"Outback Opal Hunters" Machine Mayhem

1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:02,039 . 2 00:00:02,120 --> 00:00:04,119 NARRATOR: On Outback Opal Hunters... 3 00:00:04,200 --> 00:00:06,919 Let me just check this real quick. 4 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:09,439 It's last chance... Move the bucket. 5 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:11,679 ..for the rookies' partnership. 6 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:13,759 sake! 7 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:16,559 Col's crew are on a crash course. 8 00:00:18,120 --> 00:00:20,159 Got no brakes? 9 00:00:20,240 --> 00:00:23,079 Hold on! 10 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:26,239 And the Cooke brothers... It's raining bolts. 11 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:28,839 ..fight busted hoses and breakdowns... 12 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:31,639 PETER: We got covered in oil. Oh, my God... 13 00:00:31,720 --> 00:00:33,959 ..in the quest to strike it rich. 14 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:41,119 # Money 15 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:45,959 # And fancy clothes 16 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:53,119 # Telling you what to do 17 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:54,239 # With the life we live 18 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:57,199 # Where to go # 19 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:08,319 Coober Pedy, Australia's biggest opal-producing region. 20 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:12,919 Having made just $1,000 this season, 21 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:15,599 rookies Justin Lang and Dan Becker 22 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:20,599 are giving their Shell Patch claim and their partnership one last chance. 23 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:22,679 That pile would take... 24 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:25,999 ..five hours to move. 25 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:28,119 The whole... The whole pile? 26 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:30,519 At least. You know... 27 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:32,599 It's probably not worth it cos... Nah. 28 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:35,319 I think we can sneak behind it. All right. Let's do that. 29 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:40,359 Justin's mining full-time, 30 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:45,359 but family man Dan's only available one week every six. 31 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:49,959 It comes down to the point whether you actually wanna be a hobby miner or a real miner. 32 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:52,639 That's the bottom line. 33 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:58,079 For their partnership to survive, they need to find opal on this trip. 34 00:01:58,160 --> 00:02:00,839 Let's go and find some opal. 35 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:03,799 I'm feeling confident today. 36 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:07,359 I'm excited. I hope an opal is gonna pop out today. 37 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:14,959 Shell Patch is famed for its opalised shells 38 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:17,839 worth up to $20,000 a piece. 39 00:02:17,920 --> 00:02:21,159 The rookies hope this section that's never before been mined 40 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:24,439 will provide the jackpot they need. 41 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:27,279 Best part about that ground through here, it's all virgin. 42 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:29,559 We're not gonna run into old bulldozer cuts... 43 00:02:29,640 --> 00:02:31,639 You know, it's a waste of time. 44 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:33,999 We should get cracking. All right. 45 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:36,879 After scraping the face with the excavator, 46 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:40,279 it's down to hand tools for the close-up work. 47 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:43,079 Come on, opal. It's gonna come out today. 48 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:45,159 OK, we've got a little bit of colouring. 49 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:47,479 I can see faint little lines of colour there. 50 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:49,559 Faint, faint, faint, faint, faint. 51 00:02:49,640 --> 00:02:53,159 You know, nice colour but...tiny. 52 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:56,999 Come on! Fatten up! 53 00:02:57,080 --> 00:02:59,679 Do you, like... Do you see opal? 54 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:01,759 Fatten up. 55 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:05,279 This is not fattening up. 56 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:13,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 57 00:03:14,640 --> 00:03:16,799 Dan turns to using a drill, 58 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:20,479 but more experienced miner Justin isn't impressed. 59 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:25,999 It's not really a good thing cos you can't hear when you get opal. 60 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:28,239 That's a really important thing to use a pick 61 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,839 and not have too much noise so you can hit the wall 62 00:03:30,920 --> 00:03:32,919 and you can hear the strike of the opal 63 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,599 With that, it's got the thing going so I don't like it. 64 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:41,919 It's the last dig of the day. 65 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:46,759 Last gouge and I'm out of here. 66 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:49,479 I'm done. 67 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:53,839 But then...loose sand... 68 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:56,839 ..a sign the ground has already been worked. 69 00:03:56,920 --> 00:03:58,919 We've just come across a bulldozer cut 70 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:02,119 meeting the face of our mine from the other side. 71 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:04,199 The old timers have beaten us to it. 72 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:07,519 Finished. 73 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:13,559 Their hopes for virgin ground have been dashed. 74 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:16,959 There'll be no opal here. 75 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:19,999 Hm... It's a bit sad. 76 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:22,079 I thought we could have kept going, 77 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:25,359 but it looks like it's all just ground that's already been worked. 78 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:28,279 So, um... 79 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:31,119 Gonna have to change. Change direction. 80 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:40,759 Dragonfly claim, Opalton. 81 00:04:40,840 --> 00:04:42,839 Col's crew are well on their way 82 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:46,399 to their $120,000 season target. 83 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:49,559 It's good to see the rocks starting to fill up. 84 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:52,239 We need more purple, eh? 85 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:56,919 But for Aaron, Greg and Col, the big opal has dried up. 86 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:02,119 All they're finding now are small ironstone rocks 87 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:04,559 worth just $200 a piece. 88 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:06,639 That's a nice green bit you got there. 89 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:08,879 Yeah, but this is stronger. 90 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:14,879 Nice flashy colour, Greg. 91 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:17,399 Potentially, you get a stone that big out of there. 92 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:20,999 Yeah, these are a bit patchy, these levels. Come and go like Colin! 93 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:24,039 Slowing them down is Col's recurring illness. 94 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:26,119 Oh. 95 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:28,639 Big fella's a bit crooked, Greg, eh? 96 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:31,159 It's been a while he's come back. 97 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:33,879 But now it looks like he's sick again today. 98 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:36,239 Col, are you all right? 99 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:38,719 Col... Yeah. My gut's.... 100 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,559 You wanna lie on my bed? Yeah, I might do that. 101 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:43,999 You lie on my bed, mate. 102 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:48,559 What happened? You can't lie on the ground. 103 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:51,479 Ah, it's the best place to spew. 104 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:53,559 The deal between the trio is, 105 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:56,239 if you don't work, you don't get a cut. 106 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:00,679 If you're not digging while you're out here in the paddock, 107 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:02,759 you're just wasting your time. 108 00:06:02,840 --> 00:06:05,079 I'll put a piece aside for you, mate. 109 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:08,599 Just have a kip, you might become better, eh? Urgh! 110 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:11,999 Just sing out if you want anything, eh? Yeah. 111 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:14,479 We gotta battle on with what we're doing. 112 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:17,679 Keep digging and try and find some more opal. 113 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:29,799 Yeah, mate. What, you get a bit of colour? 114 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:33,879 Bit of colour, mate. 115 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:37,159 Bit of green and purple and blue. It's colour. 116 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:40,519 Set of earrings, mate. Yeah, there you go. Chin up. 117 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:42,719 Need a bit more colour to get bit more value. 118 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:46,439 This is really still trace, but it's a very good sign to see. 119 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:49,439 Yeah, if that was more full, it'd be a nice little piece. 120 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:52,079 We'd have 20 carats there in two pieces. 121 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:53,559 Yep. Yep. 122 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:56,599 Lug her out, mate, lug her out. 123 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:05,999 Out here diesel is liquid gold. 124 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:08,079 That's our last drum of diesel. We're gonna 125 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:10,399 fill the excavator, we'll trench till it's out, 126 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:12,479 then probably go to town and sell some opal. 127 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:14,559 Here, mate. 128 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:16,919 Sacred last drum, mate. 129 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:24,239 Once this runs out, their mining will grind to a halt. 130 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:26,839 Yeah, you got no diesel, we can't do nothing. 131 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:28,599 It's how it is. May as well go to town. 132 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:32,839 And it's a 250km round trip to get more. 133 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:34,919 That's it, mate. Oh, well. 134 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,399 Sacred drum, mate. 135 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:40,319 Sacred last drum, eh? 136 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:42,399 We got the fuel in. 137 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,199 We'll just go and have a dig and see how we go 138 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:48,159 with the sacred last drum of fuel. 139 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:58,919 I'm keen to get out to Hidden Valley. 140 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:00,999 I think we might hit a pocket there. 141 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:04,719 Yeah, well, you know, I'm not that confident but what can you do? 142 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:10,199 'We get down here, move some dirt, we might have to prove it otherwise.' Let's hope so. 143 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:13,039 Brothers Mick and Pete Cooke 144 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:15,919 have had another bad start to their season. 145 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:17,999 With zero on the board, 146 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:21,039 they're ramping up their dig at their Hidden Valley claim 147 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:24,519 three kilometres south of Lightning Ridge. 148 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:28,679 They're on the hunt for black opal, Lightning Ridge's speciality, 149 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:32,999 worth up to $35,000 a carat, retail. 150 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:37,679 But with no opal and with new team member Sam Westra on the payroll, 151 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:40,199 they're under extra pressure. 152 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:44,159 I would love to find some opal today. 153 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,679 I won't have to eat baked beans for months. 154 00:08:49,040 --> 00:08:52,679 In a last-ditch attempt to turn their fortunes around, 155 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:56,079 Mick has splashed out $70,000 156 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,599 on a 30-tonne drilling rig nicknamed Dragon. 157 00:08:59,680 --> 00:09:04,599 It's a little bit nerve-racking, but no different to driving crane. 158 00:09:04,680 --> 00:09:07,519 Whilst Pete and Sam mine underground, 159 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:10,959 Mick and Dragon will drill test holes from above, 160 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:13,359 looking for new pockets of opal. 161 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:16,919 I can prove the ground 10 ft, 20ft in front of us 162 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:19,639 and know if we're heading for a pocket. 163 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:21,719 So far so good. 164 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:24,639 Now gotta work out how to drive this sucker. 165 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:30,559 With a 1200mm-diameter drill, 166 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,839 Dragon can churn through nine metres of ground an hour. 167 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,319 I like it. I love a little bit of gear. 168 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:48,479 I am excited. Yeah, I like having nice yellow rusty stuff. 169 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:51,839 Me and Sam will go down underground. 170 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:55,119 We reckon we've been, in the past, mining up too high. 171 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:58,119 It's really hard, so we're gonna go in underneath it now 172 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,519 and have a look, see if there's any opal here. 173 00:10:02,680 --> 00:10:05,599 Powered by high-pressure hydraulic hoses, 174 00:10:05,680 --> 00:10:10,919 their 800kg digger can shift ten tons of dirt a day. 175 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:13,479 It's good to be finally underground doing a bit. 176 00:10:13,560 --> 00:10:15,559 Pete's driving the digger, 177 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:18,479 I'll just have a bit of scratch to... 178 00:10:18,560 --> 00:10:21,479 Hopefully something's just shining out of the wall. 179 00:10:24,680 --> 00:10:28,759 Mick wants to drill down to between six and 15 metres 180 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:31,159 the depth opal forms. 181 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:48,319 I should be around 18, 19 feet. 182 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:53,759 And I am... Ah, look at that. 18 feet. 183 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:57,159 Oh! What's that? 184 00:11:00,560 --> 00:11:03,799 Freshly broken bolt. You can see it's just been broken. 185 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:06,399 Not good. 186 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:08,479 It's raining bolts. 187 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:21,799 Back at Shell Patch, 188 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:24,679 the rookies' run of bad luck continues. 189 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:29,559 $35,000 deeper in debt than part-time partner Dan, 190 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:31,639 Justin's feeling the pressure. 191 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:35,119 For me, it's been months and months of hard work 192 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,999 and a huge learning curve with no real reward. 193 00:11:40,240 --> 00:11:42,239 Pretty disappointing. 194 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:45,639 So it is quite important that I find opal here at Shell Patch. 195 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:48,559 Otherwise, uh, what are you here for? 196 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:55,999 Dan has worrying news from home. 197 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:58,479 Both of my kids are sick down in Adelaide, 198 00:11:58,560 --> 00:12:01,999 and I need to ideally be back home with the family. 199 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:06,039 I don't wanna leave Justin up here in the lurch by himself. 200 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:08,679 We've just moved his excavator onto our claim 201 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:10,759 so that we can mine this area. 202 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:13,239 You know, we've waited for nine months to do that. 203 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:15,799 And finally, we've got a window of opportunity, 204 00:12:15,880 --> 00:12:17,919 and bang, the kids fall sick. 205 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:21,079 What do you think of that ground there? 206 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:23,399 Well, the south side, looks like it's up. 207 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:25,919 I reckon I might have been digging out an old cut. 208 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,839 So that last couple of hours is wasted as well. 209 00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:30,919 The worst thing is, you do all this work 210 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,079 and you come across these old cuts. 211 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:35,159 You know what that means? 212 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:38,759 Why don't we dig out north side tonight with the black light? 213 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:41,879 Just over there? I reckon. This side here is . 214 00:12:42,680 --> 00:12:45,439 The rookies are in for a long night. 215 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:47,959 The plan is to dig the north side 216 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:52,759 and use an ultraviolet light that will make any trace of opal fluoresce. 217 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:54,999 It's their last roll of the dice. 218 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:57,079 How high is his fever? 219 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:00,759 And what about Nina? 220 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:05,399 I spoke with my wife. Even though she's very supportive of me being up here, 221 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:09,879 I can hear it, you know, that she's at the end of her rope. 222 00:13:09,960 --> 00:13:14,759 I'll give you a call later on and we'll work out a plan, all right? 223 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:31,599 COL: Urgh! Col's gone down again, mate. 224 00:13:31,680 --> 00:13:35,999 Yeah, he's sick, mate. I don't know what he's got. Bit of brekkie. 225 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:39,519 Even with Col ill, Aaron and Greg must keep digging. 226 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:41,839 So we're gonna trench, go down deep and have a look 227 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:45,479 at what the deeper levels are doing and see if we can pick up a better lead. 228 00:13:45,560 --> 00:13:48,559 Let's see what today brings. Might go and do a bit, Greg, eh? 229 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:51,399 Yeah, let's go and do a bit, eh? 230 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:54,679 After five years making little money, 231 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:57,759 the boys need this to be a bumper year. 232 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:01,919 But all their equipment is on its last legs. 233 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:06,479 Got no brakes? 234 00:14:06,560 --> 00:14:08,559 Hold on! 235 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:20,079 No brakes. No, nothing. Nothing. 236 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:23,679 No brakes. 237 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:27,079 You got nothing there too, Aaron. She's empty. 238 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:29,359 Shut her down, mate. 239 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:31,719 Watch him. 240 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:34,639 Yeah, no brakes at all. We're out of fluid. 241 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:37,679 We must have a leak somewhere, mate. Yeah. 242 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:40,239 Yeah. That front wheel. You can see it? Yeah. 243 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:44,759 That rubber hose is . So we need another hose and more fluid. Yeah. 244 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:49,519 Without the time or tools to fix the ute here, they abandon it. 245 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:52,239 We're knocking her out, eh? Knock her out, knock her out. 246 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:58,119 I want red and green. 