"Gold Rush" Back to Alaska

1 00:00:01,530 --> 00:00:03,330 Narrator: On this "gold rush"... 2 00:00:03,330 --> 00:00:05,130 We've spent a lot of money drilling. 3 00:00:05,130 --> 00:00:06,830 Narrator: Parker schnabel... 4 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:07,970 Parker: May not want to follow me. 5 00:00:07,970 --> 00:00:09,200 Whoa. 6 00:00:09,210 --> 00:00:12,740 Narrator: ...Is on the hunt for a new claim... 7 00:00:12,740 --> 00:00:14,940 If the gold's not good, it'll break you. 8 00:00:14,940 --> 00:00:16,640 Whoa! 9 00:00:16,650 --> 00:00:19,310 Narrator: ...To secure his mining future. 10 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:22,380 Parker: A lot of pressure riding on the back of this little hole. 11 00:00:22,390 --> 00:00:24,180 Rick: Push it! Let's go! 12 00:00:24,190 --> 00:00:26,850 Cannot afford the plant to shut down right now. 13 00:00:26,860 --> 00:00:29,190 Narrator: Rick ness goes deep... 14 00:00:29,190 --> 00:00:31,630 Rick: We're looking at at least 60 feet of overburden. 15 00:00:31,630 --> 00:00:34,260 Sometimes you got to bite the bullet and just do it. 16 00:00:34,260 --> 00:00:36,160 Narrator: ...To save his season. 17 00:00:36,170 --> 00:00:39,030 Alrighty. 18 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:41,800 I didn't know that gold mining had a lot to do with plumbing. 19 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:45,210 Narrator: And fred lewis's first season as a mine boss... 20 00:00:45,210 --> 00:00:46,370 Johnny! 21 00:00:46,380 --> 00:00:48,440 Hey, turn off that water. 22 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:49,940 Fred: Turn it off! 23 00:00:49,950 --> 00:00:51,510 Narrator: ...Hangs in the balance. 24 00:00:51,510 --> 00:00:53,880 Fred: We keep getting kicked, but we keep getting back up. 25 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:55,580 So, you guys ready? 26 00:00:59,020 --> 00:01:02,090 -- Captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com 27 00:01:02,090 --> 00:01:05,060 Captions paid for by discovery communications 28 00:01:09,730 --> 00:01:11,600 Parker: Right now, I'm on my way to fairbanks. 29 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:14,740 I really want to start another operation. 30 00:01:14,740 --> 00:01:17,670 Narrator: After seven years mining in the yukon, 31 00:01:17,670 --> 00:01:21,710 25-year-old parker schnabel is back in alaska, 32 00:01:21,710 --> 00:01:27,250 Where it all began, on a mission to find new ground. 33 00:01:27,250 --> 00:01:29,980 We've got a really good opportunity on a piece of ground 34 00:01:29,990 --> 00:01:32,020 That has had a lot of historic mining. 35 00:01:32,020 --> 00:01:33,520 It's for sale. 36 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:36,590 Guy that owns it wants 3 million dollars for it, 37 00:01:36,590 --> 00:01:40,560 Which is a lot of money, so hopefully, 38 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:44,030 Everything runs smoothly at the mine site while I'm gone. 39 00:01:44,030 --> 00:01:47,940 Narrator: To pay for a new claim, for the first time ever, 40 00:01:47,940 --> 00:01:53,140 Parker's left his crew to run his yukon operation without him. 41 00:01:53,140 --> 00:01:54,810 Parker: We've got a good shot at making a lot of money, 42 00:01:54,810 --> 00:01:58,180 And we're gonna need a hell of a war chest built up. 43 00:01:58,180 --> 00:02:00,450 If they can keep that place going, 44 00:02:00,450 --> 00:02:02,750 Then we can get another operation up and rolling. 45 00:02:02,750 --> 00:02:07,420 The only thing we need is ground. 46 00:02:07,420 --> 00:02:12,190 Narrator: Now, parker is 13 miles outside of fairbanks, 47 00:02:12,190 --> 00:02:17,560 On his way to prospect the new, 3-million-dollar claim. 48 00:02:17,570 --> 00:02:18,970 I've asked liam ferguson, 49 00:02:18,970 --> 00:02:21,340 Who has a sonic drill, to come up. 50 00:02:21,340 --> 00:02:23,340 Liam is the best in the business 51 00:02:23,340 --> 00:02:25,870 When it comes to evaluating ground. 52 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:27,470 Hopefully, it works out. 53 00:02:33,050 --> 00:02:35,280 This property we're looking at about 2 miles long -- 54 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:38,250 This creek, starting up there about a mile 55 00:02:38,250 --> 00:02:40,890 And goes downstream about another mile. 56 00:02:40,890 --> 00:02:45,690 Narrator: The smallwood claim is 397 acres of ground, 57 00:02:45,690 --> 00:02:49,900 3 miles downstream from a huge gold vein, 58 00:02:49,900 --> 00:02:52,870 Where a mine called fort knox 59 00:02:52,870 --> 00:02:57,770 Has produced over 8 million ounces of gold. 60 00:02:57,770 --> 00:03:01,910 Now, parker must find out if enough gold has washed down 61 00:03:01,910 --> 00:03:06,010 From the mother lode to make smallwood worth mining. 62 00:03:06,020 --> 00:03:08,050 Parker: Looks like you already been washing rocks! 63 00:03:08,050 --> 00:03:09,750 Liam: Yeah, we've got a few done. 64 00:03:09,750 --> 00:03:13,390 He's hired liam ferguson to test-drill the ground. 65 00:03:13,390 --> 00:03:14,860 Hey, man. How's your summer been? 66 00:03:14,860 --> 00:03:15,760 Good. Good. 67 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:16,760 Yeah. 68 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:18,390 Beating me to the punch. 69 00:03:18,390 --> 00:03:20,590 Yeah, we got a few days head start on you. 70 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:24,100 We've done a little bit of drilling now. 71 00:03:24,100 --> 00:03:28,000 For the past five days, liam has been drilling test holes 72 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,870 With his state-of-the-art sonic drill. 73 00:03:30,870 --> 00:03:33,470 At almost $20,000 a day, 74 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:37,380 It's already cost parker nearly $100,000 75 00:03:37,380 --> 00:03:39,680 Just to see if there's good gold. 76 00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:41,520 How many holes have you drilled? 77 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:44,080 Probably done about 25 or 30. 78 00:03:44,090 --> 00:03:45,420 Oh, really? Yeah. 79 00:03:45,420 --> 00:03:46,820 So at least now you kind of have 80 00:03:46,820 --> 00:03:48,290 A bit of an idea on what's going on, 81 00:03:48,290 --> 00:03:50,160 And we can make a plan where to go next. 82 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:51,660 A lot of fine gold we'd mining, here. 83 00:03:51,660 --> 00:03:54,460 Like dust? Yeah, like flour. 84 00:03:54,460 --> 00:04:00,500 We've seen gold, but it seems to be pretty spotty. 85 00:04:00,500 --> 00:04:03,500 There's definitely gold here, but is there enough? 86 00:04:03,510 --> 00:04:06,910 So far, liam has sunk five test lines 87 00:04:06,910 --> 00:04:09,680 That show only patches of gold. 88 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:13,280 Parker needs at least five good results in a line 89 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:15,720 To prove this piece of ground is worth 90 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:18,820 The 3-million-dollar price tag. 91 00:04:18,820 --> 00:04:22,420 For the potential that is here, you want to be sure. 92 00:04:22,420 --> 00:04:23,860 You're thinking about jumping downstream, then? 93 00:04:23,860 --> 00:04:24,860 Yeah. 94 00:04:24,860 --> 00:04:25,990 Do you want to show me around? 95 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:27,230 Yeah. Let's go for a walk. 96 00:04:27,230 --> 00:04:29,730 Sweet. Oh, this looks like fun. 97 00:04:29,730 --> 00:04:31,530 How have you been going back and forth this 98 00:04:31,530 --> 00:04:32,970 When you're walking around? 99 00:04:32,970 --> 00:04:35,070 Swimming across. 100 00:04:35,070 --> 00:04:36,740 Oh . 101 00:04:36,740 --> 00:04:38,140 Might not want to follow me. 102 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:41,910 Whoa! Don't go there. 103 00:04:43,210 --> 00:04:45,450 Liam: The fairbanks region has just a lot of gold here, 104 00:04:45,450 --> 00:04:48,620 And there's been a lot of historic mining. 105 00:04:48,620 --> 00:04:50,820 So, fort knox is 3 miles that way way 106 00:04:50,820 --> 00:04:53,050 And it's producing 1,000 ounces a day, 107 00:04:53,060 --> 00:04:56,190 And this drainage is coming right off the back of that, 108 00:04:56,190 --> 00:04:59,360 So we know there's gold in the area. 109 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:01,430 Are there any bears out here? 110 00:05:01,430 --> 00:05:04,000 haven't seen any. 111 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:05,670 That's what dozer's here for, right? 112 00:05:05,670 --> 00:05:07,670 Oh, yeah. Appetizer. 113 00:05:09,410 --> 00:05:11,300 Breakfast time. 114 00:05:11,310 --> 00:05:12,440 We didn't find any gold, 115 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:13,770 But we're probably gonna eat a lot of blueberries. 116 00:05:13,780 --> 00:05:16,340 Perfect. Bought a new blueberry patch. 117 00:05:16,350 --> 00:05:18,680 3 million dollars. 118 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:20,180 This is the thing about this creek. 119 00:05:20,180 --> 00:05:22,020 It's all sitting on top of mud. 120 00:05:22,020 --> 00:05:23,180 So we should just come down here 121 00:05:23,190 --> 00:05:24,820 And slam a line in somewhere in here, huh? 122 00:05:24,820 --> 00:05:26,020 Yeah. 123 00:05:26,020 --> 00:05:27,190 Liam: This is kind of the zone 124 00:05:27,190 --> 00:05:29,560 That I would be interested in looking. 125 00:05:33,060 --> 00:05:35,500 Liam: So, do you want to aim for this line? 126 00:05:35,500 --> 00:05:37,460 That's that one we walked down. 127 00:05:37,470 --> 00:05:38,770 Yeah. 128 00:05:38,770 --> 00:05:41,230 You could put two, like, right in the middle of this -- 129 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:42,800 Two lines, like, there? Yeah. 130 00:05:42,810 --> 00:05:45,310 Maybe we do, like, five holes a line? 131 00:05:45,310 --> 00:05:47,610 Parker: You know, there's a hefty purchase price on this property, 132 00:05:47,610 --> 00:05:49,440 And then we have no infrastructure here, right? 133 00:05:49,450 --> 00:05:53,580 So it needs to be good ground to justify. 134 00:05:53,580 --> 00:05:55,120 A lot of this ground's 100 feet deep, 135 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:57,780 So it's not cheap mining, right? 136 00:05:57,790 --> 00:06:01,120 That's the kind of ground that, if the gold's not good, 137 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:03,560 It'll break you, trying to do that. 138 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:05,760 Narrator: The next site parker wants to drill 139 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:08,500 Is a quarter-mile downstream. 140 00:06:11,570 --> 00:06:15,740 The rig weighs about 50,000 pounds. 141 00:06:15,740 --> 00:06:19,070 It's pretty rough terrain. 142 00:06:21,140 --> 00:06:23,340 Man: Stop! 143 00:06:23,350 --> 00:06:24,710 Whoa! 144 00:06:27,620 --> 00:06:29,380 You did it on purpose, didn't you? 145 00:06:32,650 --> 00:06:35,720 Well, we found the soft spot. 146 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:39,130 We should be able to pull it out here pretty quick. 147 00:06:39,130 --> 00:06:41,060 Right here, this. 148 00:06:48,170 --> 00:06:50,540 Keep it revved up. 149 00:06:50,540 --> 00:06:53,440 Parker: That's more like it. 150 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:55,710 Parker: It's a lot different than the mining that I'm used to. 151 00:06:55,710 --> 00:06:57,380 You know, we're very good at mining, like, 152 00:06:57,380 --> 00:06:59,480 Exactly 20 feet of ground, 153 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:03,020 And some of the deeper holes, I think, have been over 90 feet. 154 00:07:03,020 --> 00:07:06,650 So it's a deep, challenging piece of ground, 155 00:07:06,660 --> 00:07:08,520 Both to mine and drill. 156 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:16,074 157 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:31,580 Well, we had a late start to the season, 158 00:07:31,580 --> 00:07:33,710 But we're definitely making up for lost time right now. 159 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:37,050 We've already paid troy his 100-ounce minimum royalty, 160 00:07:37,050 --> 00:07:39,790 So everything from now on is going in our own pockets, 161 00:07:39,790 --> 00:07:42,360 And that feels great -- but if we're gonna hit 162 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:46,830 Our 1,000-ounce goal, it's time to get serious. 163 00:07:46,830 --> 00:07:51,060 Narrator: Because of the lockdown, rick ness was six weeks late 164 00:07:51,070 --> 00:07:55,170 To start his mining season, but he's making up ground fast. 165 00:07:55,170 --> 00:07:57,270 With 302 ounces, 166 00:07:57,270 --> 00:08:01,340 He's almost a third of the way to his 1,000 ounce gold. 167 00:08:01,340 --> 00:08:04,980 Now, he's ready to take it to the next level. 168 00:08:04,980 --> 00:08:06,510 Rick: What's up, you goons? 169 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:07,510 Late again, huh? 170 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:09,220 Mark: Hey, what time is it? 171 00:08:09,220 --> 00:08:10,580 you. 172 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:14,490 Well, first of all, I just want to 173 00:08:14,490 --> 00:08:16,720 Thank you guys for all the hard work. 174 00:08:16,730 --> 00:08:18,560 You know, things are really coming along good. 175 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:19,760 We're streamlining, 176 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:21,960 And we're looking like we know what we doing. 177 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:27,330 Mark: Took a few years. 178 00:08:27,340 --> 00:08:29,800 Chris: Hey, fake it till you make it. 179 00:08:29,810 --> 00:08:31,840 We can crank things up, and it's just in time, 180 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:33,470 Because we're moving on from the cheap cut, 181 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:35,240 And we're opening up the deep cut. 182 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:37,110 Mark: Wicked, man. Yes, sir. 183 00:08:37,110 --> 00:08:39,080 So that's a whole different ball game for us. 184 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:41,720 We're moving over at 60 feet overburden, in a lot of places. 185 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:43,520 That's a lot of junk material to move. 186 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:44,890 It's gonna be expensive. 187 00:08:44,890 --> 00:08:46,590 Karla, you're gonna have to get in the rock truck. 188 00:08:46,590 --> 00:08:47,720 Yep. I'm just gonna have to kind of 189 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:49,260 Throw everybody into the deep cut, 190 00:08:49,260 --> 00:08:50,690 Try to get that stripped down. 191 00:08:50,690 --> 00:08:52,030 See if we can get it all done, you know? 192 00:08:52,030 --> 00:08:53,130 It's doable now. It's just like I said, 193 00:08:53,130 --> 00:08:54,900 Me and you are gonna jump in trucks? 194 00:08:54,900 --> 00:08:56,000 We've got to get the ball rolling, 195 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:57,300 So whatever we got to do, right? 196 00:08:57,300 --> 00:08:58,900 The reward there is, hopefully, 197 00:08:58,900 --> 00:09:01,400 30 feet of pay underneath that, right? 198 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:04,600 And good stuff, like, two-ounce-per-100 type stuff. 199 00:09:04,610 --> 00:09:06,270 That's what we tested out at last year. 200 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:07,370 Carl: That's what I'm talking about. 201 00:09:07,380 --> 00:09:09,910 Alright. Let's get after it. Deep cut. 202 00:09:09,910 --> 00:09:11,280 Carl, try to keep your pants on. 203 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:13,010 I'm gonna try my best. 204 00:09:19,620 --> 00:09:21,890 It's gonna be one of the more aggressive things I've done, 205 00:09:21,890 --> 00:09:24,120 As far as mining goes. 206 00:09:24,130 --> 00:09:27,390 Narrator: There are just three days of cheap cut pay left 207 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:31,670 Before the wash plant runs out. 208 00:09:31,670 --> 00:09:34,170 We're looking at at least 60 feet of overburden. 209 00:09:34,170 --> 00:09:37,670 Sometimes you've got to bite the bullet and just do it. 210 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:44,980 Narrator: To get the three-acre deep cut down to pay dirt in time, 211 00:09:44,980 --> 00:09:47,680 Rick pulls in the whole crew. 212 00:09:47,680 --> 00:09:50,250 Karla: We have a lot of overburden to move, 213 00:09:50,250 --> 00:09:51,990 So this is gonna be a tough one. 214 00:09:51,990 --> 00:09:55,960 I'm in the gold room full-time, and I'm pretty swamped in there. 215 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:57,290 It kind of worries me. 216 00:09:57,290 --> 00:10:00,860 I just don't want to get caught with our pants down. 217 00:10:00,860 --> 00:10:02,100 Chris: It's a time-crunch thing. 218 00:10:02,100 --> 00:10:04,660 We're about out of pay in that other cut, 219 00:10:04,670 --> 00:10:07,270 And we've got a long way to go 220 00:10:07,270 --> 00:10:09,100 And a lot of dirt to move to get to this pay, 221 00:10:09,100 --> 00:10:13,240 But it's gonna be really worth it. 222 00:10:14,810 --> 00:10:16,640 Oh, . 223 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:26,090 Something is just not right with this thing. 224 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:29,220 No, that ain't good. 225 00:10:29,220 --> 00:10:30,760 Hey, carl, you got a copy? 226 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:32,260 Carl: 10-4. 227 00:10:32,260 --> 00:10:34,360 Yeah, man, something's going on with the bucket. 228 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:37,560 Get your truck out here and take a look at this thing. 229 00:10:40,970 --> 00:10:43,800 Without a 700, we're not gonna get down to pay in the deep cut 230 00:10:43,810 --> 00:10:46,640 Before we run out of pay in the cheap cut, 231 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:52,780 So hopefully we can fix this quick and get back on task. 232 00:10:52,780 --> 00:10:55,850 Narrator: The 700 is the only excavator that can 233 00:10:55,850 --> 00:11:00,220 Move enough volume of dirt for rick to stay on track. 234 00:11:00,220 --> 00:11:01,890 It just never ends with this thing. 235 00:11:01,890 --> 00:11:03,720 Carl: No. 236 00:11:03,730 --> 00:11:04,920 All the welds broke. 237 00:11:04,930 --> 00:11:06,690 It causes this pin to go wherever it wants. 238 00:11:06,700 --> 00:11:08,830 It's not in good shape, dude. 239 00:11:12,570 --> 00:11:14,030 I can stick my finger in there. 240 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:16,500 Yeah, and that's not good. 241 00:11:16,510 --> 00:11:18,710 My thoughts right now are, my main production machine 242 00:11:18,710 --> 00:11:23,410 Is just shot to . 243 00:11:23,410 --> 00:11:25,110 Rick: It's my main machine. I need it. 244 00:11:25,110 --> 00:11:27,180 It's not working. It's not good. 245 00:11:37,090 --> 00:11:38,890 Carl: That's bad, man. 246 00:11:38,890 --> 00:11:41,590 Rick: I'm just trying to figure out how to get through the season. 247 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:46,500 Narrator: Rick ness has just three days to strip 60 feet of overburden 248 00:11:46,500 --> 00:11:50,270 And get down to pay in his new deep cut, 249 00:11:50,270 --> 00:11:55,010 But the bucket on his 700 excavator is broken. 250 00:11:55,010 --> 00:11:57,310 How do we get this to ... 251 00:11:57,310 --> 00:11:59,010 To work? 252 00:11:59,010 --> 00:12:00,210 We could try centering it, 253 00:12:00,220 --> 00:12:02,380 Getting this gouge of it welded back on. 254 00:12:02,380 --> 00:12:04,350 Weld, weld, weld, and make it tighter, right? 255 00:12:04,350 --> 00:12:06,490 Just trying to build this up more. 256 00:12:06,490 --> 00:12:07,490 Ugly. 257 00:12:07,490 --> 00:12:08,860 This thing takes a lot of force. 258 00:12:08,860 --> 00:12:10,190 Yeah, I know, man. 259 00:12:10,190 --> 00:12:13,860 It's gonna be real low-budget and hope for the best, right? 260 00:12:16,430 --> 00:12:18,970 Rick: There's a collar on the bucket that holds the pin in place 261 00:12:18,970 --> 00:12:20,170 That the bucket rotates on, 262 00:12:20,170 --> 00:12:21,740 And now the pin wobbles in there like that, 263 00:12:21,740 --> 00:12:23,570 And it causes all kinds of damage, so... 264 00:12:23,570 --> 00:12:25,310 We just need to get this bucket off, 265 00:12:25,310 --> 00:12:27,140 Re-weld this collar back on. 266 00:12:27,140 --> 00:12:30,740 We can't just run it like that. 267 00:12:30,750 --> 00:12:34,550 Narrator: The bucket is attached to the arm by two pins. 268 00:12:34,550 --> 00:12:37,550 On one of the collars that hold the pins in place, 269 00:12:37,550 --> 00:12:39,620 The weld has sheared off. 270 00:12:39,620 --> 00:12:44,690 Without it, the pin wobbles, making the bucket unusable. 271 00:12:44,690 --> 00:12:50,200 Carl plans to weld the collar back on to secure the pin. 272 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:51,560 Carl: So, yeah, man, this is our money-maker. 273 00:12:51,570 --> 00:12:52,830 This is our main hoe. 274 00:12:52,830 --> 00:12:54,270 Without this thing we're , right? 275 00:12:54,270 --> 00:12:56,800 So, try to get that centered and welded up, but we'll see. 276 00:12:56,810 --> 00:12:58,540 There's no warranty on this job. 277 00:13:01,510 --> 00:13:03,010 We're doing it, though. 278 00:13:04,380 --> 00:13:06,810 I'm just about ready to attempt to throw a pin in it. 279 00:13:06,820 --> 00:13:10,050 Alright, she's heavy. 280 00:13:10,050 --> 00:13:11,420 Yeah, I'm gonna need a hand here, rick. 281 00:13:11,420 --> 00:13:14,250 I'm strong, but I'm not that strong. 282 00:13:14,260 --> 00:13:17,190 You want me to show you how to do it by blowing on my back? 283 00:13:22,130 --> 00:13:23,130 Carl: There you go. 284 00:13:23,130 --> 00:13:25,230 That-a-boy. You got her. 285 00:13:25,230 --> 00:13:26,830 Is it in tight? Yeah. 286 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:28,230 Tight! 287 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:30,140 The bucket's going back on easier than it normally does, 288 00:13:30,140 --> 00:13:31,200 So that's nice. 289 00:13:31,210 --> 00:13:34,210 Couple nuts, and we're back in business. 290 00:13:37,850 --> 00:13:39,250 You're good to move it if you want. 291 00:13:39,250 --> 00:13:41,010 Rick: Oh, yeah. 292 00:13:41,020 --> 00:13:42,220 That's it? 293 00:13:42,220 --> 00:13:43,950 You made it look easy, buddy. 294 00:13:43,950 --> 00:13:48,590 Narrator: Carl's got the 700 back up and running in just 3 hours... 295 00:13:48,590 --> 00:13:49,760 That went good, man. 296 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:50,920 That was awesome. 297 00:13:50,930 --> 00:13:53,790 ...And rick still has a full two days left 298 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:56,530 To get down to gold-rich pay dirt. 299 00:13:56,530 --> 00:13:57,800 Carl saves the day again. 300 00:13:57,800 --> 00:14:00,200 I'm not convinced you don't pull that on purpose. 301 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,040 . "it could be down for a week, rick," 302 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:04,100 And then you pull it out of your ass in a couple hours. 303 00:14:04,110 --> 00:14:05,770 I didn't think that was gonna happen, though. 304 00:14:05,770 --> 00:14:06,910 I love it. 305 00:14:06,910 --> 00:14:09,010 This machine is digging dirt in the morning. 306 00:14:18,990 --> 00:14:22,720 Fred: I would say camp life, pretty much like deployment life -- 307 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:28,460 A bunch of dudes, and khara, stuck in a small, little place, 308 00:14:28,460 --> 00:14:34,700 Not a lot of room to get around, and they're all messy teenagers. 309 00:14:34,700 --> 00:14:39,070 Narrator: 1,500 miles south, in oregon's elkhorn mountains, 310 00:14:39,070 --> 00:14:42,410 Fred lewis is 9 weeks into his first season 311 00:14:42,410 --> 00:14:43,880 Running a gold mine. 312 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:46,250 Fred: So we've got all the equipment now, and the team is 313 00:14:46,250 --> 00:14:49,580 Biting through their lips right now to get to work, so... 314 00:14:49,580 --> 00:14:51,080 The attitude in the mine 315 00:14:51,090 --> 00:14:52,950 Couldn't be any better right now, 316 00:14:52,950 --> 00:14:55,220 But I put my last 20k down on the mine -- 317 00:14:55,220 --> 00:14:57,790 If we don't start seeing a return, I'm done. 318 00:14:57,790 --> 00:15:01,860 Narrator: So far, with his crew of combat veterans, 319 00:15:01,860 --> 00:15:05,030 Fred has less than an ounce of gold. 320 00:15:05,030 --> 00:15:09,000 Everyone's ready to slay it and get up there and pull some gold. 321 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:10,840 Johnny's the first one up, because he's got to go up 322 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:13,840 And check his ponds to make sure the water's flowing 323 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:15,710 And make sure our ponds are full, 324 00:15:15,710 --> 00:15:18,410 So he's all chipper and dapper in the morning. 325 00:15:20,780 --> 00:15:23,080 Johnny: Guten morgen, world. 326 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:26,190 I wake up at 6:00 every morning, 327 00:15:26,190 --> 00:15:29,790 So that I can go and have the pumps running by 6:30, 328 00:15:29,790 --> 00:15:33,260 So we can start the process of getting water 329 00:15:33,260 --> 00:15:37,160 From the lower cut up to pond number 2. 330 00:15:37,170 --> 00:15:40,470 I think this is fred trying to put me back 331 00:15:40,470 --> 00:15:42,570 Through boot camp, right now. 332 00:15:42,570 --> 00:15:45,440 Crack the whip and make me get up early 333 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:47,770 And start the whole thing pumping. 334 00:15:47,780 --> 00:15:49,540 But he called on a marine, 335 00:15:49,540 --> 00:15:53,050 So he knew he called on the right guy. 336 00:15:53,050 --> 00:15:57,080 Narrator: Staff sergeant johnny stanz runs the irrigation system 337 00:15:57,090 --> 00:15:58,950 That feeds the wash plant. 338 00:15:58,950 --> 00:16:03,390 Johnny: The guys count on me, and I like being counted on. 339 00:16:03,390 --> 00:16:07,060 Narrator: But this is his first job on a gold mine. 340 00:16:07,060 --> 00:16:09,730 Johnny: So, let's check it first, to make sure gas is filled, 341 00:16:09,730 --> 00:16:15,030 But luckily, I went with fill it up at the end of my last cycle. 342 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:17,440 I normally do that, but I still got to check, 343 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:21,010 'cause with a brain injury, sometimes you forget. 344 00:16:23,710 --> 00:16:26,410 After I got blown up in the marine corps, 345 00:16:26,410 --> 00:16:28,510 They tell me "you're retired," 346 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:31,990 So I was like, "what the frickin' heck do I do now?" 347 00:16:31,990 --> 00:16:35,520 So I do wounded veteran sporting camps, 348 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:37,090 And I meet a guy named fred -- 349 00:16:37,090 --> 00:16:39,130 Weird guy, had a big, old beard. 350 00:16:39,130 --> 00:16:43,330 Weird guy, which was perfect for me, 'cause I'm a weird guy. 351 00:16:43,330 --> 00:16:46,330 Years later, he calls me up and tells me, 352 00:16:46,330 --> 00:16:49,100 "hey, I'm starting a gold mine out here in oregon. 353 00:16:49,100 --> 00:16:50,540 You want to join me? 354 00:16:50,540 --> 00:16:55,510 Took me about that long to decide, "yep. Sure as heck do." 355 00:16:55,510 --> 00:16:59,680 So, now the pump's all primed. The pump's full of gas. 356 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,810 We've got to reconnect our hoses -- 357 00:17:01,820 --> 00:17:03,150 Got to make sure these connections 358 00:17:03,150 --> 00:17:06,750 Are good and tight, sealed. 359 00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:09,660 Got to be thorough, 'cause this is one of my duties, 360 00:17:09,660 --> 00:17:11,490 And the guys are counting on me. 361 00:17:11,490 --> 00:17:14,390 Without this, who knows if we're gonna get gold. 362 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:16,360 I'm gonna go start the water. 363 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:23,700 Water's flowing, baby! Water's flowing. 364 00:17:23,710 --> 00:17:28,210 Narrator: Dirty water flows out of the wash plant into pond 1. 365 00:17:28,210 --> 00:17:33,180 The tailings settle and clean water flows into pond 2, 366 00:17:33,180 --> 00:17:36,450 Where it can be pumped back to the plant. 367 00:17:36,450 --> 00:17:41,220 But overnight, the ponds drain out, 368 00:17:41,220 --> 00:17:45,390 So johnny needs to pump water up to fill the ponds each morning 369 00:17:45,390 --> 00:17:49,000 Before they can fire up the plant. 370 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:50,460 Success! 371 00:17:50,470 --> 00:17:53,170 Upper pond is filling up. 372 00:17:53,170 --> 00:17:55,670 As you can see, it takes awhile, 373 00:17:55,670 --> 00:17:57,840 But that's why I got to wake up so early. 374 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:01,810 This water, I consider it the blood of the operation, 375 00:18:01,810 --> 00:18:03,040 And I'm the heart. 376 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:06,450 I've got to pump it to the brain, the kernel. 377 00:18:06,450 --> 00:18:09,920 It's got to figure out the dirt from the gold. 378 00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:12,750 We all got to work together to get this mine to be 379 00:18:12,750 --> 00:18:14,720 As successful as possible, 380 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:19,190 And I'm really grateful to fred for giving me this opportunity. 381 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:24,860 How's it going, guys? 382 00:18:24,870 --> 00:18:26,200 Kendall: Good morning. 383 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:27,200 Ohh. 384 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:30,170 Give me a little spin, johnny. 385 00:18:30,170 --> 00:18:31,870 What the -- you're dry. 386 00:18:31,870 --> 00:18:32,940 I'm getting better at this. 387 00:18:32,940 --> 00:18:34,840 you're learning. 388 00:18:34,840 --> 00:18:36,180 Alright, you guys ready to get up to the mine? 389 00:18:36,180 --> 00:18:38,910 Yeah. 390 00:18:38,910 --> 00:18:42,780 Let's get fired up! 391 00:18:42,780 --> 00:18:44,680 Fred: Johnny's got a pretty big responsibility. 392 00:18:44,690 --> 00:18:46,590 He's our irrigation specialist. 393 00:18:46,590 --> 00:18:48,420 It's quite complicated. 394 00:18:48,420 --> 00:18:51,660 A lot of moving parts, but as long as the water's flowing 395 00:18:51,660 --> 00:18:57,560 From the swamp to the pond to the kernel, we're in business. 396 00:18:57,570 --> 00:18:59,870 Fire it up, johnny. 397 00:18:59,870 --> 00:19:01,330 Here we go. 398 00:19:06,140 --> 00:19:07,570 Woo! 399 00:19:07,580 --> 00:19:10,210 Here comes the water! 400 00:19:10,210 --> 00:19:11,410 We're up and running! 401 00:19:11,410 --> 00:19:14,450 Start feeding it, stuart. 402 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:24,220 That water is starting to get kind of low over there. 403 00:19:24,230 --> 00:19:25,630 Stuart: Fred! 404 00:19:25,630 --> 00:19:27,590 Hey! Fred! 405 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:29,430 Hey, hey, hey! Turn off that water! 406 00:19:29,430 --> 00:19:31,400 Johnny! Johnny! 407 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:35,070 You need to take this! There's water shooting down there. 408 00:19:37,140 --> 00:19:40,010 damn it! 409 00:19:40,010 --> 00:19:44,040 Turn it off! 410 00:19:54,590 --> 00:19:56,460 Narrator: In oregon, fred lewis 411 00:19:56,460 --> 00:20:01,760 And his crew of rookie miners are shut down. 412 00:20:01,760 --> 00:20:04,660 It's that 90 degrees. It keeps leaking. 413 00:20:04,670 --> 00:20:07,400 If we don't get up and running quick, we're screwed. 414 00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:08,870 I was over there working on that, 415 00:20:08,870 --> 00:20:13,470 And this 90-degree turn blew. 416 00:20:13,470 --> 00:20:16,080 Narrator: Marine veteran johnny stanz 417 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:18,840 Is responsible for the water supply. 418 00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:23,850 Here's our problem, man. 419 00:20:23,850 --> 00:20:27,390 You got one clamp on there, and it ripped it right off. 420 00:20:27,390 --> 00:20:30,260 So, here's our irrigation line. 421 00:20:30,260 --> 00:20:33,690 You need at least two clamps here to keep these suckers on. 422 00:20:33,700 --> 00:20:35,260 There's a lot of pressure. 423 00:20:35,260 --> 00:20:37,130 I'm not very happy about it. 424 00:20:37,130 --> 00:20:38,430 No water equals no gold, 425 00:20:38,430 --> 00:20:41,070 And I'm on the verge of losing everything 426 00:20:41,070 --> 00:20:43,440 It totally ripped. Ripped the hose right off. 427 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:44,770 It sure did. 428 00:20:44,770 --> 00:20:48,470 We're getting nowhere every single day. This sucks, man. 429 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:50,710 We will be lucky to get 50 ounces of gold, 430 00:20:50,710 --> 00:20:51,910 At the rate we're going. 431 00:20:51,910 --> 00:20:53,480 At the rate we're going, we're not getting anything. 432 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:55,920 I know. I know. 433 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:57,580 Fred: You got to have your head on a swivel down here. 434 00:20:57,590 --> 00:20:59,420 Yeah, man. I saw it from up there. 435 00:20:59,420 --> 00:21:01,650 The geyser shooting up 20 feet in the air. 436 00:21:01,660 --> 00:21:03,360 Johnny: When I'm working over here, 437 00:21:03,360 --> 00:21:04,890 I don't got eyes out on top of my head. 438 00:21:04,890 --> 00:21:06,190 I could hear it. 439 00:21:06,190 --> 00:21:07,660 Kendall: Yeah, we could all see it from over here, dude. 440 00:21:07,660 --> 00:21:08,960 I only heard this puppy. 441 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:11,200 You got to pay attention to all that stuff around you. 442 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:12,570 Chalk it up to newbs. 443 00:21:12,570 --> 00:21:16,640 But hey, happens. Nobody got hurt. 444 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:17,740 Lesson learned, johnny. Yep. 445 00:21:17,740 --> 00:21:19,770 Told you irrigation ain't easy. 446 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:26,550 I didn't know that gold mining had a lot to do with plumbing. 447 00:21:26,550 --> 00:21:30,050 You clamp that to the hose, and just screw this into there. 448 00:21:30,050 --> 00:21:31,950 It is my job to check all the connections. 449 00:21:31,950 --> 00:21:34,090 I'll admit that. That was my bad. 450 00:21:34,090 --> 00:21:36,920 Fred seems like he's losing confidence in me -- 451 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:39,230 But at the same time, I'm new to this. 452 00:21:39,230 --> 00:21:42,160 Never done any of this crap before. 453 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:44,460 Dang. She's tightening. 454 00:21:44,470 --> 00:21:47,870 I just gonna do my best, make sure everything's a-okay, 455 00:21:47,870 --> 00:21:49,800 The way it should be, and if it goes wrong, 456 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:51,840 I'm just gonna have to deal with it when it comes. 457 00:21:51,840 --> 00:21:53,640 Fred: So, we replaced these two pieces. 458 00:21:53,640 --> 00:21:55,810 Our clamps aren't holding very well, so we've double down. 459 00:21:55,810 --> 00:21:57,380 I got a muffler clamp on here. 460 00:21:57,380 --> 00:21:59,280 It can't leak, or we're gonna lose all our pressure. 461 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:00,350 Alright. You good? 462 00:22:00,350 --> 00:22:02,980 Yeah. 463 00:22:02,980 --> 00:22:05,850 Alright, we're ready to roll. Let's do this. 464 00:22:05,850 --> 00:22:08,690 Fred: any sign of water, shout. 465 00:22:08,690 --> 00:22:11,260 Seems like what we're doing more up here is solving problems, 466 00:22:11,260 --> 00:22:12,830 And we're not really doing a lot of gold mining, 467 00:22:12,830 --> 00:22:15,630 And I think that is hurting my chances 468 00:22:15,630 --> 00:22:18,330 Of getting my investment back this season. 469 00:22:18,330 --> 00:22:19,930 it's getting frustrating. 470 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:32,580 Parker: There's some historic drilling on this property 471 00:22:32,580 --> 00:22:35,050 That showed pretty good promise. 472 00:22:35,050 --> 00:22:37,150 Unfortunately, we're having a hard time 473 00:22:37,150 --> 00:22:39,120 Replicating those results. 474 00:22:39,120 --> 00:22:43,660 Narrator: Parker schnabel is prospecting smallwood creek, alaska. 475 00:22:43,660 --> 00:22:46,460 Gonna jump downstream, and hopefully 476 00:22:46,460 --> 00:22:48,160 We can find some gold down there. 477 00:22:50,570 --> 00:22:52,870 We're gonna head down the road about 2,000 feet 478 00:22:52,870 --> 00:22:54,600 Into the east side of the valley. 479 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:56,900 The gold seems to be favoring that side, 480 00:22:56,900 --> 00:22:58,600 So we're gonna start there. 481 00:23:02,380 --> 00:23:04,540 Narrator: In a new test area downstream, 482 00:23:04,550 --> 00:23:08,910 Parker and liam will drill two new lines of holes. 483 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:11,920 Parker must find a consistent line of gold 484 00:23:11,920 --> 00:23:17,490 To be sure the ground is worth the price tag. 485 00:23:17,490 --> 00:23:18,960 Drill's running alright? 486 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:21,260 Drill's been running really good. 487 00:23:21,260 --> 00:23:25,770 So far, the gold they've found is 100 feet deep, 488 00:23:25,770 --> 00:23:28,030 And would be five times the cost 489 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:31,900 Of what he's digging now in the klondike. 490 00:23:31,910 --> 00:23:34,170 Liam: So now we're bringing a core out. 491 00:23:34,180 --> 00:23:35,910 So, you drill the core barrel down, 492 00:23:35,910 --> 00:23:38,640 Push the casing over top, pull it out. 493 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:44,680 Bring it over here. 494 00:23:49,360 --> 00:23:50,960 Parker: A lot of clay and vines, huh? 495 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:53,290 Yep. It's kind of almost like a decomposed gravel. 496 00:23:53,290 --> 00:23:56,100 You can see bits of that bedrock that's in it, 497 00:23:56,100 --> 00:23:58,100 That's broken down, 498 00:23:58,100 --> 00:24:01,270 So when you wash it, it's mostly all fines. 499 00:24:03,910 --> 00:24:06,910 We were hoping the gold starting to pick up down here. 500 00:24:06,910 --> 00:24:08,810 In the valley's a bit narrower, 501 00:24:08,810 --> 00:24:11,180 So it might concentrate that pay zone. 502 00:24:16,120 --> 00:24:17,820 Narrator: Liam runs the first sample 503 00:24:17,820 --> 00:24:21,390 From the new site through his test trommel. 504 00:24:21,390 --> 00:24:23,290 Parker: Was that the bottom of one of the holes? 505 00:24:23,290 --> 00:24:26,360 Yeah. You can see there is a piece of gold in there. 506 00:24:26,360 --> 00:24:27,760 Oh, good. There's one piece. 507 00:24:27,760 --> 00:24:28,990 That might be a second. 508 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:30,160 Yep. 509 00:24:30,160 --> 00:24:33,000 It is a bit there. 510 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:35,670 Narrator: He takes the concentrate from the sluice run, 511 00:24:35,670 --> 00:24:38,670 To pan it in his mobile gold room. 512 00:24:39,910 --> 00:24:43,540 I'm starting to see some colors here, some. 513 00:24:43,540 --> 00:24:46,150 This stuff's been really tricky to pan. 514 00:24:46,150 --> 00:24:48,950 There's a lot of really fine gold, 515 00:24:48,950 --> 00:24:51,720 And it just wants to float. 516 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:56,720 So that probably looks like about two mgs of gold. 517 00:24:56,720 --> 00:24:58,090 For these holes to be viable, 518 00:24:58,090 --> 00:25:01,730 We kind of want to see about 200 milligrams. 519 00:25:01,730 --> 00:25:03,560 Parker: So this is the bottom of that hole? 520 00:25:03,560 --> 00:25:04,630 Liam: Yeah. 521 00:25:04,630 --> 00:25:07,030 And that's at 100 feet? 522 00:25:07,030 --> 00:25:09,030 Bedrock is at 101.5. 523 00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:10,770 101.5 feet. 524 00:25:10,770 --> 00:25:16,810 So, you don't mine 101.5-foot deep ground for that. 525 00:25:16,810 --> 00:25:19,140 The plan now is, we're pretty much done, this line, 526 00:25:19,150 --> 00:25:22,210 And we're gonna head down to the next one across the valley. 527 00:25:22,220 --> 00:25:25,780 Fingers are crossed that it might be viable down there. 528 00:25:25,790 --> 00:25:28,350 Narrator: The results are still way below 529 00:25:28,360 --> 00:25:31,890 The 200 milligrams that parker needs to see. 530 00:25:31,890 --> 00:25:36,830 Everything now hinges on the final line of holes. 531 00:25:36,830 --> 00:25:39,230 So, this is the last one on this line. 532 00:25:39,230 --> 00:25:40,570 Yeah. 533 00:25:40,570 --> 00:25:44,400 On almost every line, there's been one, maybe two good holes 534 00:25:44,410 --> 00:25:46,610 That probably would be minable. 535 00:25:46,610 --> 00:25:48,610 The problem is they aren't together. 536 00:25:48,610 --> 00:25:51,110 They don't line up. They're not back-to-back. 537 00:25:51,110 --> 00:25:55,480 But we're getting 50 to 100 pieces of gold in a good hole, 538 00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:58,180 So you might be hitting pockets, 539 00:25:58,190 --> 00:26:02,090 And the ground might have richer pockets throughout. 540 00:26:02,090 --> 00:26:05,890 I think this is some expensive ground to mine. 541 00:26:05,890 --> 00:26:09,860 100 feet. Tons of water. Intermittent frost. 542 00:26:09,860 --> 00:26:13,770 Yeah. It needs to be excellent ground. 543 00:26:13,770 --> 00:26:15,000 Liam: There's definitely good gold there, 544 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:17,000 And we're finding good results, 545 00:26:17,000 --> 00:26:20,340 But it's just not gonna be an easy call. 546 00:26:20,340 --> 00:26:21,940 So we're really gonna have to sit down 547 00:26:21,940 --> 00:26:23,640 And work through the numbers 548 00:26:23,640 --> 00:26:27,910 And make a solid plan before we can decide if it's worth money. 549 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:30,680 Gonna be a super tough call for parker to make. 550 00:26:41,500 --> 00:26:43,130 Swept by the plant not too long ago, 551 00:26:43,130 --> 00:26:44,760 And it's looking pretty desolate down there, 552 00:26:44,770 --> 00:26:46,130 So it's gonna be a bit of a risk 553 00:26:46,130 --> 00:26:48,870 Opening up the deep cut here. 554 00:26:48,870 --> 00:26:52,040 Narrator: Rick ness is racing to open a new cut 555 00:26:52,040 --> 00:26:54,440 That could double his gold yield. 556 00:26:54,440 --> 00:26:56,210 What do you think about this second cut, krusey? 557 00:26:56,210 --> 00:26:57,940 You think it's gonna pay 2 ounces per 100, 558 00:26:57,950 --> 00:27:00,710 Like it did last year when we tested it? 559 00:27:00,720 --> 00:27:03,750 Well, I certainly hope that's the case. 560 00:27:03,750 --> 00:27:06,150 It's what we need, man. Yeah, me too, 561 00:27:06,150 --> 00:27:08,120 'cause we're moving an awful lot of dirt to get to it. 562 00:27:10,390 --> 00:27:13,930 Narrator: Rick has just half a day's overburden to strip, 563 00:27:13,930 --> 00:27:18,360 Before he can run pay dirt to the wash plant. 564 00:27:18,370 --> 00:27:21,300 Hey, rick, rick. You got a copy, rick? 565 00:27:21,300 --> 00:27:23,000 Yeah, go for rick. 566 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:25,340 You know we're running low on cheap cut pay. 567 00:27:25,340 --> 00:27:27,640 We're gonna run out before the shift. 568 00:27:27,640 --> 00:27:29,340 Yeah, man, I get it. 569 00:27:33,550 --> 00:27:34,650 You guys are killing it out there, 570 00:27:34,650 --> 00:27:36,250 But I just heard the plant's running low, 571 00:27:36,250 --> 00:27:37,680 So you're gonna have to speed it up. 572 00:27:37,690 --> 00:27:40,790 Rick: Dude, this is a glory hole right here. 573 00:27:40,790 --> 00:27:44,020 Hopefully, by the end, we'll be into the good stuff. 574 00:27:45,230 --> 00:27:46,630 Ooh-wee. 575 00:27:46,630 --> 00:27:49,160 I guess, take that away. 576 00:27:49,160 --> 00:27:51,230 Karla: We finally got three tracks running. 577 00:27:51,230 --> 00:27:53,930 We're all got our nose to the grindstone. 578 00:27:53,930 --> 00:27:55,200 Time is of the essence. 579 00:27:58,810 --> 00:28:01,270 We need to get this cut down if we want to keep up to the plant. 580 00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:02,570 It's two inches of dirt, 581 00:28:02,580 --> 00:28:05,880 So we need to have all hands on deck down here, right? 582 00:28:09,250 --> 00:28:10,850 Rick: We're running out of time. 583 00:28:10,850 --> 00:28:12,690 We cannot afford the plant shut down right now. 584 00:28:12,690 --> 00:28:14,420 We got to make it. 585 00:28:14,420 --> 00:28:16,660 Push it! Let's go! 586 00:28:16,660 --> 00:28:19,460 Our pay pile is dwindling. 587 00:28:19,460 --> 00:28:20,960 Carl: We're gonna be fighting it for a bit here, 588 00:28:20,960 --> 00:28:25,060 But hopefully things start to come together for us, right? 589 00:28:25,070 --> 00:28:26,430 Mark: Hey, rick? 590 00:28:26,430 --> 00:28:28,630 Gotta let you know that this is probably the last load. 591 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:31,670 I don't think I can scrape any more out of this cheap cut pay. 592 00:28:33,910 --> 00:28:36,010 this is the last thing we needed to happen. 593 00:28:36,010 --> 00:28:39,140 We're doing all we can to get this overburden moved. 594 00:28:46,290 --> 00:28:48,150 Rick: Yee-haw! 595 00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:50,920 I'm pretty sure I'm scraping the top of pay dirt here. 596 00:28:50,930 --> 00:28:53,190 That's the stuff we're looking for. 597 00:28:53,190 --> 00:28:54,760 Alright, here we go. 598 00:28:54,760 --> 00:28:57,730 This is the first load of pay dirt out of this second cut. 599 00:28:57,730 --> 00:29:00,570 Chock full of gold, they say. 600 00:29:00,570 --> 00:29:02,100 Rick: I tell you, I'm loving 601 00:29:02,100 --> 00:29:03,800 The material coming out of this hole. 602 00:29:03,800 --> 00:29:06,310 I bet you there's gonna be some big, old clonkers 603 00:29:06,310 --> 00:29:08,040 In the box coming out of here. 604 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:11,310 To the plant with you! 605 00:29:11,310 --> 00:29:13,880 Man, that was really, really close, 606 00:29:13,880 --> 00:29:15,180 But everybody showed up. 607 00:29:15,180 --> 00:29:18,020 Disaster averted, and on to bigger things. 608 00:29:18,020 --> 00:29:22,520 Narrator: If the deep cut delivers 2 ounces per 100 yards, 609 00:29:22,520 --> 00:29:27,660 Rick has a good shot at hitting his 1,000-ounce goal this year. 610 00:29:27,660 --> 00:29:30,600 Rick: 30 feet of pay in here like there's supposed to be -- 611 00:29:30,600 --> 00:29:32,930 It should get us through the rest of the season. 612 00:29:42,240 --> 00:29:43,940 Everything's going really well right now. 613 00:29:43,940 --> 00:29:48,610 We're up and running, we're running pay through the kernel. 614 00:29:48,620 --> 00:29:51,180 Narrator: In oregon, fred lewis brought together 615 00:29:51,190 --> 00:29:55,050 A crew of veteran buddies on the promise of gold. 616 00:29:55,060 --> 00:29:57,420 But after five weeks of failures, 617 00:29:57,420 --> 00:29:59,420 They have less than an ounce. 618 00:30:02,030 --> 00:30:04,000 Fred: What the 's going on? 619 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:05,860 Kendall! 620 00:30:05,870 --> 00:30:09,700 Hey, kendall, the waters off. 621 00:30:09,700 --> 00:30:12,540 Johnny! 622 00:30:12,540 --> 00:30:15,140 Johnny, where the are you? 623 00:30:15,140 --> 00:30:16,810 Hey, get up to the puff, now. 624 00:30:16,810 --> 00:30:18,140 Johnny: On my way. 625 00:30:20,050 --> 00:30:21,750 Fred: Dude! 626 00:30:21,750 --> 00:30:23,250 You've got to be here, man. 627 00:30:23,250 --> 00:30:25,250 Johnny: I know, but I got to be there, too. 628 00:30:25,250 --> 00:30:26,750 Where were you? 629 00:30:26,750 --> 00:30:28,190 I had to go down there, to the other pump. 630 00:30:28,190 --> 00:30:29,350 This pump was running, 631 00:30:29,360 --> 00:30:31,490 But there was no water going to the plant. 632 00:30:31,490 --> 00:30:34,530 You got to be here at all times, man. 633 00:30:34,530 --> 00:30:36,400 Look at how dirty this water is, dude. 634 00:30:37,570 --> 00:30:39,300 This freakin' thing sucks. 635 00:30:39,300 --> 00:30:40,830 We got to make sure that you're letting me know 636 00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:41,900 If this is getting dirty. 637 00:30:41,900 --> 00:30:43,600 I know. That's why I wasn't at the pump. 638 00:30:43,600 --> 00:30:46,240 I thought if we can pump some more water from the cut, 639 00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:48,010 Get it up here, dilute it a little bit. 640 00:30:48,010 --> 00:30:49,510 Yeah, I see your thought. 641 00:30:49,510 --> 00:30:51,080 We're gonna have to fix this, man. 642 00:30:51,080 --> 00:30:52,410 Hate to say this -- 643 00:30:52,410 --> 00:30:53,950 We're gonna have to pull the hose. 644 00:30:53,950 --> 00:30:55,850 If anything stopped this from running, 645 00:30:55,850 --> 00:31:00,350 It's either clogged up in here or clogged down in there. 646 00:31:00,350 --> 00:31:04,860 I feel like johnny's not giving me 100 percent, at this point. 647 00:31:04,860 --> 00:31:06,590 I always give people a second chance, 648 00:31:06,590 --> 00:31:07,690 So I'm gonna give him a chance 649 00:31:07,700 --> 00:31:09,260 To pick his bootstraps out of the dirt 650 00:31:09,260 --> 00:31:13,430 And to figure this job out, and if that doesn't happen -- 651 00:31:13,430 --> 00:31:16,100 Well, I'll have to think about some things. 652 00:31:16,100 --> 00:31:20,240 Narrator: First to check is the foot valve. 653 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:21,610 What the ? 654 00:31:21,610 --> 00:31:23,480 Dude. 655 00:31:23,480 --> 00:31:25,810 This is ridiculous crap. 656 00:31:25,810 --> 00:31:26,810 Look at that. 657 00:31:26,810 --> 00:31:28,480 That's, like, compacted, too, dude. 658 00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:29,510 Yeah, I know. 659 00:31:29,520 --> 00:31:30,850 oh, man. 660 00:31:30,850 --> 00:31:33,550 It's completely stopped up. 661 00:31:33,550 --> 00:31:36,860 Our problem is, our pond is not settling fast enough. 662 00:31:36,860 --> 00:31:38,890 Yeah. We definitely need to filter it. 663 00:31:38,890 --> 00:31:40,330 Well, I don't know if we need a filter, 664 00:31:40,330 --> 00:31:41,590 Or if we just need to make it deeper, 665 00:31:41,600 --> 00:31:43,400 Because that, I think, is caused by this 666 00:31:43,400 --> 00:31:45,430 Sitting too close to the bottom. 667 00:31:45,430 --> 00:31:47,930 The volume of water is our biggest hurdle right now. 668 00:31:47,940 --> 00:31:50,640 I think the filter. We gotta filter all this crap out. 669 00:31:50,640 --> 00:31:53,810 Your plan would shut us down for two days. 670 00:31:53,810 --> 00:31:56,410 You know what that means? No gold this week. 671 00:31:56,410 --> 00:31:59,650 Putting in my filter would take 24 hours. 672 00:31:59,650 --> 00:32:02,180 Alright, well, if you're right, then I'll be shamed, 673 00:32:02,180 --> 00:32:03,750 And if I'm right, you'll be shamed. 674 00:32:03,750 --> 00:32:06,990 Alright. No shame, baby, no shame. 675 00:32:06,990 --> 00:32:08,690 Get that fixed. 676 00:32:08,690 --> 00:32:10,820 Can I get kendall down here? 677 00:32:10,820 --> 00:32:14,630 I'm on my way. 678 00:32:14,630 --> 00:32:17,400 Right now, the whole pond is dirty, so I thought, 679 00:32:17,400 --> 00:32:21,270 Why don't we build a little beaver dam to filter it out? 680 00:32:21,270 --> 00:32:22,940 Narrator: Johnny's plan? 681 00:32:22,940 --> 00:32:25,800 Build a wall of rocks across the pond, 682 00:32:25,810 --> 00:32:30,710 Line it with sheets of wire mesh to filter out the tailings 683 00:32:30,710 --> 00:32:34,610 And provide clean water to pump to the plant. 684 00:32:34,620 --> 00:32:35,950 I'm not 100 percent confident 685 00:32:35,950 --> 00:32:38,480 That it's actually gonna clean your water. 686 00:32:38,490 --> 00:32:40,420 Fred: Well, there's only one way to figure it out. 687 00:32:40,420 --> 00:32:43,320 Let's get some rocks. Let's do it. 688 00:32:43,320 --> 00:32:46,790 First stone is about to go into the johnny dam. 689 00:32:46,790 --> 00:32:48,990 Alright. Stretch out as far as it can. 690 00:32:51,470 --> 00:32:54,930 Ha-ha! Perfect! 691 00:32:54,940 --> 00:32:58,000 Yeah, we got to get this dam built. 692 00:32:58,010 --> 00:32:59,240 I'm liking it. 693 00:33:02,280 --> 00:33:04,010 Nice. 694 00:33:04,010 --> 00:33:06,350 Hopefully, this pays off in the end -- 695 00:33:06,350 --> 00:33:07,510 Let us run a little bit longer, 696 00:33:07,510 --> 00:33:09,480 So we actually can get more gold. 697 00:33:11,920 --> 00:33:13,790 Johnny: It's really starting to take shape now, 698 00:33:13,790 --> 00:33:14,990 It's gonna act as 699 00:33:14,990 --> 00:33:17,360 A really good filter system for the water, 700 00:33:17,360 --> 00:33:19,990 So that none of this garbage will get through. 701 00:33:19,990 --> 00:33:22,860 One more rock ought to do it. 702 00:33:22,860 --> 00:33:24,660 in she goes! 703 00:33:24,670 --> 00:33:27,330 Alex: Unbelievable. 704 00:33:27,330 --> 00:33:30,340 You did a real good job on this dam, fellas. 705 00:33:30,340 --> 00:33:32,270 Why don't we pack it in for the night? 706 00:33:39,210 --> 00:33:42,710 We let the upper pond 2 dry out. 707 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:46,750 I can go down there and do phase 2 of the johnny dam. 708 00:33:46,750 --> 00:33:49,290 I'm gonna the mold screens around the rocks, 709 00:33:49,290 --> 00:33:50,760 Make a nice filter. 710 00:33:50,760 --> 00:33:54,460 Nothing's getting in that suction tube. 711 00:33:54,460 --> 00:33:57,860 Narrator: The metal fencing should stop fine material 712 00:33:57,870 --> 00:34:00,500 Passing through the dam. 713 00:34:00,500 --> 00:34:03,740 Johnny: We're gonna be able to run way, way longer 714 00:34:03,740 --> 00:34:08,040 Than we have been and actually find some gold. 715 00:34:08,040 --> 00:34:09,780 Fred: Hey, hey, hey. Hey. 716 00:34:09,780 --> 00:34:12,540 Well, what in the hell have you got going on here? 717 00:34:12,550 --> 00:34:14,580 Oh, this is a johnny dam. 718 00:34:14,580 --> 00:34:16,820 Standard-issue filtration system. 719 00:34:16,820 --> 00:34:18,720 I like it. 720 00:34:18,720 --> 00:34:22,090 I never seen anything like it, but I do like it. 721 00:34:22,090 --> 00:34:24,960 Fred: So, johnny's finalizing the steps on the johnny dam. 722 00:34:24,960 --> 00:34:26,990 It's looking pretty good. I like the idea of the rocks. 723 00:34:26,990 --> 00:34:28,630 It's definitely a good idea, to stop debris. 724 00:34:28,630 --> 00:34:30,900 My only concern is maybe that fencing 725 00:34:30,900 --> 00:34:32,430 May get a little clogged. 726 00:34:32,430 --> 00:34:35,000 Let's fire up the plant and get this thing tested out 727 00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:36,740 And start running pay through the kernel. 728 00:34:36,740 --> 00:34:39,700 You think it's 100 percent success? 729 00:34:39,710 --> 00:34:42,310 I don't want to say 100 percent, 'cause that sounds cocky. 730 00:34:42,310 --> 00:34:49,050 I'm gonna go ahead and say 99.99999999 percent. 731 00:34:49,050 --> 00:34:50,150 50/50. 732 00:34:53,350 --> 00:34:57,020 Fred: Johnny, it's on you, buddy. 733 00:35:00,460 --> 00:35:04,030 I'm a little anxious. Got to see how this works. 734 00:35:04,030 --> 00:35:06,430 Water's coming! 735 00:35:06,430 --> 00:35:09,130 Fred: Right now, this water is public enemy number one. 736 00:35:09,140 --> 00:35:11,570 If we can run this plant four hours straight, 737 00:35:11,570 --> 00:35:14,070 The kernel's eating gold the whole time, we're winning. 738 00:35:14,070 --> 00:35:16,640 Man: The more we run, the more gold we can find. 739 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:19,640 Let's just put some dirt through it and see what we can get. 740 00:35:24,080 --> 00:35:26,750 Fred: The water's still looking clean coming out of the kernel. 741 00:35:26,750 --> 00:35:28,290 Right now, it's clear as day. 742 00:35:31,090 --> 00:35:33,890 The johnny dam is doing perfect. 743 00:35:33,890 --> 00:35:35,890 I couldn't imagine it doing any better. 744 00:35:35,900 --> 00:35:39,430 We got all the garbage on this side. 745 00:35:39,430 --> 00:35:42,100 I couldn't be happier. 746 00:35:42,100 --> 00:35:46,000 Johnny dam's working properly -- I hate to admit it, but it is -- 747 00:35:46,010 --> 00:35:52,140 And we've got good water supply in pond 1 and pond 2. 748 00:35:52,150 --> 00:35:54,050 Fred: Johnny! 749 00:35:54,050 --> 00:35:56,310 It takes a big man to admit when he's wrong. 750 00:35:56,320 --> 00:35:58,020 It does, and you're a big man. 751 00:35:58,020 --> 00:36:00,890 Whatever you got to tell yourself -- I was right. 752 00:36:00,890 --> 00:36:04,220 Johnny, you took rocks and wrapped them in fence. 753 00:36:04,220 --> 00:36:07,460 Why would I think that would work? 754 00:36:07,460 --> 00:36:11,100 But it clearly works. 755 00:36:11,100 --> 00:36:14,270 I'm just I'm just sitting over here in pride. 756 00:36:14,270 --> 00:36:16,770 Actually, I'm starting to feel more and more confident 757 00:36:16,770 --> 00:36:18,840 That you can do this, so good work. 758 00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:19,870 I try -- 759 00:36:19,870 --> 00:36:23,680 Don't take that compliment to your head. 760 00:36:23,680 --> 00:36:26,310 You know, johnny's a funny guy. 761 00:36:26,310 --> 00:36:29,780 I've been friends with him for years, but he's a goofball, 762 00:36:29,780 --> 00:36:31,650 And I feel like some of the mistakes he made 763 00:36:31,650 --> 00:36:34,420 May have been because he was a little laxed. 764 00:36:34,420 --> 00:36:37,920 Now that he knows how important his job is, he stepped it up, 765 00:36:37,930 --> 00:36:40,030 And I think he's taking responsibility, 766 00:36:40,030 --> 00:36:42,560 And that's what we need on this mine. 767 00:36:42,560 --> 00:36:47,830 So, everybody has a pinnacle to their career -- 768 00:36:47,830 --> 00:36:50,700 Buzz aldrin landed on the moon, 769 00:36:50,700 --> 00:36:53,870 Alexander graham bell invented the telephone, 770 00:36:53,870 --> 00:36:57,310 And johnny made the johnny dam. 771 00:36:57,310 --> 00:37:00,810 Johnny b. Goode, baby. 772 00:37:00,810 --> 00:37:03,350 Fred: We've got our water situation solved, 773 00:37:03,350 --> 00:37:06,320 So we can now operate at full capacity, 774 00:37:06,320 --> 00:37:08,790 And it's all up to gold, at this point. 775 00:37:08,790 --> 00:37:11,720 We're ready to mine, and we're ready to mine full-time. 776 00:37:16,100 --> 00:37:19,860 Narrator: Tony beets is almost 1,000 ounces towards 777 00:37:19,870 --> 00:37:24,070 His 3,000-ounce season goal, but in the midst of mining, 778 00:37:24,070 --> 00:37:27,270 He's been pulled away to deal with an emergency. 779 00:37:29,540 --> 00:37:34,310 Tony's 60-ton yukon barge, the jasmine b, is sinking. 780 00:37:36,220 --> 00:37:39,680 He must repair the boat, before she's lost to the mighty river. 781 00:37:43,690 --> 00:37:46,730 First, he has to winch her on to the oshkosh. 782 00:37:55,900 --> 00:37:57,270 About six inches! 783 00:38:00,040 --> 00:38:01,140 Yeah, I think they're good. 784 00:38:02,880 --> 00:38:05,710 Now that the back of the jasmine b is pumped out, 785 00:38:05,710 --> 00:38:07,810 The hull can be repaired. 786 00:38:23,060 --> 00:38:24,600 Fred: Rally on me. 787 00:38:24,600 --> 00:38:27,270 Narrator: In oregon's elkhorn mountains... 788 00:38:27,270 --> 00:38:28,270 You guys ready? 789 00:38:28,270 --> 00:38:30,700 Yep. Kendall: Let's do this. 790 00:38:30,700 --> 00:38:34,140 ...After six weeks getting the mine up and running, 791 00:38:34,140 --> 00:38:38,710 Fred lewis gathers his rookie crew for their first gold weigh. 792 00:38:38,710 --> 00:38:40,050 Fred: I really want to point out, you guys, 793 00:38:40,050 --> 00:38:42,710 That we had a lot of adversity thrown at us 794 00:38:42,720 --> 00:38:44,450 These first couple of weeks. 795 00:38:44,450 --> 00:38:46,080 I know we had a lot of water problems, 796 00:38:46,090 --> 00:38:48,490 But the johnny dam was a great idea. 797 00:38:48,490 --> 00:38:51,660 I think with some little tweaks here and there, 798 00:38:51,660 --> 00:38:54,160 You might actually be the sergeant of irrigation one day. 799 00:38:54,160 --> 00:38:56,430 I'll take a corporal of irrigation, for now. 800 00:38:56,430 --> 00:38:58,560 I'll give that to you. 801 00:38:58,570 --> 00:39:01,270 A lot of teams might have stopped by now. 802 00:39:01,270 --> 00:39:04,100 We keep getting kicked, but we keep getting back up, 803 00:39:04,100 --> 00:39:07,170 And I think that's what's gonna define us, so... 804 00:39:07,170 --> 00:39:08,170 You guys ready? 805 00:39:08,180 --> 00:39:10,040 Yeah, let's do it. 806 00:39:10,040 --> 00:39:11,840 You're gonna need a bigger pan. 807 00:39:19,950 --> 00:39:21,890 Alright -- .28. 808 00:39:21,890 --> 00:39:22,950 Kendall: Yeah! 809 00:39:22,960 --> 00:39:24,120 Quarter of an ounce. 810 00:39:24,120 --> 00:39:27,860 Narrator: Worth $490. 811 00:39:27,860 --> 00:39:30,030 Look, guys, we are a rookie mining team. 812 00:39:30,030 --> 00:39:31,900 This is our very first gold way. 813 00:39:31,900 --> 00:39:33,930 We should feel pretty proud about what we've done, 814 00:39:33,930 --> 00:39:35,600 And I'll take it. 815 00:39:35,600 --> 00:39:37,570 We're gonna get better. I know we're gonna get better, 816 00:39:37,570 --> 00:39:38,870 'cause we're starting at the bottom, 817 00:39:38,870 --> 00:39:42,140 And the only way to go is up. 818 00:39:42,140 --> 00:39:43,240 Johnny: Did you just think of that? 819 00:39:43,240 --> 00:39:45,110 You better believe it. That was good. 820 00:39:48,120 --> 00:39:51,120 First go around. It'll get better. 821 00:39:51,120 --> 00:39:53,220 Johnny: Started out a little bit of a rough week. 822 00:39:53,220 --> 00:39:54,520 The pumps were giving us problems, 823 00:39:54,520 --> 00:39:56,820 The hoses were giving us problems, 824 00:39:56,820 --> 00:39:59,160 But the johnny dam worked perfect. 825 00:39:59,160 --> 00:40:01,330 We finally got our first gold weigh. 826 00:40:01,330 --> 00:40:04,630 Only one way to go from here is up, baby. 827 00:40:04,630 --> 00:40:06,230 Man: It's all coming together after this gold weigh. 828 00:40:06,230 --> 00:40:08,770 We finally get to see, kind of, the fruits of our labors. 829 00:40:08,770 --> 00:40:10,400 So if we can keep everything working, 830 00:40:10,400 --> 00:40:12,270 Keep everything up, and keep growing as a team 831 00:40:12,270 --> 00:40:15,410 And growing as miners, I think we're gonna do really well. 832 00:40:15,410 --> 00:40:17,540 Fred: Alright, guys. Let's go back to work. 833 00:40:17,540 --> 00:40:19,180 Alright. Okay. 834 00:40:19,180 --> 00:40:22,980 And the sun comes out. See? It's a sign. 835 00:40:22,980 --> 00:40:25,080 Even though our gold count's not too big, 836 00:40:25,090 --> 00:40:26,320 That tells me a lot. 837 00:40:26,320 --> 00:40:28,420 That shows we can pull gold out of the ground, 838 00:40:28,420 --> 00:40:30,260 And we can succeed as a mine team, 839 00:40:30,260 --> 00:40:32,590 And that's the most important part to me. 840 00:40:42,500 --> 00:40:46,070 Narrator: Out at smallwood creek... 841 00:40:46,070 --> 00:40:47,440 For this line, you don't really know 842 00:40:47,440 --> 00:40:48,670 What we're gonna expect here, 843 00:40:48,680 --> 00:40:52,010 So we'll just be saving all the gravel we find 844 00:40:52,010 --> 00:40:55,750 And wash it, to figure out what's going on. 845 00:40:55,750 --> 00:40:58,620 ...Parker and drilling contractor liam ferguson 846 00:40:58,620 --> 00:41:01,490 Drill the final line of test holes. 847 00:41:06,530 --> 00:41:07,730 Parker: Liam's just finishing up 848 00:41:07,730 --> 00:41:10,200 Panning the last couple of holes we've done. 849 00:41:10,200 --> 00:41:15,130 Narrator: Parker's spent nearly $20,000 on drilling 8 lines, 850 00:41:15,140 --> 00:41:18,470 But still hasn't seen the results he needs. 851 00:41:18,470 --> 00:41:22,410 We're finding some decent stuff, but it's just really spotty, 852 00:41:22,410 --> 00:41:25,440 And I think it's probably a really narrow pay streak, 853 00:41:25,450 --> 00:41:27,310 And quite deep, 854 00:41:27,310 --> 00:41:30,620 And we've spent a lot of money drilling so far -- 855 00:41:30,620 --> 00:41:34,290 So we'll weigh these out. 856 00:41:34,290 --> 00:41:37,420 Narrator: He needs a solid line of good holes to make 857 00:41:37,420 --> 00:41:42,230 This deep ground worth the 3-million-dollar price tag. 858 00:41:42,230 --> 00:41:43,900 Liam: Start with this one first. 859 00:41:43,900 --> 00:41:47,970 Narrator: They pan the final drill samples. 860 00:41:47,970 --> 00:41:51,600 This one looks better than the other ones we did today. 861 00:41:51,610 --> 00:41:54,040 It's the one we got the most hope for right now. 862 00:41:54,040 --> 00:41:57,340 A lot of pressure riding on the back of this little hole. 863 00:42:00,750 --> 00:42:04,280 Narrator: 200 milligrams would make the ground viable. 864 00:42:14,660 --> 00:42:17,930 Liam: Do you want to go 100 feet for 32 mgs, parker? 865 00:42:22,840 --> 00:42:25,870 I don't know where all the other gold's gone. 866 00:42:25,870 --> 00:42:29,440 It's supposed to be there. 867 00:42:29,440 --> 00:42:31,540 It's not like we're hitting dead holes. 868 00:42:31,550 --> 00:42:34,050 Like, there's gold here. 869 00:42:34,050 --> 00:42:38,220 Yeah, but no major hits. 870 00:42:38,220 --> 00:42:40,890 I think we're gonna stop drilling for now. 871 00:42:40,890 --> 00:42:42,050 Yeah, I agree. 872 00:42:42,060 --> 00:42:44,520 As for buying this place right now -- 873 00:42:44,520 --> 00:42:47,360 I'm not putting all my eggs in this basket, 874 00:42:47,360 --> 00:42:49,930 'cause 30 mgs at 100 feet, 875 00:42:49,930 --> 00:42:52,500 That's sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen. 876 00:42:52,500 --> 00:42:54,830 Yeah, that's an easy way to lose a lot of money. 877 00:42:54,830 --> 00:42:59,440 The gold wasn't as easy to find as what we were expecting. 878 00:42:59,440 --> 00:43:01,910 Thank you for coming out here and making it happen. 879 00:43:01,910 --> 00:43:03,840 I will say that there would have been 880 00:43:03,840 --> 00:43:06,110 A lot more fun ways to spend 200 grand, liam, 881 00:43:06,110 --> 00:43:07,780 But I'm glad it's going to you. 882 00:43:10,420 --> 00:43:11,920 Hey, if you just bought a helicopter 883 00:43:11,920 --> 00:43:13,250 And said "we're not going drilling," 884 00:43:13,250 --> 00:43:15,620 I'd be more than happy. I'd be like, "sweet." 885 00:43:25,030 --> 00:43:27,670 see how everybody's doing. 886 00:43:27,670 --> 00:43:28,600 Mitch: Hello? 887 00:43:28,600 --> 00:43:30,770 Hi, how are you guys doing? 888 00:43:30,770 --> 00:43:32,270 Oh, we're doing good. 889 00:43:32,270 --> 00:43:34,670 Narrator: Parker calls foreman mitch blaschke 890 00:43:34,670 --> 00:43:37,140 To check his progress on indian river. 891 00:43:37,140 --> 00:43:39,110 The plants are running alright? 892 00:43:39,110 --> 00:43:42,010 Sluice for big red's been plugging along really nice. 893 00:43:42,020 --> 00:43:43,680 We're mobbing through it here, man. 894 00:43:43,680 --> 00:43:44,920 You're definitely gonna need to 895 00:43:44,920 --> 00:43:46,820 Find us a new ground here pretty soon. 896 00:43:46,820 --> 00:43:47,920 We've had a hell of a time 897 00:43:47,920 --> 00:43:50,620 Trying to hit some gold with the drill. 898 00:43:50,620 --> 00:43:52,920 Pretty frustrating, for sure. 899 00:43:52,930 --> 00:43:54,730 Alright. Thanks, mitch. Have a good rest of your day. 900 00:43:54,730 --> 00:43:56,860 Alright. You too, man. Bye. 901 00:43:56,860 --> 00:43:58,960 Sounds like they hardly even miss me. 902 00:44:02,140 --> 00:44:03,300 Mitch: How's it going, chris? 903 00:44:03,300 --> 00:44:05,240 Hey, mitchell. What's happening, man? 904 00:44:05,240 --> 00:44:07,040 Narrator: Mitch is responsible for 905 00:44:07,040 --> 00:44:10,680 Hitting the gold targets while parker's away, 906 00:44:10,680 --> 00:44:13,780 But they haven't put any on the scale since he left. 907 00:44:13,780 --> 00:44:14,810 Just busy. 908 00:44:14,810 --> 00:44:17,080 Yeah, I bet. It shows, man. It shows. 909 00:44:17,080 --> 00:44:18,380 What are you thinking? 910 00:44:18,390 --> 00:44:20,180 We'll just weigh all this up when he gets back? 911 00:44:20,190 --> 00:44:21,520 Yeah, I think so. 912 00:44:21,520 --> 00:44:24,190 It ought to be a cruncher, for sure. 913 00:44:24,190 --> 00:44:25,620 It's gonna be a trophy. 914 00:44:25,630 --> 00:44:27,490 You gonna let me have a look, at least? 915 00:44:27,490 --> 00:44:29,060 Yeah. Check this out. 916 00:44:32,600 --> 00:44:34,830 No way, man. Yeah. 917 00:44:34,830 --> 00:44:36,970 Those are two-hand buckets, right there. 918 00:44:36,970 --> 00:44:38,670 You're lifting with two hands. 919 00:44:40,740 --> 00:44:42,870 Yeah, that's a lot. 920 00:44:42,880 --> 00:44:44,410 We won't know till we get on a scale, 921 00:44:44,410 --> 00:44:45,510 But that's looking pretty damn good. 922 00:44:45,510 --> 00:44:46,880 Okay. Alright. Thanks, chris. 923 00:44:46,880 --> 00:44:48,550 Yep. No problems. 924 00:45:01,530 --> 00:45:02,860 Narrator: At duncan creek... 925 00:45:02,860 --> 00:45:05,360 That's the right stuff, right there. 926 00:45:05,370 --> 00:45:08,570 ...After four days running pay from the cheap cut 927 00:45:08,570 --> 00:45:11,100 And one from the deep cut, 928 00:45:11,100 --> 00:45:15,370 Rick ness and his crew assemble for a double gold weigh. 929 00:45:15,370 --> 00:45:17,480 In classic fashion, with a breakdown, 930 00:45:17,480 --> 00:45:19,740 We came dangerously close to running out of pay. 931 00:45:19,750 --> 00:45:22,410 Just in the nick of time, buddy. 932 00:45:22,420 --> 00:45:23,610 Well, wouldn't have nothing to dig it with, 933 00:45:23,620 --> 00:45:25,180 If not for you, carl. 934 00:45:25,190 --> 00:45:27,220 How many ounces you think are in that hole there? 935 00:45:27,220 --> 00:45:28,750 Oh, last year, I mean -- 936 00:45:28,760 --> 00:45:30,150 We pulled 800 yards out of there, ran it, 937 00:45:30,160 --> 00:45:32,060 And there was 17 ounces. That's unreal, man. 938 00:45:32,060 --> 00:45:34,290 So, yeah, we'll do a little more math on the scale, I guess. 939 00:45:35,460 --> 00:45:38,300 Narrator: First up, the cheap cut gold. 940 00:45:38,300 --> 00:45:39,630 That looks good, rick. 941 00:45:39,630 --> 00:45:41,570 Rick: We got... 942 00:45:41,570 --> 00:45:48,810 10, 20, 30, 40... 943 00:45:48,810 --> 00:45:51,080 56.36. 944 00:45:51,080 --> 00:45:54,080 Narrator: Worth over $98,000. 945 00:45:54,080 --> 00:45:55,250 I could get used to this, rick. 946 00:45:55,250 --> 00:45:56,750 That's good. That's what we've been putting up, 947 00:45:56,750 --> 00:45:59,650 But you know the deep cut's better than that, right? 948 00:45:59,650 --> 00:46:00,720 So this is from one day 949 00:46:00,720 --> 00:46:02,190 Of running the deep cut, right here. 950 00:46:04,190 --> 00:46:06,360 Holy smokes, dude. 951 00:46:06,360 --> 00:46:10,660 Narrator: Next, the gold from running just one day of deep cut pay. 952 00:46:10,660 --> 00:46:11,960 Get ready. 953 00:46:15,700 --> 00:46:18,340 So we've got another 10... Another 20... 954 00:46:18,340 --> 00:46:20,470 Another over 30... 955 00:46:20,470 --> 00:46:21,510 That's one day? 956 00:46:21,510 --> 00:46:24,380 ...And we got 35.21. 957 00:46:24,380 --> 00:46:25,880 Oh, buddy. 958 00:46:25,880 --> 00:46:27,080 Oh, man. 959 00:46:27,080 --> 00:46:29,710 Narrator: Worth $62,000. 960 00:46:29,720 --> 00:46:31,320 That's pretty cool. Yeah, buddy. 961 00:46:31,320 --> 00:46:35,750 Narrator: Together, it's the biggest weekly gold weigh of the season. 962 00:46:35,760 --> 00:46:37,490 That brings us to 91.57. 963 00:46:37,490 --> 00:46:42,460 Which boosts their season total to 393 ounces, 964 00:46:42,460 --> 00:46:45,600 Closing in on their 1,000-ounce target. 965 00:46:45,600 --> 00:46:46,730 Carl: I don't know what's more impressive, 966 00:46:46,730 --> 00:46:48,770 The gold weigh, or you figuring that out. 967 00:46:48,770 --> 00:46:50,570 You got a guy on site that knows math. 968 00:46:50,570 --> 00:46:53,370 We're set, boys. 969 00:46:53,370 --> 00:46:57,280 Narrator: At almost 100 ounces a week, rick and his crew 970 00:46:57,280 --> 00:47:00,810 Could be looking at a two-million-dollar season. 971 00:47:00,810 --> 00:47:03,550 Time to start hammering down, throttling that dirt out there. 972 00:47:03,550 --> 00:47:05,980 Do it, dude. Yes, sir. 973 00:47:05,990 --> 00:47:07,990 Carl: So another big week here, 974 00:47:07,990 --> 00:47:09,820 And a couple more band-aids on some problems, 975 00:47:09,820 --> 00:47:10,890 But we're keeping things rolling, 976 00:47:10,890 --> 00:47:12,790 So nothing wrong with that. 977 00:47:12,790 --> 00:47:15,560 We're getting gold coming in. I'm happy. 978 00:47:15,560 --> 00:47:16,890 Yeah, I'm ecstatic, man. 979 00:47:16,900 --> 00:47:20,030 I've never seen that much gold in one gold weigh. 980 00:47:20,030 --> 00:47:21,470 We'll keep at it. 981 00:47:21,470 --> 00:47:23,170 Well, we are done with the cheap cut, 982 00:47:23,170 --> 00:47:25,840 And so far, the deep cut's looking really good, 983 00:47:25,840 --> 00:47:27,670 So let's just hope it stays that way. 984 00:47:32,610 --> 00:47:34,750 Narrator: Next time on "gold rush"... 985 00:47:34,750 --> 00:47:36,510 Rick: Get down here now! Now! 986 00:47:36,520 --> 00:47:38,780 Rick ness's 1,000-ounce mission... 987 00:47:38,790 --> 00:47:40,590 Your back's hurting? 988 00:47:40,590 --> 00:47:41,950 ...Hits the skids. 989 00:47:41,960 --> 00:47:44,560 That's a major, major -up. 990 00:47:44,560 --> 00:47:46,060 Tony beets' season... 991 00:47:46,060 --> 00:47:47,590 Looks like something I would buy. 992 00:47:47,590 --> 00:47:48,890 Heads for liftoff. 993 00:47:48,900 --> 00:47:49,960 Let's haul it out of there, 994 00:47:49,960 --> 00:47:52,400 Throw it in the rocks, and see what it does. 995 00:47:52,400 --> 00:47:56,400 And parker returns from three weeks prospecting... 996 00:47:56,400 --> 00:47:57,270 Parker: Don't drop it. 997 00:47:57,270 --> 00:47:59,770 To the mother of all gold weighs. 998 00:47:59,770 --> 00:48:04,140 There's your airplane. That's, like, 20 airplanes. 998 00:48:05,305 --> 00:49:05,707 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm