"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode #8.11

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,079 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:06,759 ..it's the end of the season. 3 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:09,279 That machine rocks. (LAUGHS) 4 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:12,119 The Misfits return to Death Valley... 5 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:15,159 Oh, the dust out here is absolutely crazy. 6 00:00:16,920 --> 00:00:19,759 ..armed with an ancient 40-tonne dozer... 7 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:22,119 We have a leak. You want to cut off the machine? 8 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:23,959 You can't. You'll crack the turbo. 9 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:27,039 ..to dig their first-ever open cut mine. 10 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:30,759 If I go too far, the dirt will collapse from underneath me 11 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:33,639 and I'll fall into that other hole. 12 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,879 The Cheals race summer storms... 13 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:39,079 Every time we get a roll on, we get rained out. 14 00:00:39,160 --> 00:00:41,119 ..in a last-ditch attempt... 15 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:44,999 As soon as it starts raining, we're not gonna be able to get across that lake road. 16 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:47,599 ..to rescue their disastrous season. 17 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:51,519 That's it, ay? There wouldn't even be $20 in that. 18 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:55,559 (BLEEP)And tensions flare... 19 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:58,519 You did remember the hose, didn't ya?(SOFIA GRUNTS) 20 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:02,559 ..as the Opal Whisperers struggle to prove themselves 21 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:05,799 in their first full season as mine owners. 22 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:09,359 Ah!Isaac!(YELLS) 23 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:13,439 # Money 24 00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:18,919 # And fancy clothes # 25 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:26,074 26 00:01:33,320 --> 00:01:34,919 So this is Betsy. 27 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:39,279 She's a Komatsu dozer 1972 model, D155. 28 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:41,799 She's 50 years old. 29 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:45,439 Where do I find the grease nipples in this flat-chested machine? 30 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:47,879 You grease those arms, you grease four nipples, 31 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:52,039 two on this side, two on the other side.Here.Yeah, there's two there. 32 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:55,239 We've spent $10,000 getting Betsy ready. 33 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:58,719 We're taking Big Betsy to Death Valley to do an open cut. 34 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:04,959 Just days are left before unworkable 50-degree temperatures 35 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:09,919 and vicious dust storms shut down all mining in Andamooka. 36 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:12,879 I'm definitely feeling the pressure at the moment. 37 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:15,879 We are just working as hard and as fast as possible 38 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,599 to be able to find this opal so we can pack up for summer. 39 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:22,719 The Misfits, Angel Dempsey and Juan Vasco, 40 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:27,599 are risking everything, relying on Betsy, a 40-tonne dozer, 41 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:31,879 to dig an open cut mine and reach their season target. 42 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:35,039 I'm not super confident because it's such an old machine. 43 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:39,519 And it's huge.(LAUGHS) It's the biggest machine I've ever operated. 44 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:43,279 I've had no formal training on how to operate a dozer. 45 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:45,439 Enjoy the ride, man. 46 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:49,319 I'm all self-taught, you know, like jump in the deep end really. 47 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:51,719 (ENGINE SPUTTERING) 48 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:09,079 Oh!Angel, stop! Stop! Stop! 49 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:18,359 In charge of their first attempt at an open cut mine 50 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:23,559 is financial backer and mentor, 'Opal' Joe Kalmar. 51 00:03:23,640 --> 00:03:25,759 This way, Ranger. Come here. JOE: Ranger. 52 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:29,679 We have to go to around 25 to 26 feet for the bottom level. 53 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:32,599 All the indicators here indicate there will be good pockets. 54 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:36,199 Ah, actually, I'll take that home. 55 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:37,999 Good opal was found there previously, 56 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:40,119 literally only a matter of a few months back. 57 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:42,799 We're confident that people missed where we're digging, 58 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:46,599 but it's too dangerous to dig there without doing a new cut. 59 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:51,239 The only way the Misfits can reach the opal level at eight metres 60 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:55,119 is to remove layer upon layer of flint-hard dirt. 61 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:58,999 And for that, they need Betsy operational. 62 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:01,719 The plan with Betsy is to get down and to hopefully find 63 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:04,559 the red crystal opal that Death Valley is known for 64 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:06,919 and we'll be able to smash our season target. 65 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:12,799 I came from the Amazon jungle, Colombian side. 66 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:15,479 Growing up, I was broke. 67 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:18,919 No hope, no nothing. No future, no nothing. 68 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:22,199 If I get to achieve that top level of wealth, 69 00:04:22,280 --> 00:04:24,879 I would really like to help people that are suffering. 70 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:29,159 Growing up, as a kid, we were living paycheque to paycheque. 71 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:31,799 So I really want to be able to find opal, so I can 72 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:34,439 have that financial freedom to do whatever I want. 73 00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:36,399 Just to make this worthwhile, 74 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:39,919 $80,000 will keep us happy, 75 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,599 but it's a big gap that we have to be realistic about. 76 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:47,639 She's bled up.What was that? Made a mess. Oh. 77 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:49,959 I wasn't expecting that to come out. 78 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:52,719 I had the revs up a bit too high than what I should have, 79 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:54,999 you know, come through and splashed everything. 80 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:57,199 This side of the machine's full. 81 00:04:57,280 --> 00:05:00,479 I'll make sure the bungs are tight, and then, hopefully, 82 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:02,159 should have gears. 83 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:06,719 All right. I'm gonna start it back up again. 84 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:09,399 (ENGINE REVVING) Get a good crank, man. 85 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:12,519 (ENGINE STARTS) 86 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:16,879 You rock! Good stuff. 87 00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:21,479 Get down and look for leaks. I'll look. 88 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:27,199 Whenever you got big machine situations, Angel's the girl. 89 00:05:27,280 --> 00:05:29,599 She's ready for work. It's unreal. 90 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:39,839 We got the ultimate machine, like, it's just a monster. 91 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:43,879 That machine rocks. (LAUGHS) 92 00:05:56,400 --> 00:05:58,999 When driving Betsy up and down the cut, 93 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:01,959 my focus is, is to get the walls as straight as possible 94 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:04,279 and the floor as level as I can. 95 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:10,039 Cos at the end of the season, it's hot, dry and dusty. 96 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:12,079 I hope Betsy can handle the heat. 97 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:14,639 Because I don't want to risk blowing this machine up. 98 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:25,959 I can't see.Angel! 99 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:28,799 (COUGHING)(BARKING) 100 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:46,319 All year, we're getting smashed by the weather 101 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:48,799 and every time we get a roll on, 102 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:51,119 we get rained out, so we've got to get into it. 103 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:54,919 (DRILLING) 104 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:57,199 RORY: Hey, big fella. How you going over here? 105 00:06:57,280 --> 00:06:58,919 Few nobbies around. 106 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:02,479 Yeah, no colour at that. 107 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:06,999 This week, it's our last chance, so the stakes are much higher. 108 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:08,879 Don't know what to make of today. 109 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:11,999 I don't know whether it's going to come good for us or not. 110 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:15,919 Nobby there too.NARRATOR: It's the final days of their mining season, 111 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,679 and the Cheals are hunting for nobbies, 112 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:22,079 small balls of opal that form in circular voids 113 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:24,159 in the surrounding sandstone. 114 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:27,159 The majority are colourless opal called potch, 115 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:31,639 but the most valuable feature rare red on a black base. 116 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:34,879 That's a lot better than some of the other stuff we've been seeing. 117 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:37,079 What we need is colour on that, we'll be right. 118 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:38,759 That's nice black potch, ay. 119 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:40,959 If you had a colour bar running through that, 120 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:44,039 you can get up to, what, $8,000, $10,000 a carat? 121 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:48,039 Righto, that's the end of that. 122 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:49,719 (ENGINE STOPS) 123 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:55,119 Tore the axle off.Oh. 124 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:59,079 After months of breakdowns... We're down now. 125 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:02,599 We won't get a tailout this week. Spewing. 126 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:04,439 ..the Cheals are now facing 127 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,639 season-ending crippling 50-degree temperatures... 128 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:10,399 The window's closing for us because it will get too hot. 129 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:12,519 I don't like running the gear in summer. 130 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:15,959 ..and floods from torrential summer rain. 131 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:18,599 I think we're 700, 800 kilometres inland, 132 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:20,319 and because we are so remote, 133 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:22,519 the weather in Lightning Ridge is so extreme. 134 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,719 Yeah, look at how black it is today. Right around too. 135 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,719 It's, erm... It's going to come in, there's no doubt about that. 136 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:31,119 If there's a lot of rain, we can get flash flooding 137 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,639 and it's pretty flat ground, so it can actually flood into the claims. 138 00:08:35,680 --> 00:08:38,359 We originally set our target to $150,000. 139 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:41,399 With all the challenges we've had, if we were to hit 100 grand, 140 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:44,319 erm, out of this week, I'd be absolutely stoked. 141 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:49,199 The Cheals have invested heavily in a 23 lease mega claim 142 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:52,199 and an online opal selling business. 143 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:55,359 At the start of the year, Rory and I went all in with Cheal Opal. 144 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:58,119 We've had barely any opal this year. 145 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:00,279 It's really good at the back end of the year 146 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:02,439 to get something to put up, which, you know, 147 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:04,159 people might be interested to buy. 148 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:07,879 I'm just proud of the boys that they had an idea 149 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:10,479 and they've run with it and they backed themselves. 150 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:14,239 It'd mean the world for us to hit a nice pocket 151 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,919 and to finish the season really strong. 152 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:21,559 That's the hole we punched in last week, 153 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:24,279 we got nothing out of it, but let's move the digger out. 154 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,079 We're thinking about coming in here. 155 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:28,679 There's a few slides and the dirt doesn't look too bad. 156 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:31,679 It's got a flare to it and there's nice white bands coming in. 157 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:34,119 We could get a few big ones, roll out, and be set. 158 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,959 Rory and I are starting to work like a well-oiled machine on the outside. 159 00:09:48,040 --> 00:09:50,519 We've got the digger and the bogger going. 160 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:59,319 Dad is over on the other side on the blower by himself. 161 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:04,039 Chris is feeding a high-powered blower 162 00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:07,839 which sucks the dirt into a 12-tonne truck on the surface. 163 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:11,999 A bit of a fossil here. Probably bit hard to pick, 164 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:16,959 but a branch or something. Erm, and it's only just sort of 165 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:20,599 a really thin seam in amongst where that fossil is. 166 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,159 All we can do is just keep digging out. 167 00:10:28,560 --> 00:10:30,239 (THUNDER RUMBLING) 168 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:34,039 We've got bad weather coming in tonight. 169 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:36,919 If we get too much rain, it'll just shut us down. 170 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:40,999 We thought we'd have all week to dig out a couple hundred tonne. 171 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:42,719 Unfortunately, that's not the case, 172 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:44,959 so we need to get as much dirt out as possible 173 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:47,199 before the rain comes in. 174 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:51,319 You know, they're talking 90% chance of 40 to 50 mil of rain 175 00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:53,239 and that will just put us out. 176 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:55,399 We can't get the truck back across the lake. 177 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:58,359 It just becomes impassable, so we're trying to get 178 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:02,799 two days' digging in one and it's really frustrating. 179 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:12,079 ISAAC: Smash it, Sof. Yeah! Whoo! 180 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:15,799 Wow, this is awesome. 181 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:19,119 Isaac and I have literally put everything on the line here. 182 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:24,159 It's crunch time. A few little bits of opal is great, 183 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:27,359 but we're looking to reinstall our family vision. 184 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:29,359 We've set out on a mission. 185 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:31,999 Our mission is to find the opal and to supply the world. 186 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:36,079 What's going on with this? Hold on. 187 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:38,879 Maybe it's the generator. I can't hear it any more. 188 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:43,479 We've lost power. We have so much earth to move here, 189 00:11:43,560 --> 00:11:45,479 erm, but the generator's just conked out. 190 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:51,319 Good to go?Hang on. All right, come on, baby. 191 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:56,599 (GRUNTING) Come on, baby. We need you. 192 00:11:58,160 --> 00:11:59,959 (BLEEP) No, she's dead. 193 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:06,879 We've got $1.2 million. 194 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:10,039 At the end of last season, the Opal Whisperers, 195 00:12:10,120 --> 00:12:12,919 Isaac and Sofia Andreou, helped unearth 196 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:16,399 a record $1.2 million worth of opal. 197 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:18,959 Whoo!DAVE: Yeah. (IMPERCEPTIBLE) 198 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:22,279 I never dreamt in a million years that this is what we'd end up with. 199 00:12:22,360 --> 00:12:26,439 Now the brother-and-sister team are struggling to survive, 200 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:28,839 having gone out as independent miners, 201 00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:31,439 working the first claim they've owned. 202 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:35,239 We're second-generation, so our family name's on the line. 203 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:37,039 What's your name? 204 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:38,719 Xaliana.Yeah. 205 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:40,399 So much at stake. 206 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,479 Not only the dream that started with my parents, 207 00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:46,279 I just want to bring my Xaliana 208 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,919 the best life she could possibly have. 209 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:52,599 And we're trying to find some opal to sell in Sofia's shop. 210 00:12:52,680 --> 00:12:54,399 We're almost at the end of the season 211 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,239 and summer is quickly approaching. 212 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:58,039 We were counting on finding a couple 213 00:12:58,120 --> 00:12:59,839 100 grand's worth this year. 214 00:12:59,920 --> 00:13:01,679 We're nowhere near that figure. 215 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:05,639 If we don't find a decent-sized pocket soon, we can't continue on. 216 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:07,879 So time's running out. 217 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:11,079 The hammer's working well. It's warmed up, and then it just stops. 218 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:12,759 She's all good. It's just fuel. 219 00:13:17,680 --> 00:13:19,279 (GROANS) 220 00:13:19,360 --> 00:13:22,879 What?Seriously? There's no fuel, man. 221 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:29,239 You're kidding me.Running out of fuel is a disaster for us. 222 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:31,479 Without it, we're basically doing nothing. 223 00:13:31,560 --> 00:13:33,679 Is it definitely out of fuel?Yeah. 224 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:39,519 Ah, bastard. All right, erm, erm, erm, erm... 225 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:41,959 Your bike.What about it? It's got unleaded in it. 226 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:44,839 Going for a ride.We're siphoning. It's my relaxation time. 227 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:48,759 I'm going to ride this. I've been wanting to do it for days. I'm going for a ride. 228 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:51,959 OK. We'll put off the whole mining expedition for today, shall we? 229 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:55,159 Shall we go have lunch?How do you even want to get it out of there? 230 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:58,199 We'll siphon it out.If you're gonna siphon it out, you do it. 231 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:00,479 This is the absolute last thing that we need. 232 00:14:00,560 --> 00:14:03,239 It's so hot. We're using so much energy. 233 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:05,199 Does it have fuel in it, Isaac? 234 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:07,039 Yeah, of course, it's got fuel in it. 235 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:09,559 (CHUCKLES)I remember to put fuel in my machines. 236 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:12,439 With all the flies, the heat, the conditions around us, 237 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:14,879 and the hard work, you get annoyed. 238 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:19,759 Look, OK, look. I don't mind siphoning some out as long as 239 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,279 I've got enough to go for a blat.The blat can wait. 240 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:24,159 We're here to do one job, not to ride. 241 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:26,159 I've been working my butt off. 242 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:29,679 I kind of want to go for a bit of a ride. I call it a blat. Blat! Blat! 243 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:32,519 You did remember the hose, didn't ya? 244 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:35,039 I remembered all of my list of things. 245 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:39,239 All right, well, where's the hose then?(GRUNTS) 246 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:43,479 Oh, here it is, here. She didn't forget it at all. 247 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:45,799 I've got the hose, Sophia. 248 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:48,239 Let's just get this done and get back to work, ay? 249 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:50,759 Here you go, mate, you can sort it out. 250 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:53,559 I'm gonna take a minute. Where's my water? 251 00:14:57,680 --> 00:14:59,279 (SIGHS) 252 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:06,719 (COUGHING) 253 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:08,519 Did you just get a mouthful of fuel? 254 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:14,119 (COUGHING) 255 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:28,439 Oh, the dust out here is ridiculous. Like, I can taste the dirt. 256 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:31,799 I can feel it in my throat. My eyes feel like it's full of it. 257 00:15:31,880 --> 00:15:33,559 It's absolutely crazy. 258 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:38,679 All right, Juan. Watch out for the opal if it comes up. 259 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:40,879 We've got no time to lose. Please, go. 260 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,359 In the final days, before extreme weather 261 00:15:46,440 --> 00:15:48,679 renders machines inoperable, 262 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:53,199 the Misfits have put all their faith in an ancient 40-tonne dozer, 263 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:57,039 Betsy, to dig an eight-metre-deep open cut mine. 264 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:01,879 Overall, it's quite costly. If they don't put the effort in, 265 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:03,559 that wouldn't be acceptable, 266 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:05,599 and I'll close the door on the situation. 267 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:09,159 It's really important for me to hit our season target 268 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:11,759 I want to prove to Joe that I am a fully-fledged miner. 269 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:13,439 You know, I can do it. 270 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:18,319 As the dirt's falling, 271 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:20,839 it's, like, making the dust ten times worse, 272 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:23,319 so I can't actually see. 273 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:27,199 I'm relying on Juan to guide me and tell me where to stop. 274 00:16:29,400 --> 00:16:33,439 If I go too far, the dirt will collapse from underneath me 275 00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:37,799 and I'll fall into that other hole, and it's quite nerve-wracking. 276 00:16:57,120 --> 00:16:58,959 Hey, Juan! There's a leak. 277 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:03,879 Do you want to cut off the machine?No. 278 00:17:04,880 --> 00:17:07,079 No! You can't. You'll crack the turbo. 279 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:10,639 Just do it up. 280 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:15,079 That one is leaking as well.What? 281 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:18,039 There is one at the back leaking too. 282 00:17:19,120 --> 00:17:20,719 That's leaking pretty bad. 283 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:24,039 We're totally relying on this machine 284 00:17:24,120 --> 00:17:26,639 to be able to find that opal. 285 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:30,599 That one up here. I can't afford a breakdown. 286 00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:32,639 We've already spent $10,000 on it. 287 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:35,039 Definitely feeling the pressure at the moment. 288 00:17:45,040 --> 00:17:47,639 Predicted rain tomorrow, so we decided we'd try and get 289 00:17:47,720 --> 00:17:51,399 two trucks out today, so we're just going to race this one into town 290 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:54,359 and come back out and get another full one. 291 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:58,359 They're talking 90% chance of 40 to 50 mil of rain. 292 00:17:58,440 --> 00:18:00,399 That will be the end of the season for us. 293 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:04,239 There's a lot of dark clouds around. 294 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:06,159 I think we need to get out there quick. 295 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:08,119 If we get stuck out there and rain starts, 296 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:10,159 we won't be able to get the truck back in. 297 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:12,799 To beat the weather, the Cheals need to haul 298 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:16,399 two 20-tonne truckloads of mined earth in one day 299 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:20,679 to their agitator, a wash plant that removes dirt and clay 300 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:23,959 from mined rock to expose any opal. 301 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:26,479 If we can keep the gear running, then I think we got 302 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:29,079 a real good shot of meeting our season target. 303 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:32,239 I said we'll get a lot of this in. That's washed down to nothing. 304 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:33,959 It's like...That tyre. 305 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:36,079 Where?See how that one's low?Yeah. 306 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:38,479 Well, the inside one's let go. 307 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:40,759 Tyre's flat. We can't run it like that. 308 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:44,199 We'll just have to fix it before we go back out. 309 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:47,959 While Oscar fills this, we'll go and get what we need to fix it. 310 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:52,439 We've got to be off site here before dark, so I want to be back in, 311 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:55,359 have that agi full before dark. 312 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:58,839 Every minute counts at this stage. 313 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:01,359 Weather's coming in, but can't take the truck back out 314 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:03,439 until we get the tyre fixed, so, you know, 315 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:05,359 just another time delay we didn't need. 316 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:13,479 We got the air jack here, so we're just going to take these two off, 317 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:15,159 chuck that one on the inside, 318 00:19:15,240 --> 00:19:16,879 put them back on and get out of here. 319 00:19:16,960 --> 00:19:18,759 We got a better-fitting socket? 320 00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:23,079 Ah, seems a bit tight. What size is it? 321 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:27,559 32 mil. That's imperial. Try that one, Dad. 322 00:19:27,640 --> 00:19:30,159 Oh, bloody hell. 323 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:37,839 Pretty speedy change, although we've still lost about a half an hour, 324 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:39,719 which, you know, doesn't help. 325 00:19:40,960 --> 00:19:42,919 Not going to get it much better than that. 326 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:45,639 With the tyre replaced, 327 00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:48,639 the Cheals can now return the truck to the claim 328 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:51,519 and load up with more mined dirt. 329 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:55,519 RORY: Was that not there before? Nah. 330 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:57,959 It's worn through. Not ideal, ay? 331 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:00,999 We've got a hole in the blower pipe. It affects the suction. 332 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:04,039 We won't actually be able to get the dirt out from underground. 333 00:20:04,120 --> 00:20:05,719 What is it?Hole in that bend. 334 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:07,799 Got a hole in the back of that suction pipe, 335 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:11,279 so as the dirt comes up, it hits in one spot there and it's worn a hole. 336 00:20:11,360 --> 00:20:14,039 You've holes in your pipe, you're not getting the suction 337 00:20:14,120 --> 00:20:16,879 at the face where you need it. See how it's peeled out? 338 00:20:16,960 --> 00:20:18,959 If they peel in, you'll smash opal. 339 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:20,719 We'll have to pull up and fix that 340 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:23,519 and then, you know, there's another day or so gone. 341 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:25,839 It's been the same story all year, hasn't it? 342 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:34,319 JUAN: It is dripping big time. Yeah, the seal's gone. 343 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:36,759 Oh.But we can't do anything about that. 344 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:38,439 Just... Just put this one here. 345 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:42,719 That's not going to do anything. Yeah. Absorb. 346 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:46,879 It doesn't matter. Environmentally-friendly, man. 347 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:48,559 Hopefully, that'll hang in there. 348 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:51,199 Otherwise, we won't be able to get down to the opal. 349 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:53,679 The leak in the back ram is a bit of a worry. 350 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:55,719 Hopefully, it doesn't get too much worse, 351 00:20:55,800 --> 00:20:57,559 otherwise we'll have to quit. 352 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:00,079 Hopefully, it'll hang in there until we get it done. 353 00:21:02,680 --> 00:21:07,159 With just days left to prove themselves to mentor 'Opal' Joe, 354 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:10,199 Angel and Juan need their failing dozer 355 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:13,439 to reach an opal level eight metres down 356 00:21:13,520 --> 00:21:17,959 before extreme summer temperatures end the season. 357 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:26,279 JOE: To have what's been set up here, 358 00:21:26,360 --> 00:21:29,439 yeah, it's expensive but if they find opal, 359 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:31,319 the investment hopefully comes back, 360 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:34,799 and if I don't see the effort, then I'll just pull the support away. 361 00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:39,159 Angel and Juan are down about 15, 16 feet 362 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:41,239 and they're starting to expose ground 363 00:21:41,320 --> 00:21:42,919 that can be opal-bearing. 364 00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:47,439 The only thing I'm looking for is that different colour 365 00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:50,239 that opal brings to the surrounding dirt. 366 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:53,359 Usually, when opal's exposed, you'll see a flash of red or blue 367 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:57,359 or purple or green, you know, and you'll be able to spot it. 368 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:02,599 ANGEL: Joe says any moment from now, we could dig up a pocket. 369 00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:04,519 So with two sets of eyes on the ground, 370 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:06,679 we'll hopefully find it as Betsy rips it up. 371 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:17,839 JUAN: Mr Joe, does this mean something? 372 00:22:25,960 --> 00:22:27,999 It's opal, Juan.Oh. 373 00:22:29,120 --> 00:22:31,119 Angel!Angel! You got to stop. 374 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:34,639 What, why?Ah, do you mind having a look? 375 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:36,319 All right, I'm coming to look. 376 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:42,879 Mr Joe, I see red. 377 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:46,839 Whoa. Oh, oh, wow! 378 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:53,999 ISAAC: I can't believe you ate fuel, mate. (LAUGHS) 379 00:22:54,080 --> 00:22:56,239 I'm sorry for laughing. It was pretty funny. 380 00:22:56,320 --> 00:22:59,599 It was pretty funny.Do you want me to give you a hand? 381 00:22:59,680 --> 00:23:01,439 How much fuel do you have in there? 382 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:03,759 Oh, it's a full tank, but it's only a motorbike. 383 00:23:03,840 --> 00:23:06,239 I'm just wondering if it's even worth it. 384 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:09,199 Like, if it's... It's gonna give us an hour in the generator. 385 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:11,359 Well, that's true. On the next lease, 386 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:13,759 somebody mining there. Maybe...Uwe's next door. 387 00:23:13,840 --> 00:23:16,039 Uwe's next door.That man's got everything.OK. 388 00:23:16,120 --> 00:23:17,999 If I pay for the fuel, he'll be all right. 389 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:19,799 All righty.Hi, Uwe. 390 00:23:19,880 --> 00:23:22,879 How are you, mate? We're just over at the Yowah House. 391 00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:26,119 Can I buy 50 bucks worth of unleaded from you, mate? 392 00:23:27,160 --> 00:23:29,479 We need to make it on our own two feet. 393 00:23:29,560 --> 00:23:32,439 I'm a single dad. My little girl, you know, I don't want her 394 00:23:32,520 --> 00:23:34,119 to be wanting anything at all, 395 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:36,599 but the outback's a harsh, rugged spot. 396 00:23:36,680 --> 00:23:39,839 It can break you in two seconds flat. 397 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:42,199 Hey, Sof.Yeah? Yeah, he's got a jerry can. 398 00:23:42,280 --> 00:23:44,239 He's got 20 litres he's gonna bring over. 399 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:46,039 That'll fill the bike, generator. 400 00:23:46,120 --> 00:23:47,999 What a legend.Sick. 401 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:52,399 Uwe, a long-time friend of the Andreou family, 402 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:56,039 has worked in Yowah for over 30 years. 403 00:23:56,120 --> 00:23:59,959 Uwe is a very experienced opal miner. 404 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:01,679 In no time, he came to our rescue. 405 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:04,679 Awesome.There we are.Yes. 406 00:24:04,760 --> 00:24:06,719 No worries.Thank you. 407 00:24:06,800 --> 00:24:09,119 To help out... Plenty of room. Yep. 408 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:12,879 ..Uwe has also brought with him a pneumatic jackhammer 409 00:24:12,960 --> 00:24:16,519 which breaks through rock at double the rate of their electric model. 410 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:20,159 Air compressed, lighter than what you're working. 411 00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:22,399 Yeah. Doesn't look as bad-arse, though, does it? 412 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:24,079 (CHUCKLES)But it is. 413 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:27,839 (DRILLING) 414 00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:31,079 And it cuts through like butter. Yeah. What you got to do... 415 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:33,759 Yeah...utilise the natural cracks. 416 00:24:33,840 --> 00:24:36,599 OK.You go up or down, or this way, whichever way, 417 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:38,599 it's going to break easier. 418 00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:40,879 (DRILLING) 419 00:24:40,960 --> 00:24:43,439 Oh, yeah. 420 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:46,359 Whoo! I love the power. 421 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:49,119 NARRATOR: Six metres below, 422 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:51,839 the Whisperers are working an opal level, 423 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:56,519 hunting rare Yowah nuts found nowhere else on Earth. 424 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:59,919 A tiny percentage of these small ironstone boulders 425 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:03,919 contain elaborate and highly sought-after patterns. 426 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:06,759 The patterns are formed by minute fissures 427 00:25:06,840 --> 00:25:09,159 that fill with silica-rich water, 428 00:25:09,240 --> 00:25:12,599 hardening to form opal over millions of years. 429 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:16,279 Isaac, stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Hang on. 430 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:21,719 Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! What?(CHUCKLES) Look. 431 00:25:21,800 --> 00:25:24,639 Oh, wow! Uwe, mate, you're a good luck charm! 432 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:27,119 Oh, yeah, yeah.You see that. You did good. Yeah. 433 00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:29,959 Lucky Sofia stopped me as I was about to hammer into that. 434 00:25:30,040 --> 00:25:32,479 To be honest, I've been nervous with the jackhammer. 435 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:35,839 Erm, opal is fragile material. It's, it's...Yes, that's right. 436 00:25:35,920 --> 00:25:37,519 Be so careful. 437 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:42,959 Check that out! Where's the sun?Whoa! 438 00:25:43,040 --> 00:25:46,639 You get that in the sun?Oh, wow! That's a really nice colour. 439 00:25:46,720 --> 00:25:49,759 Yeah, have a look, Uwe. What do you reckon? 440 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:52,999 We must have lost some, though. You reckon there's more? 441 00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:54,959 Jackhammer in underneath. Yeah. 442 00:25:55,040 --> 00:25:58,279 Underneath there and lift that off. Oh.Should be all right. 443 00:25:58,360 --> 00:26:01,599 (DRILLING) Ooh!Isaac, stop!Whoa! 444 00:26:01,680 --> 00:26:03,279 There you go. There you go. 445 00:26:03,360 --> 00:26:06,239 Oh, wow.Oh, yes.All right. 446 00:26:06,320 --> 00:26:09,319 Yeah.OK. We're in business, baby. Finally. 447 00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:10,999 (DRILLING) 448 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:15,239 Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Oh, oh! You nearly hit it. 449 00:26:15,320 --> 00:26:18,239 This pipe of black opal, it's black opal in bloody Queensland. 450 00:26:18,320 --> 00:26:20,679 Can we please bring Uwe every single time? 451 00:26:22,960 --> 00:26:25,959 (LAUGHING) Whoa! 452 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:28,279 Whenever you hear that laugh from my brother, 453 00:26:28,360 --> 00:26:30,879 it means that there's definitely colour.Yeah. 454 00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:32,959 Oh, Uwe! (LAUGHING) 455 00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:36,759 Look at the size of it. Oh, what? 456 00:26:37,840 --> 00:26:40,879 Oh, my God. Is that good stuff or what? 457 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:42,839 Ooh, yeah. It's top stuff. Yeah, yeah. 458 00:26:42,920 --> 00:26:44,919 I'm shaking, ay. I can't even hold it. 459 00:26:52,360 --> 00:26:55,799 We don't have the time, erm, to get out here and fix it properly. 460 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:58,999 Oh, just going to try and plug that hole. 461 00:26:59,080 --> 00:27:01,559 Seems like everything's hanging together by duct tape 462 00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:03,239 this late in the season. 463 00:27:03,320 --> 00:27:06,159 All we need is just something to hold a bit of weight. 464 00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:10,799 That'll probably do. It can go at any point. 465 00:27:10,880 --> 00:27:12,799 If it does, that's us done for the year. 466 00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:16,079 I might need you up here, Rory. 467 00:27:16,160 --> 00:27:18,559 NARRATOR: The Cheals' blower pipe that sucks dirt 468 00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:22,039 from deep underground is punctured. 469 00:27:22,120 --> 00:27:25,559 With heavy rain forecast, they'll need a quick fix 470 00:27:25,640 --> 00:27:28,279 to keep working and rescue their season. 471 00:27:28,360 --> 00:27:31,159 You want to make a bit of room for me as well. 472 00:27:31,240 --> 00:27:33,719 It's five mil. Five-mil plate that's worn through. 473 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:38,559 We've got two straps, so happy with that. 474 00:27:38,640 --> 00:27:40,399 Yeah, it looks pretty good. 475 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:42,279 (CLANGING) 476 00:27:45,720 --> 00:27:48,079 OK, can you hold that one up out of the way? 477 00:27:49,760 --> 00:27:52,359 I'm hoping that's all our bad luck out for the day 478 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:54,399 and the rest is just digging gems out. 479 00:27:57,400 --> 00:27:59,599 (THUNDER RUMBLING) Better late than never, ay? 480 00:27:59,680 --> 00:28:02,559 There's only way to find out whether we've had a change of luck 481 00:28:02,640 --> 00:28:04,399 and that's to do the work, I suppose. 482 00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:16,319 Be racing to get this load in there before it pours. 483 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:18,039 Just one of those wet years. 484 00:28:18,120 --> 00:28:20,719 It's hampered us all year, as far as our production. 485 00:28:23,160 --> 00:28:25,959 It's gone soft over here. 486 00:28:26,040 --> 00:28:28,159 We're just cutting through like nothing else. 487 00:28:29,920 --> 00:28:32,999 Whether it's a good sign for opal here remains to be seen. 488 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:37,359 Part of opal mining is just gritting your teeth sometimes 489 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:39,679 and doing the hard yards. 490 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:42,679 With where Dad's digging, we know there's nobbies down there. 491 00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:45,839 We could be one or two digger swipes away from a huge pocket. 492 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:51,159 This is our last shot for the year. 493 00:28:51,240 --> 00:28:54,479 Everything's riding on having something this tailout to, 494 00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:57,679 you know, end the season on a bit of a high note. 495 00:29:01,920 --> 00:29:04,239 With this rain, it's not even about losing days. 496 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:05,999 It's the end of the season. 497 00:29:15,000 --> 00:29:17,839 As soon as it starts raining, we're not gonna be able to get 498 00:29:17,920 --> 00:29:21,079 across that lake road. We're not gonna be able to dig any more out. 499 00:29:24,520 --> 00:29:26,199 (THUNDERCLAP) 500 00:29:31,400 --> 00:29:33,079 While Uwe was there helping, 501 00:29:33,160 --> 00:29:37,639 this beautiful bit of blue-green black opal pipe 502 00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:41,119 just came out of the wall from nowhere. 503 00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:43,839 That beautiful crystal pipe just told me 504 00:29:43,920 --> 00:29:46,519 that there's more back there. Ah! 505 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:50,599 Jeez, we must be a good solid metre in, ay? 506 00:29:50,680 --> 00:29:52,439 Maybe a metre and a half? 507 00:29:52,520 --> 00:29:54,119 It's more than just our money. 508 00:29:54,200 --> 00:29:56,679 Riding on this is our whole family history, 509 00:29:56,760 --> 00:29:59,599 and there's a lot of expectation from the older people. 510 00:29:59,680 --> 00:30:02,199 We spoke to Dad the other day. When we say trace, 511 00:30:02,280 --> 00:30:04,519 I saw Dad's face drop. 512 00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:07,759 We're carrying on the dream. We need to nail it. 513 00:30:07,840 --> 00:30:09,679 I'm just working these two levels. 514 00:30:09,760 --> 00:30:13,999 It's all white, then you've got this clear brown level going on here, 515 00:30:14,080 --> 00:30:17,599 then it's all white again, there's a thinner one down the bottom. See that? 516 00:30:17,680 --> 00:30:20,319 A hundred million years ago, there was an ancient forest 517 00:30:20,400 --> 00:30:22,959 or something like that that did fossilise. 518 00:30:23,040 --> 00:30:26,479 Hopefully, an animal has died or a tree branch has left a cavity 519 00:30:26,560 --> 00:30:30,719 that the silica's been able to fill up and that's where we're hoping to find the opal. 520 00:30:34,560 --> 00:30:37,559 Ah.I've got my eye on that top soil. 521 00:30:37,640 --> 00:30:39,279 What do you mean?It's drying out. 522 00:30:39,360 --> 00:30:42,919 So what wasn't crumbly yesterday is now falling apart. 523 00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:45,199 Compromising safety is not a good idea, 524 00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:47,879 but when you see colour, just nothing else matters, ay? 525 00:30:47,960 --> 00:30:50,919 Yeah.Whoa! 526 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:54,879 Whoa!Oh. 527 00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:57,519 I've never seen green gold like that.Oh, wow. 528 00:30:57,600 --> 00:30:59,239 I need a knife or something small. 529 00:30:59,320 --> 00:31:01,679 I've got a knife. That's fine. 530 00:31:01,760 --> 00:31:03,359 I just, er... 531 00:31:06,200 --> 00:31:11,079 Ah! Oh! (SPITS) 532 00:31:11,160 --> 00:31:14,039 Holy crap!Oh. Oh. 533 00:31:14,120 --> 00:31:16,799 That's a lot more than it was showing. 534 00:31:16,880 --> 00:31:18,479 Wow.Huge. 535 00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:23,359 Makes all the work worthwhile. 536 00:31:26,840 --> 00:31:29,039 I was gonna say let's have a break.Keep going. 537 00:31:29,120 --> 00:31:31,719 But let's go. We'll just take this whole level on. 538 00:31:31,800 --> 00:31:34,599 OK.All right.Careful, hey?Yeah. 539 00:31:34,680 --> 00:31:36,759 (DRILLING)(LAUGHS) Whoo! 540 00:31:41,480 --> 00:31:43,079 OK. OK. All right. 541 00:31:43,160 --> 00:31:44,879 Hope we haven't smashed it up though. 542 00:31:47,240 --> 00:31:49,159 Ow! (LAUGHING) 543 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:51,839 I love this. There's more coming. 544 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:54,359 Beautiful.Whoa, hey! 545 00:31:55,400 --> 00:31:58,799 That bad boy. Yes. We found our own pocket. 546 00:31:58,880 --> 00:32:01,919 (LAUGHING) Ow! Just kidding. 547 00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:04,399 We don't like to leave any stone unturned 548 00:32:04,480 --> 00:32:07,119 when we're on a level. We have to sort through this. 549 00:32:09,040 --> 00:32:11,719 This one looks good. Colour. 550 00:32:11,800 --> 00:32:15,199 It's just a little bit.Little bit? That's a massive boulder. 551 00:32:16,800 --> 00:32:19,879 See? Imagine if we missed that. Do you want to put it in the bag? 552 00:32:21,600 --> 00:32:23,679 I'm just gonna have another pick at the wall 553 00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:27,319 because if there's any more of that, I want it.Yeah. Fair enough.OK? 554 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:29,479 I'm going to get us some water. 555 00:32:33,840 --> 00:32:35,559 Ooh. 556 00:32:35,640 --> 00:32:38,159 Ah! Ooh.Ah! 557 00:32:38,240 --> 00:32:41,399 (IMPERCEPTIBLE) Ah! Isaac!Ah! 558 00:32:47,320 --> 00:32:50,759 CHRIS: Last night, it pelted down. 559 00:32:50,840 --> 00:32:53,039 It's just frustrating. 560 00:32:53,120 --> 00:32:56,479 But we've managed to get our dirt back in over across the lake. 561 00:32:59,480 --> 00:33:02,639 We had a break in the weather, and see what the tailout brings us. 562 00:33:04,960 --> 00:33:08,079 Last chance of the year to find a bit of opal, so fingers crossed. 563 00:33:10,080 --> 00:33:11,879 Can't see much colour, boys. 564 00:33:13,200 --> 00:33:16,359 Nothing jumping out at me yet. You know, we got a lot to go through. 565 00:33:16,440 --> 00:33:18,119 Oh, all we need is one. 566 00:33:28,120 --> 00:33:32,479 Money, mate?No. Mixed-up nobby with colour all through it. 567 00:33:32,560 --> 00:33:34,279 Yeah, got a few of those as well. 568 00:33:34,360 --> 00:33:36,079 Couldn't get much closer, could we? 569 00:33:36,160 --> 00:33:38,639 No. There's colour, they're just not formed properly. 570 00:33:38,720 --> 00:33:40,599 Maybe give them a few more million years 571 00:33:40,680 --> 00:33:42,639 and they'd come good, these nobbies. 572 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:44,679 Well, I won't be around to dig them out. 573 00:33:46,240 --> 00:33:47,839 Well, we run our race, boys. 574 00:33:49,520 --> 00:33:52,039 We didn't finish first, that's for sure. 575 00:33:52,120 --> 00:33:53,719 That's it, ay?That's it. 576 00:33:54,960 --> 00:33:57,519 Tub full of nobbies with nothing in it. 577 00:33:57,600 --> 00:33:59,479 That sounds about right. 578 00:33:59,560 --> 00:34:02,399 There wouldn't even be $20 in that. 579 00:34:05,200 --> 00:34:08,119 I guess we were, you know, a little bit down on our spirits. 580 00:34:09,440 --> 00:34:11,719 Last tailout for the year, would've been awesome 581 00:34:11,800 --> 00:34:13,719 to get a couple of nice stones out of it. 582 00:34:21,240 --> 00:34:22,919 Hi, boys.Yeah? 583 00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:24,999 Come over here. I've got something for youse. 584 00:34:26,280 --> 00:34:30,599 A couple of days ago, I got a, erm, inquiry off the website, right? 585 00:34:30,680 --> 00:34:32,759 He's just come through, erm, earlier today 586 00:34:32,840 --> 00:34:34,559 and said that he's really interested 587 00:34:34,640 --> 00:34:37,999 in the stone, erm, and wants to have a chat about it. 588 00:34:38,080 --> 00:34:39,839 He's based in Norway.Norway? 589 00:34:39,920 --> 00:34:41,519 Norway. Yeah.Really?Yeah. 590 00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:43,519 Give him a call. Want to give him a buzz? 591 00:34:43,600 --> 00:34:46,119 Why not?May as well. Can't hurt.All right. 592 00:34:46,200 --> 00:34:48,319 (LINE RINGING) 593 00:34:48,400 --> 00:34:50,439 MAN: Hello, hello.Hey, man, how you going? 594 00:34:50,520 --> 00:34:52,879 G'day. I see ya, Chris, Rory. Nice to meet you. 595 00:34:52,960 --> 00:34:56,239 Yeah, you too. Do you have any questions in regards to the stone? 596 00:34:56,320 --> 00:34:58,159 Who found it? It was a team effort. 597 00:34:58,240 --> 00:35:00,519 So us three, erm, from our claim out 598 00:35:00,600 --> 00:35:03,239 at Lemonade Opal Field in Lightning Ridge. 599 00:35:03,320 --> 00:35:05,879 The stone's 2.35 carats. 600 00:35:05,960 --> 00:35:08,039 Perfect, erm, ring stone. 601 00:35:08,120 --> 00:35:09,839 So what are you going to use it for? 602 00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:12,479 Trudie's birthstone is opal.Yep. 603 00:35:12,560 --> 00:35:14,159 Oh, awesome.Oh, cool. 604 00:35:14,240 --> 00:35:16,039 I'm from Australia. Living in Norway. 605 00:35:16,120 --> 00:35:18,999 I know that the best opals in the world come from Australia. 606 00:35:19,080 --> 00:35:20,679 Of course. Sure do. 607 00:35:20,760 --> 00:35:23,599 So it's an engagement ring. Awesome!Lovely. 608 00:35:23,680 --> 00:35:25,639 (ALL LAUGH) 609 00:35:25,720 --> 00:35:27,639 It's our first sale on the net. 610 00:35:27,720 --> 00:35:29,439 Going all the way over to Norway, ay. 611 00:35:29,520 --> 00:35:32,559 If you're ever out in Lightning Ridge, you better look us up. 612 00:35:32,640 --> 00:35:35,559 OK. Will do. Will do. Thanks so much, guys. 613 00:35:35,640 --> 00:35:37,799 Cheers, guys.Have a good day, guys. 614 00:35:37,880 --> 00:35:40,039 You too.All the best. Thanks for the call. Bye. 615 00:35:41,400 --> 00:35:44,679 How awesome was that? First sale. Good work, mate. 616 00:35:44,760 --> 00:35:47,679 Boys have just taken it to a whole new level. 617 00:35:47,760 --> 00:35:50,959 It's something that I would have never have had the knowledge to do. 618 00:35:51,040 --> 00:35:53,559 That's awesome. When you go through those tough times 619 00:35:53,640 --> 00:35:56,159 and you're second-guessing yourself, to get a sale 620 00:35:56,240 --> 00:35:58,039 to someone on an international level, 621 00:35:58,120 --> 00:36:00,759 it proves that the idea's, you know, got some value. 622 00:36:00,840 --> 00:36:04,639 It makes it look really good going forward and I'm (BLEEP) excited for next year. 623 00:36:04,720 --> 00:36:08,279 (LAUGHING) I mean, that's sick, man.Yeah. 624 00:36:08,360 --> 00:36:10,919 I think it is unbelievable to know that we could build 625 00:36:11,000 --> 00:36:13,759 a really strong business and a family business together, 626 00:36:13,840 --> 00:36:16,559 and, yeah, kind of blessed, I reckon. 627 00:36:18,440 --> 00:36:21,959 RORY: To end on a note like this, I think, is absolutely amazing. 628 00:36:22,040 --> 00:36:24,199 Cheal Opal for next year, onwards and upwards. 629 00:36:33,640 --> 00:36:35,839 ISAAC: Oh! Shit. 630 00:36:35,920 --> 00:36:37,519 SOFIA: Ah! Isaac. 631 00:36:39,480 --> 00:36:41,359 Help!Isaac! 632 00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:45,639 (COUGHING) (YELLS) 633 00:36:45,720 --> 00:36:48,199 Isaac, cover your head. 634 00:36:49,480 --> 00:36:55,439 Oh. (COUGHING) (GROANS AND SIGHS) 635 00:36:56,720 --> 00:36:59,799 Isaac. What happened? 636 00:36:59,880 --> 00:37:01,479 I was just picking this nut out, 637 00:37:01,560 --> 00:37:03,999 and then this is my little lucky charm, I think. 638 00:37:04,080 --> 00:37:06,519 Lucky I only got out of it with a bit of a scratch. 639 00:37:06,600 --> 00:37:08,279 (GRUNTS) 640 00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:13,639 If anything actually ever happened to him, how would I tell my parents? 641 00:37:14,720 --> 00:37:17,359 My little girl could've lost her dad today. 642 00:37:17,440 --> 00:37:19,439 Yeah, I don't even wanna think about that. 643 00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:22,839 It's a bit of an eye-opener really. 644 00:37:32,120 --> 00:37:35,639 My favourite thing is cutting opal. It's a meditation for me. 645 00:37:35,720 --> 00:37:38,039 It's a therapy.From the get-go, 646 00:37:38,120 --> 00:37:40,599 Isaac is thinking about this opal, 647 00:37:40,680 --> 00:37:42,719 and I know he's going to do a great job. 648 00:37:42,800 --> 00:37:45,759 I'm going to run around the outside of the stone 649 00:37:45,840 --> 00:37:48,799 so I can see the bar all the way around of colour. 650 00:37:48,880 --> 00:37:51,439 I haven't decided yet which way's going to be the top. 651 00:37:53,640 --> 00:37:56,199 Still just cleaning her up. Oh, wow! 652 00:37:56,280 --> 00:37:58,759 By the way the colour bar's going, that's the top, 653 00:37:58,840 --> 00:38:01,039 so just start to face it. 654 00:38:09,000 --> 00:38:10,599 This just broke in half. 655 00:38:14,120 --> 00:38:17,599 And now, I'm working on the piece that I really, really wanna work on. 656 00:38:17,680 --> 00:38:21,719 It's the gorgeous electric blue black opal Queensland pipe. 657 00:38:22,920 --> 00:38:24,639 Treating this one with kid gloves. 658 00:38:25,680 --> 00:38:29,199 It's like we're on a first date, to be honest. I'm a single dad. 659 00:38:29,280 --> 00:38:33,159 I've got to romance myself somehow and opal is the most beautiful thing 660 00:38:33,240 --> 00:38:36,399 out here, so we get together sometimes. 661 00:38:36,480 --> 00:38:38,359 As long as I keep a good hold of it, 662 00:38:38,440 --> 00:38:41,119 don't let it get mashed up in the back of this machine... 663 00:38:42,640 --> 00:38:44,439 ..we'll be OK. 664 00:38:44,520 --> 00:38:47,639 I've never seen a black pipe like this, ever. 665 00:38:47,720 --> 00:38:51,519 This is a showstopper. I can't wait to show Sofia this. 666 00:38:54,800 --> 00:38:56,399 Haven't shown you these yet. 667 00:38:56,480 --> 00:38:58,919 You've got this beautiful crystal here. 668 00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:02,279 They're stunning.It's going to be a nice teardrop stone. 669 00:39:02,360 --> 00:39:04,919 Pretty nice.Yeah. What's that other one looking like? 670 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:08,039 It's that pipe opal. Pretty excited to see that. 671 00:39:08,120 --> 00:39:10,719 Awesome.Yeah, this is the bombdiggity. 672 00:39:12,200 --> 00:39:15,159 The Opal Whisperers have found Yowah nuts, 673 00:39:15,240 --> 00:39:18,119 crystal and pipe opal, 674 00:39:18,200 --> 00:39:23,079 featuring deep blues and purples in classic Yowah patterns. 675 00:39:23,160 --> 00:39:28,839 There are rough and polished stones weighing a total of 24 kg. 676 00:39:30,360 --> 00:39:32,159 It all comes down to this, doesn't it? 677 00:39:33,200 --> 00:39:34,839 This stuff has so much potential. 678 00:39:36,320 --> 00:39:39,559 This will end up specimen and sold in the rough.Yeah. 679 00:39:39,640 --> 00:39:43,519 And, I mean, it's good rough. That's a nice volume of opal. 680 00:39:45,400 --> 00:39:47,599 Let's see.All right, ready? What have you got? 681 00:39:49,360 --> 00:39:54,719 Retail, we're looking at $49,750. 682 00:39:54,800 --> 00:39:56,639 Yes!This is good. 683 00:39:56,720 --> 00:39:59,639 This is great. We can keep going. Yeah, love that one. 684 00:39:59,720 --> 00:40:01,519 That's actually my personal favourite. 685 00:40:01,600 --> 00:40:04,039 The red from that angle, it's crazy. 686 00:40:04,120 --> 00:40:07,079 Looking back, everything that Isaac and I have been through, 687 00:40:07,160 --> 00:40:08,879 I don't believe that there's anything 688 00:40:08,960 --> 00:40:10,559 that we can't do in the future. 689 00:40:10,640 --> 00:40:15,439 We're successful in establishing ourselves as independent miners 690 00:40:15,520 --> 00:40:18,479 and we did it as a family. I reckon that's a success. 691 00:40:18,560 --> 00:40:20,239 Are you happy with that?Yes. 692 00:40:20,320 --> 00:40:23,439 Ah. Whoo.Whoo! (LAUGHING) 693 00:40:34,600 --> 00:40:38,559 What'd you find? Oh, it's red crystal. 694 00:40:38,640 --> 00:40:41,479 No! You must be kidding me. 695 00:40:41,560 --> 00:40:43,999 This is what I've been waiting for all morning, man. 696 00:40:44,080 --> 00:40:46,439 Oh, wow! 697 00:40:46,520 --> 00:40:48,879 Is there any more? Have a look at this.Oh! 698 00:40:50,840 --> 00:40:53,439 Pour water on it.That's a lot, man. 699 00:40:56,000 --> 00:40:59,719 It's all smashed up, but the colours are unreal. 700 00:40:59,800 --> 00:41:02,319 It's real opal. It's real (BLEEP) opal. 701 00:41:06,360 --> 00:41:09,519 I can't believe after the amount of sweat, 702 00:41:09,600 --> 00:41:13,159 the amount of diesel, the amount of dust I've inhaled, 703 00:41:13,240 --> 00:41:16,799 and we've found opal. Like, it just made it all worth it. 704 00:41:16,880 --> 00:41:18,959 I think we might as well call it payday. 705 00:41:19,040 --> 00:41:21,519 It it is payday. It is a good day today. 706 00:41:21,600 --> 00:41:23,199 It's a good damn day. 707 00:41:29,880 --> 00:41:31,479 Get ready to break the scales. 708 00:41:31,560 --> 00:41:34,119 Yeah. I don't know if it will break the scales, but... 709 00:41:34,200 --> 00:41:35,879 A couple of mega tonnes. ..you know. 710 00:41:35,960 --> 00:41:37,919 Now careful with it. 711 00:41:38,000 --> 00:41:39,639 What's your guess, Angel? 712 00:41:39,720 --> 00:41:42,399 I reckon about 18 ounces. 22 ounces. 713 00:41:42,480 --> 00:41:44,119 All right. Watch the wind. 714 00:41:45,720 --> 00:41:47,679 20 ounces.20 ounces? 715 00:41:48,840 --> 00:41:52,399 NARRATOR: The Misfits have high-quality crystal opal, 716 00:41:52,480 --> 00:41:56,279 featuring the full spectrum of colours on a grey base. 717 00:41:56,360 --> 00:42:00,879 It's in the rough, and there's 570 grams. 718 00:42:02,400 --> 00:42:04,839 I got to tell ya, it's, er... 719 00:42:08,120 --> 00:42:11,519 I reckon an easy $2,000 an ounce every day of the week. 720 00:42:11,600 --> 00:42:13,439 $2,000 an ounce?Yeah. What, $40,000? 721 00:42:13,520 --> 00:42:16,919 $40,000 is what...Wow! So youse will be rich. 722 00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:19,359 There's a lot, man. 723 00:42:19,440 --> 00:42:21,959 Absolutely stunning. That's a good find. 724 00:42:22,040 --> 00:42:23,959 That's a good find. Youse have done well. 725 00:42:25,120 --> 00:42:28,039 Our target for the season was $80,000 726 00:42:28,120 --> 00:42:31,719 and we ended up smashing it with $85,000. 727 00:42:31,800 --> 00:42:34,039 What the hell? Like, I would never have thought, 728 00:42:34,120 --> 00:42:36,519 you know, we would have done that. It's awesome. 729 00:42:36,600 --> 00:42:39,039 Juan and I have come a long way this season. 730 00:42:39,120 --> 00:42:42,079 In the beginning, we didn't even know what we were looking for. 731 00:42:42,160 --> 00:42:43,839 So I'm over the moon. 732 00:42:43,920 --> 00:42:46,399 I feel like a proper, fully-fledged miner now. 733 00:42:46,480 --> 00:42:48,639 They've absolutely smashed it out of the park. 734 00:42:48,720 --> 00:42:51,199 They started knowing nothing and now they're on opal. 735 00:42:51,280 --> 00:42:53,959 Many miners won't see opal like that in all their lives. 736 00:42:54,040 --> 00:42:55,639 I'm very proud of them. 737 00:42:57,240 --> 00:43:01,679 The fulfilment that it brings to me is not just a financial ambition, 738 00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:06,919 but rather the journey. I got my family, Angel, Mr Joe. 739 00:43:07,000 --> 00:43:10,799 I am in the place that I belong. This is priceless. 740 00:43:10,880 --> 00:43:13,119 I'm a hundred percent committed to this journey, 741 00:43:13,200 --> 00:43:15,879 like, I can see myself mining for years and years. 742 00:43:15,960 --> 00:43:18,999 It's what they call opal fever, like, I'm not giving up. 743 00:43:19,080 --> 00:43:21,159 I'm chasing that opal. 744 00:43:21,240 --> 00:43:24,679 Next season will be a whole lot of fun. 745 00:43:24,760 --> 00:43:26,719 Nothing will get in our way. 746 00:43:27,760 --> 00:43:31,159 Misfit machine is here to rock. 747 00:43:46,760 --> 00:43:48,679 # Money # 748 00:43:49,305 --> 00:44:49,595 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm