"Outback Opal Hunters" Episode #8.12

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,039 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 2 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:05,559 Holy ghost. It's 48 degrees. 3 00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:08,199 It's the final week of the mining season, 4 00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:11,799 and searing temperatures are shutting down machines... 5 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:14,239 Les, she's steaming her head off, mate. 6 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:16,679 ..pushing the Bushmen to their limit. 7 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:18,519 We shouldn't be working. 8 00:00:20,080 --> 00:00:23,079 Something's wrong. In a desperate final push, 9 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:27,279 the Blacklighters struggle to set up their new open-cut mine... 10 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,759 I'm about to tip...leaving them with one last chance 11 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:32,479 to hunt opal at night. 12 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:35,439 Oh! Oh, you beauty. 13 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:38,399 (THUNDER RUMBLES) You wouldn't want that to fall on your head. 14 00:00:38,480 --> 00:00:40,919 And 800km from home... 15 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:45,559 (EXCLAIMS)..the Young Guns' search for black opal in Lightning Ridge... 16 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:48,759 (THUNDER RUMBLES) (ALL EXCLAIMING) 17 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:52,239 ..is swamped by torrential summer storms. 18 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:56,039 We're gonna have to beat the rain. This is not good, eh? 19 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:04,599 # Money 20 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:09,079 # And fancy clothes # 21 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:17,074 -== [ www.OpenSubtitles.com ] ==- 22 00:01:20,600 --> 00:01:23,239 What's the plan, Paul? You're gonna take the back side off 23 00:01:23,320 --> 00:01:26,759 and I'll take this side over here, where the lines are away? 24 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:29,119 I just want to chomp my way through this side, 25 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:32,639 and then we'll come out that side and get rid of the rest. 26 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:34,319 No worries. Easy stuff. 27 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:37,919 Today, we're moving Opalzilla. 28 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:39,839 It's never the easiest job to do, 29 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:43,159 but we've got some better grounds not too far away from here, 30 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:46,479 so we're gonna get it out of here and get it over there. 31 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:48,559 It'll take a bit of a mission to dig it out. 32 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:51,959 It always does. Everyone's winching today. No-one wants to do it. 33 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:55,839 The move usually consists of a lot of lying on your guts, 34 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:59,359 shovelling out the tyres, and dust in your eyes and flies, 35 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:02,159 and it's the hardest part of the whole job. 36 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,239 So you got to take out all this, you know. 37 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:07,519 Just give it a good hit, and most of it should keep rolling down. 38 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:09,519 Currently, we're digging out Opalzilla. 39 00:02:09,600 --> 00:02:14,119 Much rather be finding the opal than digging the machine out. 40 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:17,439 Summer's not too far away. It's starting to warm up out here now. 41 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:20,199 We got to get this done and dusted while we can. 42 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:23,359 I don't want to be out here in 45 degree heat digging. 43 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:27,199 Once we get that done, I'm coming around here with an excavator. 44 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:29,279 But we still need to get a bit of that. 45 00:02:37,920 --> 00:02:40,439 (TYRE BURSTS)Oh, that hurt. 46 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,279 MARK: Sorry, man. Got me right in the neck.Oh. 47 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:47,359 I put the loader bucket through one of the tyres. 48 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:50,759 Went pop. Sent a rock into the back of Paul's neck. 49 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:52,679 I'll be right. We'll live. 50 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:57,359 He's OK. But, yeah, I don't think the tyre is, and that'll make it hard to move. 51 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:06,159 Whoa! It's a bit dodgy. 52 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:10,439 Two months ago, the Blacklighters started a bold new plan. 53 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:13,679 Oh, have a look at that. 54 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:16,359 (PAUL SPEAKING) 55 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:18,239 We got colour! 56 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:20,879 Using shafts dug by Old Timers, 57 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:25,879 they explored a new area and claimed it for themselves. 58 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:28,239 JOHN: Land of Promise, a lot of work done there, 59 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:31,559 and there's so many holes that have been dug, so many shafts. 60 00:03:31,640 --> 00:03:34,439 But they've just mined it underground in the tunnels. 61 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:38,359 So we thought we'd go one step more. We're going down on top of it. 62 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:41,439 We're gonna have to bite the bullet and get the dozer in. 63 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:45,119 We got down to about 28ft. He's done his job, mate. 64 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:48,359 We can't afford to have him there forever cos it's not cheap 65 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:51,799 to have a dozer there. They chew through the diesel. 66 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:55,319 The approaching 50 degree summer temperatures 67 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:59,879 are too hot for machines to operate without overheating. 68 00:03:59,960 --> 00:04:03,439 This is it. This is the open cut. Spent triple our budget on. 69 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:07,639 With just days left in the season, Mark is under pressure 70 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:11,599 from his wife, Rachel, to find enough opal to cover costs 71 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:13,599 and make a profit. 72 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:15,439 This is how we make our living. 73 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:19,199 This is how you get your dinners, your clothes, everything. 74 00:04:19,280 --> 00:04:22,199 Dad's a bit stressed about not having a big find. 75 00:04:22,280 --> 00:04:25,039 Mark obviously has been in the opal industry all his life, 76 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:27,919 so I really hope that hard work pays off. 77 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,799 I think Dad thinks he's the boss of everything, 78 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:33,959 but really, I think it's mostly Rachel that runs everything. 79 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:35,999 Yeah, I did blow the budget, I'll admit. 80 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:39,919 You invested money, we need to start seeing some returns for it. 81 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,999 I know. Put a lot of stress on the whole family. 82 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:46,079 We can't just do that just for an average wage. 83 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:50,759 So to make it all worth it, we need more money. 84 00:04:50,840 --> 00:04:53,319 The key to the Blacklighters' success 85 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:58,079 is their opal dirt processing plant...Opalzilla. 86 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:03,879 But it's currently set up 300 metres away at their old claim. 87 00:05:03,960 --> 00:05:06,559 There's no point running back a few hundred metres. 88 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:08,879 It's a lot easier to move Opalzilla 89 00:05:08,960 --> 00:05:12,439 to where we are gonna actually be working to process the dirt. 90 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:17,679 To move Opalzilla, we might need a new tyre, 91 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:19,719 but I'll try and move it with a flat, 92 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:21,439 cos that's just what we do. 93 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:25,999 Can you just make sure you get the excavator behind Opalzilla 94 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:29,119 and, erm, just balance it, mate, because she's gonna wobble, 95 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:31,439 especially with that tyre. 96 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:33,399 Ready? Right. Here I go. 97 00:05:35,280 --> 00:05:37,879 The biggest dangers moving Opalzilla is it could tip. 98 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:40,359 I'd say it'd weigh around 10 tonne at least, 99 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:42,839 so if she tips, you don't want to be under it. 100 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:44,519 It'd be the end of you. 101 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:52,759 No, it's not going.(PAUL SPEAKING) 102 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:06,519 Yes! Come on! 103 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:08,959 JOHN: Keep going, mate. Keep going. Keep going. 104 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:11,759 XAVIER: There we go. We're on the flat now. 105 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:15,919 Yes!Yeah, baby! 106 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:23,079 MARK: That was a real tough one. 107 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,719 That's the toughest part of our job we ever have to do, 108 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:27,679 so relieved to have it done. 109 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:31,799 We might start trying to make the ramp 110 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:33,919 to get the noodling machine up and running. 111 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:41,279 We need a ramp so we can load Opalzilla. 112 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:42,959 We've got to get it really high 113 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:45,719 so the bucket can reach into the hopper. 114 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:49,159 A dirt ramp allows Mark to feed Opalzilla, 115 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:53,599 which processes the dirt on conveyor belts under UV lights, 116 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:56,639 exposing any opal amongst the rocks. 117 00:06:56,720 --> 00:07:00,359 Honestly, we're getting through it, but we've a lot of cleaning up to do away. 118 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:04,199 I can see a massive progression today though. This has been really good, mate. 119 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:13,759 Oi! Something's wrong. 120 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:15,439 I'm goin' down, about to tip. 121 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:32,239 JAYMIN: Oi, JC, Noah. I think I found something. 122 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:35,119 Hey, look at this. 123 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:37,679 JAMES: Holy crap. Is that opal? 124 00:07:37,760 --> 00:07:40,639 Yeah, it's a little bit of potch running through the wall. 125 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:42,919 A bit of opal.Dude. 126 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:46,919 Well, we haven't been told we can come back here though. 127 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:50,319 I wonder why they've stopped digging cos it's pretty easy to spot there. 128 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:52,759 We should get Hannah here and see what she says. 129 00:07:52,840 --> 00:07:54,879 Cos I mean, last week, we found nothing. 130 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:57,199 I'm not feeling confident about the area we're in. 131 00:07:57,280 --> 00:07:58,919 If we can move here and do digging, 132 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:02,959 where we can already see opal hanging out of the wall, I think that's worthwhile. 133 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:06,039 Do you want to go radio her, Noz? NOAH: Yeah, OK. 134 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:08,639 The Young Guns are in their final week, 135 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:12,159 working for a 70% cut of any opal found 136 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:15,799 in mine owner Hannah McMillan's claim. 137 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:17,479 Hey, Hannah. 138 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:22,359 But brutal summer temperatures and torrential rains are closing in. 139 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:25,799 Blazing hot days are hard, but if it thunderstorms, 140 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:27,479 you've got to stop working. 141 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:30,239 And this week, it's all thunderstorms on the radar. 142 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:35,879 So if they come through and hit, we are completely toast. 143 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:37,719 What have yous got for me? 144 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:41,719 We saw some seam in the wall. Yeah?Yeah. Come have a look. 145 00:08:41,800 --> 00:08:45,519 See just there?Yeah. So I did know this was in the wall, 146 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:48,039 because we were digging here and got opal.Yeah. 147 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:51,239 But I stopped because it was getting too wide, 148 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:52,959 and we need to prop it more. 149 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:58,399 So...what are the chances we could work this? 150 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:00,759 Yeah, you can do it, sure.Yeah? 151 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,799 As long as you do be safe and put your props in. 152 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:05,479 Come have a look at this. 153 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:09,999 This is crazy down here. Look at this mine. 154 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:13,879 NOAH: Pretty big. We're only working a small section. 155 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:15,559 Holy prop. 156 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:24,199 Holy moly!Wow!Jesus Christ. 157 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:27,959 You wouldn't want them falling on your head. 158 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:30,039 And that's what happens if you don't prop. 159 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:35,559 Go, JC! 160 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:37,919 (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) 161 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:40,679 Oh, (BLEEP)! 162 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:42,559 JAMES: Me leg's broke. 163 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:44,599 This season was a tough season. 164 00:09:44,680 --> 00:09:46,279 JC broke his leg... 165 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:50,479 In the first week, I didn't know if I was gonna make it back out to the field. 166 00:09:50,560 --> 00:09:53,199 After a difficult start to the season, 167 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:55,239 the Young Guns rallied. 168 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:58,999 $89,500.Well done. 169 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:00,799 (LAUGHTER) 170 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:04,519 Giving them enough cash to expand their mining operation 171 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:10,039 beyond White Cliffs, to Lightning Ridge, 800km away. 172 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:12,439 We've come to Lightning Ridge to look for a drill. 173 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:15,959 Massive place, and a lot of people have drills a lot more than White Cliffs. 174 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:18,919 But so far, they've been unable to afford 175 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:24,519 an opal exploration drill, forcing them to earn more money. 176 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:26,399 We formed a partnership with Hannah. 177 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:30,159 My offer to the Young Guns were to split it 70-30. 178 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:33,599 70 their way, seeing as they're doing the labour. 179 00:10:33,680 --> 00:10:36,199 It's the last week now, and we haven't found much opal. 180 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:39,879 Now we've barely even made ten grand while being here in Lightning Ridge. 181 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:43,079 JAYMIN: If we can't hit our target and don't find that black opal, 182 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:46,199 we won't be able to move ahead with our plans for next year, 183 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:48,919 which is to drill and explore new opal fields. 184 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:50,959 It will be a massive let-down for the crew. 185 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:55,319 Look at those two massive boulders. 186 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:58,919 That would be like the equivalent of dropping a small car on top of you. 187 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:00,599 That would just be instant death. 188 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:04,479 Do you wanna go back around and we get it propped, 189 00:11:04,560 --> 00:11:08,119 and you can start digging in that new area?Yeah, sounds good. 190 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:12,479 We've never propped in White Cliffs, but Hannah'll walk us through how to do it correctly. 191 00:11:12,560 --> 00:11:14,359 White Cliffs, we don't do any propping, 192 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:18,359 because we keep our drives narrow and quite short. 193 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:21,239 I've got a few props already cut. You can use them. 194 00:11:23,080 --> 00:11:24,679 (GRUNTS) 195 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:27,399 How's that looking, Hannah? Yeah, it sure looks straight. 196 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,879 You don't want to push it too much, or it'll come out the other sides. 197 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:36,239 You did your first prop. 198 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:39,719 Is that good to go? We can start working this wall now? 199 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:41,399 Get into it. 200 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:44,999 We're just setting up lights at the moment. 201 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:47,079 We've got a lot of electricity down here. 202 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:48,759 The last thing we need is rain. 203 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:52,959 The weather forecast is pretty bad. 204 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:57,679 And if it starts pelting down here, we've got a little generator up there, 205 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:00,599 it's all electrics here. You can't run a mine in that weather. 206 00:12:00,680 --> 00:12:04,319 If this rain comes, we're completely screwed. 207 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:16,519 It's early in the morning, it's about 35 degrees already, Les. 208 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:19,999 LES: It is. She's gonna be a ripper today. 209 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:23,839 Yeah, it's pretty... It's pretty (BLEEP) hot at the moment. 210 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:26,719 That's why we're starting so early. Drop her over there. 211 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:32,759 What time is it? Is he late yet? 212 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:36,399 Almost 7:30, so...yeah. 213 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:42,519 I don't want him to be late on his first (BLEEP) day, mate. 214 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:46,479 We got a new bloke in...Ty. 215 00:12:46,560 --> 00:12:51,039 Ty's sort of doing a bit of...a trial with us 216 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:54,599 to see if he's gonna come in as a permanent partner. 217 00:12:54,680 --> 00:12:58,999 And this is a brand-new mine. We've not been down here. 218 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:05,759 We sort of figured that, erm, starting off a new partnership 219 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:09,399 would be a good (BLEEP) idea to start off a new mine as well. 220 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:11,679 Been a little bit done here, 221 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:14,239 but no-one's worked here for about five or six years. 222 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:18,359 As the searing summer temperatures in Grawin 223 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:20,999 threaten to shut down their season, 224 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:23,799 the Bushmen are desperate to find enough opal 225 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:26,679 to upgrade their equipment for next year... 226 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:29,279 We've got to get that old truck going in a while, too, 227 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:31,239 cos that's the only truck we got. Yeah. 228 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:35,879 ..and find a new mining partner, so Les can retire. 229 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:39,399 Look at that sun. It's certainly after 7:30, mate. 230 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:42,839 Yeah.Well, I'm over waiting for the bastard. 231 00:13:42,920 --> 00:13:45,519 Let's do it.(HORN HONKS) 232 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:47,199 Is that Ty? 233 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:51,279 What's that, Ty? 234 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:52,959 It's our new truck. 235 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:56,799 Really?Yeah. I got it delivered yesterday from Tamworth. 236 00:13:56,880 --> 00:13:58,879 I was just about to get up ya for being late. 237 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:02,079 All is (BLEEP) forgiven, mate. (LAUGHS)All's forgiven. 238 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:04,279 I could turn around and go home if you want. 239 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:07,199 No, don't do that. I'm (BLEEP) over the moon. 240 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:10,439 So am I. We don't have to load that old heap over there. 241 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:12,359 Yeah, I don't think that's gonna go far. 242 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:14,039 I was late. I had to do the oils, 243 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:15,919 check the power steering and engine oil. 244 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:17,839 Mate, turn up with a new truck, 245 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:20,999 I'll forgive you for being late every time.(LAUGHTER) 246 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:24,079 Righto, let's get into it, boys, instead of talking about it, ay. 247 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:29,399 So Les and me at the moment, it's pretty tough. 248 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:32,559 It's getting real hot. We've sort of lost everything. 249 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:34,239 (DRILLING) 250 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:40,559 Seems to be all we're getting lately is (BLEEP) potch. 251 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:43,239 So we're not making any money at all. 252 00:14:43,320 --> 00:14:46,199 We had to sell all our gear just to simply survive. 253 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:50,039 That's a borrowed blower. 254 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:52,519 And I don't want to sort of blow it up. 255 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:56,119 And if we work through that 48-50 degree heat, 256 00:14:56,200 --> 00:14:58,639 we'll blow it up, and we don't want to do that. 257 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,879 The goal was to find enough money 258 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:05,999 for Les to be able to have a bit of a retirement. 259 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:10,079 My retirement fund... I'm looking at it 260 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:12,199 through a big pair of binoculars... 261 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:15,519 ..and it ain't coming any closer. 262 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:22,399 If you need a hand doing anything, mate, I'm quite willing to help yous. 263 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:26,319 You know, like, just to gain some experience, Rod. 264 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:30,919 I come out here three months ago, auto electrician by trade. 265 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:36,719 It's contagious, this opal stuff, and I got the bug and just love it. 266 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:40,159 Ty come along at pretty much the right time, really. 267 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:43,039 He wanted to be a miner and didn't know how to go about it. 268 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:46,639 And, erm, we're miners that needed an electrician, 269 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:49,999 so we offered him a trial period for partnership. 270 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:55,479 How you going down here, mate? 271 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:57,159 Erm... 272 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:00,559 Testing this roof. 273 00:16:00,640 --> 00:16:03,999 We got a couple of bad spots. A bad spot there. 274 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:07,719 (BLEEP) ratters have taken out this whole column on us. 275 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:11,639 What can you say about ratters? They're just scum. 276 00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:14,239 They come into your mine, they make it unsafe, 277 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:16,519 they steal your opal. 278 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:20,719 That column was left there originally to hold the roof up. 279 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:24,079 So now there's nothing holding the roof up in this big ballroom. 280 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:26,679 They don't work if they're not finding something, 281 00:16:26,760 --> 00:16:28,719 so they've taken opal. 282 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,959 So I think what we need to do is try and pull this down. 283 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:35,399 Sort of a bit of a controlled drop. 284 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:37,999 Come in here first and just see what happens.Yep. 285 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:42,519 Now you've got a (BLEEP) heavy jackhammer, so do your best. 286 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:44,599 (JACKHAMMER WHIRRING) 287 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:50,159 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 288 00:16:56,840 --> 00:16:58,679 Oi, hang on, Ty. 289 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:01,759 That don't look real good, mate. 290 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:04,999 Look at this. 291 00:17:05,080 --> 00:17:07,799 See this big crack opening up here, running right through. 292 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:10,119 Yep.I don't like to look at that, mate, 293 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:13,999 cos if we keep going, this whole thing is gonna come down. 294 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:15,679 I don't want to kill you already. 295 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:29,919 PAUL: Mark! Going to have to pull you out. 296 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,439 Just got to keep it on that lock, 297 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:34,599 cos that wheel is gonna drop on that side 298 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:36,479 and it could go over. 299 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:39,399 In Coober Pedy, as extreme temperatures 300 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:41,999 threaten to bring an end to their season, 301 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:45,839 the Blacklighters are gambling on moving their entire operation 302 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:49,159 300 metres to their new open-cut mine. 303 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:53,439 I'm trying to build a ramp, and it's still really soft. 304 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:56,999 So I got too far over one edge, and over we've gone. 305 00:17:57,080 --> 00:18:01,119 So now, erm, of course Paul's gonna make me feel bad and come rescue me. 306 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:03,959 You're not looking comfortable in there. I tell you that. 307 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:05,839 I'll fix it. Are you ready? 308 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:24,039 That just made it worse. You got to come around and put dirt over here. 309 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:31,039 I'm just digging out some dirt here. 310 00:18:31,120 --> 00:18:33,359 Gonna build a bit of a ramp at the back for Mark 311 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:36,079 cos he's got himself stuck, again. 312 00:18:42,960 --> 00:18:44,559 Backwards. 313 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:57,679 Hurray!Yeah! 314 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:01,119 Yeah, it went pear-shaped. I don't really want to talk about it. 315 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:04,399 It was one of those moments I'd like to forget actually. 316 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:07,759 Erm, well, now it's all everything's together, all fixed, 317 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:10,679 so we're gonna turn it on and just see it spin around. 318 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:16,119 Yeah, well, finally got Opalzilla going at last. 319 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:18,959 The Blacklighters have just days left 320 00:19:19,040 --> 00:19:23,559 to make the $70,000 they need to hit their season target 321 00:19:23,640 --> 00:19:25,279 in their brand-new mine. 322 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:29,319 JOHN: When you're doing the virgin dirt, you just got the chance 323 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:31,119 of actually hitting something amazing. 324 00:19:37,120 --> 00:19:40,479 Oh, that's not too bad a bit. Found ourselves a belemnite. 325 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:42,559 Chunky one. One of the bigger ones I've seen. 326 00:19:42,640 --> 00:19:46,679 A belemnite is a prehistoric squid-like creature 327 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:49,759 that lived in the ancient sea that existed here 328 00:19:49,840 --> 00:19:52,639 110 million years ago. 329 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:56,039 While belemnite fossils can be found around the world, 330 00:19:56,120 --> 00:20:00,079 opalised belemnite has only been found in Coober Pedy. 331 00:20:01,120 --> 00:20:04,919 It's always good to find belemnites. We've found plenty of bits of shell so far, 332 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,439 so, yeah, it is a good sign so far. 333 00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:12,479 Shut it down, John. Shut her down. 334 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:14,159 Turn her off, X-Man. 335 00:20:15,360 --> 00:20:17,919 What's going on out there? 336 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:20,279 (MARK SPEAKING) 337 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:27,479 The belt's just, erm... Snapped...snapped. 338 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:30,279 Snapped the hardest belt on the whole machine.Yep. 339 00:20:30,360 --> 00:20:34,279 The hopper belt moves the raw dirt into the trommel. 340 00:20:34,360 --> 00:20:37,679 Without it, Opalzilla can't process dirt. 341 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:41,599 XAVIER: That could be our season right there. 342 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:46,279 We're in strife, mate. Let's face it, we're in a bit of strife here. 343 00:20:46,360 --> 00:20:48,239 This could be season ending for us. 344 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:52,279 By the time we get another belt made and up here... 345 00:20:52,360 --> 00:20:54,239 No, this is disaster. 346 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:04,199 (CHAINSAW WHIRRING) 347 00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:07,999 That roof's real bad down there. 348 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:10,999 The only thing to make it safe is sticking a couple of props in. 349 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:13,719 Days away from season end, 350 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:16,839 the risk of a deadly rockfall in their new mine 351 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:19,519 has forced the Bushmen to innovate. 352 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:23,319 Like everything in opal mining, when something goes wrong 353 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:26,439 or you need something, you gotta source it yourself. 354 00:21:26,520 --> 00:21:28,599 You can't duck down the shop out here. 355 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:34,679 Australian cypress pine are plentiful in this region... 356 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:39,439 Here it comes...and have been used by opal miners for over 50 years. 357 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:41,639 Hold on. Righto! 358 00:21:51,360 --> 00:21:53,879 That'll hold her up, Ty. She won't come down now. 359 00:21:54,880 --> 00:21:57,199 We'll stick two more in there.Yep. 360 00:21:57,280 --> 00:22:00,039 Got to dig the floor out first. No worries. 361 00:22:00,120 --> 00:22:02,399 All right?Yeah. (JACKHAMMER WHIRRING) 362 00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:04,279 (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) 363 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:20,999 (SIGHS) 364 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:24,119 Generator's gone. I'll go and have a look. 365 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:28,879 Having someone like Ty to give us a hand is a real big thing, 366 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:31,439 because we don't know what we're doing with electrics. 367 00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:35,879 He does. So hopefully, he'll be able to fix it. 368 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:38,839 Who knows what could be wrong with this. 369 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:42,559 I'll always have a job while they've got this gear going. 370 00:22:45,960 --> 00:22:47,559 Oh, geez. 371 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:51,239 That's the starter motor. 372 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:55,519 (GENERATOR WHIRRING) 373 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:57,279 Ah, yes! 374 00:22:57,360 --> 00:23:00,879 (LAUGHING) Good. He's got it going, Les. 375 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:02,559 We're back in business, mate. 376 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:11,559 We're at the business end of the season. 377 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:13,519 Summer is well and truly on its way. 378 00:23:16,360 --> 00:23:18,879 In the last week that we're going to be working, 379 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:21,479 you know, we're going to push it pretty well 380 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:23,799 to see if we can get a bit of money out. 381 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:30,439 Oh-ho!Look at that! That's bloody crystal. 382 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:34,599 (LAUGHS) Black in the middle, Ty. 383 00:23:34,680 --> 00:23:37,479 Geez.Got good colour in it. Where's the rest of it? 384 00:23:48,440 --> 00:23:51,239 Jay's digging. He's found some opal. 385 00:23:51,320 --> 00:23:55,279 So we've moved our operation all the way out to the other end of the mine over there. 386 00:23:55,360 --> 00:23:59,919 Now it's just dig the dirt and bring it this whole, 387 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:04,199 I think it's about 25 metres at least, with two buckets 388 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:07,479 back over here. So it's a long slog to move the dirt, 389 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:10,079 but that's how we're gonna have to move it right now. 390 00:24:10,160 --> 00:24:12,559 Last slog in Lightning Ridge. 391 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:16,679 The Young Guns have only days remaining in their mining season. 392 00:24:16,760 --> 00:24:19,839 As dangerous summer thunderstorms approach, 393 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:24,759 they are still over $45,000 short of their target. 394 00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:36,679 It's in there. That bit. 395 00:24:39,560 --> 00:24:41,359 JAYMIN: Hey, we got a bit of colour. 396 00:24:41,440 --> 00:24:44,839 Tiny little bit of green, right there. Look at that. 397 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:48,159 (EXCLAIMS)NOAH: There we go. We're on the right path. 398 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:50,359 Let's keep punching out through this way. 399 00:24:54,200 --> 00:24:57,639 This is some pretty hard work. My fingers are already starting to cramp up, 400 00:24:57,720 --> 00:25:00,199 just grabbing these things, you know, full of rocks. 401 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:03,279 But, you know, it only takes one nobby out of these rocks 402 00:25:03,360 --> 00:25:06,559 we're putting up there to make us rich and change our lives. 403 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:11,319 Lightning Ridge nobby opal forms in clay-covered nodules, 404 00:25:11,400 --> 00:25:16,439 which must be washed in an agitator or agi to reveal the opal. 405 00:25:17,880 --> 00:25:19,879 So this is just, you know, the indication of, 406 00:25:19,960 --> 00:25:21,879 hopefully, the bigger picture. 407 00:25:21,960 --> 00:25:24,639 If this is the kind of colour we'll find and bigger pieces 408 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:27,199 at the end of the tailout, we're gonna be laughing. 409 00:25:30,200 --> 00:25:32,719 The truck's looking pretty good. Yeah. 410 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:34,599 We got to get it in the agi. It's time. 411 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:40,239 Let's get this truck to the agi, let's get it all washed. 412 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:41,959 Hopefully, find some gems. 413 00:25:42,040 --> 00:25:44,959 This is our last chance in Lightning Ridge to find opal. 414 00:25:49,360 --> 00:25:51,079 Let's start getting it in. 415 00:25:54,160 --> 00:25:56,319 This is our final week of the season. 416 00:25:56,400 --> 00:25:59,999 If there's no opal in this agi, I mean, we'll be crushed. 417 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:04,919 We set goals on riches, but we haven't quite made it there yet. 418 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:08,079 So we're staking it all on this last load. 419 00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:13,719 (THUNDER RUMBLING) Ooh, lightning! 420 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:15,679 Looks like we're just beating the rain. 421 00:26:15,760 --> 00:26:18,319 You can see all the droplets falling in the truck bed, 422 00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:20,199 and it looks like it's gonna be a storm. 423 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:22,439 So we've got to get this in the agitator 424 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:24,799 so we can get back to town. 425 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:27,839 Looks like we've made it just in time, boys! 426 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:30,239 Last load at Lightning Ridge. We've done it, Noz. 427 00:26:30,320 --> 00:26:32,159 Yeah.Whoa, look at the wind! 428 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:41,599 Let's just hope we make it back out here tomorrow to tailout. 429 00:26:42,800 --> 00:26:44,919 This is not good, ay. 430 00:26:52,680 --> 00:26:54,279 Look at that. 431 00:26:54,360 --> 00:26:56,879 TY: That's a cracker. Where's the rest of it? 432 00:26:56,960 --> 00:26:59,599 Coming down off the side of that board, mate.Yeah. 433 00:26:59,680 --> 00:27:02,439 Ty, you come into that side, I'll come into this side. 434 00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:04,479 Cos I reckon the seam's down here somewhere. 435 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:06,759 Yeah. No worries.You ready? 436 00:27:06,840 --> 00:27:09,599 Let's pop it out. Les, you keep an eye out, mate. 437 00:27:09,680 --> 00:27:11,879 (JACKHAMMERS WHIRRING) 438 00:27:13,480 --> 00:27:15,159 Oi! 439 00:27:23,040 --> 00:27:26,039 Whoa. I can see it, too. Here, boys! 440 00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:29,759 Oh, ho, ho! Look at it. 441 00:27:29,840 --> 00:27:32,479 Look, look, look. Look at that. 442 00:27:32,560 --> 00:27:35,399 That's a nice piece, too. That's a ripper. 443 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:37,719 Ty, look at that piece. There's another one. 444 00:27:39,160 --> 00:27:41,559 There's more. Look. 445 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:44,159 There's another piece.Look. Look. 446 00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:46,719 (LAUGHING)(ALL EXCLAIMING) 447 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:49,879 It's big and it's cheesy, Les. It's bloody good, mate. 448 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:52,319 We've got half a bucketful of it. 449 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:55,119 Finding that colour, it just gets you so excited. 450 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:59,679 But that's what I'm here for, to come and work with these boys. 451 00:28:02,720 --> 00:28:05,599 Holy ghost, it's 48 degrees. 452 00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:07,279 That blower will be cooking. 453 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:10,839 Les, she's steaming her head off, mate. 454 00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:14,919 Hopefully hasn't done any damage. 455 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:17,839 I think the radiator is just boiled, that's all. 456 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:20,279 Yeah.And I think we've caught it right in time. 457 00:28:20,360 --> 00:28:22,999 We shouldn't be working. Nah, it's too hot for it, mate. 458 00:28:23,080 --> 00:28:24,679 We're gonna have to call it. 459 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:30,999 Still almost $200,000 short of their season target, 460 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:36,279 the Bushmen need at least enough opal to upgrade their equipment. 461 00:28:36,360 --> 00:28:38,999 We really won't know what we've got here till I rub it. 462 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:41,679 I don't know if it's gonna come to the amount of money 463 00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:43,439 that we need to get some gear. 464 00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:48,399 Afternoon, ladies. You got a nice spot here. 465 00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:50,719 Yes.Nice and cool. Look what we've got. 466 00:28:50,800 --> 00:28:52,999 Oh, wow.Show me. 467 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:55,119 Some nice stuff in there.Gorgeous. 468 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:57,599 I'm sick of jackhammer. I've got to get a digger. 469 00:28:57,680 --> 00:29:00,999 So I'm gonna try cutting all this stuff and see if I get more value. 470 00:29:01,080 --> 00:29:03,759 Are you gonna teach me? If you want to learn, I'll teach. 471 00:29:03,840 --> 00:29:05,879 I'd love to. That would be great.All right. 472 00:29:05,960 --> 00:29:07,559 Come on, let's do it. 473 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:12,199 Ty's fiancee, Haidee, wants to learn the art of polishing opal, 474 00:29:12,280 --> 00:29:16,359 which can increase the value of a rough stone tenfold. 475 00:29:16,440 --> 00:29:20,039 All right. This is where we can turn $5,000 worth of rough 476 00:29:20,120 --> 00:29:22,079 into $50,000 worth. 477 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:27,559 Now, you always use water, and a lot of it.Mm-hm. 478 00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:30,799 More water you can use, the better that it is for your stone. 479 00:29:30,880 --> 00:29:32,799 Cos it heats up. Is that right?Heats up. 480 00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:36,399 (MACHINE WHIRRING) 481 00:29:39,680 --> 00:29:41,999 That sand's gonna be a bit of a bugger. 482 00:29:42,080 --> 00:29:43,679 It's gonna go right through. 483 00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:47,159 So what we're gonna have to do is take that whole corner off. 484 00:29:48,560 --> 00:29:50,519 It's not an easy thing to do, this. 485 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:52,319 When you get into the big gem stuff, 486 00:29:52,400 --> 00:29:56,119 every swipe's taking about $1,000 off the value of your stone. 487 00:29:56,200 --> 00:29:57,799 You got to be pretty careful. 488 00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:05,399 (THUNDER RUMBLING) 489 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:10,239 We absolutely smashed yesterday, 490 00:30:10,320 --> 00:30:12,799 just trying to get our final truckload to the agi. 491 00:30:12,880 --> 00:30:16,119 We got it here, we got it in, we got back to town. 492 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:18,159 And today, it's started to rain again. 493 00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:22,719 The Young Gun season rests on just their third ever tailout, 494 00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:25,679 searching for rare black opal nobbies 495 00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:27,919 in the freshly-washed stones. 496 00:30:28,000 --> 00:30:30,279 I don't know if we'll able to get this done, 497 00:30:30,360 --> 00:30:32,279 cos it's dirt roads for 40 K. 498 00:30:32,360 --> 00:30:35,919 So, if we want to get back to town, we're gonna have to beat the rain. 499 00:30:36,000 --> 00:30:39,359 We've got a serious time restraint on us right now. 500 00:30:43,440 --> 00:30:46,039 First bit of opal.Really?Yo. 501 00:30:46,120 --> 00:30:48,879 You already got a bit. A bit of potch, but it's on there. 502 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:51,239 No colour? Nah, doesn't look like it. 503 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:55,519 In an ideal world, we'd be looking for this opal under the sun. 504 00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:58,319 It's really hard to see because it's dark outside, 505 00:30:58,400 --> 00:31:00,719 but we're still finding little bits and pieces. 506 00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:04,719 Little bit annoying in the rain, but it's kind of beautiful as well. 507 00:31:04,800 --> 00:31:08,239 Washing everything from- Hey, there's a little bit of colour. 508 00:31:08,320 --> 00:31:11,119 Yep. Look at that. Little bit of green. 509 00:31:11,200 --> 00:31:13,639 NOAH: Hey. Got a stone. 510 00:31:13,720 --> 00:31:16,199 Oh, look at that. 511 00:31:16,280 --> 00:31:17,919 Look at that colour. 512 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:21,079 We've seen a lot of, erm, bright seam. 513 00:31:21,160 --> 00:31:23,159 Just waiting for the nobbies to come through. 514 00:31:28,240 --> 00:31:31,119 Have a look at this. A little bit of colour. 515 00:31:31,200 --> 00:31:33,599 JAYMIN: It's heap nice. Pretty small, but you can see 516 00:31:33,680 --> 00:31:36,519 some really nice flashes in there. Just need a big bit of it. 517 00:31:36,600 --> 00:31:38,999 Here you go, boys. First nobby. 518 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:41,519 What have you got? Woo hoo! Holy crap. 519 00:31:41,600 --> 00:31:44,599 JAYMIN: Look at the blue. Holy Jesus. Have a look at it. 520 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:48,039 So much depth to it. That's incredible.That's unreal. 521 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:54,679 Oh, I think I got a nobby. Check that out. 522 00:31:54,760 --> 00:31:57,399 Is that a nobby, Hannah? HANNAH: Yeah, it's a nobby.Hey. 523 00:31:57,480 --> 00:31:59,359 Look at the blue. 524 00:31:59,440 --> 00:32:02,679 (THUNDER RUMBLING) All right, guys. The rain's coming. 525 00:32:02,760 --> 00:32:04,759 Let's get out of here. Nice work, everyone. 526 00:32:05,840 --> 00:32:07,479 Whoo! 527 00:32:09,120 --> 00:32:11,359 The rain is coming down. Lightning everywhere. 528 00:32:11,440 --> 00:32:13,439 You can see why they call it Lightning Ridge. 529 00:32:13,520 --> 00:32:15,959 Oh, we got the opal, yeah. 530 00:32:16,040 --> 00:32:18,399 I'm happy with the tailout. Good to see the boys. 531 00:32:18,480 --> 00:32:22,079 So, yep, we've got to get back into town ASAP. 532 00:32:26,760 --> 00:32:30,359 We still got to get the van and the opal back to town to our buyer. 533 00:32:31,640 --> 00:32:33,839 40 K drive on a dirt road. 534 00:32:33,920 --> 00:32:36,919 What happens to dirt when it gets wet? It just turns to mud. 535 00:32:49,280 --> 00:32:51,079 MARK: We'll check with the blacklights 536 00:32:51,160 --> 00:32:53,159 as we're moving dirt with the excavator. 537 00:32:53,240 --> 00:32:55,959 Opalzilla's down. Got no other way to check this ground. 538 00:32:56,040 --> 00:32:58,279 So, out we come at night, 539 00:32:58,360 --> 00:33:01,519 and we're gonna do a bit of night-ripping. It's our last chance. 540 00:33:04,360 --> 00:33:07,279 Everything's glowing, ay, but it's just chalk. 541 00:33:09,120 --> 00:33:13,439 Well short of their $300,000 season target, 542 00:33:13,520 --> 00:33:16,959 the Blacklighters are relying on handheld torches, 543 00:33:17,040 --> 00:33:21,799 which emit ultraviolet light, making any opal fluoresce. 544 00:33:24,160 --> 00:33:26,799 What you do is as the bucket goes past, there's a shade. 545 00:33:26,880 --> 00:33:30,439 XAVIER: Yeah. So you get your light on the shade. 546 00:33:31,640 --> 00:33:34,039 Just check in with a blacklight. After every rip, 547 00:33:34,120 --> 00:33:36,479 if any kind of silica pops out anywhere, 548 00:33:36,560 --> 00:33:38,319 we'll see it, so that's what's so good 549 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:40,559 about the blacklights and doing this at night. 550 00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:42,239 You don't miss a thing. 551 00:33:45,320 --> 00:33:48,159 Oh, wow.We've hit potch. 552 00:33:48,240 --> 00:33:50,319 PAUL: Are you for real?For real. 553 00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:52,679 How easy can you miss it in the day, man. 554 00:33:52,760 --> 00:33:55,999 All been staring at this all day. (LAUGHING) 555 00:33:56,080 --> 00:33:59,679 Keep your foot there. Right, so I know I'll come in right there. 556 00:33:59,760 --> 00:34:01,639 Righto. Don't hold back. 557 00:34:07,280 --> 00:34:09,479 More?Yeah, there is more. 558 00:34:10,920 --> 00:34:13,599 Tiny little skin shell broken in half. 559 00:34:13,680 --> 00:34:15,719 Worthless but a good sign. 560 00:34:19,640 --> 00:34:24,119 Just little blobs, man. Just little bits and spits and spats. 561 00:34:24,200 --> 00:34:27,039 I think it means it's gonna be down deeper, I reckon. 562 00:34:31,240 --> 00:34:33,599 Oh! Hey, turn it off. 563 00:34:33,680 --> 00:34:35,479 Look at that. 564 00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:39,119 Oh, oh! This is a fair amount here, mate. I tell ya. 565 00:34:39,200 --> 00:34:41,999 Do you want to grab us a bucket, mate? 566 00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:46,039 Look. Look what I was standing on. Ah.(YELLING)(LAUGHS) 567 00:34:47,280 --> 00:34:49,919 We need to do the lick test, I think. 568 00:34:50,000 --> 00:34:52,519 Oi, we got colour.(ALL CHEERING) 569 00:34:54,240 --> 00:34:56,039 We need to go and wash this. 570 00:34:56,120 --> 00:34:57,799 Yes!Hell yes! 571 00:35:05,640 --> 00:35:08,679 Have a look at this. Hold on to your hat, old fella. 572 00:35:08,760 --> 00:35:11,879 What, she come up good, did she? Mate, look what we done.Oh, wow. 573 00:35:13,760 --> 00:35:16,399 TY: Wow. Look at that.Look at them. 574 00:35:16,480 --> 00:35:18,119 LES: They're real good. 575 00:35:21,680 --> 00:35:24,479 You've been doing a bit of selling, darl. What do you reckon? 576 00:35:24,560 --> 00:35:26,159 Erm...Have a good look at them. 577 00:35:27,520 --> 00:35:31,039 Rod's wife, Amanda, sells opal for the Bushmen, 578 00:35:31,120 --> 00:35:35,039 and will assess their parcel of black seam opal. 579 00:35:35,120 --> 00:35:37,759 It displays the full array of colours, 580 00:35:37,840 --> 00:35:41,279 with several pieces showing valuable red on black. 581 00:35:42,360 --> 00:35:44,359 The opal has been partially rubbed. 582 00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:48,759 They're almost $200,000 short of their target, 583 00:35:48,840 --> 00:35:51,959 but are hoping for enough to buy new equipment. 584 00:35:53,120 --> 00:35:57,679 Er, give us a value. There's quite a few stones there. 585 00:35:57,760 --> 00:35:59,399 Probably... 586 00:36:01,400 --> 00:36:03,039 I think you might get 50 for that. 587 00:36:03,120 --> 00:36:06,159 50K? I've got goosebumps. (ALL LAUGHING) 588 00:36:06,240 --> 00:36:08,079 Oh, that's just unbelievable. 589 00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:12,799 Might be worth more than 50. 590 00:36:12,880 --> 00:36:15,359 As long as we get a blower and digger out of it, mate. 591 00:36:15,440 --> 00:36:17,479 We're up and running again.Yes. 592 00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:20,159 I'm near crying.(ALL LAUGHING) 593 00:36:20,240 --> 00:36:23,599 There's a bit of a soft side to me. I'm only the new bloke on the crew, 594 00:36:23,680 --> 00:36:26,039 and I don't really want to see Les retire at all. 595 00:36:26,120 --> 00:36:28,199 Like, obviously, it's gonna happen one day. 596 00:36:28,280 --> 00:36:32,159 But he's a good bloke, and he's got a lot of knowledge. 597 00:36:32,240 --> 00:36:35,759 And I love learning off people who know what they're doing. 598 00:36:35,840 --> 00:36:38,639 Me and Les are just talking, mate, and we're really happy 599 00:36:38,720 --> 00:36:41,359 with the way you've been going and what you've been doing. 600 00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:43,599 And we want you to be a permanent partner 601 00:36:43,680 --> 00:36:45,399 and stick with us, mate. 602 00:36:45,480 --> 00:36:47,399 Fair dinkum?Fair dinkum. 603 00:36:47,480 --> 00:36:49,079 What do you reckon?(BLEEP) oath. 604 00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:50,959 Oh, appreciate that. 605 00:36:54,920 --> 00:36:57,079 Hey, Les. This is your seat, old fella. 606 00:36:58,120 --> 00:37:00,359 I reckon that's your style. That's a ripper. 607 00:37:00,440 --> 00:37:02,519 (GRUNTS)(ALL LAUGHING) 608 00:37:05,040 --> 00:37:08,799 We'll be digging dirt next year if we can get the blower and digger. 609 00:37:08,880 --> 00:37:10,679 It'll be easy shifting. 610 00:37:10,760 --> 00:37:14,319 These boys are legends out here, and never in my wildest dreams 611 00:37:14,400 --> 00:37:16,719 did I think I'd be not only helping, 612 00:37:16,800 --> 00:37:19,039 but working with those boys in a partnership. 613 00:37:19,120 --> 00:37:21,479 I think the sky is the limit now. 614 00:37:21,560 --> 00:37:25,399 It's good. It lifts that weight off poor old Les. 615 00:37:25,480 --> 00:37:29,799 I reckon we're gonna just have a real good season next season. 616 00:37:43,880 --> 00:37:46,199 Ben.Hey, boys. Hey, Hannah. 617 00:37:46,280 --> 00:37:49,039 HANNAH: How you going? How you going? Good timing. 618 00:37:49,120 --> 00:37:52,559 I know.Hey. JAYMIN: Today was a tough day out on the opal fields. 619 00:37:52,640 --> 00:37:55,239 We really saw the lightning in Lightning Ridge. 620 00:37:55,320 --> 00:37:58,679 We managed to get back to town, and, erm, we're here to make a sale. 621 00:37:58,760 --> 00:38:02,639 So we've got our opal. Let's hope we can get a good price for it. 622 00:38:02,720 --> 00:38:06,479 You generally get a half decent read on people when you are going into purchase. 623 00:38:06,560 --> 00:38:08,759 Some people are just not gonna budge. 624 00:38:08,840 --> 00:38:12,279 Some people, they have set their price to be knocked down. 625 00:38:12,360 --> 00:38:15,799 Yeah, we managed to get a couple of little stones.Oh, beautiful. 626 00:38:15,880 --> 00:38:18,279 We were hoping you might be interested. 627 00:38:18,360 --> 00:38:22,559 The Young Guns have two nobbies and seam opal. 628 00:38:22,640 --> 00:38:24,919 The nobbies are blue on black, 629 00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:28,439 while the seam shows greens and purples. 630 00:38:28,520 --> 00:38:30,119 They're in the rough. 631 00:38:31,640 --> 00:38:34,359 They're nice stones. How much were you chasing for them? 632 00:38:34,440 --> 00:38:37,999 Oh, yeah, looking about two to three.Two to three? 633 00:38:39,360 --> 00:38:41,119 Prefer three. 634 00:38:45,640 --> 00:38:47,239 How would you feel about 1,500? 635 00:38:48,800 --> 00:38:50,999 Oh. 636 00:38:51,080 --> 00:38:53,999 If you can come up to two, like, that would be bloody perfect. 637 00:38:54,080 --> 00:38:56,679 It's our last shot at Lightning Ridge for a little while. 638 00:39:01,080 --> 00:39:04,159 All right. I'll do two. What about two and a snag? 639 00:39:07,000 --> 00:39:08,879 Done.Yeah! (LAUGHS) 640 00:39:08,960 --> 00:39:12,359 Stay away from my chicken wings but. JAYMIN: Thank you very much. 641 00:39:12,440 --> 00:39:14,759 No worries, guys. That's unreal.Thank you. 642 00:39:14,840 --> 00:39:17,799 The final tailout, we didn't hit the big-time, 643 00:39:17,880 --> 00:39:21,399 but we've done all right. We didn't get the drill, 644 00:39:21,480 --> 00:39:25,119 but we've paid for the trip well and truly, 645 00:39:25,200 --> 00:39:28,399 and we've also learned an incredible amount. 646 00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:31,479 Me and the boys are coming out of this better miners. 647 00:39:31,560 --> 00:39:35,439 I guess that's it. We came to Lightning Ridge, we found some opal. 648 00:39:35,520 --> 00:39:37,759 Thanks for having us. No worries. It's been good. 649 00:39:37,840 --> 00:39:39,959 NOAH: We love opal, we love the lifestyle. 650 00:39:40,040 --> 00:39:42,359 We're still new to the whole opal mining thing. 651 00:39:42,440 --> 00:39:44,239 We're definitely not gonna stop now. 652 00:39:44,320 --> 00:39:47,639 I think we're still on our way up. (CHEERING AND LAUGHING) 653 00:39:48,720 --> 00:39:52,079 Opal mining for the Young Guns has been a fantastic experience. 654 00:39:52,160 --> 00:39:55,359 We're just a couple of young guys that decided to move from the coast 655 00:39:55,440 --> 00:39:57,599 to the Outback to give it a go. 656 00:39:57,680 --> 00:40:00,919 (CHEERING AND LAUGHING) 657 00:40:01,000 --> 00:40:03,199 JAMES: Getting a drill will come in the future. 658 00:40:03,280 --> 00:40:05,119 What we've learned here is more valuable. 659 00:40:05,200 --> 00:40:07,639 Cheers.Chink, chink, everybody. 660 00:40:16,800 --> 00:40:19,519 Hey, ah, yous guys want to come and look at our catch? 661 00:40:19,600 --> 00:40:23,199 We've tumbled it up. Tried to clean it as much as we can. 662 00:40:23,280 --> 00:40:25,679 That's the fossil pile there. We got our fossils. 663 00:40:25,760 --> 00:40:28,119 What's over here? That's the potch and colour. 664 00:40:28,200 --> 00:40:32,919 This is that nice green parcel that come out. Beautiful pocket. 665 00:40:33,000 --> 00:40:35,759 Now, erm, I know there was that standout stone 666 00:40:35,840 --> 00:40:37,999 that come out the tumbler. 667 00:40:38,080 --> 00:40:41,279 Have you finished it, John? I might have had time to have a go. 668 00:40:41,360 --> 00:40:44,879 Have you finished it?Yeah. And it turned out sort of... 669 00:40:44,960 --> 00:40:48,439 Oh, wow.(ALL EXCLAIMING) 670 00:40:49,800 --> 00:40:52,039 It's something I've done for years, cutting opals. 671 00:40:52,120 --> 00:40:55,799 You know, just to bring that extra money in just makes it all worthwhile. 672 00:40:55,880 --> 00:41:00,199 Christ. That's nice.Oh, that's Coober Pedy gem, mate.Pretty yum. 673 00:41:00,280 --> 00:41:02,719 That's one of our best ever stones we've found ever. 674 00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:10,239 The Blacklighters need over $60,000 to hit their season target. 675 00:41:10,320 --> 00:41:12,719 Their hopes rest on this large parcel 676 00:41:12,800 --> 00:41:15,279 of Coober Pedy white opal, 677 00:41:15,360 --> 00:41:19,199 green crystal opal and opalised fossil. 678 00:41:19,280 --> 00:41:21,879 Featuring the full spectrum of colours. 679 00:41:21,960 --> 00:41:26,599 It's in the rough, with a polished 7.5 gram Kingstone. 680 00:41:28,720 --> 00:41:31,639 I put 40 grand on the three grades of tops, 681 00:41:31,720 --> 00:41:35,519 and then I think we've got one, two, three, four... 682 00:41:35,600 --> 00:41:38,919 five more grades, plus the fossils. 683 00:41:39,000 --> 00:41:41,039 I think that's another 20 grand in all. 684 00:41:41,120 --> 00:41:44,119 I feel this table has got 60 grand on it. 685 00:41:44,200 --> 00:41:46,759 That's what I thought before I saw this. 686 00:41:46,840 --> 00:41:50,399 That's a beautiful stone, so that's $20,000 also. 687 00:41:52,880 --> 00:41:55,199 That's a $80,000 pocket, man. 688 00:41:56,280 --> 00:41:59,759 Oh ho, yeah! There we go! 689 00:42:01,720 --> 00:42:05,359 Well, girls, I'd love you to pour us a drink 690 00:42:05,440 --> 00:42:07,159 cos we've got an announcement to make. 691 00:42:07,240 --> 00:42:09,639 We got champagne? We don't drink champagne, 692 00:42:09,720 --> 00:42:11,319 so this is a good announcement. 693 00:42:11,400 --> 00:42:13,839 We've hit our target. Couldn't be any prouder. 694 00:42:13,920 --> 00:42:16,479 (CHEERING AND SHOUTING) 695 00:42:16,560 --> 00:42:22,439 The Blacklighters have smashed their $300,000 season target. 696 00:42:24,040 --> 00:42:26,559 We've come back a bit smarter and stronger this year, 697 00:42:26,640 --> 00:42:28,759 and just worked so hard. It was all the effort 698 00:42:28,840 --> 00:42:31,359 of everyone that put in sort of got us there. 699 00:42:31,440 --> 00:42:34,559 I'm proud of what everyone's achieved, including myself. 700 00:42:34,640 --> 00:42:38,079 We've all worked really hard to get to where we are. 701 00:42:38,160 --> 00:42:41,359 This season's, like, it's taught me just to be consistent. 702 00:42:41,440 --> 00:42:44,319 Cos if you stick at it long enough, 703 00:42:44,400 --> 00:42:47,479 eventually, you could be that lucky bloke. 704 00:42:47,560 --> 00:42:50,959 Cheers to the season, Mark. Thanks for putting up with us. Well done, guys. 705 00:42:51,040 --> 00:42:53,879 We've exceeded all expectations. 706 00:42:53,960 --> 00:42:56,879 I think we really have. And we've made everyone proud. 707 00:42:56,960 --> 00:43:00,679 Well done, boys.Everyone here has just made a massive effort. 708 00:43:00,760 --> 00:43:05,799 And this year, my family, friends, everyone...you beauty! 709 00:43:05,880 --> 00:43:07,639 (CHEERING AND LAUGHING) 710 00:43:07,720 --> 00:43:10,079 We're not giving up. We're not. This is us. 711 00:43:10,160 --> 00:43:14,519 We're here. Love what we do. Love it. Love it to bits. 712 00:43:14,600 --> 00:43:17,999 Opal mining, Coober Pedy, Blacklighters here forever. 713 00:43:18,080 --> 00:43:19,919 Ahh! Yeah! 714 00:43:36,400 --> 00:43:38,879 # Money # 715 00:43:39,305 --> 00:44:39,403 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=-