if your fridge had no food, 595 00:34:33,840 --> 00:34:36,079 he would low ball you cos he knew you were poor. 596 00:34:36,160 --> 00:34:38,159 This is lower grade. 597 00:34:38,240 --> 00:34:39,839 How about I give you, say, 900? 598 00:34:43,560 --> 00:34:45,159 It's a bit tight, mate. 599 00:34:50,000 --> 00:34:52,639 Would you go 1,000 for this one and 400 for this one? 600 00:34:52,720 --> 00:34:56,039 1,400 the lot? I think you're gonna make money on this, Phil. 601 00:34:56,120 --> 00:34:58,919 I hope so. I'll take a risk on it this time. 602 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:02,399 Good on you, boys. Good doing business. 603 00:35:02,480 --> 00:35:04,439 It's a pleasure always, boys. 604 00:35:04,520 --> 00:35:08,599 Scotty did really well for his first selling of material. 605 00:35:08,680 --> 00:35:10,279 We couldn't be happier. 606 00:35:10,360 --> 00:35:13,079 I had a crack at it. It turned out pretty good in the end. 607 00:35:13,160 --> 00:35:15,999 It was a little bit out of my comfort zone. 608 00:35:16,080 --> 00:35:18,159 1,400.Thank you very much. 609 00:35:28,920 --> 00:35:30,639 MATHEW: How's that barbie going, bro? 610 00:35:30,720 --> 00:35:33,279 Yeah, it's coming along nicely, mate.How about a beer? 611 00:35:33,360 --> 00:35:35,399 Yeah, I'll have a beer.Awesome. Thank you. 612 00:35:35,480 --> 00:35:38,279 Leif, want a beer?Yeah. Yeah, sweet. 613 00:35:38,360 --> 00:35:40,519 Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, 614 00:35:40,600 --> 00:35:42,839 we've just had our issues just ramping up on us. 615 00:35:42,920 --> 00:35:44,559 So it's getting to the point where 616 00:35:44,640 --> 00:35:46,719 all the machines really need a good go-over. 617 00:35:46,800 --> 00:35:48,439 It's getting way too hot out here. 618 00:35:48,520 --> 00:35:51,919 We got, er, crumbling walls, we've got flies all over the place 619 00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:54,999 and, er, yeah, it's a good time to call it I think. 620 00:35:55,080 --> 00:35:58,639 The Mooka Boys have been forced to stop mining, 621 00:35:58,720 --> 00:36:01,839 finishing their first season as independent miners 622 00:36:01,920 --> 00:36:04,239 using Leif's claim and equipment. 623 00:36:04,320 --> 00:36:07,479 COLIN: Oh, I hope Leif will offer us back for another season. 624 00:36:07,560 --> 00:36:09,359 The relationship's going good with it. 625 00:36:09,440 --> 00:36:12,239 I'll be here next season if he'll have me. That's for sure. 626 00:36:14,560 --> 00:36:17,679 It's been a good season working with you. Appreciate everything. 627 00:36:17,760 --> 00:36:19,359 Yeah, no, same, eh. It's been good. 628 00:36:19,440 --> 00:36:21,679 Yeah, absolutely love being out here opal mining, 629 00:36:21,760 --> 00:36:23,959 even with all the troubles we had. 630 00:36:24,040 --> 00:36:26,679 So does that mean you're gonna have us back next season? 631 00:36:28,240 --> 00:36:30,279 Oh, yeah, we got to finish what we started. 632 00:36:30,360 --> 00:36:33,279 Excellent, man. I'm in, man. I'm in for sure. 633 00:36:33,360 --> 00:36:35,679 Maybe next time we'll find our big, big win, eh? 634 00:36:35,760 --> 00:36:38,479 I reckon I got something that'll keep yas interested, eh. 635 00:36:38,560 --> 00:36:40,239 Yeah?Have a look at this. 636 00:36:44,040 --> 00:36:46,439 Holy hell, man. 637 00:36:46,520 --> 00:36:48,519 They were parts found by a friend of Dad's, 638 00:36:48,600 --> 00:36:50,599 not too far from here on the next field. 639 00:36:50,680 --> 00:36:54,159 That's got some nice red in it, man. That's a nice little boondie there. 640 00:36:54,240 --> 00:36:56,679 These are quartz rock.Yeah.Whoa. 641 00:36:57,760 --> 00:36:59,359 We got access to this field? 642 00:36:59,440 --> 00:37:02,159 Well, it was a friend of dad's that was working down there. 643 00:37:02,240 --> 00:37:04,359 He's getting a bit older and going to retire. 644 00:37:04,440 --> 00:37:07,119 Really?But, erm, he showed us a few spots around there 645 00:37:07,200 --> 00:37:08,879 where he got this sort of stuff. 646 00:37:08,960 --> 00:37:12,239 OK.Yous like them? Yeah.Yeah, beautiful, mate. 647 00:37:12,320 --> 00:37:13,919 Have a look at this. 648 00:37:16,160 --> 00:37:18,759 Here's the big brother.Ohh!Whoa! 649 00:37:18,840 --> 00:37:21,399 Holy hell. Are you kidding me?God! 650 00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:24,879 That is one serious slab of opal there. 651 00:37:24,960 --> 00:37:27,399 That's the reason I want to go looking in this spot. 652 00:37:27,480 --> 00:37:29,599 It's all quartz, is it? Yeah. It's all quartz. 653 00:37:29,680 --> 00:37:32,439 Holy... Natural dark opalised quartz. 654 00:37:32,520 --> 00:37:35,719 Opalised quartz such as this one can be worth 655 00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:39,799 tens of thousands of dollars for a pristine specimen. 656 00:37:39,880 --> 00:37:43,039 MATHEW: That is the biggest chunk of quartz opal I've ever seen. 657 00:37:43,120 --> 00:37:44,999 This is - Look at the colour in it, mate. 658 00:37:45,080 --> 00:37:47,879 It's an example of what Andamooka has to offer around here. 659 00:37:47,960 --> 00:37:50,799 The barbecue at the end of the day was a perfect opportunity 660 00:37:50,880 --> 00:37:54,519 to reveal these stones to the boys, you know, just show them that 661 00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:56,919 there's still these sorts of pieces out here, 662 00:37:57,000 --> 00:37:59,879 and, you know, that's one of the things Andamooka's famous for, 663 00:37:59,960 --> 00:38:01,559 these big large unique pieces. 664 00:38:01,640 --> 00:38:03,639 What's this weigh?7.8 kilos. 665 00:38:03,720 --> 00:38:05,399 7.8 kilos!(LAUGHTER) 666 00:38:05,480 --> 00:38:07,999 37,000 carats.One piece.Yeah. 667 00:38:08,080 --> 00:38:10,039 Our future's looking good, you know. 668 00:38:10,120 --> 00:38:13,199 I was just starting to think that maybe there isn't any opal left, 669 00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:15,679 but he pulls out pieces like that, 670 00:38:15,760 --> 00:38:18,719 there's definitely opal left, mate. Definitely. 671 00:38:18,800 --> 00:38:21,439 So I'm helping the bloke to sell it. Wow! 672 00:38:21,520 --> 00:38:23,919 Yeah, he's gonna show us the area that he got this. 673 00:38:24,000 --> 00:38:26,199 Good work, Leif.Yes. 674 00:38:26,280 --> 00:38:29,319 I think we've got some good things coming.I'm keen as well, mate. 675 00:38:29,400 --> 00:38:31,399 Next year's looking pretty exciting now. 676 00:38:31,480 --> 00:38:34,399 Er, Leif with these rocks here and, er, we got a few prospects, 677 00:38:34,480 --> 00:38:37,479 so I'm really keen to get back here next season. 678 00:38:37,560 --> 00:38:40,719 Cheers to the next season, boys. Cheers. 679 00:38:40,800 --> 00:38:42,799 Cheers.Heyy.Thank you. 680 00:38:53,320 --> 00:38:55,559 PAUL: We're really snowed in here. 681 00:38:55,640 --> 00:38:59,719 XAVIER: There's a tonne of dirt. Just got to get rid of it all. 682 00:38:59,800 --> 00:39:01,719 The Blacklighters have invested 683 00:39:01,800 --> 00:39:04,999 thousands of dollars digging an open-cut mine, 684 00:39:05,080 --> 00:39:08,199 but Opalzilla, their money-making noodling machine, 685 00:39:08,280 --> 00:39:11,159 has come to a grinding halt. 686 00:39:11,240 --> 00:39:13,639 All this dirt underneath has piled up so much 687 00:39:13,720 --> 00:39:16,559 it's starting to jam up all our rollers for the hopper belt. 688 00:39:16,640 --> 00:39:18,799 We got the bulldozer over there pushing for us, 689 00:39:18,880 --> 00:39:21,639 so we really need to get it working like now. 690 00:39:21,720 --> 00:39:23,759 We're getting there slowly. 691 00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:30,079 That's it, Xav. 692 00:39:30,160 --> 00:39:32,439 Yeah, it looks like she's working again, man. 693 00:39:33,440 --> 00:39:37,239 JOHN: Yeah, mate, we're starting to get some rocks coming through. Good job, mate. 694 00:39:38,480 --> 00:39:40,159 Mate. Let's get some opal. 695 00:39:41,160 --> 00:39:43,399 Yeah, the new dirt's looking really interesting. 696 00:39:43,480 --> 00:39:45,839 There's a lot more opal coming through. 697 00:39:45,920 --> 00:39:48,119 Ah, yeah, well, the buckets are filling up. 698 00:39:48,200 --> 00:39:49,919 Once we get it through the tumbler, 699 00:39:50,000 --> 00:39:52,959 that will soon tell the tale on how good or bad it is. 700 00:39:55,240 --> 00:39:57,799 MARK: How'd we go? I think we've done all right, man. 701 00:39:57,880 --> 00:40:00,639 (CLATTERING)It sounds good. There's a fair bit in there. 702 00:40:00,720 --> 00:40:02,919 Can't wait to see what's under that dirt, mate. 703 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:05,319 That looks pretty impressive that. (CAR HONKING) 704 00:40:07,400 --> 00:40:09,919 Who's that? Where did you come from? 705 00:40:10,000 --> 00:40:11,879 Yeah. Come to check on you. 706 00:40:11,960 --> 00:40:14,159 Come to check on me?Yeah.Ohh. 707 00:40:14,240 --> 00:40:17,359 I heard the car honk, I turned around. There was my dad. 708 00:40:17,440 --> 00:40:20,839 I've shared every moment up all through the opal fields with him 709 00:40:20,920 --> 00:40:23,559 since I was eight years old, and he's been a bit crook 710 00:40:23,640 --> 00:40:26,639 over the last couple of years, hadn't been able to come up much. 711 00:40:26,720 --> 00:40:30,839 And to have him turn up and see our biggest job was just amazing. 712 00:40:30,920 --> 00:40:33,719 When I went away mining without Mark, 713 00:40:33,800 --> 00:40:37,319 coming home, he comes running out to me, and he was only about eight, 714 00:40:37,400 --> 00:40:41,239 he says, "Don't you ever, ever go away without me again." 715 00:40:41,320 --> 00:40:43,439 He's always been really into opal. 716 00:40:45,040 --> 00:40:48,559 JOHN: Mark! Grandpa Donny! Come and looksy, looksies. 717 00:40:48,640 --> 00:40:50,799 You finally sorted it out, have ya? 718 00:40:50,880 --> 00:40:53,359 Little bits, man. Look at that one, Dad. 719 00:40:53,440 --> 00:40:55,319 If I'm taking something on, 720 00:40:55,400 --> 00:40:58,999 the first person I want to talk to is my dad. I want his approval. 721 00:40:59,080 --> 00:41:02,399 Oh, that is an absolute rip-snorter. 722 00:41:02,480 --> 00:41:05,439 That's gonna make a magnificent piece of jewellery.Innit? 723 00:41:05,520 --> 00:41:07,119 Wow, man. 724 00:41:07,200 --> 00:41:08,879 Oh, but wait. There's more. 725 00:41:10,320 --> 00:41:14,719 (EXCLAIMING) Look at that red. 726 00:41:14,800 --> 00:41:17,119 We scored, eh?We scored.We scored. 727 00:41:17,200 --> 00:41:19,039 DON: We don't see this very often. 728 00:41:20,040 --> 00:41:21,919 I reckon at least 50. 729 00:41:22,000 --> 00:41:26,639 All right. Let's get it into this auction. I will try my heart out. 730 00:41:26,720 --> 00:41:29,039 The Blacklighters have crystal opal, 731 00:41:29,120 --> 00:41:31,439 featuring the full spectrum of colours. 732 00:41:31,520 --> 00:41:35,279 Even in its rough state, the team hope to sell the parcel 733 00:41:35,360 --> 00:41:39,479 at online auction for $50,000. 734 00:41:39,560 --> 00:41:41,239 RACHEL: We're about to go live. 735 00:41:41,320 --> 00:41:45,039 A lot of our international customers will actually set an alarm 736 00:41:45,120 --> 00:41:48,919 to get up, to participate in our live auctions. 737 00:41:49,000 --> 00:41:50,599 I can't hold myself back, guys. 738 00:41:50,680 --> 00:41:53,479 I've really got to show you man of the match straight away. 739 00:41:53,560 --> 00:41:55,599 Look at this. So proud of this. 740 00:41:55,680 --> 00:41:57,879 Once it's finished in a piece of jewellery, 741 00:41:57,960 --> 00:42:00,039 it's something the Queen could wear. 742 00:42:00,120 --> 00:42:03,559 Julie's first in, she's bid 2,500. 743 00:42:03,640 --> 00:42:08,639 Joanne from the UK, she's just come in at 2,900. 744 00:42:08,720 --> 00:42:12,159 Julie's just come in at 3,250. 745 00:42:12,240 --> 00:42:14,239 Someone's going home with this tonight. 746 00:42:14,320 --> 00:42:18,399 Joanne has just come in and she's bid 4,300. 747 00:42:18,480 --> 00:42:23,119 Next bid in gets this absolute monster bundle of joy. 748 00:42:23,200 --> 00:42:27,199 Derek's just come in, 4,750. Well done, Derek. 749 00:42:27,280 --> 00:42:30,199 Congratulations, mate.Enjoy that, mate. You're gonna love it. 750 00:42:31,280 --> 00:42:33,199 PAUL: Oh, here they are. MARK: Here we go. 751 00:42:33,280 --> 00:42:34,879 It's good to get that done, eh? 752 00:42:34,960 --> 00:42:39,239 Right. How'd you go?Well... Oh, here we go. 753 00:42:39,320 --> 00:42:42,479 It was a tough auction, mate. It honest to God was. Wasn't it? 754 00:42:42,560 --> 00:42:44,319 It was hard.It was hard.Hard work. 755 00:42:44,400 --> 00:42:47,159 But it really was a lot of fun, when we added it up, 756 00:42:47,240 --> 00:42:50,519 we had 60,000 bucks, mate.Bull! 757 00:42:50,600 --> 00:42:53,359 Hey, yes!Legend.Yeah, told ya. 758 00:42:54,360 --> 00:42:56,039 I told ya, didn't I? Yeah. 759 00:42:56,120 --> 00:42:57,839 60K.No, shoey. 760 00:42:57,920 --> 00:43:01,639 What a week's work, man. That's just made all it worthwhile. 761 00:43:01,720 --> 00:43:03,359 That is a massive amount of money. 762 00:43:03,440 --> 00:43:06,239 Like, that's a year's wage for some people, you know, it's... 763 00:43:06,320 --> 00:43:10,639 So, to pull that out in one week, that's, like, it's incredible. 764 00:43:10,720 --> 00:43:14,079 And so you turn up Grandpa that made the week. It just did, Dad. 765 00:43:14,160 --> 00:43:16,519 Like, that's what felt good. Really happy for you. 766 00:43:17,520 --> 00:43:19,919 I hope we will get this season target. 767 00:43:20,000 --> 00:43:21,599 We did set quite a big one. 768 00:43:22,600 --> 00:43:25,639 If we keep digging the way we are, we will get there. 769 00:43:27,400 --> 00:43:29,399 Subtitles by Deluxe 770 00:43:30,305 --> 00:44:30,598