247 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:05,599 There's a bit of colour. 248 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:08,319 Oh, look, there's another one there too. Yes. Yeah. 249 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:10,679 That's a nice green bit you got there. Yeah. 250 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:12,919 That's not a bad colour, Aaron. Yeah. 251 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:15,239 Leave no stone unturned. 252 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:22,319 I'll try a bit of toast first. 253 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:24,919 Unable to mine and make money, 254 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:28,199 Col must reassess his future. 255 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:30,719 Working the Dragonfly is hard work. 256 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:34,439 You know, you go in all day, breaking rocks, climbing up and down the dumps. 257 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:37,999 Um, that's a bit much for me at the moment. 258 00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:40,079 I think that'll be all right. 259 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:45,319 If I can keep this down, that'll be a good sign. 260 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:47,399 Too ill to work... 261 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:49,479 Your car! 262 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:53,639 ..Col's new girlfriend Peta arrives to take him back to town. 263 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:55,959 Whoo-hoo! 264 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:58,079 Here we are! Well, how was the drive? 265 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:00,919 And with this new relationship 266 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,679 comes new responsibilities. 267 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:06,879 If I'm gonna be involved in a family, 268 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:08,959 I need to be a provider. 269 00:16:09,040 --> 00:16:13,839 Are you taking a photo? Col and Mom, say cheese. Cheese! Cheese! Yes, please. 270 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:16,319 If it came down to it, I'd have to get a real job 271 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:19,279 on the council or, you know, working for someone. 272 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:21,359 It's an option I've never had to take, 273 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:23,879 but I've never had to look after anyone but myself. 274 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:30,359 The trio once again becomes a duo. 275 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:36,559 You gotta be physical to do this job. 276 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:38,639 You really got to wanna do this, 277 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:40,719 especially when it gets hot. 278 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:44,319 It's possible in these sorts of levels 279 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:46,399 to find $100,000 worth of opal. 280 00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:50,039 Me and Greg will find opal. It's what we're here to do. 281 00:16:56,560 --> 00:17:00,719 In Lightning Ridge, Mick Cooke's 30-tonne drill, Dragon, 282 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:02,919 has serious problems. 283 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,039 A bolt off of it. A freshly broken bolt. 284 00:17:05,120 --> 00:17:07,119 You can see it's just been broken. 285 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:10,999 That spells trouble. Oh, yeah. 286 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:13,199 So I'll fold the tower down and have a look. 287 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:22,119 Ooh, Jesus. 288 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:27,719 We have lost a few. One, two, three, four, five... 289 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:31,159 There's eight bolt holes, and we got three bolts remaining. 290 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:34,599 So, you know, . That's a big percentage gone. 291 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,599 It's a good thing we, um, spotted that. 292 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:41,719 If that bar could have dropped at, you know, 20, 30 feet, 293 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:44,719 it probably would have pulled the drive unit off the end of it. 294 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:46,799 And that would've been expensive. 295 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:50,159 His $70,000 drill has been stopped in its tracks 296 00:17:50,240 --> 00:17:53,159 by five $10 bolts. 297 00:17:53,240 --> 00:17:55,359 To keep his test drilling on schedule, 298 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:58,079 Mick needs to get replacements fast. 299 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:03,479 Meanwhile, 13 metres underground, 300 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:06,239 Pete and Sam are having problems of their own. 301 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,239 The hydraulics on their digger are playing up. 302 00:18:13,040 --> 00:18:15,519 And come back? Yeah. 303 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:17,599 Rightio. Clear to come back. 304 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:36,399 I did! Oh, my God. Covered in oil! 305 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:38,719 Well... 306 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:41,559 Well, we've had a blow-out in the hose. 307 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:47,159 Unfortunately, Sam... Sam's been oiled up good and proper. 308 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:51,119 With Sam covered in hydraulic oil and the digger out of action, 309 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:55,119 both the underground and overground operations are at a halt. 310 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:57,839 It will slow us down for a little while till we fix it. 311 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:00,639 Just another day in the life of an opal miner. 312 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:03,199 Mining is something you do between breakdowns. 313 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:06,119 Stick to your pick and a candle and nothing's gonna go wrong, 314 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:08,719 but you're not gonna move much dirt, are you? 315 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:16,719 DAN: We are really under the pump. 316 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:21,079 The last option then for us is to dig the north face, 317 00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:23,159 which is what we're doing at the moment. 318 00:19:25,400 --> 00:19:29,479 For the rookies, the north face is their last chance. 319 00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:32,919 After that, their Shell Patch claim is finished. 320 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:37,519 No idea what time it is at the moment, 321 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:40,639 but it's dark and we've been here for a fair few hours now. 322 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:45,079 Justin's worked all day and now into the night as well. 323 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:54,359 Finally, after hours of shifting hundreds of tons of loose earth, 324 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:56,479 Justin's work is done. 325 00:19:56,560 --> 00:20:00,199 Oh, my God, he looks like the fixture of the excavator. 326 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:02,879 Just as dusty as the machine. 327 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:05,319 Oh, man. 328 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:09,719 Good job. Good job, Justin. 329 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:12,359 Oh, no. 330 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:14,439 Look at that. I've changed colour. 331 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:16,999 Oh, man, good job. Good job. 332 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:20,519 Oh, that was a long haul. It was, wasn't it? Bloody hell. 333 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:25,279 Well, good. 334 00:20:25,360 --> 00:20:27,519 Hope we're gonna find opal under this ground. 335 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:31,399 With a bit of luck, tonight might just be the night. 336 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:37,279 With the face now exposed, Dan and Justin can begin the hunt for opal. 337 00:20:37,360 --> 00:20:39,919 Look, look, look, colour. 338 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,039 You can hear it. 339 00:20:42,120 --> 00:20:46,479 Oh. So we a have a little bit of opal. 340 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:50,479 Oh, wow. Wow. 341 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:52,679 It's gonna be good. I know. 342 00:20:56,760 --> 00:20:58,759 We're getting closer. 343 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:00,839 What's this? Nothing. 344 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:04,719 Came with something, and nothing and then back to nothing again. 345 00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:09,039 There you go. We have... Disappeared. 346 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:13,399 It's brittle . 347 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:16,399 Same old story. We get teased with a little bit... 348 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:20,719 There's opal there, but... Look, it's better than nothin'. 349 00:21:36,840 --> 00:21:40,559 Here. It's a nice rock. It's got lines in it. 350 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:43,839 Flashy purple. It is. Col won't hear it, will he? No. 351 00:21:45,080 --> 00:21:48,399 Back at Dragonfly... Down the trench, Captain Hardhat. 352 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:50,759 ..Aaron and Greg finally hit a good opal level. 353 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:54,599 That's where yesterday's trace was here... Yes, where's that level go? 354 00:21:54,680 --> 00:21:57,279 Actually there, Greg, with the sandstone on top of it. 355 00:21:57,360 --> 00:22:00,119 That's a lot of level there. Goes right back to here. 356 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:04,799 It's promising trace... Little bit of purple here, mate. 357 00:22:04,880 --> 00:22:06,879 ..and there's plenty of it. 358 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:09,759 Yeah, we got a bit of trace here. Purple. Ooh. 359 00:22:09,840 --> 00:22:12,719 Look at that. Just here is a lot of it. 360 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:15,519 Area all around. Yeah, seems like that. 361 00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:20,959 Well, we're getting a bit of opal 362 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:23,919 through here, the sandstone's touching the level. 363 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:27,959 It's a nice level. It is a nice level. 364 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:30,559 It tells you the job's just gotta be done, eh, Greg? 365 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:33,279 We got a level there to dig, that's for sure. 366 00:22:33,360 --> 00:22:37,159 We're getting a bit of a parcel here. It's starting to get a bit of a parcel, eh? 367 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:41,559 It's a half-decent haul worth about $2,000. 368 00:22:41,640 --> 00:22:45,479 But to sell the opal, they'll need to travel 120km 369 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:47,559 to their buyer in town. 370 00:22:47,640 --> 00:22:51,199 And they've got just one vehicle left that can make it - 371 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:53,279 Aaron's car. 372 00:22:53,360 --> 00:22:57,079 I'm not real good at this, Greg, so you're gonna have to draw. Yeah. 373 00:22:57,160 --> 00:22:59,439 Aaron decides it needs a facelift. 374 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:02,399 We're doing up the... Putting a bit of paintwork on the car. 375 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:04,479 Yeah. Team Dragonfly. 376 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:06,679 Look, it's even got a miner's pick. 377 00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:09,239 We're gonna give it a name. Yeah. 378 00:23:09,320 --> 00:23:12,199 We're thinking we'll just call it The Delirium actually. 379 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:16,279 Yeah. I've got the right spelling here so we don't look like idiots. 380 00:23:16,360 --> 00:23:18,359 The Delirium. 381 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:21,079 Delirium. You wouldn't think it's spelled like that. 382 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:23,159 No, I didn't think that. D-E-L... 383 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:25,239 ..I-R-I-U-M. 384 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:30,119 He can have little legs. He's got to have legs. 385 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:32,839 Tail, body. Looks like a cat. 386 00:23:34,360 --> 00:23:36,359 I don't know about that, but anyway... 387 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:43,239 How does his head go? Well, just do a head here. 388 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:45,319 You can draw in with Nikko pen later on. 389 00:23:46,320 --> 00:23:48,719 Yeah, I can do the highlights. Hm. 390 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:51,359 Harden up. That means, "Have a go, mate." 391 00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:53,479 That's what "harden up" means. 392 00:23:53,560 --> 00:23:55,799 He's got to have a bit of a laugh now, eh? 393 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:57,879 That's a nice smile. 394 00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:01,919 Damn it. Looks like you nailed it. Nailed it, mate. 395 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:05,479 OK, see how I go, eh? 396 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:07,879 D-E-L-I-R... 397 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:13,199 I reckon that'll be effective. 398 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:15,799 Yeah, dragonfly is spelled D-R... 399 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:19,439 D-R-I-G... 400 00:24:21,120 --> 00:24:22,879 Dunno. 401 00:24:22,960 --> 00:24:25,639 That looks flash. I like that. 402 00:24:25,720 --> 00:24:28,879 The Delirium. That's what she is. She's the staff car. 403 00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:31,679 She goes on hard... You get delirious. 404 00:24:31,760 --> 00:24:34,159 Yeah, when you go sideways at 100mph. 405 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:36,239 At least this one's got brakes. 406 00:24:36,320 --> 00:24:38,319 Kick her in the dirt, Aaron. 407 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:42,559 Oh-ho-ho-ho. 408 00:24:42,640 --> 00:24:44,679 She's away! I told you, mate. 409 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:47,079 It's like every colour of opal on there. 410 00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:49,159 Yeah, every colour. 411 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:57,439 Hitting the dirt in Delirium, 412 00:24:57,520 --> 00:25:01,319 Aaron and Greg hope they can now make enough to keep them going. 413 00:25:08,360 --> 00:25:10,359 13 metres below ground... 414 00:25:10,440 --> 00:25:13,439 This is good. Look, you get covered in oil, 415 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:17,239 scum knuckles and spend money everyday on parts. 416 00:25:17,320 --> 00:25:20,919 Yeah, you're broke in the morning and broker in the afternoon! 417 00:25:21,000 --> 00:25:24,079 The Cooke brothers are facing more mechanical mayhem. 418 00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:27,159 I'm gonna need a joiner of some description, I reckon. 419 00:25:27,240 --> 00:25:31,079 And rookie Sam is covered in hazardous hydraulic oil. 420 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:38,239 Mick, I've had a burst of hydraulic hose. 421 00:25:38,320 --> 00:25:42,799 Yeah. We must be getting close to opal. 422 00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:46,719 Back with a box of bolts from his workshop, 423 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:50,599 Mick must find five that fit his 30-tonne drill Dragon... 424 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:54,439 A touch bigger. ..so he can get working again. I'll try it in the hole. 425 00:26:01,320 --> 00:26:03,319 I put five in, 426 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:06,319 but they're long. I've had to put spacers on 'em. 427 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:08,399 I'll buy the right ones tomorrow. 428 00:26:10,760 --> 00:26:14,039 It's not perfect, but it'll get us through today. 429 00:26:14,120 --> 00:26:16,599 Back to the grind. Ha-ha. 430 00:26:23,280 --> 00:26:25,599 While Mick and Dragon are on the move, 431 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:28,599 below ground, brother Pete is struggling. 432 00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:30,959 This is where another pair of hands 433 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:35,039 or a prehensile tail would come in handy. 434 00:26:35,120 --> 00:26:37,439 Come on, stay there, you bloody thing. 435 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:41,799 These are hydraulic fittings, I suppose you'd call 'em. 436 00:26:42,840 --> 00:26:45,279 You have an outer piece that goes on left hand, 437 00:26:45,360 --> 00:26:47,559 then an internal tail that feeds down inside, 438 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:50,759 and a thread and expands against the hose and locks it all in. 439 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:56,079 Yeah, just gotta get these very, very tight. 440 00:26:57,960 --> 00:27:00,319 Oh, Jesus. 441 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:05,159 That's really a young man's job, that is. 442 00:27:17,200 --> 00:27:21,279 I reckon that's tight enough to give it a try. 443 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:31,799 Well, we'll switch it on and see what happens. 444 00:27:31,880 --> 00:27:33,879 If the repair doesn't hold, 445 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:37,199 their underground mining mission will be over for the day. 446 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:44,959 Let me just gouge underneath. 447 00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:47,159 In Coober Pedy... Check it out. 448 00:27:47,240 --> 00:27:50,079 ..the rookies are still just finding scraps. 449 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:52,959 All right, I'll give you some opal in a minute. 450 00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:57,999 Uh-huh. This is better. 451 00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:01,799 It's not really saleable, so... 452 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:04,919 Have a look at this. 453 00:28:06,880 --> 00:28:10,039 This should have some colour in it. A bit of green. 454 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:16,119 Here. Have a look. See what you think. 455 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:18,999 With a massive investment in machinery to pay-off, 456 00:28:19,080 --> 00:28:21,999 Justin is not impressed by the fragments of opal 457 00:28:22,080 --> 00:28:24,799 or partner Dan's meticulous approach. 458 00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:27,959 I reckon we've gotta get to a process where we 459 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:30,639 have to make a split-second decision on... 460 00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:33,559 We're having a quick look and then get the excavator going. 461 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:36,119 This is not viable to stop and start the machine. 462 00:28:37,520 --> 00:28:40,799 Yeah, fire it up. We'll heave into it. 463 00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:42,879 All right. 464 00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:46,719 All right. I still want everyone off the face. 465 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:50,119 Get out the way. What the is he doing? 466 00:28:53,560 --> 00:28:56,599 I said get off the face... We'll use the excavator. 467 00:28:57,840 --> 00:28:59,839 Come on. 468 00:29:03,040 --> 00:29:05,479 I'm still gonna dump it there over his head. 469 00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:10,239 Let me just check this real quick. 470 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:14,639 I'm gonna smash every one of those little picks he's got. 471 00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:17,399 Little toothpicks. 472 00:29:17,480 --> 00:29:20,559 It's like the method we had 20 years ago. 473 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:23,599 We gotta get going. We got 474 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:25,839 the rest of Cooby Pedy to dig. 475 00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:29,999 sake! Every minute this is running, 476 00:29:30,080 --> 00:29:32,119 it's costing money. 477 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:35,599 And if we start and stop it, it's not good for the machine. 478 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:39,279 And we need to make a decision on whether there's opal in the wall 479 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:41,799 or not. And if we're digging it with a toothpick, 480 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:43,999 then we may as well turn this machine off. 481 00:29:44,080 --> 00:29:47,279 Ready to go again? Fire up the machine. 482 00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:53,959 Not much. Little bits, but then it disappears again. So... 483 00:29:54,040 --> 00:29:55,919 I like to keep moving. 484 00:30:07,880 --> 00:30:10,679 Fed up, Justin turns the lights off 485 00:30:10,760 --> 00:30:14,039 so Dan can't see the face of the wall he's digging at. 486 00:30:19,400 --> 00:30:21,399 It's like the hurry-up signal. 487 00:30:21,480 --> 00:30:24,119 Dan takes too long. I haven't got a horn on this thing, 488 00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:27,399 so I just flick the lights off. Move the bucket! 489 00:30:30,080 --> 00:30:34,519 I've never lost the plot, but I reckon I'm going to get close with this bloody trip. 490 00:30:42,360 --> 00:30:46,159 And then, the last thing they wanted to see. 491 00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:49,399 Look at that. You gotta be joking me. 492 00:30:49,480 --> 00:30:51,479 Another bit of bad luck. 493 00:30:53,280 --> 00:30:55,799 Can't win. This here... 494 00:30:56,960 --> 00:31:00,759 ..looks like another bulldozer cut, 495 00:31:00,840 --> 00:31:04,399 which is not what we were expecting to see. 496 00:31:04,480 --> 00:31:06,879 The dark earth indicates another miner 497 00:31:06,960 --> 00:31:09,039 has dug this claim before them, 498 00:31:09,120 --> 00:31:11,919 a sure sign any opal will be gone. 499 00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:15,559 Looks like we were wrong. 500 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:19,079 All that work at the top there...for nothing. 501 00:31:20,560 --> 00:31:23,839 Discovered another cut. I thought that was all solid ground in there. 502 00:31:25,240 --> 00:31:28,399 It's a crushing end to a long night. 503 00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:31,439 I've been sitting here all day, moving dirt. 504 00:31:31,520 --> 00:31:34,839 And the amount of things and conversations you have in your mind... 505 00:31:34,920 --> 00:31:37,199 You're going, "What the hell am I doing here, 506 00:31:37,280 --> 00:31:40,199 doing this when I could be back home working on a business, 507 00:31:40,280 --> 00:31:42,999 could be doing a hundred other things back in Hahndorf, 508 00:31:43,080 --> 00:31:45,639 spending time with the family..." 509 00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:48,439 All I'm doing up here is spending all my savings 510 00:31:48,520 --> 00:31:51,279 on diesel and this machine. 511 00:31:51,360 --> 00:31:55,759 And... I've got really nothing to show for it this year. 512 00:32:00,160 --> 00:32:03,959 Hey, darling. How you going? You've got the bug? 513 00:32:04,040 --> 00:32:06,039 Oh, no. 514 00:32:06,120 --> 00:32:08,799 Do you need me to come home tomorrow? 515 00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:13,479 If Dan leaves now, it could spell the end of the partnership. 516 00:32:26,160 --> 00:32:29,039 At Greg's house in the town of Winton, 517 00:32:29,120 --> 00:32:32,679 Greg and Aaron are preparing their recent haul for sale. 518 00:32:32,760 --> 00:32:35,439 We chipped real opal. Look at that. 519 00:32:38,320 --> 00:32:40,319 Nice flash, eh? 520 00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:42,399 It's nice purple blue, eh? 521 00:32:42,480 --> 00:32:46,559 After 38 years cutting opal, Greg can see potential for a good stone 522 00:32:46,640 --> 00:32:49,079 in what looks like just a lump of rock. 523 00:32:49,160 --> 00:32:52,639 Well, I like to cut this stone, cos I can see 524 00:32:52,720 --> 00:32:55,879 opal from there, around through there and around through this. 525 00:32:55,960 --> 00:32:58,759 So maybe we'll get a decent-size stone here. 526 00:32:58,840 --> 00:33:00,839 I'll watch and learn a bit. 527 00:33:01,840 --> 00:33:03,839 I'll make a start. All right, Greg. 528 00:33:06,360 --> 00:33:08,359 Greg's sort of gonna help me out, 529 00:33:08,440 --> 00:33:10,439 and we're gonna cut as much as we can 530 00:33:10,520 --> 00:33:12,639 and get the best dollar I can for what we got. 531 00:33:12,720 --> 00:33:15,359 I'm gonna take it down this way to get a bigger stone... 532 00:33:15,440 --> 00:33:17,439 ..because it's broken there. 533 00:33:17,520 --> 00:33:20,799 Yeah. If I go this way, it'll end up a lot smaller stone. 534 00:33:21,840 --> 00:33:23,839 Yeah. 535 00:33:31,280 --> 00:33:34,559 Greg must carefully cut away the ironstone rock 536 00:33:34,640 --> 00:33:36,839 to reveal the opal inside. 537 00:33:36,920 --> 00:33:39,959 His aim is to expose a clean opal face 538 00:33:40,040 --> 00:33:44,479 free of cracks or a common grey mineral gypsum. 539 00:33:44,560 --> 00:33:48,799 Yeah, this stone is cleaning all right, but it's got a bit of gypsum in there. 540 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:51,119 I don't know if I can get it out. 541 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:53,199 We'll see what happens. 542 00:33:53,280 --> 00:33:55,279 Grind off too much, and he risks 543 00:33:55,360 --> 00:33:57,799 cutting through the thin layer of opal, 544 00:33:57,880 --> 00:33:59,879 making it far less valuable. 545 00:33:59,960 --> 00:34:02,519 Hopefully, the stone turns out good. 546 00:34:02,600 --> 00:34:04,919 Greg's been cutting it for the last few hours. 547 00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:07,399 Hopefully, there's no cracks or flaws in it. 548 00:34:07,480 --> 00:34:09,479 Hey! How you doing? 549 00:34:09,560 --> 00:34:11,799 Good, mate. How are you? All right. 550 00:34:11,880 --> 00:34:13,999 How did you go, mate, with the cut? 551 00:34:14,080 --> 00:34:16,479 Well, there she is. Ooh! 552 00:34:16,560 --> 00:34:19,719 You got all the gypsum out. Yeah, it looks all right, eh? 553 00:34:19,800 --> 00:34:24,079 This stone is large, but blue-green is the most common colour. 554 00:34:24,160 --> 00:34:27,879 And it's only a thin layer of opal on brown ironstone, 555 00:34:27,960 --> 00:34:30,839 making its value $1,000. 556 00:34:30,920 --> 00:34:33,159 ..25 carat, mate. There you go, mate. 557 00:34:33,240 --> 00:34:35,959 No worries. Yeah, good start. 558 00:34:36,040 --> 00:34:38,639 At least we can show Steve that cut. 559 00:34:38,720 --> 00:34:41,159 Yeah, well, this cut's a real cut. Very true. 560 00:34:49,640 --> 00:34:52,439 All right, we'll switch it on and see what happens. 561 00:34:52,520 --> 00:34:55,799 The Cooke brothers' 800kg hydraulic digger 562 00:34:55,880 --> 00:34:57,879 is key to their operation. 563 00:35:00,040 --> 00:35:04,879 If Pete's repair doesn't hold, their day's mining will be over. 564 00:35:08,840 --> 00:35:11,279 You can see the pressure in the line. 565 00:35:17,040 --> 00:35:19,479 Well, it seems OK. 566 00:35:19,560 --> 00:35:21,999 Yeah. That's it. 567 00:35:22,080 --> 00:35:24,079 It's gonna work just fine. 568 00:35:25,320 --> 00:35:29,239 Time to check on brother Mick's progress above ground. 569 00:35:30,920 --> 00:35:32,919 Go on. 570 00:35:35,240 --> 00:35:38,639 How's it going? Yeah. All repaired and away we go. 571 00:35:38,720 --> 00:35:40,999 Not enjoying it? 572 00:35:41,080 --> 00:35:43,559 Don't like breakdowns. 573 00:35:43,640 --> 00:35:46,719 That's all good there, isn't it? Yeah, it should be OK. 574 00:35:48,760 --> 00:35:50,759 With both machines repaired, 575 00:35:50,840 --> 00:35:52,839 the team can continue mining. 576 00:35:54,160 --> 00:35:56,479 We're not covered in oil. That's a good thing! 577 00:35:58,920 --> 00:36:02,839 Touch wood, there's no more weak spots in the hose. 578 00:36:02,920 --> 00:36:06,399 But with the day nearly over, they must halt their operation 579 00:36:06,480 --> 00:36:08,479 with less dirt than they'd hoped. 580 00:36:11,800 --> 00:36:14,719 OK. Move those hoses. 581 00:36:14,800 --> 00:36:19,039 Less dirt means less chance of finding opal. 582 00:36:19,120 --> 00:36:23,239 I'll just move out that little bit of dirt, put it in the bucket. 583 00:36:23,320 --> 00:36:25,319 It'll be brought upstairs into the truck 584 00:36:25,400 --> 00:36:27,919 and off to the agi to wash it. 585 00:36:39,160 --> 00:36:43,159 Get it to the aqig, I think. We're gonna run out of day otherwise. Yeah. 586 00:36:43,240 --> 00:36:45,759 It's now a race to get their dirt 587 00:36:45,840 --> 00:36:48,919 to the agitator wash plant before the sun sets. 588 00:37:05,840 --> 00:37:08,839 Their aqig is a converted cement mixer 589 00:37:08,920 --> 00:37:10,919 that washes away the mud and earth, 590 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:13,759 leaving just rocks and any precious opal. 591 00:37:13,840 --> 00:37:17,119 The opal should be in the aqig if we're lucky. 592 00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:19,879 We'll know when we tail it tomorrow or whatever. 593 00:37:20,960 --> 00:37:23,159 Oh, she's spinning around, 594 00:37:23,240 --> 00:37:25,519 washing down. 595 00:37:25,600 --> 00:37:29,599 Fun's started, first ball. Gotta have the wind sometimes! 596 00:37:37,120 --> 00:37:39,719 After a tough night battling the elements 597 00:37:39,800 --> 00:37:44,759 and each other, Dan and Justin return to their Shell Patch claim. 598 00:37:55,040 --> 00:37:57,079 No opal. Look at this. 599 00:37:58,080 --> 00:38:00,319 Oh, man. This is . 600 00:38:01,560 --> 00:38:03,999 We're boxed in. 601 00:38:04,080 --> 00:38:08,559 Yeah, I can't move any more dirt, you know. It's too much work. 602 00:38:08,640 --> 00:38:12,439 It's almost coming to an end, this place. 603 00:38:12,520 --> 00:38:15,719 It's a bit disheartening, you're digging and digging and digging 604 00:38:15,800 --> 00:38:19,319 for double days of work and... 605 00:38:20,680 --> 00:38:22,679 ..just nothing's coming. 606 00:38:22,760 --> 00:38:25,479 You know, if we were to pull up stumps now... 607 00:38:26,520 --> 00:38:30,039 ..I can go home to my family, look after them... Mm. 608 00:38:30,120 --> 00:38:33,879 ..and we'll come up with another plan. Mm. 609 00:38:33,960 --> 00:38:36,879 I'm not sure of Dan's commitment level with Coober Pedy 610 00:38:36,960 --> 00:38:38,959 and opal mining. I know he loves it 611 00:38:39,040 --> 00:38:41,039 but there's a lot of background 612 00:38:41,120 --> 00:38:43,159 you gotta do to make this whole thing work. 613 00:38:43,240 --> 00:38:46,839 And I think at the end of the day, it's just too much stuff to do for him. 614 00:38:46,920 --> 00:38:50,479 Well, what do you say? Why don't we just call it quits, huh? 615 00:38:51,480 --> 00:38:54,199 All right. It sucks though, doesn't it? 616 00:38:54,280 --> 00:38:56,279 Yeah. 617 00:38:56,360 --> 00:38:58,479 I had great hopes for Shell Patch. 618 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:08,239 DAN: The motivation has hit rock bottom, I think. 619 00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:12,079 But opal mining is a mind game. 620 00:39:13,280 --> 00:39:16,639 What's more important to me, family or mining? 621 00:39:16,720 --> 00:39:19,439 Family, hands down. You know, there's no question. 622 00:39:19,520 --> 00:39:21,839 Family comes first, everything else second. 623 00:39:23,480 --> 00:39:27,919 It's the end of the line for the rookies' Shell Patch claim... 624 00:39:29,280 --> 00:39:32,079 ..and for their partnership. 625 00:39:39,640 --> 00:39:42,079 After 24 hours in the agitator, 626 00:39:42,160 --> 00:39:45,759 it's time for the Cooke brothers to see if they have any opal 627 00:39:45,840 --> 00:39:49,039 and see who's right about their Hidden Valley claim. 628 00:39:49,120 --> 00:39:53,199 Even if we find nothing, at least we know there was nothing there. We didn't miss it, 629 00:39:53,280 --> 00:39:56,159 we haven't abandoned a good claim. 630 00:39:56,240 --> 00:39:58,839 This tail ought to prove that I'm right, 631 00:39:58,920 --> 00:40:02,519 there's opal here and it's worth the effort we're putting in. 632 00:40:08,840 --> 00:40:12,359 All right. We have a...broken bolt. 633 00:40:12,440 --> 00:40:14,439 It's probably from Mick's drill. 634 00:40:14,520 --> 00:40:16,519 Which it is. That's what it'll be. 635 00:40:21,560 --> 00:40:23,799 Look. 636 00:40:23,880 --> 00:40:26,679 There's nothing of any commercial value. No. 637 00:40:26,760 --> 00:40:29,319 I'm not gonna say it, but it could be contamination. 638 00:40:31,040 --> 00:40:34,479 Yeah, they do sort of get stuck in this grain. 639 00:40:34,560 --> 00:40:37,599 If nothing else, it was an interesting exercise. 640 00:40:38,840 --> 00:40:41,279 Well, that was a dodgy-ass tail out, mate. 641 00:40:41,360 --> 00:40:43,519 Was that all of it? 642 00:40:43,600 --> 00:40:47,679 But it's bad news. There's not even a scrap of opal. 643 00:40:47,760 --> 00:40:51,399 Pete's probably more right than me this time. That doesn't happen very often. 644 00:40:51,480 --> 00:40:53,479 Hidden Valley has proved a dud. 645 00:40:53,560 --> 00:40:55,559 We'll keep trying. We won't give up. 646 00:40:55,640 --> 00:40:58,519 But still, with a $200,000 target to chase, 647 00:40:58,600 --> 00:41:00,599 the brothers have a back-up plan, 648 00:41:00,680 --> 00:41:04,559 a promising claim to the north, called Allawah. 649 00:41:04,640 --> 00:41:08,639 We'll just give Allawah a go, cos we found face from the claim out there. 650 00:41:09,720 --> 00:41:11,999 We can always come back to Hidden Valley. 651 00:41:15,840 --> 00:41:18,639 Very, very well. 652 00:41:18,720 --> 00:41:21,599 We won't give up on it, but I've got better prospects. 653 00:41:21,680 --> 00:41:24,399 I'd like to get out to and have a bit more of a crack. 654 00:41:24,480 --> 00:41:27,759 There's gems out there, I'm sure. It'll be a good claim, I think. 655 00:41:33,480 --> 00:41:36,599 Aaron and Greg are ready to sell their opal. 656 00:41:36,680 --> 00:41:39,479 What do you reckon, Greg? I reckon we're on about $5,000. 657 00:41:39,560 --> 00:41:41,559 Ask five. Let's see what he gives us. 658 00:41:41,640 --> 00:41:44,119 You don't need to go down. 659 00:41:44,200 --> 00:41:46,199 They have boulder opal, 660 00:41:46,280 --> 00:41:49,559 blue-green in colour with flashes of purple. 661 00:41:49,640 --> 00:41:52,199 It's mainly just trace in the rough 662 00:41:52,280 --> 00:41:55,719 and weighs approximately five kilos, 663 00:41:55,800 --> 00:41:59,999 making its value between $2,000 and $5,000. 664 00:42:01,440 --> 00:42:04,199 How you going, Aaron, Greg? Oi. How are yous? 665 00:42:04,280 --> 00:42:06,559 Good, mate. How are you? Good. Really good. 666 00:42:06,640 --> 00:42:08,839 How you going? Good to be back and winning. 667 00:42:08,920 --> 00:42:10,999 Yeah. Show us what you got. 668 00:42:11,080 --> 00:42:13,079 OK. Yeah. 669 00:42:13,160 --> 00:42:15,999 Greg cut one stone. Oh, wow! 670 00:42:16,080 --> 00:42:18,639 Fresh as... That's right, mate. Fresh opal. 671 00:42:18,720 --> 00:42:21,159 You can smell it. Pancakes. 672 00:42:21,240 --> 00:42:23,239 So this is the kingstone? Kingstone. 673 00:42:23,320 --> 00:42:25,879 That just proves how the opal cuts, mate. 674 00:42:25,960 --> 00:42:28,839 Beautiful, Greg. Yeah. You like the cutting, mate? 675 00:42:28,920 --> 00:42:31,199 Yeah, not bad, eh? Hm. 676 00:42:31,280 --> 00:42:33,999 24.9 carat. Pretty special. 677 00:42:34,080 --> 00:42:36,199 Yeah. Good-size stone. 678 00:42:36,280 --> 00:42:38,359 Opalton stuff, eh? Yep. Yep. 679 00:42:38,440 --> 00:42:41,359 All right. Here's some lines similar. Yep. 680 00:42:41,440 --> 00:42:45,759 Buyer Steven Tasik is after as cheap a deal as he can get. 681 00:42:45,840 --> 00:42:48,159 I'm taking a gamble, boys. 682 00:42:50,320 --> 00:42:54,199 We'll do, eh? That's right. Righto. 683 00:42:54,280 --> 00:42:56,559 So what's your damage? 684 00:42:57,800 --> 00:43:01,599 I'll ask $5,000. Yeah. Well... 685 00:43:01,680 --> 00:43:04,519 Five for what, the rough and the cut stone? Yeah, mate. 686 00:43:04,600 --> 00:43:06,759 And what's in there? Yeah, $5,000, mate. 687 00:43:06,840 --> 00:43:09,199 Ah, guys, I've gotta turn a profit out of this, 688 00:43:09,280 --> 00:43:12,479 so how do I... Well, what's the best you can do? 689 00:43:12,560 --> 00:43:15,119 Uh, probably two grand, man. 690 00:43:15,200 --> 00:43:17,719 Can you come up a bit? Oh... 691 00:43:17,800 --> 00:43:21,119 What about two grand and a carton of beer? 692 00:43:21,200 --> 00:43:23,239 What about $2,500? 693 00:43:23,320 --> 00:43:25,399 Uh, what about $2,250? 694 00:43:25,480 --> 00:43:28,239 And a carton of beer. Done. 695 00:43:28,320 --> 00:43:30,519 What do you reckon? $2,250. $2,250. 696 00:43:30,600 --> 00:43:33,119 Righto. Cheers, guys. Thank you. No worries. 697 00:43:33,200 --> 00:43:36,199 Excellent. And that 40 carton of beer. Righto. 698 00:43:36,280 --> 00:43:38,719 Less than Aaron and Greg hoped for, 699 00:43:38,800 --> 00:43:42,399 but it brings them much-needed cash and closer to their target 700 00:43:42,480 --> 00:43:45,119 with over half the season still to go. 701 00:43:45,200 --> 00:43:49,079 This year's shaping up all right. We just gotta...keep producing, 702 00:43:49,160 --> 00:43:52,319 make it happen. Don't let it beat us. No. 703 00:43:52,400 --> 00:43:54,519 We're right to go for the next few weeks. 704 00:43:54,600 --> 00:43:56,759 Bit of drilling, bit of trenching, bit of facing. Yep. 705 00:43:56,840 --> 00:44:00,559 Cheers, mate. Cheers. Cheers to the opal. 706 00:44:00,640 --> 00:44:02,999 subtitles by Deluxe 706 00:44:03,305 --> 00:45:03,874 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm