"Outback Opal Hunters" Going Under

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,719 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal hunters... 2 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:07,559 This is what I wanted to show you. 20-ton Hitachi excavator. 3 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:09,799 ..The Rookies face tension. 4 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:12,279 Does it mean that you just wanna mine by yourself? 5 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:17,319 And the new partner leads them on a wild goose chase. 6 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:19,399 I just can't take it any more. 7 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:23,559 Whoo-hoo! The Cooke Brothers season is off to a bad start... 8 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:26,159 Pull the cable for sake. 9 00:00:26,240 --> 00:00:29,359 ..heading below ground for the first time in years. 10 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:31,679 I really it up that time, Ollie. 11 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:33,759 And Col's Crew... 12 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:35,999 ..is called in on an emergency repair... 13 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:37,839 The Opalton circus continues. 14 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:40,599 ..wrestling with a one-ton tyre chain. 15 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:42,679 It's gonna go. 16 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:48,639 # Money 17 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:53,799 # And fancy clothes 18 00:00:57,840 --> 00:00:59,599 # Telling you what to do 19 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:01,639 # The right way to live 20 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:04,239 # And where to go # 21 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:14,199 How are you going? How are you going? Good to see you. 22 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:18,039 Together for the first time this season, 23 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:21,799 Rookies, Dan and Justin haven't yet made a single cent 24 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:26,239 of their combined $150,000 target. 25 00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:30,239 The opal they're chasing is Coober Pedy's white opal, 26 00:01:30,320 --> 00:01:35,719 first mined here in 1915 and worth up to $7,500 a gram. 27 00:01:37,320 --> 00:01:40,519 But there's trouble brewing between the mining partners. 28 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:42,799 Justin has a lot more time to go mining 29 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:45,519 and he'll be up in Coober Pedy a lot more. 30 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:48,319 Family commitments mean Dan can only mine 31 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:51,879 one week out of every six. All right. Here we go. 32 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:54,039 But Justin isn't waiting. 33 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:59,359 Gripped by opal fever he's staked a solo claim and brought his own excavator 34 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:02,359 that isn't part of his deal with Dan. 35 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:04,439 This is what I wanted to show you. 36 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:06,519 Wow-de-dow! Look at that. 37 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:09,479 20-ton Hitachi excavator. 38 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:11,559 Good machine. I'm pretty happy with it. 39 00:02:11,640 --> 00:02:13,999 It's survived a month of me learning on it. 40 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:16,079 I'm sure it will survive a bit longer. 41 00:02:16,160 --> 00:02:18,759 Wow, you certainly stepped it up a notch. 42 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:23,919 I'm not sure how I feel about this claim 43 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:27,279 that Justin has on his own. 44 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:30,999 So you decided to go 45 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:36,159 and buy an excavator for your own mining operation. Yeah? 46 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:38,839 Yeah, as an individual you can do that. 47 00:02:38,920 --> 00:02:41,559 Of course, you can. Of course, you can. 48 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:44,599 I'm just asking the question, 49 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:48,079 are we still going to mine together in the future or 50 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:50,919 does it mean that you just wanna mine by yourself? 51 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:55,879 It is tricky now that Justin's got his own mining machinery, the excavator. 52 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:59,479 Um, what's it gonna look like in the future for us? 53 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:02,119 What do you think? I'm asking you. 54 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:08,039 It's not like working on the same claim and I'm doing it by myself. 55 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:11,359 No. I'm working on my own claim up here. 56 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:14,799 Um, you know, because you can't come up. 57 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:19,359 So, um, when I do come up every six weeks, 58 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:21,439 what are we going to do? 59 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:25,679 It comes down to the point whether you actually wanna be a hobby miner or real miner. 60 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:27,959 That's the bottom line. 61 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:31,599 You know, do we want to scavenge around for little bits that 62 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:34,079 old miners left in the tunnels that they dug? 63 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:37,519 Or do you wanna open up a new ground and become a proper miner 64 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,879 and find potentially millions of dollars? 65 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:43,639 We've done really well with underground mining so far. 66 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:47,439 It is dangerous underground. And I just wanna eliminate those risks. 67 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:51,719 I mean, the ball's in your court if you wanna mine above ground 68 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:54,239 you've gotta get a machine otherwise you can't mine. 69 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:02,759 OK. Question is though... 70 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:06,079 ..while I'm here now, what are we gonna do? 71 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:15,119 How about this week, you know, we go underground 72 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:17,439 and see what we can find? 73 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:20,719 You know, we might be able to find 30, 40 grand for an excavator. 74 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:23,159 Who knows? That'd be good. That'd be all right. 75 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:26,639 Yeah, that's perfect. Why don't we do that? 76 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:28,719 All right. Sounds cool. 77 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:38,319 Opalton, remote Central Queensland. 78 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:43,039 Just a handful of makeshift mining camps 79 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:46,319 120kms from the nearest town. 80 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:50,559 Here, temperatures can reach the high 40s. 81 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:56,679 Far off the grid, its brutal conditions have beaten many miners. 82 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:01,879 Its most recent victim is renowned opal miner, Col Duff, 83 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:05,959 recuperating from a mosquito-borne virus that hospitalised him. 84 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,119 They did a blood test and a bunch of tests 85 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:12,079 and, yeah, it was confirmed to be Barmah Forest fever. 86 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,599 And it's like a truck runs over you 87 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:18,919 and every part of your body's hurting, you know, even your eyeballs. 88 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,319 I've just gotta get better and then I can get serious. 89 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:28,319 Without Col, partners Aaron and Greg, are pushing on. 90 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:31,159 Pity Col wasn't here, eh? It makes a bit easier. 91 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:33,639 But it doesn't matter you gotta keep going. 92 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:37,399 They're digging Aaron's dad's old claim, Dragonfly, 93 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:42,759 hunting boulder opal, worth up to $20,000 a gram. 94 00:05:42,840 --> 00:05:45,359 But, after six weeks of hard graft 95 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:47,439 they've only made $2,000 96 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:50,839 of this season's $120,000 target. 97 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:55,559 I'll shave you that bottom down there first. Righto. 98 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,999 It's just how it is. You can make plenty of money digging opal. 99 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:01,719 It can also send you broke if you get it wrong too. 100 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,999 Cos every day you work is a day you're going broker. 101 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:08,079 That's a big rock, Greg. Yeah, we gotta keep an eye on them. 102 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:16,074 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from www.OpenSubtitles.org 103 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:26,839 Put it in the lucky bucket, mate. It's gonna go in the lucky bucket. 104 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:30,199 It's a sign the claim might be about to deliver. 105 00:06:30,280 --> 00:06:33,239 But they've already promised to help a fellow miner. 106 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:35,679 We're ready to go, mate? Yeah. 107 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:49,719 We're gonna stop mining. We're gonna go and give our mate a hand 108 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:53,919 cos he's gotta put these tyres on his dump truck. It's stopping him from mining. 109 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:57,399 It's not ideal timing for us cos we wanna get through this ground. 110 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:02,079 But we help each other out out here to get him digging too. 111 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:05,199 They'll be heading 30kms into the bush 112 00:07:05,280 --> 00:07:08,439 to the camp of opal miner, Charlie Prodanov. 113 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:13,719 Charlie's 50-ton dump truck has two one-ton tyres damaged beyond repair. 114 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:20,599 Aaron and Greg have already picked up the replacement. 115 00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:24,039 We're gonna take 'em over there and give him a hand to put 'em on. 116 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:27,159 Yeah, bring it over. Give it all, Greg! 117 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:30,999 That'll do it, mate. She's not gonna go anyway. All right, Greg. 118 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:33,639 But time helping Charlie... Taxi! 119 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:36,679 ..is precious time not spent hunting opal. 120 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:48,599 And now they've got truck trouble of their own. 121 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,719 Lightning Ridge, New South Wales. 122 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:06,999 This is the hunting ground of brothers Mick and Pete Cooke. 123 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:12,359 We never do it the standard way. We like trying to reinvent the wheel. 124 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:17,839 Their prize, the most expensive opal in the world - black opal. 125 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:20,839 The darker the background, the higher the value. 126 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:28,199 The finest can be worth up to $25,000 a gram in the rough. 127 00:08:28,280 --> 00:08:30,919 500 times more than gold. 128 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:37,479 Committed rust junkies, the brothers have been chasing opal together for 20 years. 129 00:08:37,560 --> 00:08:40,119 A lot more fun. Ah, yeah, it's more fun. 130 00:08:41,560 --> 00:08:44,479 In the hunt for new ways of digging opal, 131 00:08:44,560 --> 00:08:48,519 they've amassed three yards full of homemade contraptions. 132 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:51,079 Just another project. 133 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:55,479 Last season they fell well short of their target. 134 00:08:55,560 --> 00:08:57,719 Couple of 100 grand would've been nice. 135 00:08:57,800 --> 00:09:01,599 But I think we might've got a couple of hundred dollars really. 136 00:09:01,680 --> 00:09:04,079 We didn't make any money. It cost money. 137 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:09,999 This season they're again aiming for $200,000. 138 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:14,879 To hit their target they've decided to take a risk and dig underground. 139 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:18,559 Three kilometres from town, they have a mine at Hidden Valley 140 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:21,119 that Mick's convinced will deliver. 141 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:25,319 I'm keen to get out to Hidden Valley. I think we might hit a pocket there. 142 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:27,999 It's just a...just a gut feeling I've got. 143 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:30,999 Quite confident, actually. 144 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:33,679 Brother Pete is less hopeful. 145 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:37,719 Yeah, well, you know, I'm not that confident, but what can you do? 146 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:42,279 If we get down here and move some dirt we might be able to prove it otherwise. 147 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:45,599 Let's hope so, eh? I know so. Have faith. 148 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:51,639 The brother's last mined Hidden Valley six years ago with little success. 149 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:54,679 But news has spread of recent finds in the area 150 00:09:54,760 --> 00:09:57,359 and the boys want to give it one more try. 151 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:04,799 Joining the brothers this season is rookie and friend of the family 152 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:07,759 19-year-old Sam Westra. 153 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:12,119 I left my home town in northeast Victoria a couple of weeks ago 154 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:14,599 cos I wasn't really enjoying what I was doing. 155 00:10:14,680 --> 00:10:18,519 I called up my parents and asked them what I should do from there 156 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:22,399 and they said "Oh, well, Peter's in Lightning Ridge." 157 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:26,559 They say that once you lick opal you'll never go back. 158 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:30,159 Pete had a nice shiny bit with a bit of colour 159 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:33,679 and he said, "Lick it and see what it looks like. 160 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:35,679 So as soon as I put it in my mouth, 161 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:38,519 yeah, just... Opal fever - you just can't get enough of it. 162 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:40,879 See the green? Oh, that one's got some colour. 163 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:43,639 You're up. 164 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:48,079 First job, get the power going using their 20-year-old generator. 165 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:57,159 Doesn't sound real flash, does it? 166 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:08,599 Dang! 167 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,399 Again. 168 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:16,039 This is at the heart of the mine, it's the power plant. 169 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:20,239 It gives you the lights, runs the power packs for the hydraulics. 170 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:22,319 Without this you're going nowhere. 171 00:11:34,680 --> 00:11:36,679 We could have a look over there. 172 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:39,519 Back on the hunt for the first time this season, 173 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:43,439 Dan and Justin are in search of an underground mine. 174 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:46,199 Look at it! 175 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:50,319 Last season, abandoned mines netted them their biggest find. 176 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:53,319 Is there more in the wall? You will not believe this! 177 00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:55,399 Really? Yeah! 178 00:11:56,320 --> 00:12:00,519 Underground mining is one of the most dangerous things you can do up here. 179 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:03,959 You can have rock collapses, you can have things that wanna bite you. 180 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:06,919 If something goes wrong, it'll go real wrong, real quick. 181 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:11,639 Coober Pedy is peppered with thousands of abandoned mines. 182 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:18,879 Before they peg a claim, the first challenge is to find mineshaft safe enough to enter. 183 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:20,959 When you have a look at a shaft to go down, 184 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:24,039 you make sure that you've got no loose earth around the top, 185 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:27,239 otherwise you can slide in and that's it. You're dead. 186 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:29,959 But the other thing you've gotta do is check with a mirror 187 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:33,639 to look down to the bottom and see whether it opens up into actually the mine. 188 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:37,759 Because there's no point just going down straight to a shaft and there's nothing there. 189 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:42,119 You use a mirror to look down the shaft because you can't get a torch bright enough. 190 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:45,599 That looks a bit better. Yeah, this is better. 191 00:12:45,680 --> 00:12:48,719 Do you wanna grab me belt? Yeah. I'll have a quick look. 192 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:55,359 I've got you. All right, just wait, wait, wait. Whoa. 193 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:59,079 Can you see anything? Yeah. Is it open? No. 194 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:01,159 This one is a no-goer. 195 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:03,439 With no suitable mines, 196 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:05,959 the boys need a plan B. 197 00:13:06,040 --> 00:13:09,279 We've found holes, but we can't find safe enough ones to go down. 198 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:12,919 Hey, we might go and see Jurgen and ask him, he knows 11 Mile. 199 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,839 We really do need a bit of a helping hand, I think. 200 00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:19,239 Let's go and see if he's around. All right, let's do it. 201 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:22,879 Last season, veteran miner, Jurgen Feldheim, 202 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:25,719 lent The Rookies his unique hand-built drill 203 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:28,039 that gave them their biggest find. 204 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:31,239 Jurgen's been quite important to our opal mining career. 205 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:33,719 He's given us tools, all of his equipment. 206 00:13:33,800 --> 00:13:38,399 He's given us, most importantly, his advice and his secrets in finding opal. 207 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:40,479 That's priceless in my books. 208 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,079 Ooh, crunchy. 209 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:08,359 Jurgen's invited the boys to team up with him 210 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:10,799 in one of his underground mines. 211 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:14,839 Any opal found will be split 50/50. 212 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:19,599 Some of the old miners said to us, you know, just be careful, opal can change things. 213 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:25,719 At Jurgen's claim, The Rookies are faced with dangers of an unknown mine. 214 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:29,239 It's belled out. Oh, yeah. 215 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:33,239 What the...? 216 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:36,799 I don't know. This one's all belled out 217 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:41,359 and then goes in to the shaft. So there's a lot of loose rocks 218 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:45,359 hanging in that top cavity just under the surface here. 219 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:47,919 It's dangerous. Oh, well. 220 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:03,279 The Cooke brothers are trying to reopen an underground mine 221 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:05,559 they've not entered for six years. 222 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:09,839 But they have a power problem. 223 00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:16,639 Their 20-year-old generator is struggling to start. 224 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:22,439 Been sitting a while. 225 00:15:29,560 --> 00:15:31,519 We'll try jackhammer on it. 226 00:15:36,280 --> 00:15:39,199 Whoo-hoo! Put her on the metal make a bit of noise. 227 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:48,199 The Cookes prefer to mine where it's safest - on the surface. 228 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:51,839 But with no finds last season 229 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:53,919 they're being forced underground. 230 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:59,399 It can be deadly down there. Righto, brother. Come on down! 231 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:04,679 There's lots of way you can get hurt or get killed. 232 00:16:04,760 --> 00:16:09,079 Haven't seen snakes or porcupines or lizards or anything down here. 233 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,199 No skeletons. 234 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:15,639 13 meters down, the brothers are out of their comfort zone. 235 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:18,559 Little bit wary of that overhang there. 236 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,839 And then just bits like this. Careful. 237 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:25,639 Yeah, it's mixed up. We're gotta get through it. 238 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:28,079 Still down here is their mining equipment, 239 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:30,279 last used six years ago. 240 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:32,239 OK, Bobcat. 241 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:35,239 The hope is the dry, cool conditions 242 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:37,839 have preserved the machines they need to dig. 243 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:40,239 The gear's in surprisingly good condition. 244 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:43,079 Having that big hole has probably given it good ventilation. 245 00:16:43,160 --> 00:16:46,879 So we haven't got the condensation and corrosion happening. 246 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:50,079 Just got to hope the Bobcat and digger starts. 247 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:51,959 Been a while. Yeah. 248 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:56,439 The poor little beast's been sitting in hibernation for a while. It has. 249 00:16:56,520 --> 00:17:00,559 The Bobcat and digger were lowered down by crane years ago. 250 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:07,599 Now to test it all still works. 251 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:10,759 OK, everyone clear. 252 00:17:10,840 --> 00:17:13,599 Switch on. Switch on? Yeah. 253 00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:21,479 Hey-hey! Hooray! It lives. It lives! 254 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:25,519 They need to clear away six years of debris 255 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:28,799 that's collapsed from the unstable roof and walls. 256 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:35,159 It's beautiful-looking dirt. 257 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:37,479 That normally carries opal, dirt like that. 258 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:50,239 I've got colour! You got colour? I got red. 259 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:52,319 Definitely see potch. 260 00:18:01,840 --> 00:18:04,879 I think it's more that gypsum, isn't it? Ah, bugger. 261 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:08,199 See that's... We call it gypsum. Yeah, that looks like gypsum. 262 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:13,239 Gypsum is a soft mineral mined to make fertilizer and construction materials. 263 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:15,679 But to Mick and Pete it's useless. 264 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,039 Disappointment. Keep digging. 265 00:18:18,120 --> 00:18:20,119 Time for some youth... See how you go. 266 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:23,279 ..and Sam's first turn at the face. 267 00:18:23,360 --> 00:18:25,879 He hasn't actually done any underground mining yet. 268 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:30,479 A bit of fresh blood, a bit of enthusiasm and, you know, 269 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:34,159 there's always that beginner's luck. Some of that might rub off on us. 270 00:18:36,840 --> 00:18:39,319 You just lock it in more if you keep doing that. 271 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:45,719 Oi, you got him! 272 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:49,559 went down like a bag of . 273 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:54,999 The boys are carving through the mine. 274 00:18:55,080 --> 00:18:59,079 But the big machines mean they're also carving through their budget. 275 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:03,839 Every week will cost them about $1,000 in diesel. 276 00:19:03,920 --> 00:19:08,479 Every day they don't find opal is a day they go deeper into debt. 277 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:12,599 I've maxed out my credit card so, yeah, I would love to find some opal. 278 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,559 I won't have to eat baked beans for months. 279 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:30,239 Aaron and Greg's mercy mission to deliver a set of tyres 280 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:33,079 to neighbouring miner Charlie has run dry. 281 00:19:33,160 --> 00:19:35,439 She's got no diesel in her. 282 00:19:35,520 --> 00:19:38,039 Yeah, the tank's out. The tank's empty. 283 00:19:38,120 --> 00:19:41,599 It didn't evaporate, did it? No, it didn't evaporate. No, it didn't. 284 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:46,439 When we had the truck in town, it was full of diesel. Someone sucked the diesel out of it. 285 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:50,119 The boys suspect their truck's been siphoned of fuel. 286 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:53,799 You really can't trust people. 287 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:57,639 We'll run back to the mine. We got half a drum there, we'll fill it up. 288 00:19:57,720 --> 00:20:00,479 It's now a 20km round trip 289 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:04,199 to bring diesel from their camp. Did the right thing. 290 00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:07,279 That had heaps of diesel in it. I know. 291 00:20:07,360 --> 00:20:09,439 She won't go anywhere, mate. Nah. 292 00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:11,519 Righto, mate. Take it forward. 293 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:14,759 Charlie will be going off his brain. 294 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:17,039 "Where's them Aussies? Where's them Aussies?" 295 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:27,719 It's all time they could be mining. 296 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:30,319 Charlie probably thinks we're not turning up. 297 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:33,319 I'm more pissed off about the diesel going missing. 298 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:35,519 It's not as if we're like flowing in cash. 299 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:38,079 She seemed pretty good, eh? 300 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:40,239 Yeah. I'll give her a hit. 301 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:49,599 What a beautiful truck. We'll get the show on the road. 302 00:20:51,120 --> 00:20:55,319 Two hours later, Aaron and Greg are finally on the move. 303 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:57,799 We gotta help Charlie out. 304 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:01,719 They can't really do their job until they get the tyres on. 305 00:21:06,120 --> 00:21:08,719 Milan! How are you going? 306 00:21:10,120 --> 00:21:11,999 We've run out of diesel coming over. 307 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:15,599 The tank was full in town. Someone must've drained it. 308 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:22,719 Now they need to get the massive tyres off the back of the truck. 309 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:29,879 For a job like this, a crane is needed. 310 00:21:29,960 --> 00:21:34,199 But without one, Charlie will have to do it the outback way. 311 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:37,239 Watch out it don't snap that chain. Watch out, Aaron. 312 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:43,399 It's going up. Beautiful. 313 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:48,079 It's gonna go. It's gonna go. 314 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:06,119 1,000kms southwest, Rookies Dan and Justin 315 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:08,479 are about to enter for the first time 316 00:22:08,560 --> 00:22:12,039 an unknown mine and an unknown partnership 317 00:22:12,120 --> 00:22:14,439 with veteran Jurgen. 318 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:18,599 Interesting hole this one. Little bit dangerous because it's sort of belled out. 319 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:21,639 Old shafts are gonna be dodgy because they've had water damage. 320 00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:24,599 They've been dried out, they've been soaked, they've been... 321 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:27,999 Lot of bad things can happen. Looks all right, not ideal though. 322 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:30,519 I mean, we're out at 11 Mile 323 00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:34,159 and if Jurgen reckons it's all right we'll wing it. 324 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:38,039 This one is the chosen one. So, fingers crossed. 325 00:22:38,120 --> 00:22:40,839 Old shafts are notoriously unstable. 326 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:48,959 The purpose-built winch will lower them down the 26 metres to the mine floor. 327 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:54,119 If it fails, this metal ladder will be their only lifeline back to the surface. 328 00:23:03,920 --> 00:23:06,039 Only one metre in diameter, 329 00:23:06,120 --> 00:23:09,919 the mine entrance is just big enough to fit one person. 330 00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:18,759 OK! Back in the office chair. It still fits. 331 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:21,919 It's been about eight months since I've last been down a shaft, 332 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:24,319 so I'm a bit rusty. 333 00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:31,239 Wow! This is... A lot of work has been done here. Yeah. 334 00:23:36,600 --> 00:23:39,479 At this point we're just, you know, very new to this mine 335 00:23:39,560 --> 00:23:42,279 and we're still sort of scratching here, having a look there 336 00:23:42,360 --> 00:23:45,119 and see what's going on in this mine. 337 00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:47,799 To help them see where the opal might be 338 00:23:47,880 --> 00:23:51,559 the miners use an ultraviolet light or black light. 339 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:56,199 Soon Justin finds trace. 340 00:23:56,280 --> 00:23:58,519 We just spotted a little bit of opal up here. 341 00:23:58,600 --> 00:24:02,639 It's got a bit of colour. Let's see if I can just knock that in there. 342 00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:07,399 Oh, wow. Is that still attached? 343 00:24:07,480 --> 00:24:11,959 Yeah, it's a bigger piece. I'm gonna make the effort and actually dig it out. 344 00:24:12,040 --> 00:24:14,039 Righto. Let's rock'n'roll. 345 00:24:19,160 --> 00:24:21,799 OK, that's the first little... 346 00:24:21,880 --> 00:24:23,879 Give it to me. 347 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:28,279 I can see a nice big chunk of red in there. This is good. 348 00:24:28,360 --> 00:24:30,359 It's an encouraging sign. 349 00:24:30,440 --> 00:24:33,359 Red is the rarest of opal colours. 350 00:24:40,920 --> 00:24:42,919 Come on, give me a hand. 351 00:25:01,800 --> 00:25:03,999 There we go. Here's a chunk. 352 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:06,519 Oh, wow. Stay calm. 353 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:10,759 Holy moly! Moly, moly! 354 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:13,919 Let's have a look. Show me some colour. It's what we call... 355 00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:18,559 Whoo! 356 00:25:21,040 --> 00:25:22,959 Come here! 357 00:25:26,200 --> 00:25:28,199 Greg and Aaron's mercy mission 358 00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:31,559 helping mining neighbour Charlie is hanging in the balance. 359 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:34,159 Watch out! Danger, danger. 360 00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:37,839 Charlie's dump truck needs two new one-ton tyres 361 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:41,999 so he can get back mining. But Aaron and Greg have already lost 362 00:25:42,080 --> 00:25:46,039 over half a day's valuable mining time...and counting. 363 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:50,319 Get out of the road. It's gonna go. 364 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:53,119 It's gonna go. She's gone. 365 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:56,719 Bam! Stay there, stay there, stay there. 366 00:25:56,800 --> 00:26:01,199 Nearly stayed there. Wild operator. Wild operator, all right. 367 00:26:01,280 --> 00:26:05,599 Chain slipped off the tooth. We just stay out of the way. Watch out. Watch out. 368 00:26:05,680 --> 00:26:08,399 Ready to get out the way any time. Yeah. 369 00:26:20,600 --> 00:26:22,679 Whoa! Whoa! 370 00:26:22,760 --> 00:26:27,919 Wild operator Charlie steps down to make way for Aaron in the backhoe. 371 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:29,999 Let's work out how they go on. 372 00:26:30,080 --> 00:26:32,479 With a loading capacity of two tons... 373 00:26:35,520 --> 00:26:40,199 ..it's Aaron's job to line up the two one-ton tyres... Keep coming. 374 00:26:40,280 --> 00:26:42,759 ..on to 64cm wheel hubs. 375 00:26:42,840 --> 00:26:46,399 Gonna go up a bit. Gonna go up a bit. Up a fraction. 376 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:48,479 But four different miners... 377 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:54,199 ..four different opinions on the best way to do it. 378 00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:57,839 Down! You have to turn the tyre once more. 379 00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:00,799 I got three telling me. Well, I'll get the crow bar. 380 00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:05,079 Keep coming. Get Charlie out of there. 381 00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:08,279 I think we're nearly there. Down! 382 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:12,559 It's right down now. We're on the ground. 383 00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:15,519 It looks fairly good to me, Charlie. Right. 384 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:18,719 Fine. Spot on. You reckon? 100%. 385 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:23,559 Up? Yeah. She's up. 386 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:31,639 More. More. Stop! 387 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:34,439 She's in. Well, let me see. Yeah, we are in. 388 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:38,879 It's taking a bit longer than we thought, but we're slowly getting there. 389 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:44,839 Next a 19kg steel spacer goes on to separate the two tyres. 390 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:49,279 We'll get back on opal tomorrow. Good to help our mates out. 391 00:27:58,320 --> 00:28:00,679 Yeah. How is that? 392 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:06,479 At last... Happy, happy! ..Charlie can get back to moving dirt. 393 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:14,999 But for Aaron and Greg, helping a neighbour in need has come at a cost. 394 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:20,959 Thank you very much, gentlemen. No worries, mate. 395 00:28:21,040 --> 00:28:23,039 We're gonna get going too. Yeah. 396 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:33,839 Back at their own mine site, the boys have time for one last dig of the day. 397 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:36,039 Nice size rock here, Greg. Yeah? 398 00:28:38,840 --> 00:28:42,159 Just need one of them rocks to fill up, light up, we'll be right. 399 00:28:49,600 --> 00:28:51,599 It didn't get the nectar. 400 00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:54,559 I'll drop the rest of this face, eh? All right, mate. 401 00:29:10,400 --> 00:29:13,999 Aw! I can see colour from here. You can. 402 00:29:14,080 --> 00:29:16,839 Colour in the face. Colour in the face. 403 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:24,919 Smell the musty air. Beautiful. 404 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:27,279 For the first time in six years, 405 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:31,159 mechanical maestros Pete and Mick are back underground 406 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:33,759 digging out their abandoned mine. 407 00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:36,639 Yeah, I can't dig bugger all really. It's just... 408 00:29:36,720 --> 00:29:39,919 So really we want the bucket now. That's what the next stage is. 409 00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:43,079 To clear the mine, the brothers will need to lift out 410 00:29:43,160 --> 00:29:46,079 tons of dirt using a one-ton bucket 411 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:48,159 that's 10 tons when full. 412 00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:51,799 We pull that up, then we slew it around. We put it over truck, 413 00:29:51,880 --> 00:29:55,399 empty the dirt and poke it back down the hole and fill it up again. 414 00:29:56,480 --> 00:30:00,839 But to lift it they'll need some heavy machinery back in Mick's shed 415 00:30:00,920 --> 00:30:02,919 three kilometres away. 416 00:30:03,000 --> 00:30:08,199 His 25-ton, 40-year-old crane Old Yeller. 417 00:30:10,280 --> 00:30:13,759 Just packing up the crane, so we can lift that big bucket. 418 00:30:13,840 --> 00:30:17,639 Cos nothing else will lift the big bucket. 419 00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:22,319 So this is this crazy-arse big bucket Bobcat mining scenario. 420 00:30:24,120 --> 00:30:28,719 But there's a problem. The crane isn't licensed for the main road. 421 00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:31,359 I'm not running it up this road. 422 00:30:31,440 --> 00:30:34,599 Yeah, I suppose it's double demerits. That's the thing and... 423 00:30:34,680 --> 00:30:37,679 The cops just went out there then, the Walgett coppers, 424 00:30:37,760 --> 00:30:40,719 so, hopefully, they're going to Walgett. Yeah. 425 00:30:40,800 --> 00:30:46,159 It'll have to travel the three kilometres from Mick's shed to the mine, cross-country. 426 00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:49,199 What do you reckon? Rough track? I don't think it'll make it. 427 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:53,999 Oh, that bad. Some big holes. We've only got one axle driving. 428 00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:56,679 Yeah. If one wheel starts spinning we're struck, 429 00:30:56,760 --> 00:30:59,439 it's rough as guts. You hardly get through in the car. 430 00:30:59,520 --> 00:31:03,039 Look, I wouldn't mind whipping across the road there. 431 00:31:03,120 --> 00:31:06,359 You can go from there to the pony club. 432 00:31:06,440 --> 00:31:09,119 Yeah, but there's lots of rough holes there too. 433 00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:12,479 I don't wanna get the stuck. You won't get it stuck. 434 00:31:27,720 --> 00:31:30,239 Whoo-hoo! 435 00:31:31,120 --> 00:31:35,119 Mick's strategy - go fast, go hard, 436 00:31:35,200 --> 00:31:37,999 and whatever you do, don't stop. 437 00:32:01,000 --> 00:32:02,239 Whoa! 438 00:32:04,560 --> 00:32:06,559 I thought I would've got it then. 439 00:32:10,400 --> 00:32:12,599 Trying the impossible. 440 00:32:12,680 --> 00:32:16,279 I thought I would've got it with a bit of momentum but I bellied out. 441 00:32:16,360 --> 00:32:20,399 Stuck fast and not even halfway to the mine. 442 00:32:35,360 --> 00:32:37,239 Come here! 443 00:32:37,320 --> 00:32:40,519 26 metres below ground in Coober Pedy... 444 00:32:40,600 --> 00:32:42,599 BOTH: Yes! Let me have a look. 445 00:32:42,680 --> 00:32:45,759 ..Justin, Dan, and new partner Jurgen 446 00:32:45,840 --> 00:32:49,039 have just discovered a good seam of white opal. 447 00:32:50,880 --> 00:32:54,319 Just above us is a couple of thousand dollars worth of rough opal. 448 00:32:54,400 --> 00:32:59,199 It's a grey base with beautiful reds and greens and all the nice colours. It's really exciting 449 00:32:59,280 --> 00:33:03,279 cos it's not over, you know, there could be more just sitting above us. 450 00:33:04,920 --> 00:33:08,239 The next step is to dig out the rest of the pocket. 451 00:33:16,880 --> 00:33:20,639 But Jurgen unexpectedly leads the boys away from it 452 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:22,719 to a completely different spot. 453 00:33:35,800 --> 00:33:41,039 Finding opal can be quite complicated and it can change situations overnight. 454 00:33:43,360 --> 00:33:46,079 Dan returns to investigate the area 455 00:33:46,160 --> 00:33:48,799 around the original find. 456 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:51,479 Justin has been held captive down there. 457 00:33:51,560 --> 00:33:54,919 I've just come up here to have a bit of a look. 458 00:33:57,560 --> 00:34:00,399 The frustration is starting to tell. 459 00:34:00,480 --> 00:34:03,359 I just can't take it any more. I mean, come on. 460 00:34:03,440 --> 00:34:05,919 We're grown men. Give me a break. 461 00:34:08,920 --> 00:34:12,719 Is there any colour coming out? No, not at the moment, unfortunately. 462 00:34:18,800 --> 00:34:21,199 Yeah, it's behind you? Yes. 463 00:34:24,680 --> 00:34:26,839 I found opal. He drilled it out. 464 00:34:26,920 --> 00:34:31,199 He's now saying, "There's none there, let's go somewhere else." But it's there. 465 00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:34,959 He probably intended to come back later and dig it out. 466 00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:37,039 I think this is the one. I'm not sure. 467 00:34:38,520 --> 00:34:41,519 I've got a massive load of tolerance and so has Dan. 468 00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:44,879 Today it was pushed to the absolute brink. 469 00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:49,239 With it looking like Jurgen has led them away from the best opal in the mine, 470 00:34:49,320 --> 00:34:52,359 The Rookies have just learned another valuable lesson. 471 00:34:52,440 --> 00:34:57,399 Number one rule is not to agree to work on someone else's claim 472 00:34:57,480 --> 00:35:00,359 cos when you find opal can change. 473 00:35:00,440 --> 00:35:02,599 Friendships can break real quick. 474 00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:12,479 Six weeks into the season, Greg and Aaron have finally hit good opal. 475 00:35:12,560 --> 00:35:15,359 Aw! I can see colour from here. Good colour? 476 00:35:15,440 --> 00:35:17,519 Looks all right from here. I'll shut her down. 477 00:35:17,600 --> 00:35:19,079 Shut her down. Shut her down. 478 00:35:19,160 --> 00:35:23,679 Aw, here's a little bit of it. Oh, colour in the face. 479 00:35:23,760 --> 00:35:27,159 Oh, look at that. Aw, what a nice rock, mate. 480 00:35:27,240 --> 00:35:30,159 It's their first taste of real colour this season. 481 00:35:30,240 --> 00:35:32,679 Colour in the face. Colour in the hand. Look at that. 482 00:35:32,760 --> 00:35:37,199 That's a proper straw pattern. Yeah, mate. See, it's all like that. 483 00:35:37,280 --> 00:35:39,879 That is top gem crystal. Queensland. 484 00:35:39,960 --> 00:35:42,279 Straw pattern, Queensland boulder Opal. 485 00:35:42,360 --> 00:35:44,479 Opalton opal. You beauty. 486 00:35:44,560 --> 00:35:47,759 Oh, colour in the face! Look at that. 487 00:35:47,840 --> 00:35:50,159 It flaked off and there was another glitter. 488 00:35:50,240 --> 00:35:52,919 Yeah. Straw pattern today. 489 00:35:53,000 --> 00:35:56,759 Try and get the whole rock out in one hit. 490 00:35:56,840 --> 00:35:59,439 Knock her out, mate. Knock her out. Knock her out. 491 00:36:04,280 --> 00:36:06,759 Might be a bit... You ready? 492 00:36:17,840 --> 00:36:20,119 He's a right rock, look at the back of him. 493 00:36:20,360 --> 00:36:22,359 Got the pipes, got everything. 494 00:36:22,440 --> 00:36:26,039 No point rolling it over. We'll just... Yeah, I think so. 495 00:36:26,880 --> 00:36:28,879 That's that piece, yeah. Yeah. 496 00:36:29,760 --> 00:36:32,679 That's nice colour, eh? Every rock's one step closer 497 00:36:32,760 --> 00:36:35,559 to paying the bills. Getting ahead. 498 00:36:35,640 --> 00:36:37,759 That's it. Cool. 499 00:36:37,840 --> 00:36:39,839 Groovy. 500 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:43,039 They'll take the rock back to camp and cut it open 501 00:36:43,120 --> 00:36:45,279 to see if there's more hidden inside 502 00:36:45,360 --> 00:36:47,839 Greg's a very good cutter, he's been cutting 503 00:36:47,920 --> 00:36:52,559 for 35 years - more, 40 years - that I know of. 504 00:36:52,640 --> 00:36:56,559 He was cutting when he was 16. I'm gonna chop him here. 505 00:36:56,640 --> 00:36:59,399 All right, mate. Nice colour. Isn't it? 506 00:36:59,480 --> 00:37:03,439 Greg will use a masonry cutter with a diamond tip cutting blade. 507 00:37:03,520 --> 00:37:04,959 Real McCoy. 508 00:37:07,000 --> 00:37:09,239 Water will cool the blade. 509 00:37:11,040 --> 00:37:13,199 For Greg, this is the moment 510 00:37:13,280 --> 00:37:16,239 when the true value of a rock is revealed. 511 00:37:16,320 --> 00:37:19,959 I like cutting opal. You get to know 512 00:37:20,040 --> 00:37:23,039 exactly what you've found and what you've got to sell. 513 00:37:23,120 --> 00:37:27,119 If you sell it in the rough, you haven't got an idea what you're selling at all. 514 00:37:28,880 --> 00:37:33,439 Their hope is that the opal has produced not only on the surface 515 00:37:33,520 --> 00:37:35,719 but deep within the ironstone, 516 00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:38,559 making their find all the more valuable. 517 00:37:42,600 --> 00:37:46,159 The opal doesn't run all the way through. 518 00:37:46,240 --> 00:37:48,239 But what they have is stunning. 519 00:37:53,560 --> 00:37:56,559 It didn't travel far, actually, it travelled here. 520 00:37:56,640 --> 00:38:01,319 It's a strip of opal-bearing rock in there. 521 00:38:02,640 --> 00:38:06,519 It's gem quality crystal boulder opal, 522 00:38:06,600 --> 00:38:11,279 blue/green in colour with flashes of purple, yellow, orange and red. 523 00:38:11,920 --> 00:38:15,719 It's in the rough and they estimate they have 20 carats. 524 00:38:15,800 --> 00:38:19,759 Its approximate wholesale value is $8,000, 525 00:38:19,840 --> 00:38:21,839 bringing their total so far to... 526 00:38:22,920 --> 00:38:25,359 We'll do more sawing and go to the thinner blade. 527 00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:27,439 That's good enough for now anyway. 528 00:38:28,640 --> 00:38:30,959 And it's a beautiful colour. 529 00:38:31,040 --> 00:38:34,439 Can't be disappointed with that at all. All pretty good. 530 00:38:40,600 --> 00:38:43,959 Pete can give me a tow. Yeah, the way it's looking. 531 00:38:44,040 --> 00:38:49,119 The Cooke brothers' 25-ton crane, Old Yeller, is stuck fast 532 00:38:49,200 --> 00:38:51,439 three kilometres from their mine. 533 00:39:08,840 --> 00:39:11,959 It's not gonna work. I hate to say I told you so. 534 00:39:16,320 --> 00:39:18,319 Might have to do a backwards tow. 535 00:39:31,000 --> 00:39:34,519 Towing it out is just digging it in deeper. 536 00:39:34,600 --> 00:39:36,959 I really up that time, Ollie. 537 00:39:37,040 --> 00:39:40,679 Manitou? We got no choice really, mate. 538 00:39:40,760 --> 00:39:44,119 Enter their three ton Manitou telehandler 539 00:39:44,200 --> 00:39:49,039 with its telescopic arm and three-and-a-half tons of pushing power. 540 00:39:49,120 --> 00:39:51,999 See if I can dig it under and push it up. See how we go. 541 00:40:09,600 --> 00:40:13,199 Nice. Bit like a big-arse loader. 542 00:40:14,240 --> 00:40:17,839 Yeah, well. What a circus. 543 00:40:18,400 --> 00:40:22,279 Uh, we got the crane stuck just sort of behind the industrial estate 544 00:40:22,360 --> 00:40:26,919 and we wondered if we can and borrow your Manitou to pull the that. 545 00:40:27,000 --> 00:40:31,839 My Manitou won't do it. Everyone in town does help each other. It's bloody amazing. 546 00:40:33,080 --> 00:40:36,399 Last resort and even bigger telehandler 547 00:40:36,480 --> 00:40:38,839 borrowed from a neighbouring miner. 548 00:40:40,600 --> 00:40:44,079 This one has over nine tons of grunt. 549 00:40:46,080 --> 00:40:48,119 With two hours already lost 550 00:40:48,200 --> 00:40:52,599 they need the crane free or they'll have wasted the entire day. 551 00:41:01,960 --> 00:41:03,999 Oh, yeah, piece of . Nothing to it 552 00:41:04,080 --> 00:41:06,559 when you've got the right equipment. 553 00:41:06,640 --> 00:41:11,439 That's good. We'll sally forth, venture on, see if we get stuck again. 554 00:41:13,040 --> 00:41:15,759 It's a victory today. But with a target of... 555 00:41:17,680 --> 00:41:20,039 ..and not an opal yet to be seen, 556 00:41:20,120 --> 00:41:23,879 the brothers have got a massive challenge ahead. 557 00:41:29,720 --> 00:41:32,879 It's all a big mind game, opal mining. 558 00:41:32,960 --> 00:41:38,159 For the Rookies, the experiment of working with Jurgen is proving frustrating. 559 00:41:38,240 --> 00:41:40,239 Here. Here's a good spot. Here. 560 00:41:41,080 --> 00:41:43,959 I'm not sure whether he was trying to teach us 561 00:41:44,040 --> 00:41:46,479 or he just wanted to use us. 562 00:41:49,880 --> 00:41:53,919 Teaming up with a third party has taught them a hard lesson. 563 00:41:55,160 --> 00:41:57,279 What we learned out of that experience 564 00:41:57,360 --> 00:42:01,119 is that the more people are involved the more difficult it gets. 565 00:42:01,880 --> 00:42:05,999 That's why I'm for a 50/50 partnership with Justin 566 00:42:06,080 --> 00:42:09,359 and that's, in my view, the best way to move forward. 567 00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:13,719 Let's grab a bit of opal out. Let's clean him up. 568 00:42:13,800 --> 00:42:18,479 Back at the dugout, they examine their 50% share of the find. 569 00:42:18,560 --> 00:42:20,639 There's a few little bits in here. 570 00:42:23,160 --> 00:42:26,759 We got a couple of nice stones, so not a bad effort for a day's work. 571 00:42:26,840 --> 00:42:30,359 It's not our best find but good start to the season anyway. Yeah. 572 00:42:30,440 --> 00:42:33,679 The best thing about it is that we're back mining again together. 573 00:42:33,760 --> 00:42:36,839 Mm-hm. Good job, Muller. All right. Well done. All right. 574 00:42:36,920 --> 00:42:39,079 The opal that we found is pretty good opal. 575 00:42:39,160 --> 00:42:42,239 Nice colours in there, you know. Not a huge quantity. 576 00:42:42,320 --> 00:42:44,759 Let's go and see Johnny. What do you think? 577 00:42:44,840 --> 00:42:46,879 I reckon. See what he says. Let's do it. 578 00:42:47,640 --> 00:42:51,799 Legendary opal hunter John Dunstan is the Rookie's mentor 579 00:42:51,880 --> 00:42:53,959 and an experienced opal valuer. 580 00:42:54,040 --> 00:42:56,039 G'day, g'day. G'day, g'day! 581 00:42:56,120 --> 00:43:00,199 How are you going? Howdy. How's things? Good. Back again. Back again indeed. 582 00:43:00,280 --> 00:43:03,439 We did a bit mining earlier today and this is what we found. 583 00:43:03,520 --> 00:43:06,879 Oh, yeah. I think it's not a bad start to our mining season. 584 00:43:06,960 --> 00:43:09,919 Looks all right. Well, nothing wrong with this. 585 00:43:10,000 --> 00:43:13,799 Nice bit of colour here. Yeah. What do you think it's worth, John? 586 00:43:14,400 --> 00:43:18,119 I reckon you could probably get... maybe a thousand bucks. 587 00:43:18,200 --> 00:43:22,159 Yeah, right. That's all right. 700-800 for sure. Yeah. 588 00:43:22,240 --> 00:43:26,239 A thousand bucks. That's a good start, I reckon. Gotta be happy with that. 589 00:43:26,320 --> 00:43:29,279 Justin and Dan's opal is white opal, 590 00:43:29,360 --> 00:43:32,239 worth up to $1,500 a carat retail. 591 00:43:33,120 --> 00:43:35,599 It has flashes of blue, green and red. 592 00:43:35,680 --> 00:43:38,759 But it's in the rough and it weighs just two ounces 593 00:43:38,840 --> 00:43:40,839 making its value around... 594 00:43:41,760 --> 00:43:44,999 Back into the swing of things and started off the week pretty well. 595 00:43:45,080 --> 00:43:47,479 So what you need now is a bucketful. 596 00:43:47,560 --> 00:43:50,559 All right. Thanks, John. OK, boys. Good luck. No worries. 597 00:43:51,440 --> 00:43:55,079 While the Rookies are happy with their first haul of the season, 598 00:43:55,160 --> 00:43:58,559 with a target of $150,000 599 00:43:58,640 --> 00:44:00,959 there's still a long road ahead. 600 00:44:01,280 --> 00:44:03,279 subtitles by Deluxe 600 00:44:04,305 --> 00:45:04,358 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm